Hundreds gather for Day of Prayer

SANDPOINT — As the sun shone, more than 400 people gathered in prayer at Farmin Park on Thursday asking God’s wisdom and strength for the nation and its leaders.

The celebration was one of thousands across the country and Bonner County — including Hope and Clark Fork — held as part of the 57th annual Day of Prayer.

Some walked to the park after first gathering at their church. Others stopped by on their lunch hour. Within a short period, the park was packed with the young, the businessman, emergency services and law enforcement, church leaders and more.

All gathered together for a common cause — to pray for their county and to ask for God’s guidance.

The event dates back to 1952, when Congress established the National Day of Prayer and citizens first gathered together in prayer to ask for wisdom for the country’s leaders and to intercede on behalf of the nation and its citizens.

“We need to acknowledge our dependence upon God and invite his work in our nation,” said Eric Rust, pastor of Cedar Hills Church.

This year’s theme — “Prayer! America’s Strength and Shield” — stems from Psalm 28:7, which includes the passage “The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.”

Following group prayer, the group broke into seven smaller groups to pray for military, media, business, education, church, government and family.

More than 15 Sandpoint area churches took part in the celebration, which also included a 24-hour call to prayer and worship Wednesday as well as prayer breakfasts both Wednesday and Thursday and a student-led prayer at the Sandpoint High School flag pole.

Prayer is an important part of life, pastors told the crowd and encouraged them to continue their talks with God and let the day lead to a revival.

“Let this be a starting place, not an ending place,” said one pastor.