Hundreds gather for annual Day of Prayer

SANDPOINT — Dark, ominous clouds hung in the horizon while Farmin Park filled with the faithful as hundreds of Bonner County residents turned out to celebrate Thursday’s observance of the National Day of Prayer.

But rain held off and the sun even managed to briefly shine during the hour-long event, with as many as 600 people calling for God’s blessings and guidance in their lives and for the country as a whole.

Economic worries, uncertainty over the future, wise decisions by the nation’s leaders — there are many reasons to pray and opportunities to invite God into our lives, Matt Lombard, pastor at Seventh-day Adventist Church, told the crowd.

We need to seek God’s involvement in our lives and ask his guidance for the country’s leaders, Lombard said. Prayer is our “direct link” to God and he will never turn a deaf ear when his people turn to him in humility and seek him, Lombard added.

“Prayer is God’s gift and serves as an open channel to him,” said Pastor Stan Norman.

Too often, people make prayer more complicated than it is — a simple conversation with God that can take place at any time and cover any subject, he said.

“Praise God for what he has already accomplished through Jesus, repent personally and on behalf of our nation, ask God to reveal truth and turn our hearts back to him, and yield to the Lord and recognize he has heard our prayers and will answer according to his will,” Norman said.

Bonner County commissioners Lewis Rich, Joe Young and Cornel Rasor attended, saying their presence was a personal decision and reflects their personal beliefs.

The trio said their faith reminds them what is important, saying they call on God to make wise decisions as they work to serve their community.

“I pray that I make wise and intelligent decisions that are equitable and fair to everyone,” Lewis said.

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good and pleases God our savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth,” Rasor said, reading from 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

To see hundreds of people humbly gathered in God’s name, asking for his guidance and intercession is awe-inspiring, said Chad Wilks, senior pastor at Sandpoint Church of the Nazarene.

“We came in faith to this place to pray for a whole list of things because there is a great need and we believe God can answer those needs,” he said.