Sunset Hills Holds National Day of Prayer Service

Approximately 50 people gathered outside Sunset Hills' city hall at noon Thursday to participate in the National Day of Prayer, an observance day officially recognized in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The event was organized by Lindbergh School District Board member Kate Holloway and sponsored by the National Day of Prayer Task Force, which on its website calls itself "a Judeo Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible."

Holloway said the event was opened to people of all religions and backgrounds. However, the event's focus was on "Judeo-Christian scripture," she said.

Prayers were read for the government, the church, the military, family, first responders, the media and business.

"... Pray that believers would be faithful to lift up our officials and the decisions that will affect our nation's future, so that biblical principals might prevail in the public square throughout the halls of government," read one prayer.

John Schelby, minister at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, sung the Lord's Prayer during the event. Prior to the start of the event, Schelby said it was important to hold the national day of prayer as a way of spiritual healing.

"We all need prayer," Schelby said. "It is very important we join as a community and ask for God's guidance and protection."

Sunset Hills Board members Scott Haggerty and Patricia Fribis both participated in the event. Both Haggerty and Fribis said it was a great opportunity for people to reconnect with their faith.

"It redirects people to go back to our foundation," Fribris said. "We need to remember to pray and say thanks to God not only in church or today, but every day."

Several municipalities across St. Louis County celebrated the National Day of Prayer, including Manchester, Kirkwood, Ladue, Maryland Heights, Glendale and O'Fallon, as well as the City of St. Louis, according to the Gateway National Day of Prayer, a St. Louis organization which promotes the event.

Rosemary Fair, a resident of Oakville who volunteered for the event, said she wished her community also held "a wonderful event like this."

"It's important because you have people of different denominations together to pray for the well-being of us all," Fair said.