Community leaders, church leaders, students, and residents gathered at Jacqueline Park early Thursday morning for Minden’s observance of the National Day of Prayer.
The event, hosted by the City of Minden, began at 7:30 AM on May 7 under sunny but chilly spring skies at the park on Main Street.
Mayor Nick Cox opened the gathering by reflecting on Minden founder Charles Veeder and the vision he may have had for the city when it was first established.
“As we look back to him and the prayer he might have prayed, and we stop and pray for us in the present, and pray for the future, we’re doing the most important thing, which is not looking back, not looking forward, not looking down, but looking up and saying, ‘God, continue to bless the City of Minden,’” Cox said.
Students from Minden High School led the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem before Terry Combs of the City of Minden led attendees in The Lord’s Prayer.
The program continued with seven focused prayers offered by local faith leaders representing different areas of the community.
The prayer for government was led by Reverend Knapp of Mt. Calm Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Leland Crawford of First Baptist Church led the prayer for the military, while Father Nicholas Duncan of St. Paul Catholic Church offered the prayer for businesses.
Pastor Royal Scott of Greater St. Paul Baptist Church led the prayer for education, followed by Mrs. Jodie Martin, elder of The Christian Church, who prayed for churches.
Reverend Steve Berger of First Methodist Church led the prayer for families, and Pastor Doug Greg of Calvary Baptist Church delivered the closing prayer.
Members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Minden High School, led by Chris Grigg, also participated in the event by praying over elected officials. FCA students established prayer stations where local officials could receive prayers and blessings from the students after the gathering.
The annual observance is part of the nationwide National Day of Prayer, which encourages communities to gather in prayer for the nation, local leadership, families, schools, businesses, churches, and the military.
