Approximately 30 members of the community including pastors from area churches in the California Ministerial Alliance came together for the observance of the Annual National Day of Prayer held Thursday, May 2, at the Moniteau County Courthouse.
The event began with the California VFW presenting the colors which was followed by the National Anthem led by California First Baptist Church Music Minister Rev. Timothy Burgher. Rev. Frank Hensley, pastor of New Life Christian Center, welcomed those in attendance. VFW member and former judge Gary Schmidt shared the importance of freedom and the right to assemble and pray for those who have served and are currently serving.
Burgher then led the group in singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" which closed the event. Members from each of the churches represented prayed for the city, county, state and nation.
The Ministerial Alliance is a group of people who enjoy working together, whether it is spreading the Word through the Pastor's Columns in the California Democrat or the devotions on KRLL or it is helping feed the hungry or providing emergency assistance to the needy. These are the things they actually do day by day here in the community.
This is the fourth year the community has come together to observe the National Day of Prayer which has been held annually for the past 61 years. National days of prayers have been called in the United States since 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming the nation. Hensley said the National Day of Prayer held the first Thursday in May is about people coming together across communities and the nation.