Considerable clouds this morning. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 79F. Winds light and variable..
Tonight
Some clouds. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.
WESTON, W.Va. (WV News) — Faithful Lewis County residents and clergy filled part of the Lewis County Courthouse on Thursday during the county’s annual National Day of Prayer service.
“I’ve coordinated this for four years, and every year it gets better and better,” Susie Godfrey said. “We were all here for the right reasons — to praise our Savior in Jesus.”
Held in the second-floor meeting room usually occupied by the Lewis County Commission, the 1 1/2-hour service included Scripture readings and prayers about seven centers of influence: government, media, military, family, church, education and business.
“It’s time for the church to rise up and show the love of Christ,” Rev. Kathy Elis said before she began the service by playing “Did you Think to Pray?” and two other worship songs on guitar. “I think it’s time together to come together and show the love of Christ. He is a great and mighty God, and I am glad that I got the revelation of who God is.”
Jason Skagg, pastor of Broad Run Baptist Church in Jane Lew, preached from Ephesians 6 before leading the national prayer. Godfrey said groups across the nation aimed to recite the prayer at noon.
Prayers were also led by other local pastors, including First Baptist Church of Weston’s Mark Evans, Message of Light Tabernacle’s Bob Hoover, retired United Methodist Pastor Russell Furr, Baptist Minister Allen Burnsworth and Vandalia Community Christian Church’s Charlie Barrett, as well as Del. Adam Burkhammer, R-Lewis.
It was the third time Burnsworth has chosen to pray for the military. The former soldier said he is thankful for the active duty and retired military, as well as local police and sheriff’s officers.
“The biggest military in the world is God’s army,” Burnsworth said. “Let’s put on the full armor of God. I challenge every person in every church to go into the world and preach the Gospel. God does not give us fear; He gives us strength.”
Furr, who prayed for education, said his first-grade teacher was a role model for him.
Barrett held a full deck of campaign mailers while preaching for and joking with the audience about government leaders. Barrett said none of the mailers took a stance on religion, but that he would.
“A healthy, strong family is an essential part of our lives,” Burkhammer said before his prayer. “I believe if we want strong churches, we need strong and healthy families. If we want to improve the education system, we need strong and healthy families. If we want strong communities, it starts with a strong and healthy family.”
Godfrey played the Celtic harp as Pastor Dave Riddle led communion and the benediction.
“God needs to hear our prayers,” Riddle said. “We celebrate and recognize what He did for us.”
Evans thanked Godfrey, Lewis County Christian Alliance President Sarah Weaver and others for coordinating Thursday’s event.
A national broadcast was also livestreamed Thursday evening.
Senior Staff Writer Jonathan Weaver can be reached at 304-626-1446 or jweaver@theet.com
You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
Post a comment as Anonymous Commenter
Report
Watch this discussion.
(1) comment
Since Lewis County has turned its back on reality, why not have days of these too?
+ Wizardry
+ Witchcraft
+ Telekinesis
+ Alien Abductions
+ Psychic Surgery
+ Homeopathy
Or maybe just stop being an embarrassment altogether.
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.