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 The Prayer on the Square portion of National Day of Prayer activities in Dyer County will be canceled this year so community leaders can focus on the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, which draws more participation from area residents. Traditional events of the noon Prayer on the Square will be moved to the breakfast including the presentation of colors by the Dyer County High School JROTC, the National Anthem, scripture readings, a concert of prayers, special music and pastors laying hands on all four Dyer County mayors. |
This year, residents of Dyer County who join together for the 58th annual National Day of Prayer, "Prayer ... America's Hope," will notice a difference in both the activities presented and the intensity of the program.
Community leaders have joined together to make some changes to traditional Dyer County events by eliminating the noon Prayer on the Square and strengthening the focus of prayer at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast.
The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress as an annual observance inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. Signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, activities surrounding the day have taken place for nearly six decades on the first Thursday of May.
Traditionally, residents in Dyer County kick off the National Day of Prayer with the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, which offers a home-cooked breakfast at First Baptist Church in Dyersburg and a featured speaker. A Prayer on the Square ceremony with participation by mayors from Dyer County, Dyersburg, Newbern and Trimble has traditionally been held at noon, on Dyersburg's Historic Courthouse Square.
But members of the Dyer County Ministerial Organization and local government leaders decided to alter this year's activities when they noticed a disturbing trend in the two traditional events.
"We have noticed that the Prayer on the Square has had very low attendance the last few years, whereas the Prayer Breakfast has had great attendance," said a recent DCMO letter to area pastors on the subject. "But the prayer breakfast hasn't really had much prayer. We have heard some great music and some inspirational messages, but we have left the prayer to the noon time event on the square."
Several area pastors recently discussed the issue, sharing their thoughts with both Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill and Dyersburg Mayor John Holden.
The result? Eliminating the noon Prayer on the Square ceremony and the featured speaker at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast and adding a more concentrated focus on prayer to the more popular breakfast event. Without a featured speaker, religious and community leaders will have more time to devote to prayer, with all four area mayors participating in the breakfast. The program includes scripture reading, a concert of prayers and pastors laying hands on the mayors.
"We are trying to strengthen that which works," said Dr. Larry Blakeburn, pastor of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. "In that sense, it's a major shift of what we've done before, to eliminate the event on the square. It's more convenient for those of us who work."
"It's unique this year because we are really going into some problems," said Tucker Street Church Pastor Mathews George, who said diminishing jobs and the global economy are creating additional stress for both community leaders and local residents. "This year, it is even more important for churches and community leaders to come together. (At the breakfast,) all the pastors will be circling around the mayors and laying hands on them and praying for guidance. That's a bold step."
"Unity is important," said Holden. "It's important that folks know we are coming together for a common cause. I am excited about the change and what we are doing and I appreciate this group for taking the reins."
The Mayor's Prayer Breakfast is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 7. Serving will begin at 6:15 a.m. Organizers said that residents who need to leave before the breakfast is over are welcome to walk out quietly between prayers.
"Traditionally, we have been able to get out in an hour," said Blakeburn.
"Usually by 7:30, so residents can get to work," agreed Holden.
Tickets for the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast are available for $3 by contacting Lauren Dycus in the mayor's office at Dyersburg City Hall. Tickets will also be available at the door.
Those interested in more information on the National Day of Prayer may visit www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
So Dr. Larry says "We are trying to strengthen that which works." Works? What works? If you want to make people feel good somehow, then this "works." Does it create change? Does it actually improve anything? No. If you think it does, let's hear about it.
On this day of prayer, let us remember Mr. Joel Blevins who was taken from us one year ago today. He was a great man!
Good suggestion GeoffreyB. We have so many things to pray about this year maybe we should start praying before breakfast.
BTW ExPatDyerburgian, you forgot to complain about the $3.
What we need is a renewal of the idea of separation of church and state.
If you don't want to pray then don't pray, but I for ONE am sick and tired of people trying to get prayer and God taken out of everything. They say it infringes on their rights..well how about the rights of people who believe in prayer and in God? I have the right to hear prayer just as they have the right not to. If more people, who believe in prayer and God, would stand up for their rights maybe, just maybe, we could all learn to be tolerant of others beliefs and stop trying to make it illegal.
I believe this breakfast is doing just that "The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress as an annual observance inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. Signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, activities surrounding the day have taken place for nearly six decades on the first Thursday of May"
So MalcomX see you at the breakfast!
Could it be that more people come to breakfast because of the food?If you had a prayer lunch the turnout would probably be the same.any comments out there?
Look, I'm an atheist. I don't want to a single prayer (whether it be Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, or church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster) in courts or schools. But that said, there is nothing at all wrong with this national day of prayer. It advances no particular religion, so it's fair. Everyone who complains about it should needs to evaluate their logic and learn the actual meaning of separation of church and state.
And iseestupidpeople, I understand what you are saying about god being taken out of everything and your right to hear a prayer, but just ask yourself this: Is it so difficult to pray by yourself, or with a group of people before things like school? Is that just not easier than to play something over the loudspeaker and make everyone listen to it?
I will pray where ever ,when ever and i will pray for who do not pray and no one can stop me! just try to make me stop.
Maybe they were all praying about the waste of stimulus money that is going towards, (is that where it is coming from?), the sidewalks in downtown Dyersburg? Who goes downtown anyway? Making the sidewalks look nice is not going to help build our community. I know all of you with homes for sale out there know what I am talking about...
Look, different/visons/12, you are missing the point. No one is trying to stop you from praying whenever or wherever you want to pray. Pray in school. Pray in court. Pray on the corner of Lake Road and West Parkview St. But, just as your wouldn't want a teacher or judge making you listen to a Muslim prayer, you shouldn't use authority to make Atheists listen to a Christian prayer.
Karmazone, I too understand and value your comments, however, ask yourself this question:If someone has made the choice to be a vegetarian, should that person/group be able to have meat or meat products be removed from the schools? I understand that this is simplifing a not so simple issue, however, it is, and this is just my opinion, the way a small group of people can dictate how a larger group of people live.
While I may not agree with you I have enjoyed the discussion. Sorry for getting off the topic.
I, too, have enjoyed the discourse. Too many times have I had this conversation with others only to see it dissolve into bickering and name calling. Here's my thought on the vegetarian logic: Having meat in schools is not necessarily forcing vegtarians to eat meat. Yet, most people that support prayer in schools want a public prayer to be held every morning in every classroom. Is this not forcing non-Christians (whether they be Atheist, Hindu, Jew, or whatever) to participate in prayer? I know we Atheists don't have to pray when everyone else does, but I have had some bad experiences when I refused to pray. It got bad enough that every time someone prayed around me I would bow my head and pretend, because I knew if they caught me not praying it would open up a whole can of worms that is easier left closed.
Listen up .....karmazone/ I rather listen to any prayer/ listen to horrible fifity word,s, but in this country both will be voiced!What ever you believe is not a promblem to me,authorityis not mine it,s OUR FATHER, LORD,S JESUS CHRIST All i can do is pray and leave the rest to Christ. So don,t try to add word,s to my post!OK !