Prayer on the Square returns with National Day of Prayer Thursday

This photograph, taken during the concert of prayers at the 2009 Mayors' Prayer Breakfast illustrates a vital freedom enjoyed by residents of Dyer County - the ability for governmental leaders to pray with members of the community they serve. As a debate rages in Washington over our constitutional right to pray, local community leaders and clergy are expanding the events surrounding Dyer County's National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6. [Click to enlarge]

Mayor John Holden met with representatives of the Dyer County Ministerial Organization on Tuesday to finalize plans for the local observance of the 59th annual National Day of Prayer. This will be the 30th year that Dyer County has participated in the nationwide initiative encouraging residents to pray for their government, communities and neighbors.

The theme for the event, "For Such a Time as This," is based on Nahum 1:7 - "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust Him."

The National Day of Prayer will kick off with the Mayors' Prayer Breakfast, which begins at 6:30 a.m., Thursday, May 6 in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church. Tickets are on sale for $3 at Dyersburg City Hall.

The breakfast, jointly hosted by Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill, Dyersburg Mayor John Holden, Newbern Mayor K.W. Dennison and Trimble Mayor James Davis, will feature good, down-home cooking, scripture readings and a concert of prayers.

At noon, Prayer on the Square will return to Dyer County's recognition of the National Day of Prayer. However, DCMO members have made a few changes in the program of the traditional prayer observance in the heart of Dyer County.

Instead of a stage and an audience, everyone attending the 2010 Prayer on the Square will participate in the prayer service. Residents will join clergy and community leaders in prayer at each of the four corners of the Courthouse Square.

"It will be almost like a journey," said the Rev. Gary Meade of St. Mary's Episcopal Church. "A journey of prayers."

"The Square represents our whole community, our whole town," said City Gate Pastor Michael Wilson. "Instead of it being pastor-driven, it will be people-driven."

"As a city, we should not cease (praying)," said St. Joseph Avenue Church of Christ Pastor and Bruce Community Center Director Stuart Edmonds. "As a community, we should not cease. God will reveal His power that way."

In addition to the breakfast and the Prayer on the Square events, the DCMO is encouraging residents to take part in 12 Hours of Prayer May 6.

Each hour, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., a church in the community will open its sanctuary for prayer or a service centered around a certain theme. DCMO members understand that many residents may not be able to leave work to attend services, so the community is encouraged to take a moment at the beginning of each hour to pray on the featured subject.

The schedule for Dyer County's 12 Hours of Prayer includes:

* 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.-First Baptist Church focusing on The Church

* 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.-First United Methodist Church focusing on Military

* 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.-Dyersburg First Church focusing on Family

* 11 a.m. to noon-Baptist Collegiate Ministry at DSCC focusing on College, Youth and Children

* noon to 1 p.m.-Prayer on the Square at the Dyer County Courthouse

* 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.-East Dyersburg United Methodist Church focusing on Education

* 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.-Trinity Lutheran Church focusing on Police, Firemen and EMTs

* 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.-Cumberland Presbyterian Church focusing on The Media

* 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.-A New Beginning Ministry focusing on Our State

* 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.-Bruce Community Center focusing on Economy and Business

* 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.-St. Mary's Episcopal Church focusing on The Government

* 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.-City Gate Church at Okeena Park focusing on Revival in America

"I think just the chance to see how different communities of Christ worship in this same area provides an amazing opportunity to see the richness of worship in this community," said Meade. "(It will give our residents the opportunity to visit) our different churches and take different experiences from each one."

Members of the DCMO are thankful for the good working relationship they enjoy with leaders throughout Dyer County. Efforts like the National Day of Prayer result in events where local residents may take advantage of the freedom to join in prayer with leaders in their community. This freedom is not as easily available in all areas of the country.

"One thing I love about our community is the whole separation of church and state doesn't exist," said Wilson. "Here, it is a partnership."

"When the church comes together with the mayors and the community, there is power in that," said Edmonds.

"The opportunity to gather as a community in prayer is a powerful demonstration of who we are," said Meade. "And the fact that we live in a place where we are able to do that is phenomenal."