TOP STORY OF THE DAY: National Day of Prayer - All Are Welcome: Lift Up the Word, Light Up the World

BETH CLARK PHOTO -The 2023 National Day of Prayer had a large crowd on the Clay County Courthouse lawn.

All are welcome to attend the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 2, at noon. This inclusive annual event, open to all, will be held on The Clay County Courthouse lawn or, in inclement weather, inside the Rotunda.

Each year, the national day carries a powerful theme. This year, no matter your religion, you’re invited to embrace ‘lift up the word - light up the world ‘, a theme that resonates with the power of prayer and its potential to illuminate our lives and communities.

For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. - 2 Samuel 22:29-31

Jennifer Flater, the dedicated organizer of this cherished annual event, shares the national event has been held at the courthouse for over a decade.

“The National Day of Prayer means so much to me because, number one, we’re at the courthouse, and we’re able to do it on the courthouse lawn. Not everyone can say that,” said Flater. “It’s wonderful that we have the James Family Singers in our community, and of course, one of their leads is one of our commissioners (Marty Heffner), so it’s a nice way to tie us all together.”

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will assist, a veteran will lead the pledge of allegiance, and Flater invites all clergy members to join.

“We always try to get a veteran to lead the pledge of allegiance for us. I feel like our veterans have done so much for us; we need to turn and give something back to them. It’s not much, but we want to honor them in any way we can, and we try to do that here in the county in a lot of different aspects.”

Flater says no one will have to accommodate how they pray for the event, and there is no time limit, adding they have the lawn all day.

“Some people are comfortable praying outloud, some are not. Some are in a small setting, but not in a large setting. You have people of all different walks of faith, and it’s where they’re comfortable. We never want to make people uncomfortable,” said Flater.

Flater says they are always looking for more clergy, and after sending emails to local clergy members, a few have come back as undeliverable.

“We’d like to see as many people and clergy here as we can have,” said Flater, “It’s so cool to think that in that moment of time across the United States, and lord willing, a lot of other countries, everybody is coming together and praying at the same time.”

If you’re interested, email jenniferf@claycountyin.gov for more information.