City recognizes National Day of Prayer

by Laura Bednar

Independence took park in the National Day of Prayer on May 2, with several prayer events throughout the day.

In the morning, members of the Youth for Christ/Campus Life group at Independence Local Schools met at the high school/middle school flagpole to say a prayer.

Then, at 10 a.m. the public was invited to pray as a group at the Cornerstone of Hope grief counseling center on Brecksville Road.

At 11:30 a.m., the city hosted residents for a prayer service and lunch at the Civic Center. Mayor Greg Kurtz thanked everyone for “recognizing the importance of this day and the importance of prayer.”

Rev. Michelle Thompson from Rockside Church, Rev. Lisa Thomas from Independence United Methodist Church, Rev. David Wigger from Independence Presbyterian Church and Rev. Matt Jordan from St. Michael Catholic Church all spoke, offering prayers for education, government, workforce and families.

Said Thompson, “Why do we pray? Because we believe in the power of prayer.”

Finance Director Vern Blaze also spoke, talking about what he described as the “continuum of prayer,” in which a person may not pray at all, only pray out of desperation, or incorporate prayer into their daily lives.

“We all have struggles with our prayer life,” he said. He then quoted the Bible, which said to pray without ceasing.

In the late afternoon, Thompson gathered with other members of Rockside Church and members of the Independence Fire Department at the Memorial on Public Square to pray for first responders, healthcare workers and military. ∞

Clergy members (l-r) Pastor Lisa Thomas, of Independence United Methodist Church; Rev. David Wigger, of Independence Presbyterian Church; Rev. Matt Jordan from St. Michael Catholic Church; Finance Director Vern Blaze; and Rev. Michele Thompson from Rockside Church. Photo by Laura Bednar.

Photo (above/main): Chuck Thompson from Rockside Church (light blue shirt, right) says a prayer for healthcare workers with city officials, Rockside Church members and Independence firefighters. Photo by Laura Bednar.