03-05-2025
National day of prayer comes to Ashtabula
ASHTABULA — Representatives of area churches gathered Friday to commemorate the 74th National Day of Prayer with a service at First Baptist Church.
The event was initiated in 1952, when a bill was approved by Congress, mandating the President initiate a specific day, other than a Sunday, for prayer.
May 1 was designated National Day of Prayer this year, and was celebrated in numerous ways, including a county-wide prayer breakfast this morning at Eagleville Bible Church.
The Ashtabula ceremony took the form of a prayer, focused on a variety of the needs of the country, and began at noon with a welcome from Ricky Turner.
Leonard Pratt, moderator of the Ashtabula Area Ministerial Association, said the event is an annual occurrence.
'We try to do it every year,' he said. 'This country needs prayer.'
Rev. Jeff Stoll led a responsive reading, and reminded the small group in attendance the Bible says, 'Wherever two or more are gathered there am I also.'
Several people led prayers for aspects of life, including churches, families, education, business, military, government, art, entertainment and media.
'May God fill us with the skill and the ability to perform every good work with the talents God has given us as His creations,' Pratt said.
Pratt also read a portion of the 2025 National Prayer.
'We pour out our hearts for our nations, for the people and places, relationships and responsibilities the Lord has established: the church, family, education, business, military, arts, entertainment, media and government,' he said. 'May all who live, service and steward in these be filled with Your purpose, wisdom, strength and truth.'
