Group honors National Day of Prayer

VERNON — As the American flag at the Vernon town hall furled and unfurled in the warm breeze about a dozen participants took part in the nationwide celebration of the National Day of Prayer held on the first Thursday of the month of May precisely at noon.
The tradition of the National Day of Prayer dates back to 1952 as President Harry S. Truman established the spring observance.
The 2018 remembrance was led again by Rev. Nik Fontana of the Faith with Love Fellowship Church in McAfee. Fontana opened the prayer service reminding people that “the burdens of our nation may be disheartening but if we put our trust and faith in God, our country will always receive blessings.”
After singing the National Anthem and a song entitled We Rejoice, the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Various volunteers read prayers honoring our country’s cherished freedoms like speech and religion. Prayers also invoked blessings for the President, senators, governors, judges, veterans and those currently serving, military leaders, missionaries and all those who assist Americans in leading quiet and peaceable lives. Prayers also invoked protection from wickedness, terrorism, intolerance and prayers for the media. Rev. Fontana called for prayers for the nation of Israel and the uniting of Jew and Gentile into one new man.
The reflective group responded Amen as the list of prayer recipients were read through to the conclusion of the service.