‘Prayer is much needed today’

If there is one thing prayer warriors hoped to accomplish last week, it was inspiring hope of making the world a better place.

Dozens of people gathered for a National Day of Prayer Thursday afternoon at the West Hills government complex in Owatonna for the annual prayer event.

Rev. Brent Carlson, the organizer of the local event, encouraged all Americans to pray. He pointed out that the first call to prayer publicly came in 1775. “The call to prayer has continued in our history,” he said. “Prayer is as important today as it was in the beginning.”

On the 71^st year of the federal observance of prayer day, Owatonna Mayor Thomas Knutz said he feels “blessed to live in a country where we can do this.” As he read a proclamation regarding prayer day, Knutz said: “Prayer is much needed today.”

Offering prayers throughout the hour-long ceremony were Andrea Johnson, prayer of praise; Rev. Kari Jacott, prayer for churches; Rev. Loren Olson, prayer for public safety officials; Lindsay Thompson, prayer for schools; Rev. Greg Schlicker, prayers for Steele County; Rev. Nate Palmer, prayers for Minnesota; Rev. Amanda Floy, prayer for America; Chaplain Terry Warner, prayer for military; Dr. David Ivance, prayer for medical community and Rev. Carlson, closing prayer.

In his prayer for police, Rev. Olson pointed out how public safety officials “work on our behalf” and work long hours policing and protecting while witnessing unpleasant events. “They have our backs and let’s do what we can to have their backs,” Olson said.

During her prayer, Rev. Floy asked for “wisdom during these divisive times.”

The Lights of Litomysl shared songs of praise during the event. The prayer service closed with everyone singing, “God Bless America.”

There are 30,000 prayer observances throughout the country involving around 2 million people.