TAKING A DAY TO FEEL POWER OF PRAYER

Sherri Mehner has seen the sheer power of prayer and wants to show that force to the community.

In the last four years, she and her husband, Jack, have helped to organize a community prayer service on the National Day of Prayer, which falls each year on the first Thursday in May.

On Thursday, the Mehners and hundreds of other Christians will gather to offer unified petitions to God. They will pray for national and community leaders and families.

Sherri Mehner said with the recent school shootings and other violence people are really concerned about the state of the nation.

"This is on our hearts and we need to ask for forgiveness," she said. "It's been the topic of a lot of sermons lately."

The unity of those who gather at the prayer services shows "we acknowledge God and can turn to him and repent," Mehner said.

It also shows that denominational differences don't really matter. "I see a real openness to work together and unifying us as a body of believers rather than dividing us because of denominations."

The theme for the 48th annual observance is "Light the nation with prayer."

A Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will be held at Holiday Inn Convention Center at 6:45 a.m. Syndicated columnist and Cape Girardeau lawyer David Limbaugh will be the speaker.

Tickets for the breakfast are available by calling 651-0097.

Other events are planned earlier in the week to prepare people for the day of prayer. Community services are set at area churches through Wednesday.

Pastors will lead prayers for family issues, children, parents and the sanctity of life at a service tonight at 7 at La Croix United Methodist Church. Tuesday, pastors will pray for the community at a 7 p.m. service at New Life World Outreach Church.

Youth will gather Wednesday at Eagle Ridge Christian School at 7 p.m.

Praying for the nation, families and teen-agers seems so timely in light of the world's events, Mehner said.

But prayer doesn't have to be contained to just one day. Mehner would like to see more people and churches involved in the local Adopt-a-Leader program.

Area churches have agreed to pray daily for city council members, the police and fire chiefs, school principals and other city employees.

When Mehner learned about the prayer patrol at La Croix United Methodist Church and how the children of the church had been praying for a police officer or firefighter through Lent, she invited the children to the prayer breakfast.

"We want to recognize what they are doing and that prayer isn't just a day's event," she said.

Community-wide prayer services will be held at City Hall, 401 Independence, and at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse in Jackson at noon Thursday. This marks the first year that a separate service has been held in Jackson.

Hanover Lutheran Church will also host a prayer breakfast at the church at 7 a.m. For reservations, call the church office at 335-8583.

PRAYER SERVICES AND EVENTS

MONDAY: Prayer service for family issues

Hosted by: LaCroix United Methodist Church, Lynwood Baptist Church and Cape Bible Chapel.

Location: LaCroix United Methodist Church, 3102 Lexington

Time: 7 p.m.

TUESDAY: Prayer service for community

Hosted by: New Life World Outreach, Cornerstone Church, First Assembly of God and Westminster Presbyterian Church

Location: New Life World Outreach, 720 Bertling

Time: 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY: Youth prayer service

Hosted by: Area Youth Pastor Network

Location: Eagle Ridge Christian School, 4210 State Highway K

Time: 7 p.m.

THURSDAY: Mayor's Prayer Breakfast

Speaker: David Limbaugh

Location: Holiday Inn Convention Center

Time: 6:45 a.m.

Prayer service

Location: Steps of Cape Girardeau City Hall

Time: 12 noon

Prayer service

Location: Jackson Court House

Time: 12 noon