Local pastors pray for progress

BARSTOW - Pastor Chris Monroe of Barstow Free Methodist Church spent the last 15 years of his life promoting the National Day of Prayer.

On Thursday he joined six other area pastors and a few church members at City Hall on Thursday to pray and celebrate the National Day of Prayer. Members of the Barstow Free Methodist, Calvary Chapel, First Baptist, Gospel Haven, First Assembly of God and Trinity Baptist churches attended.

This year's ceremony was smaller than usual, according to Monroe, who said that scheduling was probably to blame. Barstow Mayor Lawrence Dale has attended the prayer meeting each year since taking office but was unable this year because he was in Los Angeles attending a San Bernardino Associated Governments meeting, according to City Clerk JoAnne Cousino. Monroe said the size of the event does not reflect its importance.

"It's an ebb and flow each year with the participation, but I wouldn't underestimate the importance of the event," Monroe said. "Remember Jesus said if two or more are gathered in his name then the Lord is there with us. I figure as long as there's two of us here praying for the city and nation, it's a good thing."

Monroe used to take groups of eighth-grade Christian students on trips to Washington, D.C., to visit museums and government buildings. Their trips often coincided with the National Day of Prayer, which falls on the first Thursday of every May. Monroe and the students would meet members of Congress and pray for them whenever the opportunity arose.

"It was powerful for the kids to see all the people coming together in Washington," Monroe said. "A congressman even met us on the capital steps and took us to a prayer chapel inside the capital building to pray for him."

When Monroe moved to Barstow, he wanted to continue his participation in the event and was able to through the Barstow Ministerial Association. The association helps organize meetings to pray for the city and nation on the National Day of Prayer each year. Monroe said the National Day of Prayer should be about the coming together of faiths.

"It's sad that 11 a.m. on Sunday is still the most segregated hour in America," Monroe said. "I'm really blessed by the diversity in our ministerial association. It's important that we allow time to come together regardless of our faith traditions, ethnicity or whatever for the good of our nation and community."

The National Day of Prayer has a long history going back to 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a single day for prayer. President Harry Truman made it official when he signed a bill in 1952 setting aside a National Day of Prayer to be selected by the President each year. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a bill setting the National Day of Prayer on the first Thursday of May.