Approximately 75 people gathered at the Old Courthouse in Greensburg, Ky., on May 1, 2008, to take part in the National Day of Prayer event. Among those who participated in the event were the American Legion Color Guard, Greensburg City Council member Bill Moore, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, Green County Judge-Executive Mary Ann Blaydes Baron, Greensburg Mayor Lisle Cheatham, and radio personality Trent Ford, who performed two songs.
Prayer was led by Rev. Todd Davis, who prayed for our churches and families, David Givens, who prayed for our government and military, Phyllis Milby, who prayed for our businesses and farmers, and Greensburg City Council member Jerry Cowherd, who prayed for our school systems and the media. Betty Jo Shuffett, who is the National Day of Prayer coordinator for Greensburg, led the audience in the Lord’s Prayer.
Shuffett was happy with the turnout for the event and said it was a humbling experience to watch the community gather in a public place to pray not only for Greensburg and Green County, but the nation as a whole.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity for Green County and our nation to exercise our faith through prayer,” Shuffett said. “We need to come together as a county and unite in prayer. I know the Lord can heal our nation. He stands true to us.”
David Givens, a Green County native and local businessman, addressed the crowd and emphasized the need for prayer by reading a poem inspired by the events of 9-11, “What a Difference a Day Makes.”
“On Monday, there were people fighting against prayer in schools. On Tuesday, you would have been hard pressed to find a school where someone was not praying. On Monday, people argued with their kids about picking up their rooms. On Tuesday, the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids. On Monday, people were upset because they had to wait six minutes in a fast-food drive-through line. On Tuesday, people didn’t care about waiting up to six hours to give blood for the dying. On Monday, people were fighting the Ten Commandments on government property. On Tuesday, the same people all said, “God help us,” while thinking, “Thou shalt not kill,”” Givens said. “It is sadly ironic how it takes horrific events to place things into perspective, but it did. The lessons learned that week, the things we took for granted, the things that have been overlooked or forgotten, hopefully, will never be forgotten again.”
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a proclamation declaring May 1, 2008, as a Day of Prayer in Kentucky.
“My faith has always played a major role in my life,” Gov. Beshear said. “This Day of Prayer provides a meaningful opportunity for Kentuckians of all faiths to give thanks for our blessings and to ask for guidance, strength, and inspiration.”
The purpose of the Day of Prayer is to encourage all Kentuckians to pray for direction and wisdom, and to give thanks for the blessings bestowed upon the Commonwealth and to ask for protection, courage, and grace on behalf of military men and women, and local, state, and national leaders.