Somerset County's National Day of Prayer: 'A national spiritual call to warfare'

SOMERSET — For 30 years, the county has observed National Day of Prayer with a community gathering, the year of 2024 is no different.

The feeling running through the crowd was urgent, hopeful, uplifting at what was the 73rd annual national observance.

"This is needed," said Casimir Frederick, of Somerset. She elaborated that the event shows support for the nation back to God. This was not her first time attending the annual event. She found the event a positive experience.

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Several people spoke from on top of the courthouse steps and held prayers for various segments of the population: Prayers for government, the military, media and arts, business and workplace, education, churchs and families.

The urgent feeling evaporated as soon as Danny Connor's rich, deep voice belted out the National Anthem and a short time later "The Lord's Prayer" as the opening song. He led the group song, "Amazing Grace," just prior to the ending prayer benediction by the Rev. Dan Bash, a Somerset County National Day of Prayer committee member. Bash, also introduced the ceremony from on top of the Somerset County Courthouse stairs, said the National Day of Prayer events is "a national spiritual call to warfare."

Nita and David Johnson, of Garrett, have attended the event three times at the Somerset County Courthouse.

Nita said she attends the event because "right now, with everything going on in the world" a group prayer is important. "We need it more than ever," David said.

Wars continue in other nations and protests about the United States' financial involvement in those wars have at times become violent with several arrests. At this peaceful event, like those throughout the nation, prayer and reading of the Scripture dominated.

In Somerset, attendees clapped, sang and bowed their heads in prayer bringing the community together for an hour.

For Andrea Bowersox, of Berlin, bringing her 16-month-old son, Micah, was a natural thing. She works for Child Evangelism Fellowship, an international interdenominational Christian nonprofit organization and often brings her youngest to work with her.

"It is very important, our freedom to be able to get together and pray," Bowersox said while holding her son. Her other three childen were in school and could not attend, she said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: National Day of Prayer: 'A national spiritual call to warfare'