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Collective prayer
  
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By YVETTE OROZCO
Melanie Whitsitt arrived just after the introductions had been made, wearing a pin on her lapel.
The group from Faith Christian Academy comprised the youngest members of the crowd.
Along with city officials, community ministers and residents, the young students and Whitsett attended the city of Pasadena’s ceremony to commemorate National Day of Prayer.
National Day of Prayer is a nationwide event which unites all denominations in prayer.
The church community was represented by several ministers from area churches as they led prayers focusing on such topics as family, youth, media, government, health and military.
“Strong families build strong communities and strong communities build strong nations,” said Ron Nissen, pastor of Elim Church on Richey.
Thursday’s event brought out residents for different reasons, with the crowd numbering about 200.
For the young students from Faith Christian Academy, it was about representing youth in prayer and faith.
“We’re here because we are the next generation,” said Ashley Hardin.
Others, like Whitsett, found it cathartic. Her son is currently serving in Iraq and she wanted to be part of a collective prayer.
“I wanted to pray for our military,” she said. “My son is a graduate of Sam Rayburn High School and has lived in this community.”
Whitsett said she recognized the event as a way for communities to find common ground in their hope for the future.
“I want to make sure we pray for our city and pray for our government and the leaders of our country,” she said.
While she prays every day for her son to return safely, National Day of Prayer has a special significance, she said, because it is a chance for others to join in those prayers.
“When he’s in Iraq, I wear a button,” she said. “When others walk up to me and ask me about my pin, I ask them to pray for my son also. This gives me a peace in my heart because prayer is the way I survive when he is over there.”
The group from Faith Christian Academy comprised the youngest members of the crowd.
Along with city officials, community ministers and residents, the young students and Whitsett attended the city of Pasadena’s ceremony to commemorate National Day of Prayer.
National Day of Prayer is a nationwide event which unites all denominations in prayer.
The church community was represented by several ministers from area churches as they led prayers focusing on such topics as family, youth, media, government, health and military.
“Strong families build strong communities and strong communities build strong nations,” said Ron Nissen, pastor of Elim Church on Richey.
Thursday’s event brought out residents for different reasons, with the crowd numbering about 200.
For the young students from Faith Christian Academy, it was about representing youth in prayer and faith.
“We’re here because we are the next generation,” said Ashley Hardin.
Others, like Whitsett, found it cathartic. Her son is currently serving in Iraq and she wanted to be part of a collective prayer.
“I wanted to pray for our military,” she said. “My son is a graduate of Sam Rayburn High School and has lived in this community.”
Whitsett said she recognized the event as a way for communities to find common ground in their hope for the future.
“I want to make sure we pray for our city and pray for our government and the leaders of our country,” she said.
While she prays every day for her son to return safely, National Day of Prayer has a special significance, she said, because it is a chance for others to join in those prayers.
“When he’s in Iraq, I wear a button,” she said. “When others walk up to me and ask me about my pin, I ask them to pray for my son also. This gives me a peace in my heart because prayer is the way I survive when he is over there.”
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