Prayers for unity rise from annual service in Naperville
The biggest prayer for America during Thursday's 67th annual National Day of Prayer observance in DuPage County came down to one word: Unity.
The voices of roughly 125 people in Naperville joined with others from across the country as the faithful gathered in the morning, at noon and at night to pray together for unity of spirit and a bond of peace.
"We ask you to empower us to make every effort to live in unity," the group read together in the 2018 National Prayer for America, "to call for unity and to forward unity in America continually."
The theme struck the right chord in the eyes of Ian Simkus, a campus pastor for Community Christian Church.
"It is an invitation to join together to bring hope and healing to a world that desperately needs it," Simkus said.
Hosted by the Naperville Prayer Action chapter of Concerned Women for America, Thursday's service in the Christian tradition featured pastors, a high school student, a dentist and retirees from military service, teaching and TV broadcasting, all leading prayers for a better America.
"We have far more in common than what divides us," Naperville City Council member Patty Gustin said as she welcomed participants.
Mary Ann Witvoet attended and confidently sang as the group joined in the praise hymn, "To God be the Glory."
"I believe that prayer is powerful," Witvoet said. "I love our country and want to see our country be unified and at peace, and I know Jesus is the only source of peace."
Prayers for the military, the media, businesses, families, marriages, churches, pastors and the nation filled the room, as did murmurs of "yes" as the messages hit home.
Many with heads bowed and eyes closed participated in asking a higher power for righteousness and morality among elected leaders, for stories of truth and hope, for endurance and encouragement in daily life, for a passion to serve others and for peace.
"We pray that all conflicts will end speedily," retired Air Force pilot Doug Poppe said as he led a prayer for the military.
Jeff Sandstrom, pastor of connections at Calvary Church in Naperville, took on the task of leading the group's most broad and overarching prayer, a prayer for America.
"The truth is, God, you have blessed America," he said. "Help us to be a blessing to others."