Staff photo - Kathy Bridges The Barrow County community was invited to come together on the Courthouse lawn Thursday for the National Day of Prayer. Afterward, everyone was urged to pray in small groups. Staff photo - Kathy Bridges Barrow County Board of Education member Rickey Bailey (top photo) offered comments on Education. Also today More pictures of the the Day of Prayer can be found inside today's print edition of The Barrow County News, available at local newsstands and at the newspaper office at 189 West Athens St. in Winder. To subscribe to the newspaper, click here or call 770-867-7557.

Community members gathered on the lawn of the Barrow County Courthouse at noon on Thursday to celebrate National Day of Prayer. Warm sunshine with a slight breeze blanketed the crowd who had come to pray together for the future of this great nation.

Barrow County Commission Chairman Doug Garrison welcomed the gathering and introduced the Honor Guard from the Barrow County and Winder Fire Departments who ceremoniously raised the United States Flag. As Barrow County Probate Judge Tammy Brown sang the National Anthem, all eyes were raised to Old Glory and most placed their hands over their hearts.

Garrison introduced Rev. Chris Parkin of First Baptist Church of Auburn, who gave thanksgiving in prayer for the recent rains.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. This year's theme, "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield," reflects the words of Psalms 28:7, which states: "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."

Seven points of prayer were expressed by various community leaders beginning with comments on family by Dr. John Talley of First Baptist Church of Winder. Talley offered thanks in prayer for families and for churches and community agencies which make a difference in the lives of children.

Rickey Bailey, a member of the Barrow Board of Education spoke on education and the need to return to truth and Christian ethics in our schools and families.

Rev. Alfred Hazel, pastor of White Oak Spring Missionary Baptist Church of Winder, expressed the importance of the church in communities. He began with a story of stepping on a rusty nail as a child and of how his mother put salted pork on the injury to draw out the poison.

"The church is like salt in our lives," he said. "At times, salt can be irritating, but necessary and churches need to 'come out of the box' and help strengthen our communities."

Gwen Hill of Hill's Ace Hardware spoke about business and the importance of truth and integrity in the business community. "In a slow or a good economy, there are always temptations," she said, "and businesses need to keep God in their hearts."

Debbie Burgamy, publisher of The Barrow County News talked about the media, referring to the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of speech and press. "Journalists are charged with presenting both sides of a story," she said, "and one of the greatest resources they have is prayer."

A veteran and the former Mayor of Winder, John Mobley spoke on the importance of maintaining a strong military in order to preserve peace. He recalled visiting the American cemetery in Normandy and the memorial which reads in part, 'These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace.' "Truly they tasted death in their youth to assure that freedom may grow old," ended Mobley.

Rev. Jody Hice of First Baptist Church of Bethlehem talked about government and of how for the past five decades, there has been moral havoc in the United States.

"From a national and individual perspective, it is important that this nation turn back to God," he said. "Our founding fathers never intended for God to be kept out of government."

Wallace Hillman, a deacon at White Oak Spring Baptist Church sang "America" in a moving baritone, which rang across the lawn over the sounds of traffic.

The program closed with Rev. Hice urging the crowd to join together in small groups for prayer. He also informed that the YMCA is offering a room for prayer available each Thursday at noon.

Originally published Sunday, May 4, 2008