WINONA LAKE – The community had the opportunity Thursday to pray for national and local leaders and issues. The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” Dr. Larry McCall, pastor of Christ’s Covenant Church, delivered the keynote address to the approximately 400 people who attended the event at Rodeheaver Auditorium. McCall is a graduate of Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary and has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Besides being a pastor and teacher he has authored several books. McCall spoke about “Jesus’ Prayer Life And Ours.” He said Jesus’ life was characterized by prayer and he began his day in prayer and ended it in prayer. McCall encouraged those who attended the program to look at their prayer lives, and said common reasons people don’t pray is that they are too tired, busy, don’t want to, or feel they don’t need to. Representatives from various sectors of the community led prayers on different topics: Education – Randy Polston, former principal and Warsaw School Board member. Polston prayed for the presence of God in schools, colleges, and universities. Government – Monica Boyer, administrative assistant of psychology at Grace College, also involved in local politics. Boyer prayed for national, local and state leaders to make moral decisions. Family – Jeff Pfiefer, pastor of Family and Community at Warsaw Community Church. Pfiefer prayed for families and marriages. Ministry and Missions – Angie Wood, Heartline Pregnancy Center director. Wood prayed for missionaries. Military – Jim Houvener, who has served in the reserves and was called up during recent wars. Houvener also has a son in the military. Houvener prayed that there be Christian leaders in the military. Media – Roger Grossman, sports director, WRSW. Grossman prayed for media to connect people with the truth. The musicians this year were Richard Dick on the piano and The Chain Gang Quartet.
