Public prayer service scheduled for Thursday in downtown Gaffney

By SCOTT BAUGHMANLedger Staff Writer

As churches and towns across America prepare for the 2005 National Day of Prayer, the Greater Gaffney Ministerial Association is gearing up to host a local event at a gazebo on Limestone Street near the county administration building.

“There will be a prayer for our government officials, our schools, our city, our churches and our homes,” said Wofford Caughman, pastor of Southside Baptist Church. “Our service this year marks the 17th anniversary of the National Day of Prayer. In years past we’ve held the event in front of City Hall or the County Courthouse, but because of construction, this year we decided it would be better to be sort of in between the two at the gazebo on Limestone Street across from the fire department.”

The National Day of Prayer event will be held Thursday, May 5, at noon.

“Different pastors from different denominations and from around the community will lead the prayers for certain topics,” said Joey Turner of Restoration Church. “There will be six to seven ministers and we’re going to have some special music as well.”

Turner and Caughman agree the National Day of Prayer is important.

“Second Chronicles 7:14 says, ‘If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ I believe when the church of Gaffney, the body of Christ here in our city, prays together that God will heal our land,” Turner said.

“It reminds us of how this country was started,” Caughman added, “and brings us back to our roots. People may just drive by and see us and it could make a world of difference in their lives for them to look out and witness God working in their town.”

The National Day of Prayer began as World War II drew to a close. In 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual, national day of prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May. Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations.

“We would encourage all the Christian believers to come out and join us,” Turner said.

“We need this time for prayer together in our community,” Caughman concluded. “Because whether we like it or not, there is a battle going on out there for our schools, our children, our government, our homes and our families.”