Steubenville observes National Day of Prayer
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STEUBENVILLE -- A handful of people gathered at the base of the fountain in Old Fort Steuben Park for Thursday's Day of Prayer, one the Rev. Jason Elliott admits was unlike any other.
"I guess it's strange in the context of the National Day of Prayer, but not strange in the context of what we've been dealing with over the last two months," said Elliott, pastor of First Westminster Church.
"It's definitely much different, but no less meaningful. The National Day of Prayer organization itself anticipates more people will be participating this way."
Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Graham said Americans "need prayer more than anything."
"Especially during these times we've been going through, it's so important that we can all turn to (a higher power) to guide us and protect us," Mayor Jerry Barilla, president of Old Fort Steuben, said.
In years past, Elliott said different faiths were represented at the Day of Prayer ceremony which is something they couldn't do this year due to social distancing restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Elliott said he's hopeful that, "next year we can get together and have a great big Day of Prayer with everybody represented."
The service, which was livestreamed, concluded with Elliott's plea for "wisdom and encouragement for the nation, our communities, our families who have gone through the pandemic, and those going through financial hardship." He also asked the faithful to remember government leaders, frontline workers and essential workers "and all the churches and communities, help them realize we have so much in common."
"Help them stand in unity, hold one another's hands and work together," Elliott said, pleading for "blessings upon small businesses, businesses getting their game plans and the people who don't know how they're going to make it. Pray and support our local communities and our county."