Day of Prayer theme is hope

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Hope and transformation are the themes for Thursday, the 58th annual National Day of Prayer. Throughout the Yakima Valley as well as across the country, churches will be opening their sanctuaries, inviting people to stop in and pray.

The official theme for the 2009 National Day of Prayer is "Prayer ... America's Hope." It's based on the Bible verse Psalm 33:22, which reads: "May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."

"We all need prayer," says John Van Belle, a member of East Valley Reformed Church and the local National Day of Prayer planning committee. "This year, because of the situation in our nation, it's much heavier on our hearts. We have more of an urgency."

Difficult economic times -- marked by foreclosures, layoffs, bank failures and bailouts -- are being felt across America. On many people's minds during the recession: stress relief, financial worries and making ends meet.

"Let's face it," Van Belle says. "Prayer is our only hope. I feel it's the only thing we can rely on."

Established by Congress in 1952, the National Day of Prayer is held the first Thursday in May. People are particularly encouraged to pray for the country's leadership in seven areas: government, military, news media, business, education, church and family.

"We need to pray for our leaders," Van Belle says. "We need to have our leaders be successful. When they're successful, we're successful."

But, stressed Linda Iasella, a parishioner at Yakima's Holy Family Catholic Church and chairwoman of the local committee that sponsors Yakima-area National Day of Prayer events, "We're not going to be political."

Iasella heads a group of nearly two dozen people who have been planning local celebrations for the National Day of Prayer.

In Yakima, the day will begin and end with events celebrating the power of prayer. Local organizers see the National Day of Prayer as a time to pray as well as a call to action, a chance to invite people to volunteer and make a difference.

"It's prayer, and it's action," Iasella says. "Out of the seats and into the streets."

Van Belle agrees: "I feel that everybody has an inner need to reach out to help someone. I believe we are programmed for that. It's Biblical; that's what Christ wants us to do, to reach out to the needy."

A locally made video highlighting community needs and efforts will be shown at the annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, which begins at 6:45 a.m. Thursday. The video features homeless ministries and youth and school programs, among others.

"With the economy and joblessness, we are seeing more of an interdependence on one another," says Dennis Crane, another local National Day of Prayer committee member. He attends Connections, a Seventh-day Adventist Church in Yakima.

"Everybody is suffering together," he says. "We realize we need each other. Everybody has something unique to give."

At the breakfast, Yakima Mayor Dave Edler will give the keynote address, speaking about how "Transformation Begins with Prayer." Winners of a student essay contest will share their entries. There will also be music, prayer and a special blessing for city officials. Booths with information about volunteer opportunities will also be set up.

"We are so incredibly thankful for prayer and the difference it makes in our community," Iasella says.

Throughout the afternoon, congregations are being asked to cover the city in prayer, signing up for 15-minute increments from 1 to 7 p.m. Community members are also invited to drop in and pray during that time frame.

At 7 p.m., there's a free community forum to discuss "How Servant Leadership Transforms Communities." The speaker is Roberto Matus, director of Transformation Sunnyside, a nondenominational ministry that promotes Christian values in government and the workplace. He will also speak briefly at the breakfast.

"Most people think that prayer changes God," Crane says. "But it changes us, our hearts."

Day of Prayer
? Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, 6:45 to 8 a.m. Thursday in the State Fair Room in the Yakima Valley SunDome, 1301 S. Fair Ave.
Tickets: $15 at the door.
Call: Linda Iasella at 509-966-8644.

? Evening forum at 7 p.m. at Davis High School, Kiva Room, 212 S. Sixth Ave.
Speaker: Roberto Matus of Transformation Sunnyside.
Admission: free.

? Prayer Stations: participating churches will be open and available for prayer 1 to 7 p.m.
For a complete list: Visit www.servingyakimavalley.net, or call John Van Belle at 509-248-1934.

? On the Web: www.ndptf.org.