Rain fails to dampen Day of Prayer success

Hundreds gathered on Main Plaza Thursday, umbrellas held high, sharing words of worship. They joined attendees to the sold-out Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in producing a successful local National Day of Prayer effort.

Held on the first Thursday in May, National Day of Prayer is celebrated in more than 2,000 cities across the country with this year’s theme being “Lift Up The Word; Light Up The World.” Ron O’Connell, one of the event organizers, couldn’t have been happier with the turnout at both events. Last year, the committee held a Day of Prayer event at Main Plaza, drawing about two dozen people while this was the committee’s first-ever mayor’s breakfast.

“It’s absolutely spectacular how many people have volunteered, donated and are here this morning,” O’Connell said. “Turnout is better than expected. We’re very appreciative of everything everyone did to prepare for this event.” Mayor Frank Ritchie said he had no hesitation in accepting the opportunity to host the breakfast, which sold out with 135 in attendance at the Kronkosky Center.

“I said absolutely, especially on a day of national prayer,” Ritchie said. “Every time I’m asked to do anything, I think of Mark 10:45 and that the greatest among us ‘did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ That’s a scripture I hold in my heart all the time.”

Those offering prayer included the Rev Eric Waters of St. John Lutheran Church, the Rev. Ruben Mendez of Iglesa Shalom Church, and the Rev. David Chacko, with St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church of Boerne.

Once behind the podium, Ritchie stressed unification and togetherness in times of national strife and division.

“As a country, we need to be united. We can have different beliefs ... and we can all love alike,” he said. “We can love our brothers and sisters in our community, and this emphasizes that in a grand scale.”

Ritchie quoted John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist church, saying, “We may not all think alike, we may not all agree alike, but I believe we can all love alike.”

At the National Day of Prayer gathering at noon at Main Plaza, umbrellas went up — as did words of prayer — from the hundreds who gathered despite the steady rain.

Texas Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), on hand to read a proclamation from Gov. Greg Abbott’s office, asked, “How many of you have prayed for rain lately,” eliciting laughter from many gathered there. She said she was thankful to be able to gather and share prayer and the proclamation.

Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk gave the county’s proclamation. He thanked people coming from all branches of government, from all different religious denominations and from all points in the county to pray together.

“That’s what makes Kendall County one of the best places to live in the state, in our nation,” he said.

Among those bringing prayer at Main Plaza were Staci Almager, of Hill Country Family Services, Kendall County Commissioner Andra Wisian, Donna Klingaman, of Hill County Pregnancy Care Center, and Baron Wiley, of Boerne Radio.

Wisian brought prayer “for the men and women that you have placed in authority” in the city, county and nation.

“Lord, we have learned through the teachings of St. Paul that we are to be a living-sacrifice setting ourselves aside to serve you, each other, and even our enemies in love,” Wisian spoke in prayer.

“We know when we are filled with your spirit, we put you first, we put others above ourselves, and joyfully serve you,” she said.