Prayers said for community
Charles Doud/The Madera Tribune
The audience listens intently to the day of prayer’s featured speaker.
“Love One Another,” was the theme for the 2019 National Day of Prayer. Now held annually, the event was originally conceived in 1775 by the First Continental Congress who called for a National Day of Prayer. President Abraham Lincoln revived the idea in 1863.
In 1952, a joint resolution of Congress established National Day of Prayer as an annual event signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988 the law was amended and signed by President Ronald Regan designating the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.
On Thursday, members of the community gathered in Hatfield Hall at the Madera District Fairgrounds to share fellowship and to pray for Madera.
Keynote speaker, Dr. Joseph Jones, president of Fresno Pacific University addressed the near capacity crowd.
“The Lord wants us to love our neighbors and to serve our neighbors,” Jones said. “Jesus told his disciples to ‘Do as I have done for you; love one another as I have loved you.’”
Throughout the event members of the Madera Ministerial Association offered prayers for government officials, law enforcement and other civic leaders. Those in attendance were asked to stand to be acknowledged. Current and past members of the military were thanked for their service to the country and the freedom that represents.
An affair the size and scope of the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is a community effort requiring months of preparation. Sponsors of the event include Cedar Creek Senior Living, Citizens Business Bank, Foster and Parker Insurance, City of Madera Housing Authority, Jay Chapel, Madera Community Hospital, Pistoresi Ambulance, Sherman Thomas Charter School, Well Madera Community Church, Cagila Environmental, Camarena Health Center, Fourth Street Church of God, Giersch & Associates, Madera District Fair, Mission Linen, Noble Credit Union, Optimal Hospice, Valley West Christian Center, Creative Copy, Ernie and Susie LiCalsi, Madera County Food Bank, Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Bobby and Patty Noblett, North Fork Rancheria, The Word Salon and Yosemite Christian Center.
The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast committee extended special appreciation for the support of Madera Rescue Mission, Madera County Boot Camp, Madera High School Public Safety Pathway Class, Madera Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1981, Sherman Thomas Charter School, Crossroads Christian School, Cedar Creek Catering, Christina Herrera and Joseph Carrello.
Live music for the event featured Madera’s own Change of Heart Christian band, Lou Wiebe, Matt Harry, Frank Salcido, Rodney New, Nick Nomicos, Jim O’Dell and Dave Pinske.
The Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast committee was chaired by Lois Leonard and comprised of Sonia DeLaTorre, Mike Farmer, Angela Jacobs, Joyce Lane, Roger Leach, Karen Leasure, Jennifer Bruhn, Martin Vale, Joyce Lane, Roger Leach, and Ryan McWherter.
The Madera District Chamber of Commerce staff of Debi Bray, Toni Jordon and Mari Rocha organized the affair.
