Prayer Day Speakers Urge Healing U. S. Ills

Hundreds of Ventura County residents took time out from their busy schedules Thursday to gather at the Government Center in Ventura for an hour of prayer as part of the National Day of Prayer.

With a theme of “Heal Our Land,” many speakers talked of urging public leaders to accept religion and religious activities as a way to help solve the country’s ills.

“I don’t think our country can get better without God,” said Margaret Ely, a Santa Paula city councilwoman. “We are not wise enough to do it on our own.”

Ely was among several city leaders on hand to read proclamations supporting the sixth annual National Day of Prayer, designated by Congress as the first Thursday in May. Declarations supporting a day of prayer were also presented by the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, and the county.

About 300 people watched as Pastor John Huffman of the South Coast Fellowship Church in Ventura led the prayer session. The gathering included religious songs and short speeches by leaders of various churches in Ventura and Oxnard, followed by Bible readings and prayers.

Pastor Ron Holt of Pacific Coast Community Church in Ventura spoke of the need for religion to be a part of America’s dialogue on such problems as crime, homelessness and decay of the nuclear family.

And Pastor Roland Niednagel of Bible Fellowship Church in Ventura urged participants against passively watching the quality of life in their communities disintegrate. Ventura County is not immune from the crime that plagues inner cities, he said.

“Westlake has its own home-grown gangs,” he said.

Many in attendance brought young children, who squirmed through the ceremonies while their mothers tried to keep them quiet.

Lisa Morter, 31, held 4-year-old Brett in her arms, while 1-year-old Luc watched quietly, ensconced in her backpack. Morter said she learned about the prayer gathering from announcements on Christian radio station KDAR.

“It’s hard to be here with two kids,” she admitted. “But I think it’s a good example for them. I want them to grow up knowing the importance of prayer.”

Michael Stettler also found out about the prayer meeting from KDAR. The electrician took time off from his job to be a “prayer warrior” for a day, he said.

“I’m just praying for our government, for our leaders,” he said.

“But especially for our parents, because they are the ones who are responsible for raising children in a right and just way.”