Worshipers join in prayer

Rosette Gonzales

The National Day of Prayer didn’t attract large crowds of worshipers

to St. Finbar Church, but of the handful who gathered in the

sanctuary Thursday, many would have stopped by anyway.

“After I have lunch, I usually come to church,” said Mark Flores,

a Disney employee. “In my daily life, I’m so busy ... I have to give

some time to God.”

St. Finbar Church hosted an interfaith praise and worship service

from noon to 2 p.m., welcoming all to lift their hearts and the

nation to God in prayer. About 30 people trickled in and out of St.

Finbar’s sanctuary during the two-hour service. Valley Baptist Church

also hosted a service from noon to 1 p.m.

Some attendees knew about the gathering but didn’t know it was a

national prayer day. “I knew there was something here, but I didn’t

know it was specific,” Maria Ibarra said. “I read it in the bulletin.

It should be public in all the churches and all the parishes.”

Husband and wife Mike and Suzie Wooldridge, who led the worship at

St. Finbar, host a one-hour ecumenical worship service each week, but

Thursday’s program was extended to give background on the meaning and

history of National Day of Prayer.

The roots of National Day of Prayer date back to 1775, when

Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation.

Then-President Ronald Reagan signed a bill in 1988, establishing the

first Thursday of May as a National Day of Prayer.

“It stands as a call to us to humbly come to God seeking his

advice for our leaders,” Suzie Wooldridge told the crowd. “Prayer is

as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning.”

Many of those attending the service Thursday might not have come

to pray for the nation, but they did come to share their thoughts

with their Lord.

Yolanda Padilla stopped in to pray for an ill friend. She didn’t

know about the national date. She just felt the urge to pray.

“It’s a way of speaking to God and a way of asking for help and

our needs,” she said.

The worship team led attendees in prayer, but mainly in spirited

song with a keyboard and microphone. Some hoped for a more meditative

service.

“It’s different from what I expected,” said Marji Lien, although

she enjoyed the charismatic experience. “I think it would have been

nice to have moments in between where it was simply quiet.”

Attendees stood and raised their hands in praise, while others sat

quietly on pews or knelt in thoughtful reverence.