The prayerful still trickle into Sams Auditorium each first Thursday to unite in praise and supplication to the Lord, but their numbers have plummeted.

Since last May's National Day of Prayer, it has been the intent of local ministers to repeat the one-hour service monthly. “Why do it just once a year?” was the question raised by the Rev. Gray Harwell of Cherith Ministries and local pastors last spring. “Our vision is that the body of Christ come together,” Harwell said.

The result has been a core group of between 25 and 50 religious leaders, businessmen and homemakers gathering to praise the Lord in song, ask for his forgiveness, and humbly ask for blessings on the county's schools, teachers, pastors and government leaders.

But January's dozen or so faithful seemed lost in the vastness of Sams Auditorium. It is Harwell's vision to eventually see every seat occupied.

January's First Thursday service was led by Carter Schultz, who heads the Southern Crescent Church of Christ in Tyrone. He and his wife, Paige, and church member Phil Shaw led the group in a series of hymns, singing acappella.

There was a special emphasis on praying for the pastors attending a prayer summit Jan. 24-26, a three-day retreat where, Harwell said, “We will seek the face of God together and come before the Lord to minister to one another.”

Harwell instructed those gathered to voice their prayers aloud. “We want to hear your prayer and lift it up together to the Lord.” The result was a series of supplications made eloquently by those gathered.

There were prayers for school children and their teachers, for local leaders, and for individuals struggling in their walk of faith. The soft lighting of the auditorium created a safe and reverent environment for the offerings.

Next month's service will be Thursday, Feb. 3 at noon. It is the hope of the Fayette County community of pastors that the turnout will swell.

Notice of the guest pastor will appear in The Citizen Wednesday, Feb. 2.

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