National Day of Prayer offers several services

Nita Johnson, The Sentinel Echo, London, Ky.
·3 min read
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May 1—The first Thursday in May has been designated as National Day of Prayer, and London has several services planned for the special day.

London Mayor Randall Weddle is hosting the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast at the London Community Center at 7 a.m.

"This is an opportunity for our community to come together over breakfast and join in prayer for our city and its leaders," states the press release from the Mayor's Office. "Let us strengthen our bond, seek guidance and renew our commitment to serving the greater good."

The Laurel County Courthouse will host a National Day of Prayer service at 12:15 p.m. in front of the courthouse. According to Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield, that ceremony will offer guest speakers and singers.

Westerfield said he will open the ceremony, with students from Cornerstone Christian School performing two songs.

"We will have five pastors speaking: Norm Brock, Mark Hisle, Shawn Ryan, Mark Huff and Jeff Lewis," he said. "Daniel Carmack will also be present. Mark Huff is the person who put this together this year."

New Life Worship Center is also hosting a prayer service, beginning at 11 a.m. at their church off West 5th Street. Mayor Weddle and State Representative Tom O'dell Smith are expected to address those attending that service.

This is the first year that Weddle has hosted a prayer service, but he was contacted by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation regarding some "constitutional concerns." The letter states that the First Amendment "prohibits the government from running or promoting a religious event."

"We ask that the City drop its support for this divisive, evangelistic vision for America and cease holding a National Day of Prayer event," Hirsh M. Joshi, Patrick O'Reiley Legal Fellow, wrote for the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Weddle posted a video on the City of London's Facebook page, describing the issue, stating that some groups had attacked him.

"As Americans, we have to right to assemble and we have the right to pray over our community, we aren't promoting any particular faith," he said. "But as community, we know without faith we would be lost. In this letter, it demands that we not assemble ourselves together in our faith. It tells us that we are not to proceed, due to constitutional rights of others. As a mayor, I've always believed that my office is here to serve everyone who lives here. But to say that we shouldn't assemble ourselves together to pray, that we not show our faith; I will not cave in to these demands. Our community will not cave in to those demands....from people who do not live here."

Weddle added that the threat of a lawsuit should be a signal for London and Laurel residents to step up and not allow "small groups" that have controlled national actions.

"I'm asking you to bind together with us, not as your mayor but as a fellow citizen of this city and this county — on May 2nd at 7 a.m. We're going to be there. And I'm asking everyone else, whether you can be there, to pray. If you can come, show up. And let's show that one small group or one radical idea does not stop us.

"London, this is a time that we stand together and pray and show our faith," he continued. "Let's show this group that we show our faith and show that one small group does not control the masses."