Peace and unity: Kern County observes National Day of Prayer

Residents of Kern once again gathered at the intersection of courts and Christ on Thursday for the celebration of the 73rd annual National Day of Prayer.

Held the first Thursday of each May, the day has since 1952 been delimited as a nondenominational moment of prayer for the nation. And there is much to pray for, according to the several speakers who gave their piece.

Prayer began at 10 a.m. outside Kern County Superior Court in downtown Bakersfield, and saw an attendance of more than 100 people.

Several people, like Anthony D. and Miguel Luna with Chester Avenue Community Church, arrived earlier in the day to help hold the several flags representing the various bodies of government. It’s a pro-bono arrangement they agree to every year, standing out in the sun for more than an hour, sweat beads building under the brims of their hats.

“People lay down their lives for this,” Anthony said. “That flag represents something more than just me and you today. It’s about standing on that and giving back to the community.”

“Prayer unites us,” he added. “I think the country needs more of that.”

Bakersfield Police Lt. Nicole Anderberg asked those gathered to pray for law enforcement and the military, speaking on the “split-second” decisions they must make every day.

“Please pray for their safety, for their wisdom,” Anderberg said. “Please pray for peace and unity in our communities.”

Few words were said — rather they were sung — during the hourlong service that featured a live mix of Christian rock anthems and speeches. Speakers warned that nationwide, patriotism is devalued, institutions are vulnerable to attack and core beliefs are under chronic persecution.

The Rev. Charles Twist shared with people his childhood memory of his parents, shipbuilders in Portland, Ore. It was the American flag, Twist recollected, that he could make out last as ships exited from the port.

“I’m standing beneath something that’s been a part of my life since World War II,” Twist said. “I don’t know what that means to you, but it means something to me.”

In a pastoral tone, Twist asked the audience to pray for “all the leaders of our country starting from the top” to include President Joe Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Because “God ordains” who ultimately takes the seats, he added.

“It’s not about the man that gets in the office,” Twist said. “It’s about (whether) they know why they’re there.”

Since the meeting of the Second Constitutional Congress of 1775, public leaders have followed tradition and paid credence to the day. Biden, in his address Thursday, asked for “God’s continued guidance, mercy and protection,” while Newsom used the occasion to remind his constituency that it is they — in all their faiths and backgrounds — that make California great, “which will always see us through.”