National Day of Prayer a great success

Although one town which I won't mention by name reportedly refused to let attendees use any municipal electricity, on the whole it seemed that public officials were glad to join Connecticut residents in asking God's blessing on our State and nation yesterday during the National Day of Prayer.

I heard Danbury's Mayor Boughton on the radio this morning speaking of the virtues of the NDOP. This was a blessing.

Literally scores of Connecticut towns and cities held observances:

This report from todays' Norwich Bulletin:

Tom Girard, 44, of Voluntown attended for the first time.

"We desperately need prayer. Without prayer, we cannot create a relationship with our lord, Jesus Christ," said Girard, a computer technician at Connecticut College.

Barb Young, 57, Les Young's wife, said she comes every year.

"It's important to gather publicly and pray for our nation's leaders and for all our governments," Young said.

In the city of Groton, Mayor Dennis Popp said the lawn of the City Municipal Building is made available to churches on National Day of Prayer.

"They have used our front lawn for many years. If needed, we have a small tent they can use," Popp said. "This year, six churches were represented. It began at noon and lasted an hour. I was able to attend for 20 minutes or so."

The Plainfield Area Churches' Ecumenical Ministry put on its sixth annual National Day of Prayer breakfast at Plainfield Congregational Church.

About 35 to 40 people attended, according to First Selectman Kevin Cunningham.

"Different ministers from the Plainfield area were there. The people gathered and talked on this day of reflection," Cunningham said. "This was a nice way to communicate with the community."

And in Middletown, the Press reported:

Mayor Sebastian N. Giuliano declared Thursday Day of Prayer in the city of Middletown. A ceremony, titled "America, Unite in Prayer," was held in front of City Hall around the flagpole that afternoon.

"In the city of Middletown and that this day signifies that prayer is as important to our nation today as it was in the beginning," the proclamation read.

Let's work together to make NDOP grow year by year!