NDR Media Coverage

Hundreds Gather to Pray
Ministers, Mayor Continue Tradition in Birmingham

by Greg Garrison and Stan Bailey

Former U.S. Sen. Bill Armstrong of Colorado kicked off National Day of Prayer observances Thursday in Birmingham by praising the city for its 40-year tradition of praying for public officials.

After watching a group of ministers lay hands on and pray with two dozen Birmingham-Hoover area mayors during the 40th annual Mayors' Prayer Breakfast, Armstrong said he was moved.

"It touched my heart," he said. "I think that is eminently appropriate. I hope that other communities emulate it. Symbolically, it's so right."

Harbert Center:

About 250 people gathered at the Harbert Center downtown for the prayer breakfast. Several ministers spoke and led prayers.

"Not only is it fitting to pray for those in authority, it is wise," said the Rev. Michael Moore, pastor of Faith Chapel Christian Center. "You are not just servants of the people, you are servants of God."

"Prayer changes things," said the Rev. Steve Gaines, pastor of Gardendale's First Baptist Church. "That's what this breakfast is all about."

Armstrong said he grew up in Nebraska and moved to Denver, where he borrowed money to buy a radio station. He later bought another radio station and two newspapers and was president of a company that operated TV stations. He is currently chairman of four mortgage banking firms.

After serving two years in the Colorado legislature and eight years in the state Senate, Armstrong served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973-79 and in the U.S. Senate from 1979-91.

Despite his rise in business and politics, he said, he never felt fulfilled. "There had to be more to life than money, position and power," he said. He found fulfillment through his faith in Jesus Christ, he said.

Services statewide:

Around Alabama Thursday, some churches opened their doors for community prayers during the day or had mid-day services.

At First Baptist Church on Lakeshore Drive people dropped in throughout the day to pray. James Hobdy, 74, said he prayed for a return to morality and for the soldiers serving overseas. "I do that everyday," he said. "Our president and leadership need our prayer too."

Shades Mountain Christian School changed its schedule to allow 275 students from fourth through 12th grades to take part in a mid-day prayer service at Shades Mountain Independent Church.

"We should make a commitment to make prayer more a part of our lives every day," said Brian Benscoter, head of the school.

"Prayer is a gift we have from God so we can nurture a relationship with Him," said music teacher Sarah Ovington.

In Montgomery, about 150 people gathered on the Capitol steps and under the shade of nearby trees for about an hour of speeches, hymns, and prayers by Gov. Bob Riley and Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright. "Prayer will see us through many of our trials," Riley said.

Riley said the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was in a stalemate before Benjamin Franklin challenged the delegates to go home and fast and pray for three days. On their return, the delegates adopted the Constitution, and it was no accident that America became the world's most powerful and influential nation, Riley said.

Chaplain Dave Michaud of Maxwell Air Force Base prayed and called on others to pray for the protection of American troops, who are risking their lives in Iraq.

Atheists rally:

On the south lawn of the Capitol, near the replica of the Liberty Bell, about a dozen atheists made speeches critical of the prayer observance.

Gene Garman of Pittsburg, Kan., who said he flew in for the atheist meeting at the invitation of Larry Darby, president of the Atheist Law Center of Montgomery, said the U.S. Constitution, not the Ten Commandments, is the basis for American law and government.

Copyright 2004 The Birmingham News

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