Community observes National Day of Prayer in New Madrid

Father Suresh Samalal, pastor at Immaculate Conception Church offers a prayer for the community during the National Day of Prayer program on May 1. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Prayers were offered up for the schools, the communities, the churches and the leaders. There were prayers for America and the world.

The National Day of Prayer service at the New Madrid County Courthouse on May 1 brought together all denominations as they offered prayers of hope, guidance, protection and intercession.

Organizer Jeff Polk with the New Madrid Baptist Church welcomed those who filled the rotunda of the New Madrid County Courthouse for the event.

Kate Taylor, Kayla Hill, Makayla Birdwell and Shawna Robinson (pictured from left) bow their heads in prayer at the National Day of Prayer program at the New Madrid County Courthouse on May 1. The four are members of the New Madrid County Central High School's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Students from Immaculate Conception School led those attending in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Following an explanation from ICS principal Allison Fowler about how students would say the “Hail Mary” whenever they heard sirens as a prayer for intercession, the students also led the audience in the prayer.

Special musical offerings were provided by the New Madrid County Central High School Band and the New Madrid County Central High School Singing Eagles.

Offering various prayers were Chris Polk, Father Suresh Samalal with Immaculate Conception Parish, G.L. Keene with the Riverbend Pentecostal Church, Chris Polk with the Matthews Missionary Baptist Church, Melvin Barnett, Pete Leija of Morehouse General Baptist Church, Noah Taylor and Luke Johnson, a member of the New Madrid County Central High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

As the New Madrid County Central Singing Eagles perform on the second floor of the New Madrid County Courthouse, the crowd listens intently below during the National Day of Prayer program. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)