JOHNSTON — - As people all across the nation observed the National Day of Prayer last Thursday, Edgefield Countians also lifted their voices and joined with millions of others in giving thanks and asking God’s blessings.

Penny Hunt and her husband Bill gave the welcome and the presentation and posting of colors was given by the Strom Thurmond Navy ROTC, followed by the National Anthem by Jane Herlong and the Pledge of Allegiance by all. Several special messages were shown on film, followed by messages in song by Rosa Springs Baptist Church Choir and Krista Wilhelmsen, choir director of Johnston United Methodist Church.

A prayer of repentance by the Rev. David Bauknight of Edgefield United Methodist Church and a prayer for the nation by the Rev. Lewis Burt of Calvary Baptist Church were followed by prayers on various topics by ministers from many of the county’s churches.

They included prayers for the Executive Branch, for the President’s close advisors and Cabinet, for the Judicial Branch, for the Legislative Branch, for State and Local Officials, for education, for the church, for family, for our enemies, for the military, for the media and for business.

Keynote speaker, the Rev. John Griffith of Chapel in the Woods and former NASCAR Chaplain, spoke of the importance of prayer.
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"I have to repent all along the way,”" he said. “"Thousands and thousands of Christians sin and fall short. We have not arrived.” He said that for many years he was not serious about prayer. But he finally realized that God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth."

He told the story of his wife who went into a coma and doctors said she would never recover and if she did she would be a vegetable. He told of how he prayed for four days and five nights and on the fifth morning, she cracked her right eye and called his name. She was scheduled for two surgeries she never had.
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"Friends, she teaches Bible study every Monday night,”" he said. "“She'’s no vegetable."”

Griffith encouraged everyone to establish a time and place where they meet God daily.
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"This little group in this little place tonight can make a tremendous difference,”" he said.