With 2012 marking the 61st-annual National Day of Prayer, Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear hosted a prayer breakfast focused on the theme “Biblical Tools to Conquer Worry.” Held at White River Christian Church, the event included several speakers from the Noblesville faith community, spiritual music and, of course, prayers for the leaders of our city, state and nation – and all those who live, work and serve therein.
[imagebrowser id=15]More than 200 people attended this year’s event, with table sponsors representing financial, construction, legal, agricultural, health, funeral, church and governmental organizations in the area.
Following the breakfast portion of the event, guest speaker Amy Shankland, grant coordinator for the city of Noblesville, offered spiritual alternatives to worry and stress in an interactive presentation. Noting that she was “born into a family of worriers,” Shankland used the emerald ash borer, a beetle that is highly destructive to certain trees, as an example of how a small thing can eat away at a big thing to the point of destruction.
“Stress and worry can do that same thing,” she shared. “We are more stressed out than ever before in our society, and a lot of times it’s the little things that are stressing us out.”
Quoting several scriptural passages that help her handle day-to-day pressures, Shankland encouraged audience members to remember at least one of them to use in their own lives.
Following Shankland’s remarks, White River Pastor Tim Brock spoke on “keeping prayer fresh,” commenting, “I believe our country has forgotten how powerful prayer can be.” Brock then challenged attendees to ask God to surprise them – in a good way – and then journal the small things that happen in their lives as a result.
Later, at a noon prayer gathering on the square, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Rev. Tom Burton led an hour of prayers offered by representatives from a variety of spheres of society including elected officials, medical professionals, schools, armed forces, businesses, families and churches.
“Thank goodness we live in a nation where we can still pray,” Burton said.
