By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

“We wouldn’t be able to have hope for tomorrow if we didn’t have faith for today,” said Rev. Neville Billy.

Billy and Raise his Praise Ministries has lead the charge to bring the Day of Prayer back to Roswell. Roughly one hundred people gathered on the lawn behind Roswell’s City Hall at the Face of War Memorial, to pray and be prayed for. All aspects of life were addressed by members of the community. After an introductory blast on the Shofar by Rabbi David Schiff. Councilman Rich Dippolito read a proclamation from Mayor Jere Wood, who was unable to attend, honoring the Day of Prayer and urging all Roswell citizens to pray for health and security. Local philanthropist and owner of the Roswell Chick-Fil-A, Jim Waddle, led the prayer for businesses;

“Give us wisdom and direction to keep our businesses profitable but at the same time treating our employees fairly,” said Waddle. “Help us make right decisions to serve you.”

Dorothy Casoria, co-founder of the Trinity Broadcast Network, the nation’s largest faith-based network, who was televising the event, gave a prayer for the media.

“Media plays such a vital role in our culture today that we cannot allow it to go unprotected with[out] prayer and God’s guidance.”

The National Day of Prayer was created under President Eisenhower and has continued today as a day set aside for all faiths to pray for the nation and its people. While the ceremony at the Memorial was largely a Christian event, all faiths are welcome to take part each year and pray according to their customs. This year was the first in nine years that the White House did not take part in the National Day of Prayer, instead giving a proclamation.

The theme of this year’s Day of Prayer was “Praise America’s Hope.”

Clockwise from top left: Bugler Sgt. Baez play Taps in honor of fallen soldiers; the Day of Prayer is a day for all people to pray for the nation and its people; Roswell Councilman David Tolleson (right) prays for wise government; dancers from Beth Hallel perform a Davidic Dance; Rev. Neville Billy has helped organize Roswell’s Day of Prayer; Lt. Col. David Carr prays for our soldiers overseas; Rabbi David Schiff blows the Shofar to begin the ceremony.