Correction: Patch initially quoted Nancy Venezia as saying, “It's a great way for people of different faiths to come together." Venezia contacted Patch to clarify her quote. It has been corrected and updated in the following article.

In 1952, Congress passed a bill creating Public Law 82-324 which directed the President of the United States to set aside and appropriate day, other than Sunday, each year as a National Day of Prayer. This year, that day was Thursday. Both throughout the country and locally people gathered to pray and hear prayers given by local clergy at locations in their communities.

National Day of Prayer gatherings were held in both Manchester and Town and Country.

In Manchester, a prayer service was held in front of the Manchester Police Department for residents and others in the area. The gathering was organized by Nancy Venezia, a local resident who was recruited by the Gateway area coordinator about 11 years ago. She has been organizing the event in the area ever since.

"While the Congressional Bill encourages people of all faiths to pray, Gateway National Day of Prayer organizes Judeo-Christian gatherings. It is a great way for people of different denominations of Christian faith to come together," Venizia said.

Area religious leaders took turns leading prayers for several groups including, government leaders and workers, education, the military, business and the media. After each member of the clergy prayed, the crowd of about 75 was asked to break into groups of four and pray on that topic.

The Rev. Kevin Gregory of St. John United Church of Christ in Manchester led the opening prayer and the prayer for local government employees and leaders. He said that he hopes that God helps lead them in the right direction during the course of duty and “keeps them safe from any harm.”

Manchester Mayor David Willson was in attendance along with Ed Blattner, the city administrator and Franz Krainz, Manchester's planning and zoning director.

Willson said, “This is the third year we have had this out here, and I will get some calls and emails about it and the separation of church and state. I'll ignore them.”

Willson also presented Venezia with a proclamation from the city recognizing her hard work in putting together the event.

Rick Bueke the pastor of First Evangelical Church in Manchester offered a prayer for military members and their families.

“God, please keep the members of the military safe in whatever they may be doing and protect and keep their families who are at home," Bueke said.

“Today, we try to give children everything they want. But we must remember that we need to teach them to work for some things.” John Hoessel of The Journey West County Church said.  “Also Lord, keep those children from broken families in your heart.”

The ministers who spoke covered a variety of topics in their prayers but most prayed for peace and guidance for people in every walk of life.

The crowd was serenaded by the choir from Heritage Christian Academy, which closed the ceremony by leading those gathered in singing "God Bless America."    

A prayer service was also held at the Town and County Municipal Center. Approximately 35 fourth-graders from Town and County’s Kirk of the Hills Christian Day School attended and sang at that service.

“It was two-fold. We wanted them to be able to share their gift of song at the ceremony,” said Mary Guthrie, director of advancement and admissions for Kirk Day School. “We also wanted them to see and understand the larger picture of the National Day of Prayer. They had different pastors for area churches praying.”