Putnam Marks Day of Prayer

Putnam Sheriff Donald Smith is deep in reflection during a prayer. ERIC GROSS Putnam County paused and reflected by participating in the National Day of Prayer.

Last Thursday, some 75 men and women, including state, county, and local leaders took part in the celebration by joining hands and praying at the Carmel Cornerstone Park.

County Executive Robert Bondi prayed for the nation. Jack Smoot recited a prayer for governmental leaders. The Rev. Kwang Kim prayed for the family. Pastor Rick Julian recited a prayer for today’s youth. Sheriff Donald Smith prayed for the military and law enforcement, and Eric Gross recited a prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

The prayer vigil was brought to Putnam County nearly two decades ago by the Putnam County Prayer Breakfast Committee that meets weekly to pray.

Organizer Dr. Patrick Delamere of Mahopac called life “difficult. Life gets tougher if you are blessed with a wife and children. It gets even tougher if you are the President of the United States and even more difficult if you have loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. God wants to hear from us. My experiences have centered on the fact that if you reach out to God, he reaches out to you.”

The National Day of Prayer has been celebrated on the first Thursday of May each year since 1951.