Residents observe National Day of Prayer

Local residents gathered by the flagpole in front of the Owatonna City Hall in West Hills May 7 to observe the National Day of Prayer.

The event began with a welcome by Rev. Nate Palmer of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church followed by Owatonna Councilman Doug Voss standing in for Mayor Matt Jessop in reading a proclamation declaring Thursday a day of prayer in Owatonna.

Days of Prayer have been observed in the United States since 1775, but it was officially established by Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry Truman. Since 1988 it has been held annually on the first Thursday in May.  Theme for the 2026 observance is “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations,” based on 1 Chronicles 16:24.

Kaisha Troe and Naomi Jirele, led off the musical portion of the event with Hymn for America followed by Mighty Name of Jesus, Turn Your Eyes and Hosanna.

After a time of personal and silent prayer, a variety of prayers were offered by local pastors and individuals.

Rev. Greg Schlicker of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church prayed for the city of Owatonna; Rev. Brent Carlson of Christ Covenant Community Church and an Owatonna Police Department chaplain, prayed for the churches in the county and also for public safety officials. Dawn Ritter, a nurse practitioner offered prayers for the medical community and Steph Goetz of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, prayers for the schools. Prayers for Steele County were offered by Rev. Josh Geary of Radiant Church, the state of Minnesota by Rev. Scott Kahn of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church and the military by Seth Stoykovich of the Air Force Reserves.

During the observance scripture passages were read from 1 Chronicles 16:10-15 and Ephesians 3:20-21 as well as the benediction from Revelation 5:13.

Troe and Jirele and those attending ended the program with a singing of America the Beautiful.