CHILDREN TAKE LEAD IN PRAYER ADULTS SCHEDULE OBSERVANCES TODAY.Byline: Krystn Shrieve Staff Writer SIMI VALLEY Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. - Before falling asleep each night, 11-year-old Jake Kendall closes his eyes and prays for friends and family. But Wednesday, he was one of 50 children who gathered before school to ask a blessing for teachers, police, firefighters and elected officials. The Children's Prayer Breakfast, hosted by Sonrise Christian Fellowship, commemorated a National Day of Prayer being observed today throughout the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . ``We want kids to know that they can have a relationship with God and that praying is simply talking to Noun 1. talking to - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" lecture, speech rebuke, reprehension, reprimand, reproof, reproval - an act or expression of criticism and censure; "he had to God,'' said Debbie Brooks, the church's youth ministry leader. ``We want kids to know that their prayers are just as important as those of adults.'' The children and their parents followed the same format that will be observed at today's prayer gatherings. They prayed first for people who touch their lives directly, such as teachers, principals and pastors. Then they prayed for local firefighters, law enforcement officers, city councils, Gov. Gray Davis and other state leaders. Finally they prayed for their national leaders. Sixth-grader Tiana Alderson led a prayer for local officials. ``Dear God, I pray I beg; I request; I entreat you; - used in asking a question, making a request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me to go s>. See also: Pray for our local and state leaders, our governor, city councils and police and fire people,'' she said. ``I pray for Mr. Brooks because he has a lot to do because he is the sheriff. Please give him wisdom.'' Ventura County Sheriff Bob Brooks, who attended the event, said it's encouraging to know so many people will be praying for him and the 800 sworn officers in his department. ``It's so encouraging and especially meaningful when it comes from children,'' Brooks said. ``We have dangerous and stressful jobs and we need all the help, support and prayers we can get.'' Craig Wells, the principal at Knolls Elementary School elementary school: see school. in Simi Valley, said he, too, appreciated the prayers being offered for educators. ``It feels so positive knowing so many people care about Knolls Elementary and Simi Valley in general,'' Wells said. ``Prayer is one of the most important things we can be involved in.'' Several other prayer sessions will be held today throughout Ventura County. The Salvation Army Salvation Army, Protestant denomination and international nonsectarian Christian organization for evangelical and philanthropic work. Organization and Beliefs The Salvation Army has established branches in 100 countries throughout the world. is sponsoring a prayer breakfast in Ventura, where local residents who helped in the recovery effort of the Alaska Arlines Flight 261 crash will be honored. ``I'm sure during that time there were many, many, many prayers,'' said event chairman Jerry Nordskog, a member of the Salvation Army's advisory board. ``We want to pay a special thanks to so many individuals who supported the whole rescue mission. They went all out to support the families of the victims and do whatever they could. This was a tragic situation and prayer played an important role.'' The Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by Pastors Prayer Fellowship will sponsor a gathering at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts and administrative center located in Thousand Oaks, California. It was built in 1994 on the former site of "Jungleland" at a cost of $63.8 million. , where a crowd of several hundred is expected to turn out. Phil Robillard, pastor at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, said he hopes people leave the event knowing the importance of continuing their prayers for families, communities and the nation. ``Our Lord said that where two or more people gather, agreeing on anything, it shall be done in heaven,'' Robillard said. ``So when we get literally millions of Christians in the United States praying for mercy, grace, forgiveness and healing - healing for our land - we believe as a result, wonderful blessings will pour down from heaven.'' NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER EVENTS Simi Valley Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, 7 a.m., at the Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted en·chant tr.v. en·chant·ed, en·chant·ing, en·chants 1. To cast a spell over; bewitch. 2. To attract and delight; entrance. See Synonyms at charm. Way. Tickets are $15. Call (805) 581-0938. Simi Valley prayer gathering, noon, in the courtyard near the library and at the Simi Valley Civic Center, 2929 Tapo Canyon Road. Oxnard Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, 7 a.m., at the Radisson Hotel, 600 Esplanade Drive. Tickets are $15. Call (805) 983-2199. Community Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Salvation Army, 7 to 9:15 a.m. at the Clarion Ventura Beach Hotel, 2055 Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Ventura prayer gathering, noon to 1 p.m., Ventura County Government Center central fountain, 800 S. Victoria Ave. Prayer gathering, sponsored by the Conejo Valley Pastors Prayer Fellowship, noon at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Prayer gathering, 6 p.m. at Constitution Park, at the corner of Carmen Carmen throws over lover for another. [Fr. Lit.: Carmen; Fr. Opera: Bizet, Carmen, Westerman, 189–190] See : Faithlessness Carmen the cards repeatedly spell her death. [Fr. Drive and Paseo Camarillo, Camarillo. Prayer gathering, noon at Port Hueneme Port Hueneme (wī'nē`mē), city (1990 pop. 20,319), Ventura co., S Calif., on the Pacific coast; founded 1870, inc. 1948. It has an artificial deep-sea harbor and is the site of a huge naval construction-battalion (Seabee) center. City Hall, 250 N. Ventura Road. CAPTION(S): box Box: National Day of Prayer events (see text) |
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