Springfield breakfast, lunch events mark Day of Prayer

Groups gather at downtown hotel and City Hall Plaza.

SPRINGFIELD — They prayed Thursday morning for children and for families, for the president and vice president of the United States, for the president’s Cabinet, for the Senate and for the House, for schools, for local businesses, for the military and even for the media.

Toward the end of it, Alex Lohrer, vice president of Hafenbrack Marketing in Springfield, wondered if a building inspector would be needed to come ensure the stability of the Courtyard by Marriott’s roof.

“Lots of prayers going through here,” he said.

During the annual breakfast to commemorate the National Day of Prayer at the Marriott, virtually no facet of life was ignored.

“May the unemployment rate tumble before our eyes,” prayed Mitch Kastien, of the Beacon of Hope bookstore and coffeeshop.

If the message wasn’t long and loud enough, another group gathered at lunchtime Thursday to pray further at City Hall Plaza.

“You’re part of a big deal,” Rob Rue, vice president of Littleton and Rue Funeral Home, told those gathered at the breakfast.

Emboldened by President Dwight Eisenhower’s 1954 authorization to add the words “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, the group on Thursday morning cared little about separating church and state.

“I pray today that we will return to you,” said Kyle Koehler, of K.K. Tool Co., a Republican candidate for Clark County commissioner. “We need your wisdom in governing ourselves.”

Contact this reporter at amcginn@coxohio.com.

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