Martin County Business Leaders participate in 58th National Day of Prayer!

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You" Psalm 33:22

Stuart , FL - On Thursday, May 7, 2009, a group of over one hundred (100) local business men and women gathered in front of the Martin County Courthouse to participate in the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when people are asked to come together and pray, especially for their country. It was created as a floating holiday in 1952 and fixed on the first Thursday in May by Ronald Reagan. This year's national chairman was Beth Moore, to find out more, please see: www.NationalDayofPrayer.org.

Local Leaders

The Introduction and Opening Prayer was performed by John Demaree, Pastor's Assistant from First Baptist Church of Stuart. Our thanks and gratitude to the Martin County Sheriff's Department Color Guard and leadership of the Pledge of Allegiance. Gina Brockway from Jensen Beach High School performed the National Anthem. Guest Speakers included; Jim Brocious, Pastor, Stuart Alliance Church; Vicki Alley, retired teacher, Martin County High School,; Lt. Ced Humphrey, Watch Commander, Martin County Sheriff's Department; Tony Barletta, for Chairman of the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce; Vicki Davis, Supervisor of Elections of Martin County; Alfonso Puerto, Pastor Golden Gate Mission, Stuart; Gene Healton, Pastor, Spirit of Prophecy Ministries; Lee Fielder, Pastor, Tropical Farms Baptist Church; Hoss Wiggins, Chaplain Ministries, Martin County Fire Rescue; Mark Hansrote, Chaplain Ministries, Martin County Fire Rescue; followed by a performance of "Amazing Grace" and concluded with "God Bless America" by Nick Bennett, Minister to Senior Adults, First Baptist Church of Stuart.

Our thanks and appreciation to all of those who took time out from their busy schedules to prayer for our country, our county, our cities, towns and citizens. We also thank Darren Snipes and First Baptist Christian School Children for providing the music.

History
There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952. The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate "a time for prayer in forming a new nation." During the Quasi-War with France, President John Adams declared May 9, 1798, as "a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer," during which citizens of all faiths were asked to pray "that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it". On March 30, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the following proclamation: By the President of the United States of America.

National Day of Prayer Task Force
The National Prayer Committee created a non-governmental organization called The National Day of Prayer Task Force, with the intended purpose of coordinating events specifically for evangelical Christians for the National Day of Prayer. Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, they work out of facilities from Focus on the Family, a Christian organization. Shirley Dobson (wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson) is currently at the head of the Task Force ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Prayer).

Please do not miss another inspirational, educational, and motivational opportunity...consider joining us for the next Christian Business Fellowship of Martin County Luncheon on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 11:30am in the Elliott Room of the Ramada Inn on U.S. Hwy One in Stuart. The featured speaker will be Keith Pesce (Dynamic Human Behavior Solutions) "Understanding Yourself and Others: Solving the Mystery of Motivation." With over 25 years of experience in the corporate training, ministry, and education fields, Pesce has learned that as much as 85% of success in any field is directly related to effective people skills. Pesce's varied work experience has enabled him to gain a unique perspective that can help your organization become much more effective with people. It is our understanding that is presentation is indeed very inspirational (and entertaining!). Please make your reservation early, there will be limited seating. For more information about Keith Pesce, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, please see: www.dyhbs.com or write: keith@dyhbs l.com

For more information how you might also join us for the next Christian Business Fellowship Luncheon; (always the 3rd Thursday of the month) at the Ramada Inn on US One in Stuart, FL., and is $16.00 pp. Please R.S.V.P. John Demaree - Coordinator Christian Business Fellowship of Martin County; 772-286-6972 jdemaree@ftak.com. No invitation needed, yet reservations are suggested.

To sign up for monthly notices regarding the luncheons and other local events, please see the messaging center at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cbfmartincounty
or contact, Jeannie Ferrara, Public Relations at: jmfministry@aol.com.

The publicity for the Christian Business Fellowship of Martin County has been donated for the past 3 years by: Jeannie Ferrara, Thy Word Public Relations. For more information about how to get your events communicated, please write: jmfministry@aol.com