The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
TOGETHER IN FAITH
Day of Prayer event draws crowd to Wes Point Park
With much going on and changing amid everyday life, a strong focus on what is most important to people of faith was present May 6 at Wes Point Park in downtown Willoughby.
“It’s a prayerful presence here downtown and I felt God calling me to be a part of that,” said the Rev. David Stavarz, a priest at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Concord Township, who was among the many who attended the National Day of Prayer event.
For Stavarz, this was his first time participating in such an event.
“There are so many things going on around us and changing every day,” Stavarz said. “Today is simply focusing on what is most important as people of faith, which is a God who is present with us despite any of the challenges of life. He can change our hearts amid all of our struggles.”
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May. It invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation, according to The National Day of Prayer. The celebration was missed last year due to the novel coronavirus, said Willoughby Mayor
“Today is simply focusing on what is most important as people of faith ...” — Rev. David Stavarz, priest at St. Gabriel Catholic Church
Robert Fiala.
“Today is kind of a rebirth of that event and we’re delighted that it’s being hosted here in Willoughby,” Fiala said. “We hope it continues for years to come. Especially now, after the year we just encountered with the issues with the pandemic, the social unrest and everything else.
“Now more than ever we need a day like this, and a time to reflect and rethink how we get along, how we coexist and how we can find unity.”
The Day of Prayer brought forth seven different ministers and priests throughout the day, which started at noon and ran through 8 p.m.
“We decided to come and do the Day of Prayer as a revival, so we can have people know how much Jesus loves them,” said Darlene Dryer, codirector and minister of the House of Prayer - The Well in downtown Willoughby.
“The importance of today is to bring our country together in prayer for everyone to know that the most powerful thing they can do is to pray. God is in charge. Everything is under God’s will, way and timing.
“I’m hoping that even though it’s cool, that many people attend.”
Margaret Lanese, who had a hand in planning the event alongside Dryer, said that her life has been changed through prayer.
“I grew up in church and I always went to church, but it was sort of out of obligation and not out of relationship,” Lanese said. “Life got a little tough at some points, so I thought you know, I want to be happy. I found that with God. I’m so much happier than I was in the past. Give it a try because it is transforming.”
She said the House of Prayer invited people they knew, who readily accepted to partake in the event.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity. We have various denominations represented,” Lanese said. “People can come and go as they please, and we hope it’ll be a day of celebration and prayer. I thank God for that.”
Religion and faith need to be properly expressed and be a part of culture, Stavarz said.
“People are searching and asking the questions,” he said. “Wherever God is leading me and our community, I hope to be responsive, too.”
Dryer encourages people to visit the House of Prayer - The Well in Willoughby, which is located at 4091 Erie St. There, people are able to put up prayer requests on the window.
“We have a prayer board outside 24/7,” Dryer said. “You can also come in. We have six, eight-foot-high white marker boards. We have many miracles there.”