CHURCHES TO OFFER ELECTION PRAYERS

Even if some candidates don't have a prayer Tuesday, the election should have lots of them.

That is because of pre-election day prayer services that will be held Monday in Cape Girardeau.

Times and places for the prayer services were announced Wednesday by the Ministerial Alliance, the nondenominational group of area church leaders who have organized the services.

Four church prayer services will be held throughout the day Monday at four area churches, said the Rev. William Burke, president of the alliance.

A noon service will be held on the steps of Common Pleas Courthouse from 12:10 p.m. until 12:50 p.m. for those who wish to pray during their lunch hour, he said.

Morning services will begin at 6:30 a.m. at St. Vincent's Catholic Church and at 7:30 a.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Two evening services at 7 p.m. will be at Hanover Lutheran and Cornerstone churches.

St. Mary's Catholic Church will place special emphasis on the election during a Mass Tuesday at 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m., Burke said.

In addition to the special services, Cape Girardeau churches of many denominations have agreed to have their doors open for prayer at any time throughout the day, Burke said.

These include the First Church of the Nazarene, First General Baptist, Christ Episcopal Church, St. Mary's and St. Vincent Catholic Churches and St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

He said other churches may be open for prayer Monday and that those interested should ask their ministers Sunday to be certain.

Church leaders feel prayer is important all year around but especially at election time. The purpose of the services is to pray for the country, Burke said, and not for a particular candidate.

"It's important that we pray for our country," said Kim Ferguson, pastor of Cornerstone Church, which will host one of the special prayer services. "I think that you'll find that this special service will focus on prayer for our country" instead of a particular candidate.

The Rev. Brant Hazlett, rector of the Christ Episcopal Church, said Christians should be involved in the political process and that starts with prayer.

"The major thing is, we as Christian people are to pray for our leaders," Hazlett said. "We should pray that they have wisdom, understanding, and are good leaders. In our prayers we ask that whomever is elected is open to God's will.

"Then we go out and vote."

PRAYER SERVICES

Pre-election Day of Prayer schedule

Nov. 4

Morning services

St. Vincent's Catholic Church 6:30 a.m.

Christ Episcopal Church 7:30 a.m.

Noon service

Common Pleas Courthouse steps 12:10 to 12:15 p.m.

Evening services

Hanover Lutheran Church 7 p.m.

Cornerstone Church 7 p.m.

Many churches will be open throughout the day for people to pray at their convenience.

St. Mary's Catholic Church will have an emphasis on elections during the Nov. 5 Mass services, 8 a.m. and 5:15 p.m.