Community marks National Day of Prayer

A vision to bring the Sisters community together to pray for each other, the community, and the country culminated Thursday morning in the first annual Sisters Community Prayer Breakfast. Led by Peter Storton and Jim Horsley, the event commemorated the National Day of Prayer held the first Thursday in May as designated by President Lincoln's proclamation of a national day of prayer in 1863.

In a statement made by President Obama on May 1, the President said, "I join the citizens of our nation in giving thanks, in accordance with our own faiths and consciences, for our many freedoms and blessings, and in asking for God's continued guidance, mercy, and protection."

The FivePine Conference Center was at capacity on May 2, as community members came together to share breakfast, pray, and focus on the common bond of faith bringing them together.

Attendees included several members of the city council and school board, and Chamber Citizen of the Year Lon Kellstrom was recognized for his many years of service to the city of

Sisters.

Bend High School principal, H.D. Waddell, spoke about his role as chaplain for the Oregon State football team, his experiences as an athlete and the role God's presence plays in his endeavors.

"We need to look closely at what winning truly is," he said.

The message throughout the event was one of gratitude and a shared sense of purpose. What brought everyone in the room together was stronger than their differences in politics and religion.

"It's our job to live our lives with God as our motivator and central purpose, and not to judge how others are living," said Horsley.

The gathering concluded with a prayer by Troy Meeder of Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch.