Students, Officials Meet for National Day of Prayer

Students at in Port Washington on Thursday gathered for their annual celebration of National Day of Prayer.

"The mission of the National Day of Prayer Task Force is to mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture," according to the National Day of Prayer website. The event is in its 61st year.

Saukville Police Chief Bill Meloy, Village President Barb Dickmann, Sen. Glenn Grothman and a staff worker for Sen. Ron Johnson attended the event as well as other community members, and students presented cards and cookies before praying for the group.

"We want our students to understand that it's important to honor those who serve us in government," School Administrator Kris Austin said in an e-mail. "We want the students to see that they play an important role in God's work now by providing a prayer covering for our leaders. They do not have to wait until they're old and gray like me to serve others."

Each of the special guests shared with the students "what their job was, to help the students understand the role they played in their lives," Austin said.

The students then presented the guests with a card that said, "We're praying for you!" that was signed by all the students and staff, along with a plate of cookies. Students also lead pledges to the American and Christian flags and the Bible as part of the event, and a student worship team lead the group in patriotic songs, Austin said. The group also rotated among five "prayer stations" where a specific topic of prayer was presented to students to focus on.

"We will mail student-signed cards to national, state and local officials who were unable to join us," Austin said, "because we are praying for them!"