A CALL FOR FAITH — As guest speaker for a National Day of Prayer service held Thursday in Wellsburg, Shane Henderson, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Follansbee, encouraged everyone to put their faith in God. The service was held by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, Franklin and Wellsburg United Methodist Churches, United Women in Faith and Mayor Dan Dudley. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The guest speaker for the National Day of Prayer observance in Wellsburg noted Corey Ten Boom, a Dutch clockmaker whose family hid Jews from Nazi officials during World War II, once asked, “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire.”

Shane Henderson, pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church of Follansbee, addressed the many gathered at the Wellsburg Banquet Hall for a program and luncheon organized Thursday by the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, Franklin and Wellsburg United Methodist churches, United Women in Faith and Mayor Dan Dudley.

Henderson added comedian Will Rogers once said, “The trouble with our praying is we just do it as a means of last resort.”

The pastor said it’s common for people to turn to prayer in emergencies, but God can provide guidance throughout all of life.

Drawing further on the automotive analogy, Henderson said no driver can predict with certainty the difficulties or challenges that lie ahead in a trip that currently appears effortless.

“Know him (God) and he will make your paths straight,” Henderson advised.

He added that often life’s troubles seem overwhelming, but God’s guidance can make them more manageable.

“It’s easy to make a mole hill into a mountain. God can flatten that mountain into a mole hill,” said Henderson.

He said National Day of Prayer originated at a time of division among Americans, and such division is prevalent today.

Henderson said it’s likely that multiple religious denominations were represented at Thursday’s event, and Eric Fithyan, president of the Wellsburg Kiwanis Club, estimated that members of 14 local churches were on hand.

Henderson told the attendees, “This (event) is a powerful example of what prayer can do. It can unite us.”

He said Christians can bring about change by sharing their faith with others.

“We need to go out there and start changing tires. We need to go out and encourage people to take the wheel,” said Henderson.