Galena Boulevard in Aurora was filled with its usual traffic Thursday, but the bright and sunny skies and cool breezes brought something else to the area between Orchard Road and Route 59.
Throughout the country, Thursday was recognized as the National Day of Prayer, which was celebrated in Aurora by a prayer walk, which kicked off on the southwest corner of Orchard Road and West Galena Boulevard and continued 12 miles east to Route 59.
At least 30 walkers took part in a portion of the journey, which featured stops along the way at more than a dozen places including the Countryside Care Center, West Aurora High School, the Paramount Theater and the Fox Valley United Way. Residents were encouraged to either join the all-day walk or participate in neighborhood walks.
According to organizers, the history of a National Day of Prayer dates back to 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. President Abraham Lincoln many years later proclaimed a day of “fasting and prayer” back in 1863. In 1952, a joint resolution proposed by Congress and signed by President Harry Truman declared an annual, National Day of Prayer. In 1988, the law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday of every May.
A large group of walkers arrived at the Paramount Theater in downtown Aurora in the late morning and joined together in prayer before moving on to their next stop at the United Way. The Rev. Randy Schoof of the Warehouse Church in Aurora at 308 E. Galena Blvd. said this was the 12th year he had participated in the prayer walk and that the number of participants “has remained pretty consistent over the past several years.”
“We’ve got a pretty good turnout here today,” Schoof said as he surveyed the crowd which included babies in strollers, teens, and a wide age range of adults. “It’s most important that the local churches here be involved. This is an opportunity for Jesus’ people to pray together for our city.”
Schoof said he and his fellow walkers were grateful for the support they had been receiving along the road in the way of water and snacks to eat.
“We’ve received water and food at the various stops as well as ‘care packages’ and we’re stopping for lunch here in the downtown area in order to support some of the local restaurants,” he said. “The walking hasn’t been difficult, and the physical effort is a small sacrifice to make to help the community.”
Walkers this year included veterans as well as first-time participants. Sarah Gonzales of Aurora said she wanted to walk Thursday to help support her community.
“We’re praying for the hospitals, and the schools and the city, and to stop things like abortion,” she said. “We also pray for the young people that their parents will love them and take care of them.”
Maria Arredondo of Aurora said she has participated in walks four or five times before and that she was praying “for the safety of our city.”
“We want people to seek the Lord and realize that He has a solution for everything,” Arredondo said.
Marlene Ruiz of Aurora said Thursday’s walk was the first she had attempted and she also was hopeful that positive change would come to Aurora.
“I also want to pray for our community,” Ruiz said. “We know that we need a change in the hearts of people, and everybody needs Jesus.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter
