John Pauley bowed his head Monday at Sharon Baptist Church, joining dozens of others as they prayed for a stronger community.

Tuesday, April 25, 2000

John Pauley bowed his head Monday at Sharon Baptist Church, joining dozens of others as they prayed for a stronger community.

"This is good for the community because there have been lots of lost jobs," Pauley said. "Prayer is about the only thing we have."

The former Ironton Iron foundry worker can speak personally about the situation, too.

Pauley signed up Monday to take classes on industrial and commercial maintenance.

"And my son just got hired at Liebert so that’s one answered prayer."

Other prayers still help families suffering from similar circumstances, though, Pauley said.

"You get a little discouraged sometimes," he said. "I think this eliminates a little bit of that discouragement."

Churches around Ironton have been opening their doors for prayer meetings every day at noon since the Ironton Ministerial Association began the community project April 1.

Coming together in prayer provides all people an opportunity to ask for help concerning the city’s devastating job loss, said the Rev. Glen Herman of First United Methodist Church, who has been trying to attend each church’s prayer meeting.

"We’re praying for the decision-makers that they will decide to set up shop in Ironton," Herman said.

The prayer meetings also have attracted national media attention – from television stations in Columbus to network affiliates in Chicago to a chance of an ABC News anchor Peter Jennings interview, he said.

"It’s not to glorify ourselves," Herman said.

God can provide answers and help, he said.

And national media attention couldn’t hurt efforts to attract companies that are looking for a community strong enough to come together like this, he added.

Betty Gordon attended Monday’s service, and will attend the future ones, to pray for jobs, too.

Yet, there’s more to be gained in the prayer meetings, she said.

"We need to draw closer as a city," Mrs. Gordon said. "And we don’t have anyplace to turn except to the all-powerful one.

"He means for us to come together for encouragement if nothing else, and for the kids."

Mrs. Gordon could have stayed home, she said.

"But it’s a question of how interested are you? For those of us who have come to the meetings, it has made us stronger.

"It will make an impact, even if we don’t live to see it."

The Scriptures teach that God helped His people overcome challenge after challenge, Sharon Baptist associate pastor Mike O’Bryant said.

The lesson comes in realizing that there may be more challenges but God has brought everyone this far already, O’Bryant said.

"We need to plant our faith and trust in Him and ask Him to intercede on our behalf."

The prayer meetings will culminate in a special noon service May 4 at the Lawrence County Courthouse that coincides with National Day of Prayer.