Thursday was the National Day of Prayer. Alpena News Editor/Publisher Bill Speer, former Lifestyles editor Diane Speer, and Managing Editor Justin A. Hinkley offered the following prayer during Alpena’s celebration of the occasion on the steps of City Hall.

Let us pray.

Father in heaven, we come before you in prayer for the media in our community, our state, and our nation. We ask that you help each of them be the mirrors of the community, reflecting back in truth all that is going on around us and, indeed, today, on this National Day of Prayer, may we find stories of love for one another, just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ loved us.

We understand, Lord, that in that pursuit of news, those in the media often deal with terrible tragedies and events, they often have to deal with people in their worst and under stress, and amidst that chaos, they need to separate fact from fiction.

In those times when it would be easy to be subjective, may they be objective.

In those times when there often is injustice involved, may they seek out justice.

In those times where there are lies and deceit, may they find truth and peace.

Through their reporting, may they turn tears to triumph, sadness to satisfaction. Where once there might have been desperation amidst desolation, might they find stories of hope among happiness.

Father, thank you for the wisdom of our forefathers, who through the First Amendment not only allowed for us to gather here together and pray but also allowed the media the freedom to report accurately and fairly all that is going on in the world around us.

Thank you, Lord, for these men and women who serve to bring us the news honestly and objectively each and every day.

Amen.

(THE ALPENA NEWS)