This year marked the 75th annual Day of Prayer nationally, and the 20th annual gathering in Salem. The theme of this year’s program was “Glorify God Among the Nations-Seeking Him in All Generations!” which is based on scripture from Chronicles 16:24. 

The opening prayer and welcome for this year’s gathering were offered by Jim Kelly, who has served on the Day of Prayer Committee for all 20 years of its existence. 

Kelly said that the annual gathering was first held in Salem in 2007 on the former Village Green, where it remained through 2019. In 2020, the gathering was pre-recorded at Allegheny Wesleyan College and livestreamed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been hosted at the Salem Memorial Building every year since 2021. 

Kelly thanked everyone who has helped to plan and conduct the annual ceremony, and everyone who has attended the annual gathering to join in prayer as a community for the last 20 years. 

Jim Kelly offers the opening prayer. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

This year’s event also featured the presentation of an official proclamation for the city by Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey, musical performances by Destiny and Dustin Weaver and the Allegheny Wesleyan College Orchestra, and the traditional readings of scripture and prayers for business, government, media, family, military, church, education, and safety forces/health care workers by Jerry Wolford, Bob Hodgson, Kathy Johnson, Blake Quales, U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Timothy Troyer, Pastor Brian Regal, Bob Shilling, and Salem Regional Medical Center Chaplain Dustin Weaver, respectively.

Don Quales leads the Allegheny Wesleyan College Orchestra’s performance of the national anthem. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey presents the proclamation for the city of Salem. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Destiny, left, and Dustin Weaver perform “Our God.” (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Former mayor Jerry Wolford leads the prayer for business. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Brian Regal leads the prayer for church. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Bob Shilling leads the prayer for education. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Third Class Timothy Troyer leads the prayer for military. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Bob Hodgson leads the prayer for government. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Kathy Johnson leads the prayer for media. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Blake Quales leads the prayer for family. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Salem Regional Medical Center Chaplain Dustin Weaver leads the prayer for Safety Forces and Healthcare Workers. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Ann Brunk offers the closing prayer. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Following the ceremony Jim Kelly was presented with a special gift in appreciation for his service on the Day of Prayer Committee for all 20 years of its existence. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Following the ceremony Jim Kelly was presented with a special gift in appreciation for his service on the Day of Prayer Committee for all 20 years of its existence. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) 

Following the ceremony Jim Kelly was presented with a special gift in appreciation for his service on the Day of Prayer Committee for all 20 years of its existence. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)