People from Sandia, Kirtland Air Force Base, Lawrence Livermore National Lab and other community members gathered to worship and pray for the country on May 7 at the National Day of Prayer event.

The 250th anniversary of the United States “invites us to reflect on the spiritual heritage woven through American history and the long tradition of national prayer,” said Mission Services Associate Labs Director Josh Parsons, who led a prayer. “As we reach this anniversary, we have an opportunity to renew that foundational American practice: to come together, reflect and pray for our country.”

The event, sponsored by the Christians in the Workplace Networking Group Committee and co-hosted by Kirtland Air Force Base Chaplain Corp, featured prayers for the military, New Mexico and Albuquerque, families, Native Americans and more.

Pastor Steve Stucker, known to many for his long tenure as KOB’s meteorologist, spoke briefly at the National Day of Prayer. When asked why he chose to participate, he said, “I see many of the employees here as community leaders — intelligent, hardworking folks who will take God’s message into their areas of influence. It’s an honor for me to be able to speak into their lives in some small way.”

Other guests from the community included retired New Mexico State Police Deputy Chief Dominic Aragon, who led a prayer for first responders, and the worship team from Citizen Church.