Payson Roundup

Approximately 26 churches in the Rim Country will take part in a weeklong, around-the-clock prayer vigil starting today, Oct. 2

This is the second year area churches have taken part in this statewide program.

The vigil, with its symbolic Prayer Torch, has passed from one Arizona community to another since Jan. 1, 2008 to form a continuous, unbroken prayer chain with almost 15,400 hours of prayer by thousands of people across Arizona.

At 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, the Prayer Torch will arrive in Payson at The Meeting Place, 1107 S. Beeline Highway. The Torch Arrival Ceremony is open to the public.

The theme of the vigil is Let God’s Glory Shine to Transform Rim Country with prayers for the community, the state and the country, as well as law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, schools, government officials and churches.

At the Sept. 24 meeting of the Payson Town Council, Mayor Kenny Evans proclaimed Oct. 2 through Oct. 9 as a “Week of 24 x 7 Prayer.”

Special emphasis will be given to area ministries serving those in need, such as New Beginnings, Payson Christian Clinic, St. Vincent de Paul Rim Country Food Bank, Time Out Shelter, Celebrate Recovery and U-Turn for Christ.

Individual needs will also receive prayer during the week. Prayer requests may be placed in a drop box at The Meeting Place or mailed to Prayer, P.O. Box 2038, Payson, AZ 85547 or e-mailed to prayeroverrimcountry@gmail.com.

The vigil will continue at The Meeting Place until 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 9 when the 2009 Prayer Torch will be delivered to Safford.