Elnora Starks State Day of Prayerhistory

Elnora Starks State Day of PrayerHistory

The late Mrs. Elnora Starks during the administration of Mrs. Hannah Ballew started this Prayer Day in the year 1959. It has been kept alive by the continuing prayers of Christian women across the State of Kentucky. The day has been set apart by the Convention and its entire constituency to pray for people around the world. Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will Be Done - for a widening and deepening of mission and education at home and abroad, also for both the work and the workers. Chairpersons in various sections of the state were appointed to set a date and time for prayer services. These prayer services all over the State have been both successful and above all spiritual.

These monies raised were given for a worthy cause such as Simmons Bible College and Foreign Mission.

In the year of 1968 during Sister Elnora Starks illness, Sister Dollye Cunningham suggested that the designated Prayer Day be named THE ELNORA STARKS STATE DAY OF PRAYER. The recognition of Sister Starks being a prayer warrior brought much joy to her heart as this suggestion by Sister Cunningham was passed in the Board Meeting.

In 1981 the ELNORA STARKS STATE DAY OF PRAYER was reactivated under the leadership of Sister Cora Childs, then President of the Convention. Dr. Juanita Holt was then Chairperson of the Executive Board. Sister Laura Burton was named the first Prayer Unit Leader and wrote all the meditations for that day.

After Mrs. Laura Burton resigned from Unit Prayer Leader, this task became the responsibility of Mrs. Lois Royles in 1985.

On November 7, 1987, Sister Laura Burton was re-commissioned as Unit Prayer Leader for a second term by President Juanita Holt and the board voted to change the Day of Prayer from November to the month of January.

In 1990 Mrs. Laura Burton was the Unit Prayer Leader and Meditation Writer for the Prayer Day Service.

Mrs. Mae Samuels was named Unit Prayer Leader under the presidency of Sister Juanita Holt in January 1991. During 1992, Mrs. Mae Samuels, Unit Prayer Leader, resigned at the Board Meeting held in Pineville, Kentucky and President Green appointed Sister Veatrice Parks as Unit Prayer Leader.

At the Open Board Meeting during October 1997 in Elizabethtown, Sister Veatrice Parks recommended Sister Gladys A. Brent to succeed her as the Unit Prayer Leader. The Board accepted the recommendation.

January 2000 marked the first year for each region to host the prayer day to alleviate long distance travel during inclement weather.

During the BWMC business meeting at the Pastor’s Conference in February 2009, the Board voted for each district to host the Elnora Starks Day of Prayer for increased participation.

When the BWMC convened in Lexington in July 2010, it was voted that since the first day of January 2011 is a Saturday, the Day of Prayer would be held on any day during the month of January starting 2011 and thereafter of the same month.