“Like anything, if you don’t use it, it’s not any good,” observed Pastor Bobby Brewer of North Chapel of Fountain Hills, during his opening remarks at the May 3 National Day of Prayer service.

“God has blessed us with the opportunity of communicating with Him,” said Brewer.

The theme of the service at the Fountain Park amphitheater was “Unity,” taken from the Biblical passage Ephesians 4:3, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”

“The nation has been praying today,” said Brewer. “Now it’s batter up for our Fountain Hills. It’s our turn to step up and pray for the nation, for our community, for churches and for one another as well.”

Mayor Linda Kavanagh read a town proclamation designating May 3 as Fountain Hills Day of Prayer.

Communities throughout the country have observed National Day of Prayer for 67 years. The Fountain Hills Christian Ministerial Association has sponsored the local service for seven years.

Pastor Todd Forrest of Fountain Hills Christian Center said the ceremony was a “public testimony of like faith, not same faith.”

Although individuals may pray differently, Forrest said their sameness is dispelled by unity.

“The focus is not the style of prayer. The focus is the source of prayer in Jesus Christ,” he added.

Forrest commented that unity is a “moving target” and requires constant calibration.

“Unity just doesn’t happen when we are together. It is something we protect,” said Forrest, adding that it’s a lie to believe that unity comes when we are all the same.

“Sameness doesn’t always bring unity,” he continued. “Unity is about distinctive as commonalities. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about this third space that we have together and there dwells the Holy Spirit. There dwells unity for each one of us as we come together.”