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Society Hill Church Creates New Way To Pray

By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Thursday marks the nation's annual Day of Prayer and one Society Hill church has found an easy way for group prayer.

"This is a prayer wall, inviting the community as people pass by to offer their prayers as they wish," says Ledlie Laughlin.

Laughlin is rector at St. Peter's Church where parishioners spray-painted three large pieces of plywood, tying it to the brick barrier surrounding the church near 4th and Pine.

On it they wrote the simple words "Today I pray" and within hours, the twelve-foot board was filled with chalk-inscribed prayers for everything "from peace in Nepal to health for a 96-year-old parent, to good grades," says Laughlin.

rector Laughlin
Rector Ledlie Laughlin (Credit: Cherri Gregg)

Those who didn't write on the wall stopped to read it:

"We walk by this every day, so it's nice to see new thoughts," this woman tells KYW Newsradio.

Laughlin says some of the prayers on the wall will be mentioned at services. They'll clean off the wall each day to give those passing by a chance to write new wishes.

The wall will stay up throughout May.

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