Bipartisan prayer

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South Carolina lawmakers have dropped their party labels and joined hands in four weeks of prayer for the safety our nation and our troops. And they are asking that people in South Carolina also make a commitment to pray for continued safety at home, protection of our troops and a Nov. 2 election that's free of terror.

Partisanship often rears its ugly head during legislative debates, and that it does is quite natural in our system of government that encourages debate and allows dissent. It was refreshing, however, to see Democratic and Republican members of the House of Representatives firmly united Tuesday on the steps of the Statehouse for "S.C. Prays."

Many people in this state believe God hears our prayers. Tuesday's event was a sober reminder that our nation has endured a devastating attack on the homeland, has troops in harm's way and is anticipating a terrorist strike aimed at disrupting the Nov. 2 elections.

House Speaker David Wilkins, who chairs President Bush's campaign in South Carolina, and House Minority Leader James Smith, who is state coordinator for Sen. John Kerry's campaign, organized the nondenominational event. Their request for daily prayers until after the election is a powerful one that will appeal to the strong faith and deep patriotism of many people in South Carolina.