VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — Hundreds of area residents joined in the 61st Annual Observance of the National Day of Prayer Thursday at the historic Lowndes County Courthouse.
“Millions of people are gathered throughout the nation crying out for our cities,” said Brinson Barker as he welcomed those who attended the event hosted by the Christian Ministers Network.
“It’s an honor to be able to gather under the Name Above All Names.”
Pastors and others from a variety of churches and organizations lifted their voices in prayer for national, state and local governments, for the local community, for education, media/the arts, families and the church.
Caroline Babcock of New Covenant Church read a proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, which created a national day to be set aside “as a day of national humiliation, fasting and prayer.”
The proclamation read in part: “The Senate of the United States devoutly recognizes the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God in all the affairs of men and nation and has requested the President to designate and set apart a day for national prayer and humiliation.
“It is the duty of nations as well as of men to acknowledge their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.”
Mayor John Gayle proclaimed Thursday, May 3, as a day of prayer in Valdosta, and prayed for leaders to seek the guidance of God.
“We pray that the people in our nation may fall on their knees and pray ... Forgive us of our sins.”
Praying for public safety, Senior Pastor J.P. Miller of Beulah Temple Ministries, entreated, “Help us to seek your face so our community will be a safer place.”
Ricardo Vielmas of Biz With A Good Name, praying for businesses, said “Allow us to be controlled by your Holy Spirit in our business dealings. Help us to walk each in the marketplace not to prove ourselves but Jesus Christ.”
Kathy Gordon, who attended the observance, said, “It was touching and needed in our city.”
Chris Hancock of Brooks County, who works in Valdosta, said, “I consider it to be a privilege and blessing to come together in this day and time in a public ... setting and thank the Lord for all He has done for us and is doing for us and that He will call us back as a nation ....”
The event concluded with singing of “God of This City,” led by Spence Parkerson of CrossPointe Church. The Chris Tomlin song says in part, “You are the God of this city. There is no one like our God. Greater things are yet to be done in this city.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times New Covenant Church associate pastor Brinson Barker raises his hands in prayer during the closing song at the 61st Annual National Day of Prayer on the Lowndes County Courthouse Square Thursday.
-
Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Heads are bowed in prayer during the 61st Annual National Day of Prayer Thursday.
-
Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Valdosta Mayor John Gayle presented a proclamation from the City of Valdosta and gave the prayer for local government during the 61st Annual National Day of Prayer Thursday.
Discussion
National Day of Prayer
Valdostans pray for the city
- Local News
-
-
Crossing guard keeping kids safe
Meet Merita Williams, crossing guard.
-
Juneteenth’s coming
Held in just as high a regard as the celebration of our country’s independence to many, the county’s annual Juneteenth dinner returns this Tuesday at 7 p.m. for its 21st year and will offer citizens of all races with a central point to celebrate human rights.
-
A soldier called preacher
In Vietnam, Wesley Harrell spread the Lord’s word among his fellow soldiers. He spoke of God often though few seemed to listen until they encountered war’s sudden death.
-
History on the move
In the right hands, a divided house can again mount a sound foundation and settle into a new era, as proved on Saturday when the 100 Black Men of Valdosta unveiled a transplanted house that’ll likely serve as their headquarters at its Martin Luther King Jr. Drive location.
-
Beach Safety: Keeping safe with fun in the sun
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second story in a weekly series on summer safety.
-
Ribbon cutting held for Joan Bailey Center
The Community Depot has opened the doors of its newest non-profit retail center, which was dedicated Friday to and named in honor of former Valdosta State University First Lady Joan Bailey.
-
Kendrick Johnson’s body exhumed
The family of a deceased Lowndes High School student had his body exhumed Friday morning from Sunset Hills Cemetery as relatives continue the process of acquiring a second autopsy.
-
VDT Weekend Update
News Reporter Kristin Finney speaks with Susan Grooms, gardening columnist for The Valdosta Daily Times, about her tips for summer gardening. For more information about gardening look out for Susan Grooms' column every Sunday in Homefront.
-
Lake Park residents included in fraud indictment
A federal grand jury couldn’t dismiss all of the prosecution’s evidence against a pair of Lake Park residents and a Florida man who have been indicted in a fraud case.
-
The Marvelous Wonderettes
In the 1950s, four girls prepare to attend their high school prom. Ten years later, in the 1960s, these four women gather again, this time for their high school reunion.
- More Local News Headlines
-
