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
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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.
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Paul Leavy | The Valdosta Daily Times Heads are bowed in prayer during the 61st Annual National Day of Prayer Thursday.
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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
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