“Pray Fervently In Righteousness And Avail Much”
James 5:16B
By LINDA GODWIN
Special to Atmore News
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.
The Theme for 2023 is “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” which is based on James 5:16B.
Our local community event will be on Thursday, May 4, at 5:30 p.m. We will gather at the Escambia County High School Cornell Torrence Gymnasium. We invite the whole community to join us to pray for our nation, as well as state and local government officials. We will also pray specifically for our Churches, the U.S. Military, our Families, our Education System, the Media, and our Businesses.
Our agenda will include a welcome, opening prayer and song, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National anthem, reading of the Proclamation by Mayor Jim Staff, blowing of the Shofar by Willonette Hammond, the Prayer of Repentance, and trumpet solos by Dietrich Bondurant.
Our local churches will receive informational flyers for their congregation.
We encourage everyone who attends the event to bring their Bible. Beginning at 6:15 we will read scripture verses, which will be passed out as people arrive.
The Children’s Prayer Service is set for 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., for kindergarten through sixth grade students, signed in by an adult. The children will meet with Miss Flippy Toe in the RPM Trailer, which will be nearby.
Our local National Day of Prayer Committee sincerely urges everyone to join us in praying fervently and exalting our Lord and Savior through prayer. As we pray and honor our God, He will bless us.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance” Psalms 33:12 NKJV.
God bless each of you and God bless the United States of America, One Nation Under God.
For more information, contact Linda Godwin, 251-294-0288; or Dale Ash, 251-254-0833.
Committee members are Linda Godwin, Mavis Torrence, Urla Boggan, Linda Albritton, Edna Powers, Thelma Powers, Sandra Huffines, Rhonda Lowery, and Dale Ash.