'If ever it's needed, it's now' -- Residents observe National Day of Prayer
The Rev. Chris Atkins, pastor of adult ministries at McCook Evangelical Free Church, welcomed more than 50 prayer warriors to the 58th Annual National Day of Prayer gathering today at Country Kitchen, where prayers for national, state and local leaders were offered.
"If we've ever needed prayer in our land, we need it today," said Atkins, citing the state of the economy and the declining morals in America. He encouraged everyone to set the day aside to offer petitions before God and informed them that many of the city's churches will be open throughout the day, providing a quiet place for prayer and contemplations.
Many members of the clergy participated, offering petitions for different levels of government, with the Rev. Clark Bates, pastor at McCook Christian Church offering a particularly poignant prayer for service men and women. Throughout his petition, Bates continually returned to the theme "we trust in the Lord our God."
We have the best trained, best equipped military in the world, he acknowledged, requesting a hedge of protection around them, however, he prayed, "We don't trust in them, O Lord, we trust in you."
"When they come to the end of their strength, Lord, may they find strength in you," he continued. "When they are fearful, may they trust in you. When loneliness consumes them, fill their empty hearts with your love.
"And Lord, may they each, from the lowliest private to the most decorated general, always remember that the 'battle belongs to the Lord'." (2 Chronicles 20:15)
The Rev. Jon Albrecht prayed for the media, thankful for believers in that number and praying that those who do not believe will discover the Lord in their ongoing search for truth.
The Rev. Emmanuel Reinbold prayed that the Lord would grant wisdom and discernment to the judicial branch of the federal government, and the Rev. Bruce Lester prayed for the church in its many forms in American culture.
"We are grateful Lord, that we can gather when we choose, where we choose, to worship you."
Lester also prayed for forgiveness for the church, where "we have wandered from the truth, where we have denied the clear teaching of Scripture."
In closing, Lester prayer for the persecuted church, that they would trust the Lord even in dangerous and difficult circumstances, that they would remain confident in the Lord.
The first National Day of Prayer, in its present form, was signed into law April 17, 1952, by President Harry S Truman, directing each subsequent president also to declare a national day of prayer, but organizers maintain that the United States has always been a nation of prayer, from the founding fathers forward. In fact, the Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate "a time for prayer in forming a new nation." In 1988, President Ronald Reagan amended Truman's law, designating that the National Day of Prayer would be held on the first Thursday of May each year.