Faithful Gather for National Day of Prayer Observance

About 75 people gathered in Lake Wales at noon Thursday, May 6 for the annual National Day of Prayer observance.

The event took place outside in the breezeway of the city administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. This year's theme is "Lord, Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty." It is based on the Bible verse 2 Corinthians 3:17, which says "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

The program was opened in prayer by John Motis, deacon at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Bishop Roscoe Williams, senior adult pastor of GST: The Family Church gave the benediction. Featured speaker offering a brief devotional was Col. Ed Northrup, interim pastor of Babson Park Community Church.

The Rev. Charles Little and Sally Drake from the First Baptist Church led special music.

The Lake Wales High School Junior ROTC color guard marched in to present the flags.

Various community pastors offered special, themed prayers, including:

- Prayer for National Leaders by the Rev. J.J. Pierce of First Institutional Missionary Baptist Church

- Prayer for State and County Leaders by the Rev. Steve Bolden of Westside Baptist Church

- Prayer for City Leaders by the Rev. Jack Hilligoss of High Point Church

- Prayer for Health Care Workers and the Sick by the Pastor Tim Nunez or Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd

- Prayer for Families and the Unemployed by Pastor Scott Markley of First Baptist Church

- Prayer for Educators and Students by Pastor German Portillo of New Dawn (Iglesia Bautista Nuevo Amanecer)

- Prayer for Pastors and Churches by Pastor Herb Schlenker of Wayside Baptist Church

The National Day of Prayer organization also broadcast a live event at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 6. This is the 70th anniversary of National Day of Prayer events. 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 U.S. Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The National Day of Prayer 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.

Additional information can be found at the organization's website at https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/