By Message Staff
On a day when President Donald Trump called for a special national day of prayer to remember Hurricane Harvey victims and recovery efforts, Louisiana Baptist churches responded with times of prayer at their worship services Sunday, Sept. 3.
“We give thanks for the generosity and goodness of all those who have responded to the needs of their fellow Americans,” Trump said in his proclamation that he signed Sept. 1. “I urge Americans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers today for all those harmed by Hurricane Harvey, including people who have lost family members or been injured, those who have lost homes or other property, and our first responders, law enforcement officers, military personnel, and medical professionals leading the response and recovery efforts.
“Each of us, in our own way, may call upon our God for strength and comfort during this difficult time,” continued Trump, who attended a service Sunday morning at St. John’s Church, an Episcopal church in Washington, D.C. “I call on all Americans and houses of worship throughout the Nation to join in one voice of prayer, as we seek to uplift one another and assist those suffering from the consequences of this terrible storm.”
First Baptist Church in Sulphur held a special time of prayer for the needs and their plans for response before Pastor Michael Linton’s message. Linton said because the church and community of Sulphur did not see flooding, he believes God has positioned them with a responsibility to help others who were not as fortunate.
Starting Tuesday, Sept. 5, the church will begin housing first responders and relief workers for 45 days. Additionally, they are helping First Baptist Church in Mauriceville, Texas, work on renovating their worship center that took in water. By doing so, the church can then serve as a place of ministry for its community, which sustained flooding in 90 percent of the homes.
“God preserved us for a purpose,” Linton said. “We didn’t miss Harvey so we can sit back now and relax. We are able to go out and help other people. For us as a church, the prayer is the Lord shows us where to go. We can’t rebuild Orange, Beaumont or Houston, Texas, by ourselves but we need to be intentional in where He is leading us to go, which is why prayer is so important in discerning His will.”
For its part, First Baptist Church in Mandeville opened its service by announcing ways they can respond as a congregation to relief efforts. The church plans to take a team to an affected area for mud-out work Sept. 24-Oct. 1, as well as helping Camp Living Waters in Robert prepare the camp to house volunteers as they stop off overnight on the way to Texas for relief work.
“As I began my message, I reminded the congregation that the president had called for a national day of prayer,” said Pastor Ken Schroeder. “I mentioned that we would be joining believers across the nation to pray for a move of God in our nation, but especially in the lives of those affected by the floodwaters. We’re believing that God can cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose.”
First Baptist Church in Covington prayed during all four of its services for government leaders, those affected by Harvey and other storms and gratitude for first responders and disaster relief workers. Associate Pastor Jay Johnston said he is thankful the declaration acknowledged where true hope comes from, which is Christ.
Over the weekend, the church sent a team to work out of Spring Baptist Church, north of Houston, and this weekend hopes to send another team to work out of Calvary Baptist Church in Beaumont.
“I rejoice in the calls to prayer by our president, governors, city mayors and other government leaders,” said Johnston, who serves as volunteer state coordinator for the National Day of Prayer and is a past chairman of the Louisiana Governor’s Annual Prayer Breakfast. “I do not believe these calls are an accident but answers to faithful people who are praying daily for our nation, states and communities to seek Jesus Christ.
“I personally pray every Tuesday with a group of men for one hour and this has been the heartbeat of these men since February 2009 in addition to other prayer times starting with my personal private times of prayer,” he continued. “I am thankful for so many in Louisiana who are hosting prayer gatherings in churches, community centers, homes and coffee shops. May this increase as we seek Jesus in these days.”
First Baptist Church in Simsboro joined hands for a corporate time of prayer. Several in the congregation have family members who live in the Houston area. The church is collecting supplies for Rolling Hills Ministries in Ruston and they will have two women in the church who will accompany a relief team in Texas through Samaritan’s Purse.
“Prayer reminds folks that God is still on His throne and is faithful,” said Pastor Jason Cole. “Prayer reminds the saved of our calling to share the Gospel and put our faith into action. Prayer encourages folks that they are not alone. Prayer allows us to get on God’s agenda and watch Him do the miraculous. During Katrina we housed over 800 people during 40 days and prayer is what physically, spiritually, and emotionally keep us going. God used prayer to refill our cup.”
Magnolia Baptist Church in Jena’s prayer time included three of its long-time members leading the congregation in prayer for Harvey victims and the nation. They also expanded the call for response by the church and LaSalle Parish.
“These saints were obviously led by the Holy Spirit as the power of God was evident in the rest of the service,” said Pastor Jim Garlington. “The Spirit was very active leading to great liberty to preach from Psalm 85 on Revive Us Again. The petitions lifted for others at the opening of the service led to power in our own worship.”
Elm Grove Baptist Church in Bossier City had a congregation-wide prayer for survivors of Harvey and relief workers going into impacted areas of Texas. Pastor Brian Prucey said the church is encouraging its members to donate money to Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief.
“Prayer reminds us of our dependency upon God,” Prucey said. “Prayer reminds us that God is a present help in times of trouble. We may not understand why the trouble comes, but the promise we see in the Scriptures is that we are not alone.”
