By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer
ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM)–The 2020 National Day of Prayer looked different than in previous years with fewer in-person gatherings on Thursday, but the messages of repentance and calls for spiritual renewal remained the same.
While most people chose to participate through virtual events, some communities in the state hosted outdoor prayer meetings. Gov. John Bel Edwards on May 1 issued a proclamation allowing outdoor religious events to take place with adherence to social distancing measures.
“So far as I can remember this was the first time in over 20 years that I did not participate in person with some kind of gathering on the National Day of Prayer,” Louisiana Baptists Executive Director Steve Horn told the Baptist Message. “However, I was pleased to prepare a 10-minute video challenge for Highland Baptist, in New Iberia, to replace being with them in person as I was scheduled to be. I also participated in online prayer meetings with a group of alumni and friends of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in the morning; the SBC prayer call in the afternoon; and, with my wife, Linett, in an evening prayer meeting sponsored by pray.com.
“Though we had to limit our gatherings, I believe that all praying Americans understand that this is a year, more than most any other, when we needed to unify together in our call to God saying, ‘Lord, hear our prayer.’”
Ministers from the Alexandria/Pineville area assembled outside Pineville City Hall to pray in a gathering that registered more than 2,500 views online. Ricky Belgard, prayer minister at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville; Tim Hisaw, pastor of Tioga First Baptist Church; Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pineville; and Jeremy Shepherd, pastor of Pineville Park Baptist Church in Pineville, were among the ministers who participated in the observance.
“While this event was a great opportunity to gather with Christians of all denominations to pray in unity for our city, state, country, and world, it felt especially necessary in this time of great global need,” Shepherd said. “We were praying for God to move and to move us, the church, to be His hands and feet during this crisis.”
Belgard enjoyed the chance to gather alongside other pastors, even though they were limited to standing six feet apart.
“Even with the social distancing guidelines that we had to adhere to, there was still a powerful anointing and a spirit of oneness among us that has been really sweeping into our community and churches,” Belgard said. “The prayer time was a sweet, sweet time. We didn’t have physical contact but did experience spiritual contact and unity.”
Holloway said it is always appropriate to pray for the nation, but emphasized that this year it was especially needed.
“The viral pandemic has created so many prayer needs from healing for those infected to emotional health for those on the front lines to financial provision for those without jobs,” Holloway said. “Further, never before have our nation and world been so poised to welcome a spiritual awakening. People need the hope and peace that can only come from the Lord. Praying for an awakening was especially emphasized in our prayers this year.”
AROUND THE STATE
More than 75 prayer warriors gathered at Jena High School’s football stadium and another 50 at LaSalle High School’s stadium in Olla. Participants adhered to mitigation measures by standing at least six feet apart from one another and refraining from holding hands while praying.
Scott Smith, pastor of First Baptist Church in Tullos and organizer of the gathering at LaSalle High School, appreciated the cooperative spirit among the area pastors, city leaders and others in the community.
“I could sense the sincerity in their voices as each one shared about how God is our only hope,” Smith said. “I hope this will lead to a time of revival and spiritual awakening.”
First Baptist Church in Ponchatoula celebrated the National Day of Prayer by opening the worship center for individual prayer, allowing a maximum of 10 people inside at any one time.
“I felt like this day of prayer was especially important because of the situation we are in,” said Pastor David Cranford, also president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. “It was vital that God’s people pray for revival and spiritual awakening during this time.
NATIONALLY
President Donald Trump said during his remarks from the White House that he yearned for all Americans to join by voice and by heart in spiritual union to ask God for strength to heal the nation.
“In recent days and weeks, our country has endured a grave hardship,” Trump said. “We pray for every family stricken with grief and devastated with a tragic loss. We pray for the doctors, the nurses, and first responders waging war against the invisible enemy. We pray for the scientists and researchers, who pioneer treatments, that they find therapies and vaccines and that they find them soon. We pray for the frontline workers keeping our nation fed, nourished, and safe and secure. May God watch over them all.”
Louisiana’s Baptist delegation to congress echoed Trump’s thoughts.
“In these times of hardship and uncertainty, I’m reminded that we serve a God who is sovereign over all things, a God who listens to our prayers,” U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham, a member of Alto Baptist Church, wrote in a letter dated May 7. “Prayer to God, who asks only that we acknowledge He is the source of all blessings, leading to eternal life in his presence, is available to all.
“Today we lift our voices as we speak to Him,” he continued. “Though prayer is universal, God has not dictated how we must pray. Each of us chooses our way to talk to Him, whether in private on bended knee, in a house of worship, or wherever we find ourselves when we remember yet again the need to be closely in touch with the ruler of the universe.
“When the National Day of Prayer is over, we remain in prayer for guidance,” he said. “I ask God every day to lead me to decisions that implement His will. And I pray for the wisdom to undertake the right course, however difficult. Today, and every day, join me in prayer – wherever you are.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, a member of First Baptist Church in Bossier City, said in a video posted on his Facebook page that prayers are needed for the country, those affected the virus, the medical personnel and other first responders and leaders who are trying to revive the economy.
“God is still on throne,” Johnson said. “He is still sovereign. We take great consolation in that.”
