Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Jonah auditions (Cartoon: Beyond the Ark) Deep talk (Cartoon: Preacher’s Kids) Preacher talk (Cartoon: Joe McKeever)
  • John 3:16
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Archive
  • Cartoons
    • Joe McKeever
    • Beyond the Ark
    • Church of the Covered Dish
    • Fletch
    • Preacher’s Kids
  • Contact
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. & Intl
  • Facts & Finds
  • Culture & Society
  • Editorial

Prayer takes center stage in state, nation May 4

April 28, 2017

By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer

Prayer will take center stage May 4 at not only churches, but businesses, courthouse steps, city parks and other locations in the state and U.S.

On that day, Louisiana Baptists will join millions of other Christians as they ask God to forgive and heal the nation as part of the annual National Day of Prayer.

Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Harry S Truman, this annual observance in May invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation. This year’s theme verse is Daniel 9:19, which says “O Lord, Listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, Hear and Act! For Your Sake, O My God.”

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has already signed a proclamation for this year’s Day of Prayer.

Jay Johnston, state coordinator for the Louisiana National Day of Prayer Task Force and associate pastor at First Baptist Covington, stressed the importance of a day of corporate prayer across the country.

“The National Day of Prayer provides us an intentional time to gather with people in our community to pray for Government Leaders, families, military, churches, education, media and business,” he said. “This day was signed into law during the presidency of Harry S Truman. I encourage you to gather with others to pray for these seven areas.”

Louisiana Baptist Convention President Gevan Spinney said Christians have a spiritual responsibility according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray for our nation and leaders.

“Who but God’s people have the access to enter into the throne room of Heaven with prayers?” said Spinney, pastor of First Baptist Church in Haughton. “Our nation is in need of a spiritual awakening. Let’s join together across our state to plead for our God to hear us, forgive us, heal us and revive us.”

Millions of people are expected to pray at thousands of events across the United States, from church sanctuaries to community centers to courthouse steps. In Louisiana, a National Day of Prayer event will take place in the state Senate chambers at the State Capitol building from noon to 1 p.m.

Among the 16 locations listed on the National Day of Prayer website are three Louisiana Baptist churches. However, many more churches around the state will be participating as well.

For more information on coordinating a National Day of Prayer event, e-mail Johnston at louisianaprays@gmail.com. More information about the day can be found at nationaldayofprayer.org

Comments

Editorial

Dodgers’ Kershaw has pitch-perfect response to Pride Night

Clayton Kershaw may not have pitched Friday night, but he still made more headlines than most of his teammates. The Dodgers’ star, who happens to be an outspoken Christian, made a splash at the team’s Pride Night by putting a unique twist on Los Angeles’s gear. It was a simple but powerful statement that June will … Read More

Search

  • Trending
  • Recent
  • Must Read

Recent

Palmettos offers a taste of paradise in Pineville

Speaker Johnson honors third anniversary of lifesaving Dobbs decision

SWBTS placed on 12-month probation despite financial improvement

Must Read

President Trump: ‘We love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them.’

Foundation Executive Director
Jeffrey Steed to retire

Speaker Johnson to Calvary students:

Live to make an ‘impact’

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme 2.1 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in