As tradition holds, on Thursday, May 4, the 66th Annual National Day of Prayer was observed. Due to inclement weather, approximately 80 Russellville citizens and 40 plus Logan County Band students gathered together inside the lovely historic courthouse.
The theme for this year was “For Your GREAT NAME’S sake! Hear us…Forgive us…Heal us!” Scripture reference from Daniel 9:19, “O Lord, listen! O Lord, Forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your Sake, O my God.”
After the trumpeting of the shofar, Lydia Manley opened the time of prayer with a message in song, “Holy Spirit, You are welcomed here”.
Russellville Mayor Mark Stratton then welcomed the crowd, and as always, was gracious to point us to the Lord. Muryd Scipio presented the Bible, and Melanie Manley led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Logan County High School Band playing the National Anthem as the congregation joined.
There were focuses of prayer in 8 different centers: Government, led by Pastor Nick Stamps; Media, led by CFR representative Michelle Remington; Family, led by Pastor Joe Ball; Education, led by Russellville Superintendent. Leon Smith.
Prior to the superintendent’s prayer, he stated the following: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. “It has been estimated that there are well over 500,000 Christian teachers in public schools. Many of them have felt intimidated by court rulings against religious expression and at times have been silenced by our culture’s ambivalence toward moral absolutes. However, limitations don’t change the fact that the Spirit of God resides within them and is working through them - through caring interactions with students and living out their faith day by day; through effective teaching that enables students to develop their unique, God-given gifts; through teaching commonly accepted values, such as honesty, respect, and caring for others; and through teaching about religion within the curriculum. Pray that Christian teachers will have a tremendous impact on the lives of their students and positively influence the cultures, values, and spiritual environments of their schools”;
Military, led by Logan-Todd Baptist Association Director of Missions Rob Johnson;
Business, led by Randy Whitley;
Church, led by Pastor Gene Bracken;
and EMT/Police/First Responders, led by Janice Humble of the AGAPE Ministries.
Jeff Manley directed the group in singing “God Bless America” as the band accompanied. The closing prayer was led by Pastor Lee Fishback.
Thanks to the Logan County Ministerial Association for planning and preparing for this yearly event.
“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” – President Ronald Reagan