May 4 marks the National Day of Prayer (NDP), a time when hundreds of thousands of Americans will bow their heads. Numerous Alabama Baptists are among those gathering for the annual event.
Tallaweka Baptist Church, Tallassee, in Elmore Baptist Association will host a communitywide prayer luncheon during which a number of local pastors will speak and lead in prayer, including Tallaweka Baptist’s pastor, Todd Smith.
Lola Taylor, the event coordinator, said that even those who can’t be present for the luncheon can still take part.
“We also ask Christians to prayer walk their neighborhoods during this special time. … Our church doors will be open for people to come and pray,” she said.
Another church with open doors will be First Baptist Church, Oneonta, in Friendship Baptist Association.
Larry Gipson, pastor of First, Oneonta, will be among the clergy and other community members who gather across the street from the church at Blount County’s courthouse for a prayer rally followed by a luncheon in the church fellowship hall.
Travis Coleman Jr., senior minister of First Baptist Church, Prattville, in Autauga Baptist Association, serves as event lead organizer for the Prattville Christian Ministers Association, which is — in conjunction with the city of Prattville — putting together a prayer breakfast at the Doster Center.
“The National Day of Prayer is a worthwhile event that reminds us of our nation’s heritage and the importance of putting God and prayer back into our lives at work and at home,” said Prattville Mayor Jim Byard Jr.
In Vestavia Hills, Liberty Park Baptist Church in Birmingham Baptist Association, where Scott Guffin is pastor, will hold a time of prayer and praise with a unique twist that allows more people to attend during their workday.
“We have the prayer service during lunchtime and provide a homemade brown bag lunch and beverage ‘to go’ when the service is over,” said Helen Mayo, pastor’s assistant.
“There are several office buildings and home offices of corporations in the [Liberty Park] Urban Center, and we make an effort to contact these businesses,” Mayo said.
For the third year in a row, Dale Baptist Association is leading a communitywide effort to read the Bible nonstop in front of the Dale County Courthouse in Ozark.
The reading, which lasts 90 hours, was set to begin April 30 and end May 4.
Gardendale’s First Baptist Church in North Jefferson Baptist Association will host a communitywide prayer luncheon.
“You can’t overemphasize the importance of prayer,” said Kevin Hamm, pastor of Gardendale’s First Baptist.
“Jesus said as He was cleansing the temple of the moneychangers, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer.’ If there was ever a time when our nation needed prayer, it’s certainly today. It’s a sad indictment that we are much quicker to criticize our leaders than to pray for them — and praying for them is not only a privilege but a commandment.”
Decatur and Morgan County’s prayer warriors will assemble at the county courthouse, and pastors and staff members from churches around the city will take part in the program, including one or more staff members from Decatur Baptist Church in Morgan Baptist Association.
“It’s very significant that we as Christians … are allowed to assemble on the steps of government offices to honor and petition God,” said Angela Mullican, Decatur and Morgan County event coordinator.
“This is a freedom we should protect. One way to do this is to find your local NDP coordinator and get involved. Start an event right where you are.”
This year’s theme is America, Honor God, and “we plan to do just that,” Mullican said.
To find out more about the National Day of Prayer, visit the National Day of Prayer Task Force’s Web site at www.ndptf.org.
Share with others: