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The event began at noon with a welcome by Ken Benham
of from the Jefferson Street Christian Church on behalf of all the
leaders of the ceremony for the day.
It was announced that the theme for the National Day of Prayer 2021
was “Lord, pour out your love, life, and liberty.”
Following Benham, Tony Shuff, representing Open Arms Christian
Fellowship led everyone in the unison recital of the National
Prayer.
2021 NATIONAL PRAYER FOR AMERICA
Lord, we look up and see
the billions of stars You created, and we praise You. We look around
and see the billions of people You created in Your image; uniquely,
fearfully, wonderfully, and we thank You. Wrap us in Your Spirit and
unite us in Your family, Lord.
Thank You for loving us first. In Your love for the whole world, You
sent Your Son to save us.
Jesus, in You alone we have abundant and everlasting life. Thank you
for teaching and leading us to love and live, fruitful, and
faithful.
In Your life, death, resurrection, and ascension You are our Lord,
our love, our life, and our liberty.
You came to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to
captives and freedom to prisoners.” You have freed us from the
penalty and shame of our sin; free to live life as You designed and
Your destiny for our Nation.
Spirit search us, convict us, as we repent for our sin and the sins
of America. Please cleanse, fill, and send us. We rejoice, knowing
that Your forgiveness makes us acceptable and effective vessels for
Your love, life and liberty in our family, church, education,
workplace, military, government, art, entertainment, and media.
We pray that America
will be united in love to serve You with all our hearts, all our
ways, and all of our days. Unite us to pray, love; to live and walk
by the Spirit. Conform and transform us as we pray and proclaim,
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty.”
We pray this is the name of Jesus, Amen.
[Kathy Branzell, President, National Day of Prayer Task Force]
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The National Day of Prayer is a day to come together
and pray in unison for our country, our community, our youth, law
enforcement, military and others as the heart leads.
Christopher Glick, retired Navy veteran represented
the First Baptist Church and led in prayer the government and
military.
Ryan Edgecomb, Chaplain of The Christian Village and pastor at
Broadwell Christian Church led in prayer for the media and popular
culture.
Joseph Williford, representing Lincoln Southern Baptist Church
prayed for business and the economy.
Darren Palmer of Faith Assembly of God led in prayer
for school and education.
Keith Dowd of First Baptist Church prayed for our
churches, law enforcement and families.
As the hour of prayer neared its close, Ethan Frontone of Jefferson
Street Christian Church led the group in the closing song.
With hearts open and voices raised, the rotunda rang
with the deeply meaningful words of "God Bless America." The sound,
the words, the heart of fellow believers praying this song was so
sweet...a definite moment to savor.
[Karen Hargis/Nila Smith]
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