Bakersfield 2017 National Day of Prayer

Staff PhotographerNed Hepner, left, and Patti Hepner, Schuylkill Haven, hold one another and pray during the National Day of Prayer at the Courthouse Commons in front of the Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville, on Thursday, May 4, 2017. Since before we were a nation, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation for a day of “public humiliation, fasting and prayer“.

Together may we know love and forgiveness, may we teach it to our children, may they teach it to their friends. Hear us … forgive us … heal us”, based on Daniel 9:19 which says, “O Lord, listen!

“This was the first time we chose to bring it into a church”.

“Gathering to pray with others creates an impact in the community”, he said. Putnam Street will be blocked off for attendees, and Pastor Rodney Lord from Freedom Gate Church will be overseeing the program.

“Prayer is very powerful”.

The National Day of Prayer and Bible Marathon will be at the Blount Historic Courthouse at noon.

“Right before we jumped, these men joined hands and prayed together for our safety”, Mayor Hewes recalled.

The National Day Of Prayer is held each year on the first Thursday of May and calls on Americans of all faiths to pray for the country and its leaders. “Let us be different”, he said. “Without them, we can not have the freedom we have in our community”.

Dozens of people from multiple denominations gathered beneath the awning at Jones Park, united under one vision to support the power of prayer and the role it plays in the community. “We want that to continue”.

On the local, state and federal level, officials and workers were lifted up by the more than 100 people who came out to pray throughout the day and night.

“It is growing year after year and that is very encouraging”, she said.

“We encourage people to keep praying”.

– And when he had dismissed them, he went up to the mountain to pray (Mark 6:46).

“I came to pray for my country”, he said. And I have to be intentional to really set aside time to deepen my prayer life.