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‘Hunger for Prayer:’ Crowd gathers for National Day of Prayer

Crowd gathers for National Day of Prayer

People gathered around the country to participate in the 73rd annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, including in Marietta.

According to the NDP website, it is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people to pray for the nation and was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress and was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman and the day exists to mobilize unified prayer for America.

This year's NDP theme was "Lift up the Word – Light up the world" which according to NDP's website, is based on 2 Samuel 22:29-31 English Standard Version.

Several pastors and community members gathered on the lawn of the Marietta Armory at noon Thursday to participate in the event and pray for different groups and parts of society.

During the event Taj Rohr sang and American Flags and Poles owner Sylvi Caporale gave the opening prayer. Area youth Sam Cramlet led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pastor Rodney Lord of Freedom Gate Church in Marietta gave the opening remarks.

"We are joining together," he said. "The word says blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and from our very foundation we know that that is our heritage and that is our covenant with God."

Lord said that America is called to be a bright shining light to the world that dispels darkness.

"We must lift up the Word and light up the world," he said about the mission of Christians.

Ohio Christian Alliance President Chris Long spoke next. According to Lord, the OCA is a public policy and voter education organization that represents Christians before the state legislature and the U.S. Congress.

Long said Jesus shared with his disciples the admonition that men ought to pray always and that right now the nation is in a time of great turmoil. He said the enemies of America have been busy over the last several decades and they cannot win unless Christians relent.

"We're fighting against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places ... Let's pray for our nation today and let's pray for one another," Long said.

Pastor Mark Eaton of Marietta gave a prayer for the life of the unborn. He prayed for pregnancy centers across the U.S. and that God would protect them from attack. He also prayed that pregnant women who receive ultrasounds "realize that they are a mother already ... They become a mother the moment they conceive in their womb ... Lord I pray that you would turn their hearts to you, that you would open their eyes to see the truth."

Eaton also prayed that pregnant women considering abortion who would be willing to turn their lives and children over to God and that legislators will pass laws that discourage abortion and that encourage birth and life. He also prayed that God would help the U.S. stand as a nation for life.

Belpre Police Chief Michael Stump gave a prayer for law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, other first responders and the military.

"The battle we're in right now is a battle for the soul of our nation," he said.

Stump said the battle is a spiritual battle of addiction, crime and hatred and that law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and other first responders are at the front lines of a battle with evil. He prayed that God would draw them all closer to him and allow them to see the individuals they deal with through God's eyes with compassion and the strength of God on their side. Stump asked God to protect the military and that they understand they carry out God's mission and message of hope in the world. He also prayed God would break the spiritual bonds of addiction, crame and hate and help law enforcement and first responders spread love. He also asked God to bless first responders in Israel.

Pastor Ryan Brooks of First Baptist Church of Marietta gave a prayer for families, children and schools.

"Family's under attack," he said.

Brooks prayed for families because the world seeks to divide them and break them up and that God will bind families together and make them stronger. He also prayed that "we become shining examples of what marriages should be."

Brooks prayed for restored marriages and family relationships and for protection over them and for God to guide children and help parents train them in the way they should go.

"We pray that you raise up this generation to be on fire for you," Brooks said.

Pastor Teddy Tackett, who works in the addiction recovery community, prayed for people fighting addiction.

"When you see someone at Walmart, when you see someone at Kroger's ... don't look down your nose at them, stop and silently pray over them," he said.

Tackett prayed that God will give his spirit to people battling addiction and raise them up. He also prayed, "Please today give us the ability to see you in other people."

Long gave a prayer for the national, local and state government. He prayed for President Joe Biden, asking "that God should give him wisdom in the affairs in this county that he would do what is just and what is right."

Long also prayed for Congress and that God would remind them why they are there to represent the people of the country and that they do what is right and listen to God and represent the people of their districts well. He also prayed for all local officials and those serving in state government and aided God to bless them.

"May we be in prayer for them, not just on this day but in a continuance of prayer for those in government and for our nation," Long said.

Toward the end of the event, Lord prayed for an awakening in the church and U.S. culture. He said "our calling as a people is to preach the gospel and Christians are to disciple to nations and teach them the ways of God." Lord said this all starts with an awakening and turning the nation back to God.

"We pray for the heart of man to catch the heart of God," Lord said. "We have mighty power through prayer."

Lord said that America has been helping the gospel go forth to the end of the earth and prayed that it would increase.

"Let America arise, let the church arise at this hour in strength and passion and love for you ... all across this nation we would see churches ablaze ... we would see a fresh hunger for prayer," Lord said.

At the end of the event Stump asked for anyone who had not accepted Jesus as their savior and who did not have a personal relationship with God to raise their hand. No one did. He said that if people weren't comfortable talking about it in front of an audience that he and others would be available after the event to talk and pray with anyone who wanted to.

Michelle Dillon can be reached at mdillon@newsandsentinel.com