This year, last year and even into the foreseeable future, there is a need to cry out for divine guidance and help. It is not just the school shootings, economic pressures or the threat and reality of a worldwide pandemic. It is the fear in people of many unknowns without the benefit of institutional support. Church attendance is down. Businesses, like Sears, that were in business for over 100 years are closed. The family as an institution is challenged. Globally, depression and anxiety have increased significantly. An article posted November 1, 2021, by Psychology Today stated, “A new study shows we’re experiencing a mental health crisis.”
For these and many other reasons, the Garland National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to noon at Lavon Drive Baptist Church is more important than ever.
Prayer gives believers and seekers strength to endure, even when all the supporting props are removed, like not having 100% confidence that our bank deposits would be safe; our Christian schools secure and our homes powered by heat in winter. Through prayer, we can experience failures, insecurities and deep emotional turmoil. We can walk through the valley of the shadow of death itself. Prayer provides an anchor for the soul even in turbulent times, particularly when we have developed a relationship with the object of our appeals to Heaven.
Garland National Day of Prayer has been a time-honored source of strength for more than 20 years for many Garland residents from all backgrounds. We have prayed after a terrorist attack and after a tornado hit. We have rejoiced during times of celebration.
As always, all are welcome. Pastors and organizational leaders are asked to register at https://myevent.com/GarlandNDP2023.
Lavon Drive Baptist Church is located at 1520 Lavon Drive in Garland. Please call 972-530-8232 if you have any questions.
Visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/garlandnationaldayofprayer.
Submitted by Dorothy Brooks