Garland will observe the National Day of Prayer Thursday, May 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Lavon Drive Baptist Church, 1520 Lavon Drive in Garland.
The National Day of Prayer dates back to the beginning of our nation when the first Continental Congress called for prayer in 1775. In 1952 Congress established it as an annual event and it was signed into law by President Harry Truman.
In 1988, President Ronald Regan designated the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May. It is now an annual observance and serves as a call for all to seek God’s guidance and grace.
Our founding fathers prayed for guidance, protection and strength – even before we were a nation. Through the years, our country’s leaders have gone to God in prayer during wartimes, before battles and during times of strife and difficulty.
We currently face many devastating problems. There is disintegration of the family, an increase in violent crime, immorality, social injustice and more. These are problems that cannot be solved without prayer – they are problems that only God can solve. As a nation, we must follow the example of our founding fathers and turn to Him in prayer.
This year’s theme is “Rooted and Built up in Him” Colossians 2:6-7.
Garland’s NDP will include prayers for families, first responders, government officials, military members, medical personnel and others. Pastors from various cultures and backgrounds will pray for Unity in God.
Dorothy Brooks, organizer of the event, said that this year reminds her of the year that the NDP was soon after the terrorist act at the Curtis Culwell Center.
“We came together and everybody just wanted to pray,” she said. “Things going on were scary.”
Things are also scary now. There are all kinds of hatred and there is a lot of division.
“We want to come together and do the right thing, but there are so many unknowns so we run to our Father — we don’t walk, we run, and ask for His help,” Brooks said. “We do not know what is going to happen nationally, internationally, with our city, with our families.”
She added that we have to realize that as Christians, we have a responsibility.
“We don’t want to have it, but the fact is, we have the responsibility to be engaged with our country, to pray for our country, to fervently pray about the things happening in our country,” Brooks said.
Brooks shared that the Bible says that the Lord is an anchor of hope. She added that there are so many things that toss us around but we know we have a Father we can run to.
“And, we have to try to bring churches together and races together, everyone together,” Brooks said. “If we don’t try, we’re going to be lost. So, my prayer is that people come to pray. It’s not like we can forecast that things will be 100% better on some future date. That would be a naïve way of looking at it. But we have to realize that the Lord can keep us grounded. No matter how the winds blow, we can be settled in Him.”
She added that no matter what is happening in our country or overseas we must also pray for wisdom for our city officials.
Brooks stressed that all faiths are welcome and said that we all need to be together.
The doors open at 10:30 so people can visit.
“I hope people come and bring the kids and come with an open heart,” Brooks said.
Brooks expressed gratitude to everyone at Lavon Drive Baptist Church including Pastor Kerby Richmon. She’s also grateful to Pastor Hattie Chavez of New Hope Church, Jeanne Shortsleeve, Wandra Johnson and Pastor Rusty Bowles of Church of the Latter Rain.