Randolph County gathers for National Day of Prayer

Moberlyans filled City Hall to standing room only to celebrate the 59^th annual National Day of Prayer. They were led in prayer for our government, our military, our schools and our churches. The event was spearheaded by Lori Miller and Randy Lee and also featured the American Legion Color Guard.

The assemblage was shown a video of Benjamin Franklin addressing the Constitutional Convention in 1787, explaining the importance of staring each day with prayer by a local clergyman.

Rev. Doug Delp, Timber Lake Christian Church, spoke on the importance of prayer for the government.

“God does want His people to pray,” said Delp.

He mentioned 1 Chronicles 7 that gives four instructions and two promises. Humble yourselves, pray, seek God and turn away from evil ways. By doing these things, God promises to forgive and heal the land.

Jeff Howard, Family Life Ministries, spoke of the military, referring to himself as a “citizen soldier”. He said it is important to pray for service men and women, their families and the chaplains – “for those who serve so honorably and sacrifice so much.”

Brent Bradshaw, Orscheln Industries, spoke on work.

“God was the first to perform work . . . He ordained that people should work…

Bradshaw mentioned Dale Roberts, “the chaplain of downtown Moberly” and his “faithful group” who walk on Reed Street and pray for the community and its businesses. He said there are also seven lay people who pray for local industries.

Rev. Vernon McGarvey, pastor of the Apostolic Pentecostal Church, prayed for the church, the pastors, the leaders and their families. He admonished all to pray in a time when it is sometimes difficult to pray.

“The Christian community as a whole must struggle to be faithful amidst an ‘unbelieving and perverse generation’ (Matthew 17:17),” he said. “Our culture is rife with ideologies and activities that run contrary to biblical precepts and believers must be increasingly ‘counter-culture’ inorder to stay faithful to their convictions. Clearly, the Body of Christ needs intercession as never before.”

About 15 people, including eight persons from the community, gathered at the flagpole Wednesday, May 5 in observance of the National Day of Prayer. This session was led by Rev. David Nicholson, pastor of Huntsville First Christian Church. A second group of students just before the start of school.