May 5 – “National Day of Prayer”

I went to the National Day of Prayer celebration at the Galveston County Courthouse yesterday.  The crowd wasn’t all that huge or anything, but they sure were ready to pray and worship together.  I saw a few Seasiders there.  

It started at noon out on the main steps leading into the building.  It has really become quite a big deal over the years.  The homeschool performing arts co-op group that meets every Friday at Seaside started things off by leading everyone in the pledge of allegiance.  A smaller group led in singing the National Anthem.  And one girl “officially” began and ended the proceedings by blowing the shofar.  I saw the guy who brought the shofar while people were gathering the girl looked particularly interested in it, so the guy asked if she wanted to give it a try.  He never expected her to be able to get such a big sound from it.  He was so impressed that he asked if she wanted to be the one to blow it for the ceremony.  Classy gentlemen.

A worship pastor from a local church played guitar and led in some songs.  Other local pastors and even a police officer then took turns leading out in praying for specific areas of government and country, including schools, city and county as well as national officials, those serving in the military, and those in the police department.  Others prayed for repentance and reconciliation. 

The mayor was scheduled to attend, but he had to be in Washington, D.C. to do some lobbying for city needs.  He sent the mayor pro-tem in his place to express his support.  Another guy was supposed to read a proclamation of some kind, but when he got up he decided to forego the reading and preach for while instead.  Interesting.

The one disappointment of the day for me was the lack of mention of fire fighters and EMS workers.  I was in uniform standing in the back, so I lifted up some silent prayers of my own for that particular segment of the city and county community.  Gotta keep them covered in spiritual protection as well.  

Hebrews 6:1-2 says, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

Father, thank you for the ones who supported the day of prayer.  Help all of us do some coming together and praying more than just once a year.  Amen.