May 4 - “Are you praying today?”

I started out Servolution Weekend Thursday by attending the National Day of Prayer meeting on the steps of the Galveston County Justice Center.  A pretty good crowd was there when I arrived, since I stopped by station five to check in with the guys there first.  As I walked up, one of the guys involved with Christ Together Galveston asked me, “Are you praying today?”  I hesitated.  I knew what he meant.  He was asking if I was on the program of dignitaries.  I let the silence grow with his anticipation of my response.  Finally I replied, “Well, uh, yes I do plan to pray today.  Just not up on that stage as part of the program.”   We enjoyed a laugh together as he realized how his question could be taken. 

The theme of the event was “Love One Another,” taken from John 13:34.  And there was quite a collection of dignitaries speaking and praying.  Check out this list:

 

A letter from Senator Ted Cruz was read acknowledging the day as an official day of prayer on the national level.

The Galveston mayor pro-tem read a resolution proclaiming the day as an official day of prayer on the city level.

A county commissioner read a third resolution.  Yep.  He made the day official on the county level. 

The pledge of allegiance was led by a group of children from Anchored Learning Center.

The National Anthem, “America,” and “God Bless America” was played by the Austin Middle School Band.  And they did a great job, too.

During the prayer segment, prayers were led by:

A local funeral director who also emceed the event.

The sheriff’s office jail chaplain.

A Chamber of Commerce member, who also prayed for the youngster entrepeneurs involved in the city-wide Lemonade Day today.

Several local pastors led in prayer for the armed forces, national leaders, state and judicial leaders, churches, school students and leaders, and families.  One lady pastor held everyone enthralled by her steadily rising crescendo of appeals to God.  Then the next guy began his prayer almost in a whisper and was just as enthralling in his calm and quiet pleas.

The final prayer was led by the Galveston chief of police, as he lifted up police, fire, EMS, and other civil servants. 

It was quite an experience.  If you have never attended on, check it out next year.

“Love one another just as I have loved you”

Father, thank you for the group of folks who were gathered in prayer on Thursday.  Help us to keep that us for - oh, say – 364 more days of the year.  Amen.