They gathered to pray for their community, their country, their leaders and a land they love.
Clarksdale celebrated the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 6 as communities large and small came together to observed the 70th annual event.
Clarksdale saw about 75 people gather at the Veteran’s Memorial Pavilion in downtown Clarksdale to sing, read scripture and pray.
“I don’t know how long they have been doing this, but I’ve been at Lyon (Baptist Church) for 32 years and our church has taken part ever year,” said Pastor Joel Stroud of Lyon Baptist Church. “We started at the courthouse and moved over here a few years ago.”
The non-denominational, Christ-based event is aimed at asking God to continue to bless America and local communities, too.
Pastors and laymen from around Clarksdale were asked to lead in the service.
• Rev. James Jackson opened Thursday’s prayers with praise and acknowledgement of God.
• Dr. Bill Pollard offered a confession of corporate sin in the nation and community.
• Riley Trim acknowledged God’s discipline on people and nations.
• Dr. Pat Burke offered a prayer and plea for mercy and forgiveness.
• Pastor David Mancil presented a prayed petition for those in authority.
• Pastor Stroud prayed for deliverance from God’s enemies.
• Dr. Burke closed the ceremony with a prayer for national healing.
“I always hope for more, but the people you saw here today pray for this community and this country every day,” said Stroud. “A lot of people talk and unfortunately not all are sincere. These are the faithful.”
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer.
It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families.
Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
Records indicate there have been 1,419 state and federal calls for national prayer since 1775
