Local church and community celebrates National Day of Prayer

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·2 min read

Miracle Covenant Church Healing Center hosted a gathering for the National Day of Prayer on Thursday afternoon at the church's healing center, located at 806 S. Bryan St.

The National Day of Prayer was established with its official date after President Ronald Reagan designated the annual prayer day to occur on the first Thursday of May yearly. Reagan signed the designation on Thursday, May 5, 1988. Although the official date was set in 1988, the first National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 after a joint resolution between Congress and President Harry S. Truman was signed into law.

Bill Meyerholtz, a pastor with Miracle Covenant Church Healing Center, leads the service for the National Day of Prayer hosted by the church Thursday afternoon.
Bill Meyerholtz, a pastor with Miracle Covenant Church Healing Center, leads the service for the National Day of Prayer hosted by the church Thursday afternoon.

During Thursday's event, the Healing Center attendees offered praise, worship and personal reflection for the Seven Centers of Cultural Influence, including family, church, workplace, education, military, government and media and arts. The church also included an eighth and ninth influence to pray for first responders and the home.

More: Amarillo faith calendar for May 1

"We pray for the home, Lord, we pray that the mothers, fathers, children and families be blessed during these hard times and while our nation is in turmoil," said Pastor Lana Meyerholtz. "We pray that you protect the home and the individuals within."

Lana Meyerholtz, a pastor with Miracle Covenant Church House of Prayer Healing Center, provides music for the National Day of Prayer service hosted by the church Thursday afternoon.
Lana Meyerholtz, a pastor with Miracle Covenant Church House of Prayer Healing Center, provides music for the National Day of Prayer service hosted by the church Thursday afternoon.

According to the prayer coordinator Pastor Harold Olesen, Amarillo has lost 25 churches to the pandemic, resulting in the city having a total of 125 churches. Olesen said he hopes to one day host several churches from across all religions to celebrate the national day and involve the community.

"This is about unity and praying for the city and our nation, and I would someday like to see individuals across all religions and churches, Catholic, Christian, Baptist, Lutheran, all of them come together under one roof so that each of us as individuals can come together to help heal and pray for this nation," Olesen said.

Harold Olesen, prayer coordinator with Miracle Covenant Church Healing Center, asks for interfaith church unity in Amarillo during the National Day of Prayer service the church hosted Thursday afternoon.
Harold Olesen, prayer coordinator with Miracle Covenant Church Healing Center, asks for interfaith church unity in Amarillo during the National Day of Prayer service the church hosted Thursday afternoon.

To end the ceremony, attendees recited the Saving America Prayer to bless the nation.

"Lord, you are the hope of your nation. We humbly repent and ask that you would restore America to your purposes again using each of us individually, and all of us together for your glory. May your kingdom come into America as it is in heaven. Amen."

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Community church offers praise for National Day of Prayer