Richmond celebrates National Day of Prayer
May 7—Local leaders and citizens gathered in the courtyard of the Madison County Courthouse on Thursday to take part in the National Day of Prayer.
Pastors and ministers from various churches in the community led those gathered in prayers for different groups such as educators, politicians, the military and first responders.
"We pray for our nation and various parts of our community. We've kind of honed it down to a few things, but that's not to leave anyone out," Pastor James Atherton of the College Hill Methodist Church said to the crowd while on the courthouse steps. "We're having various leaders, pastors, and others come up to pray... We want you to be in a spirit of prayer!"
Atherton served as master of ceremonies. He was followed by Minister Henry C. Kenney of First Baptist Church, who led attendees in song.
Pastor Floyd Ballew of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church then brought up several elected leaders and those seeking office in upcoming local elections in a prayer for the government. Among the group of candidates were Richmond Mayor Robert Blythe, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor, Richmond City Commissioner candidate Matthew Vaughn, and jailer candidate Faye Winkler). Ballew included national and state leaders in his prayer as well.
"...We thank you for your presence in this place. Lord, we ask right now that your blessings upon all of those that serve in our government. Lord we'd like to start at the President of the United States Joe Biden, the Vice President Kamala Harris. Lord all of our senators and state representatives," Bellew said in prayer. "We pray dear heavenly father for our congressmen and women, Lord we pray for the House... That they all dear heavenly father know that they are to submit to your will."
Richmond Police Department Assistant Chief William O'Donnell and Madison County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Stotts were also present at the event.
The theme of 2022's National Day of Prayer was "Exalt the Lord who was established us," which comes from the Book of Colossians in the Bible.
"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him established in the faith as you have been taught abounding in it with thanksgiving," Atherton said, who used scripture to describe that very theme.
A wide variety of groups and even a the substance use crisis were given support through prayer at the event. They included:
—Churches, with Pastor Sherry Greene from St. Paul AME Methodist Church leading the prayer.
—The military, with Pastor Bruce Nettleton of First United Methodist Church leading the prayer.
—Families, with Pastor David Evans of Corinth Christian Church leading the prayer.
—Education, with Pastor Patrick Messer of First Christian Church leading the prayer.
—Media, with Pastor Steve Lewis of Southside Church leading the prayer.
—Business, with Pastor Mary Metzger of St. Thomas Lutheran Church leading the prayer.
—The substance use epidemic in Richmond, with Pastor Howard Miller of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church leading the prayer.
—First responders, with Pastor Rob Taylor of Tates Creek Baptist Church leading the prayer.
Taylor said he was honored to attend the event in a statement to the Register.
"It is always an absolute honor to be a part of the National Day of Prayer. Mitch Brown quoted the verse today from 2 Chronicles that said 'If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and turn from their wicked ways then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.' This is so true of our community. Prayer is an important part of my daily life and I am proud that our community can come together and pray for our neighbor, leaders, and friends," the judge-executive said.
