City marks National Day
of Prayer
By Angie Long,
Greenville Advocate
Friday, May 4, 2007
|
Evangelist Carolyn
Griffin was one of many pastors to speak at the National
Day of Prayer Service held on the steps of Greenville
City Hall on Thursday. |
Greenvillians marked the 56th Annual
National Day of Prayer in a fitting manner - with a prayer
service at noon on the steps of City Hall.
Attendees gathered beneath shade trees and settled on
benches in the midday heat to hear the words of members of
the Greenville Ministerial Association (GMA).
Father Fred Lindstrom of St. Thomas
Episcopal Church; Rev. Tim Patton of First Baptist Church of
Greenville; Leander and Lois Robinson of Covenant Warriors;
Rev. Allen Stephenson of FBC of Georgiana; Annette Tomley,
representing Rev. Lane Simmons of Greenville's First Assembly of God; Evangelist Carolyn Griffin of Warrior
Ministries; Prophet Darren White of Kingdom of God
International Ministries and Rev. Jim Helms of Call to Life
Ministries came together as a cross-section of the community
to battle, through prayer, the “unprecedented spiritual
warfare” seen in America today.
The men and women led in specific prayers for churches, the
government, family, education, the military and the media.
“We have all had those days where we'd rather not be
bothered to take time out of our busy schedules to pray,”
said ordained minister, Greenville Fire Chief Mike Phillips,
who opened the service after Lindstrom's welcoming address.
“But He is the One who has given this day to rejoice in, and
we need to give thanks we can gather together to praise and
worship Him.”
Leander Robinson, a former military officer, called for
“heaven's angels to stand alongside our men and women as
they fight the good fight” and to be with the families of
those who give “the greatest sacrifice.”
“Let us get our hearts and minds back to
where they should be, let the Lord come and be with us at the
breakfast table again,” she said.
Helms encouraged those present to be willing to make a stand
for their beliefs.
“Today, we have made a statement. We have
decided to face the enemy and we are ‘taking it back' - our
homes, our churches, our schools, our businesses, the
media.” Lindstrom reminded those present across the country
“countless numbers” of people were also gathering to pray at
noon in their own cities, towns and communities. “Never forget prayer is a very powerful tool,” he
encouraged. |