National Day of Prayer service held

Rainy skies outside could not dampen the spirits of those attending inside during the National Day of Prayer service May 3 held in the Van Zandt County Court at Law courtroom.

The service opened with music by the Van Zandt County Community Choir led by First Baptist Church of Canton Minister of Music John Bell as the choir led those in attendance in the singing of the National Anthem and “God Bless the USA.”

Victory Church of Canton Pastor and National Day of Prayer community coordinator Mike Burns gave the welcome.

“The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress,” said Burns. “It was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. In 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Thursday, May 5, 1988 designating the first Thursday of May as a day of National prayer. Every President since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

“Prayer brings people together,” emphasized Burns. “Prayer builds bridges between opposing persons and even political parties. Prayer reminds us that we are created in God’s image and He desires for us to represent Him everywhere we go. Prayer brings unity and that is the theme for 2018. I thought back in April when I received my information as the prayer coordinator for this event in our community that the powers that be in the home office picked a great theme, ‘Unity in America’, and we know that we need  this.

“Our theme will be prayer for America and it is based on Ephesians 4:3 and it challenges us to mobilize ourselves in our homes, our churches, our community events and as individuals to pray for America,” said Burns. “The Bible says in Ephesians 4:3, ‘Making every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”

Burns then called on several pastors and other individuals to lead in different aspects of unity through prayer.

Those who led in prayer included First United Methodist Church of Canton Pastor Adam Muckleroy, who prayed for “Unity in America” (Ephesians 4:3).

Grace Bible Fellowship of Canton Senior Pastor John Tanner prayed for “Unity in the church of America” (I Corinthians 1:10). The scripture reads, “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.”

VZC Pct. 2 Commissioner Virgil Melton Jr. prayed for “Unity in the families, workplaces, communities and cities in America” (2 Chronicles 30:12). The scripture reads, “Also, the power of God was at work in Judah to unite them to carry out the command of the king and his officials by the word of the Lord.”

First Baptist Church of Canton Pastor Mike Roberson prayed for “Unity among all ethnicities and people in America” (Ephesians 2:14). The scripture reads, “For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.”

Canton Four Square Church Pastor Adam Henderson prayed for “Unity that we agree clearly, unite visibly, and pray extraordinarily for the next Great Spiritual Awakening in America” (Acts 1:14). The scripture reads, “They all were continually united in prayer.”

Ashley Sims, a VZC parent, prayed for “Unity in the family” after being introduced to the audience by Burns.

Burns also encouraged everyone in attendance to pray for the “The Seven Centers of Influence in America,” including Government, Military, Media Arts, Business, Education, Church and Family.

At the close of the service, the crowd held hands and prayed The Lord’s Prayer before being dismissed.