National Day of Prayer event held in Pulaski

praying

Photo by Jenny Shepherd

Citizens and county leaders pray during the National Day of Prayer event in Pulaski last week.

natl day of prayer

Danielle Reid/The Patriot

Participants in the 2023 Pulaski County National Day of Prayer pose before gathering for lunch at Emmanuel Christian Bookstore.  L to r. Mike Mooney, Anthony Akers,  Pastor Gary Hash, Collette Hash. 

 

chalk talkDanielle Reid/The Patriot

Chalk Talk’s founder, Evangelist Dwight Haynes, addresses important issues and prays during the 2023 National Day of Prayer event held on the lawn of the historic Pulaski County Courthouse on May 4th.

By DANIELLE REID

The Patriot

Many freedom-loving Americans would agree that if ever our nation needed prayer, it’s now!  For that reason, millions of Americans were praying together during the National Day of Prayer, 2023 which was held on Thursday, May 4th.

The Pulaski County Ministerial Association, under the leadership of retired Pastor Terry Sternberg, and in conjunction with Chalk Talk’s founder Dwight Haynes, coordinated the 2023 National Day of Prayer for Pulaski County.  Worship music was provided by Tony Eads, a short teaching by Dwight Haynes and the closing prayer by Pastor Gary Hash. A free lunch was provided by the Emmanuel Christian Bookstore, located at 653 East Main Street.

The National Day of Prayer Task Force established this year’s theme as “Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” paraphrased from the book of James 5:16b (“the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”)

Scripture for the National Day of Prayer comes from 2 chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Although America has had numerous days of prayer and fasting since it’s inception, our modern National Day of Prayer can be traced to President Harry Truman’s proclamation in 1952; and Congress’ Public Law 100-307, establishing the first Thursday in May as the annual National Day of Prayer.

Dozens of concerned Pulaski County citizens joined together on the historic Pulaski Courthouse lawn at noon on May 4th to pray together.  Later, they gathered in small groups to pray for specific needs such as our students and teachers, law enforcement,  military and veterans, local, state and national government,  senior citizens, Pulaski churches and pastors, medical personnel and facilities, addictions and recovery.

Pastor Gary Hash led the closing prayer asking all the participants to join hands together in a circle of friendship as he prayed:

“Father with one heart toward you, we thank you for this amazing day and welcome you into Pulaski County.  We adore your ways and thoughts.  Our prayer today is that you would help us with all these organizations, elements, facets and components of life as represented in this circle.   We ask your greatest of blessings upon them, their staff, and people who are affected and impacted by their leadership.  We pray that we would grow into a prayer life as a lifestyle – not just prayer moments and prayer events. Thank you for the harvest for all the seed that has been sown here today.  We thank you for the fellowship and the meal that is set in front of us.  We receive it as nourishment, healing and strength. Bless us as we go in the name of Jesus.”

Other National Day of Prayer resources suggested ten prayer points with scripture to help people focus on important issues.  These prayer points can be prayed throughout the year and are not limited to only the National Day of Prayer.  They include:

  1. Pray for Righteousness to reign in America (Psalm 123:5 and 2 Chronicles 7:14)
  2. Pray for Truth and Light to be revealed in this nation (John 8:32 and Luke 12:2-3)
  3. Pray for an Awakening to God in the children (Psalm 24:6, Isaiah 54:13 and Joel 2:28-29)
  4. Pray for an Awakening to God in the youth (Acts 2:39)
  5. Pray for an Awakening to God in the young adults (Acts 2:17-18)
  6. Pray for Life (Psalm 139:13-14, Deuteronomy 19:10, Proverbs 6:16-19)
  7. Pray against corruption (John 1:4-5, Proverbs 24:25, Jude 15)
  8. Pray for Spiritual leaders (Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:19-20, Colossians 1:9)
  9. Pray for Political leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2, Isaiah 1:25-27)
  10. Pray for Protection and plead the blood of Jesus over America (Psalm 91, Isaiah 54:17, Revelation 12:11, 1 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:14)

For those individuals truly interested in continuing to pray beyond our National Day of Prayer, there is a worldwide unprecedented Global Prayer movement, happening from May 7th and culminating on May 28th which is Pentecost.

Many are fasting for 21-days, leading to ten days of prayer (May 18 to May 28).  It is expected that more than 100 million believers will be joining in prayer together on Pentecost Sunday! Additional information can be found at Pentecost2023.org, 110Cities.com, Isaiah62fast.com and Cometothetable.world.