It’s said there is power in prayer — Thursday afternoon, that adage was proven correct.
Prayer brought together a diverse crowd of worshipers on the steps of the Lenoir County Courthouse for National Day of Prayer events. It’s the 19th year Kinston has hosted a Day of Prayer event and the 62nd nationally.
Children, adults, teens and ministers all raised their hands up high, not only for a better tomorrow for the community, but also for the nation.
“As Christians, we’re called to pray for those in leadership and so often we forget that,” Kinston resident Joan Perry said. “It’s great to have a day when we know that the whole country is praying together for things that are important to us.”
The purpose of National Prayer Day is to “encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture,” according to the National Day of Task Force mission statement.
This year’s theme was “Pray for America.” Those approaching the courthouse Thursday might have been able to feel pride in America and in the uniting of others. The feeling of brotherhood was encouraged as red, white and blue balloons were hung on the steps.
Former N.C. Rep. Karen Kozel, R-Lenoir, participated in the event along with some of her children. She was impressed with the attendance of Thursday’s event, which included worshippers of every race, several nationalities and many faiths.
“I think it is exhilarating and very encouraging to see everyone corporately gathering together recognizing and acknowledging God as sovereign and as the leader of our country,” she said.
Yvonne Jones, a Kinston native and a minister at Goldsboro’s New Spirit Church Ministries, read scripture to the gathering.
“The Lord has said we should always pray and not faint,” Jones said. “It’s a time when we need to pray for our nation so it can come together and glorify God.”
At the end of the hour-long ceremony, individuals had the opportunity to write a prayer on a given note card and release the balloons into the air, sending those prayers into the community.
Prayer is certainly in great demand, said Pastor Jesse Wallace of Agape Unlimited Church.
“It’s needed so greatly in this land today,” he said. “All over the country and all over the nation, prayer is needed.”
He continued, “If each city would join hands, I believe the world would be a better place to live in today. God lifts us up when we pray and there is working power in prayer and in the precious blood of the lamb.”
Many had the opportunity to converse with each other, listen to local ministers and also be ministered through song and dance.
Due to recent tragedies in America, including last month’s Boston Marathon bombing, prayer for the government, churches, military, family, education, the media and businesses were lifted during the ceremony.
Thursday’s event marked a great outcome overall, according to Reverend Sheri Ezzell.
“Prayer is something that we should do everyday, but we do gather today in this day, because we want to place focus on praying for our nation and our community,” said Ezzell, who has helped with the local Day of Prayer event for three years. “We believe now is the time.”
Free Press Managing Editor Bryan C. Hanks contributed to this report.