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MANSFIELD — While many will be following tournament basketball during “March Madness,” there will be another type of double-teaming taking place in churches across Richland County. This ‘full court press’ will be involving lifting up of holy hands to the Almighty in a region on the rebound.
This past month the Richland County Board of Commissioners officially recognized last year’s “March of Prayer”with a proclamation encouraging citizens to participate in this year’s initiative which begins March 1st.
According to Commissioner Darrell Banks, “Forty-seven local Christian churches representing more than twenty-five denominations hosted a nightly prayer service beginning March 1, 2019 that continued until Easter of 2019. The season of prayer included praising GOD and praying for local officials, first-responders, and those afflicted by addictions.”
“As Psalm 118:19 declares ‘Swing wide the city gates-the righteous gates! I will walk through and thank GOD!” Commissioner Banks said.
Last year Paul Lintern wrote a book entitled “Mansfield is Godsfield” chronicling what took place during the heightened season of prayer. Published by Isaac’s World Inc., the book is a review of fifty-two days of worship and praise that took place at different church locations throughout north central Ohio.
“I got copy of Paul’s book and it really is interesting how many different congregations were involved last year,” said Commissioner Banks. “As leaders in the community, we certainly need all those prayers. I believe Mansfield is still Godsfield.”
Commissioner Tony Vero pronounced that “The residents in this community are encouraged to proclaim ‘Richland is GOD’s land’ placing ourselves in the care of the One who created us and in whom we place our trust for wisdom and guidance.”
“The residents in this community are encouraged to proclaim ‘Richland is GOD’s land’ placing ourselves in the care of the One who created us and in whom we place our trust for wisdom and guidance. ”
County Commissioner Tony Vero
In a separate meeting, the Mayor of Mansfield, Richland’s county seat, also made a proclamation recognizing Mansfield as the “City of Churches.”
“I Timothy Theaker, Mayor of Mansfield encourage that a March of Prayer be encouraged for churches of all faiths during this month to lift up our community in prayer: its officials, its first-responders, residents, students, business leaders, and faith community.”
According to lead facilitator Paul Lintern, coordinators of the March of Prayer initiative have designed a guide of helpful ideas for those congregations hosting a March of Prayer which is scheduled from March 1st thru May 6th.
“We are suggesting congregations consider corporate fasting and Jericho walks around their churches during this time,” said the pastor. A Jericho walk is a reference to the unconventional strategy in Joshua’s famous victory described in the Bible.
For an itinerary of the upcoming scheduled prayer nights, click on March of Prayer calendar or go to Godsfield Facebook page for updates.
Click on the video below to hear Pastor Mark Pierce sing a song written during last year’s pronounced season of prayer.
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