NORTH CENTRAL OHIO — The National Day of Prayer (NDOP) is this Thursday, May 7th and several area observances will be taking place that day using unorthodox methods. Due to COVID-19 related concerns, several area observances will be taking place both live and virtually.
The Galion Area Ministerial Association (GAMA) is observing the National Day of Prayer beginning at 11:30 AM.
“Because of the pandemic, we decided to have a webcast. Weather permitting, we will be streaming live from the Galion Public Square, but we are also encouraging people to participate electronically.” said local Pastor and Chaplain Bill Seymour, one of the event organizers.
The event will begin with a contemporary and traditional mix of praise and worship featuring keyboardist and Tabernacle of Praise Pastor Joshua Cole. A concert of prayer with ten different local spiritual leaders will follow. Those who miss the live webcast will be able to view the recorded webcast at the GAMA’s Facebook page or You Tube channel.
One of the clergy offering prayers, Christ UMC Pastor Heather McLeod, will also serve as technical producer.
“Our hope is that hundreds of people will ‘click on’ to celebrate and pray with us during the live event. There is so much power in unified prayer. This is something new for all of us, but we believe we will be able to reach more people,” she stated.
The Richland Community Prayer Network will also be holding a NDOP event in Mansfield between 11:30-1:00 PM. The scaled-back event will have a maximum of twenty-five persons at First Church of the Open Bible on 1150 Rayfield Drive. The event will also be live-streamed on Godsfield Facebook page.
According to event coordinator Reverend El Akuchie, “We will have Scott Saunders of WVMC FM as a moderator and several area clergy will facilitate corporate prayer. In addition, the Richland County Board of Commissioners and Mansfield Mayor will give proclamations commemorating the occasion.”
A worship team led by Theresa Burkhalter will provide music. Clergymen leading prayers will involve Paul Lintern, Moe Hill, Denny Finnegan, Jody Odom, Mark Meyer, Dink Porter, and Troy Wooten.
“Ironically, last year for the NDOP in Mansfield, we observed the anniversary of a victory against another pandemic (cholera) that occurred almost two centuries prior. We believe the LORD of Hosts will remember us again in our generation and spare us from this perilous pestilence on our nation.”
Reverend El Akuchie
Richland Community Prayer network
“Ironically, last year for the NDOP in Mansfield, we observed the anniversary of a victory against another pandemic (cholera) that occurred almost two centuries prior. We believe the LORD of Hosts will remember us again in our generation and spare us from this perilous pestilence on our nation.”
Earlier this past March, faith leaders across the Buckeye Bible Belt made national news by holding a press conference regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and making a statewide call to prayer.
View the video from the National Day of Prayer Task Force below.
Related articles:
