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MANSFIELD — The National Day of Prayer (NDOP) has played a historic part of America’s legacy. On May 5th, citizens across the country gathered for prayer and repentance. Prior to the pandemic, there have been nearly sixty thousand local NDOP events held coast to coast. This year local residents and officials assembled together at First English Lutheran Church.
The 2022 theme was: “Exalt the LORD who has established us,” from the Book of Colossians 2.
During the noonday event, the Richland County Commissioners proclaimed, “The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage. Since the first call of prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in the formation of a new nation, to the call to prayer involving President Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation for a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer during the Civil War in 1862.”
In his remarks, Commissioner Cliff Mears commented how earlier in his career with the private sector, General Motors shut down the entire plant in Ontario to observe the NDOP. Additionally, his job before that in Willard for RR Donnelly, the largest printer in North America, also held annual observances for the NDOP.
According to event emcee, Scott Saunders of Rise 90.7 FM, the annual prayer observance has been a part of the fabric of North Central Ohio and that the Richland Community Prayer Network (RCPN) has helped embroider it into the local way of life.
During the service, RCPN had a number of local clergy and faith leaders from different denominations lead prayer for specific areas involving government and culture.
After Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker’s proclamation, keynote speaker Pastor Aaron Rose of Madison Fusion Church commented how Theaker’s wife Ann was his third grade teacher. Rose said he believes it should be the responsibility of everyone to guard the welfare of the next generation.
“We have seen the lives of sixty million babies killed thru abortion. My son was born with Down Syndrome and I will fight to protect his life. As our nation grapples with the fundamental right of life, we need to pray the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade.” Those in attendance gave their approval.
View slideshow below of National Day of Prayer observance in Mansfield on May 5, 2022.
May 5th 2020 National Day of Prayer at Mansfield First English Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Emcee Scott Saunders of RISE FM with Elder Moe Hill of Grace Evangelical Free Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Dave Guild with wife Teresa & Elder James DeWeese with wife Cyndee (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Mark Meyer leading corporate prayer for judicial courts.. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Paul Lintern leading corporate prayer for revival. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
May 5th 2020 National Day of Prayer at Mansfield First English Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor David Guild leading corporate prayer for national & state leaders.. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Mark Meyer with Sheriff Steve Sheldon . (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Russell Stanford leading corporate prayer of repentance. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
May 5th 2020 National Day of Prayer at Mansfield First English Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) Pastor Dave Rentzel leading corporate prayer for media. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Julienne Akuchie with music team leads in corporate worship. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Renea Collins leading corporate prayer for health providers.. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
May 5th 2020 National Day of Prayer at Mansfield First English Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Pastor Terry Garrett leading corporate prayer for schools. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
May 5th 2020 National Day of Prayer at Mansfield First English Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Rev. El Akuchie leading corporate prayer. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Keynote speaker Pastor Aaron Rose w/ Rev. El Akuchie. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) Elected officials Mansfield Mayor Timothy Theaker & County Commissioner Cliff Mears give proclamation. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Mansfield Mayor’s National Day of Prayer proclamation. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Richland County Board of Commissioners’ National Day of Prayer proclamation. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Pastor Rose said he believes revival can occur when people turn their hearts back to GOD and to Scripture.
“We need to turn from our sin so that GOD can hear our prayer, forgive our sins, and heal our land. Fervent prayer is not the least we can do, it is the most we can do. Can you imagine what could happen if we prayed like they did in the 1857 New York noonday prayer meetings that triggered the Second Great Awakening?”
Elected officials in attendance included State Senator Mark Romanchuk, County Commissioners Tony Vero, Darrell Banks, & Cliff Mears, Mayors Timothy Theaker of Mansfield, Randy Hutchinson of Ontario, Brian White of Lexington, Sheriff Steve Sheldon, City Councilman Rev. El Akuchie. Also present were Mansfield Police Chief Keith Porch, Assistant Chief Mike Bammann, Captain James Sweat, Captain Donald Zehner
View the video below (2 minutes length) of the historic account of one New York businessmen’s weekly lunch hour prayer meeting. The sparsely attended meeting in 1857 went from six people to tens of thousands of people ultimately that would eventually impact the world.
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The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Colossians 2: “Exalt the LORD who has established us.”
