Dozens of city leaders, county officials and local residents gathered on the steps of the DeKalb County Courthouse at noon on Thursday to celebrate National Day of Prayer.
“I want to welcome you all here today,” said Ricky Harcrow, DeKalb County Commission president. “Prayer is a privilege, and we exercise that privilege today.”
The gathering began with the pledge of allegiance and Clara Washington, organizer of the event, also gave opening remarks.
“Like Mr. Harcrow said we are thankful you all are here today,” said Washington, “but I am also thankful for 1988. President Ronald Reagan signed in the National Day of Prayer, and we have now had 30 years of freedom.”
A group of women from the Fishers of Men Church in Leesburg sang “Prayer Bells of Heaven.”
An invocation was led by Pastor David Goodman of Apostolic Deliverance Tabernacle in Fort Payne and called for participants to pray for “healing in the land” and referenced II Chronicles 7:14.
Marshall Henderson, student minister at First Baptist Church of Fort Payne, then led a prayer emphasizing the importance of our youth and the need for vigilant prayers for students, teachers and schools.
Various leaders from local churches led short devotionals and prayers. The “political and religious” divisions in our country and government were discussed, along with the divisions between Christian denominations (Ephesians 4:5-6). Prayers for upcoming elections were conducted, along with discussions about necessary respect for one another’s belief systems when voting.
Wayne Hrenyk, the pastor of Hammondville Church of God 7th Day, led an invocation asking for our country’s Armed Forces, local police and their families to receive God’s blessings and for “[Christians] to be a comfort to them” as they serve.
The Hammondville Church of God 7th Day Orchestra Band was also present and performed “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” on stringed instruments.
Fort Payne Mayor Larry Chesser then emphasized the role of the numerous churches in DeKalb County.
“Last we counted, we had 50 churches just in the city limits, and that’s not including the rest of the county,” Chesser said. He closed the event with a final prayer.
Several churches in DeKalb County were represented and over a dozen church and county leaders vocally participated in the 30th Annual National Day of Prayer.