Pastor Andy Kinsey of Grace United Methodist Church prays with a small group during the 2021 National Day of Prayer at the Johnson County courthouse. More than 40 people came to the ceremony, themed “Love, Life and Liberty,” during which pastors and participants prayed for civic leaders, first responders and the community.
In a time of strife and stress, people can find comfort through the power of prayer.
The public is invited to harness that power in the hope of strengthening the community.
Faith leaders through the county will gather people Thursday at multiple events for the National Day of Prayer. Participants are invited to pray for local, state and national governments, as well as other groups in our community, such as the military, health care workers, first responders, schools, businesses, families and churches.
In Greenwood, people can come out at 7 a.m. for prayer and fellowship at the Greenwood City Center. Another event will be held at noon on the lawn of the Johnson County courthouse.
“It’s a reminder of how much broader the church is than any one particular local congregation. We have the same father, so we can call on him together,” said Daniel Jepsen, pastor at Franklin Community Church and one of the organizers of the event. “There is a great power in that.”
The National Day of Prayer, which was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The law was unanimously amended in 1988, designating the first Thursday in May as a day of national prayer.
Across the country, people will celebrate around the central idea of loving their neighbors, while pastors have come together in past years to pray as one. The event is an opportunity to bring people from all denominations together for good, Jepsen said.
“It’s reminding ourselves that we are here to light a candle and not curse the darkness,” Jepsen said. “There are a lot of people, sometimes religious figures, who are all about denouncing things and demonizing the other side of issues they think are wrong. But there are different ways to go about things, and that’s by asking God to bring his rightness to the world.”
With two different celebrations planned this year, people have greater flexibility to take part when it fits best into their schedule.
The Greenwood event will be a 30-minute program in the parking lot of the city center, located on the corner of Main St. and Madison Ave. in old town Greenwood. Speakers from several area churches will lead the group in prayer as well as a chance for individual or small group prayers.
The Franklin gathering will feature a similar set-up, with some opening remarks, group prayers for local leaders, schools and other community institutions.
People will have the chance to pray together in more intimate groups.
“Mainly, it will be direct prayer for local officials and public servants,” Jepsen said.
