The Greenwood community came together on the courthouse lawn, Thursday, May 6 at noon in observance of the National Day of Prayer.
The theme of prayer for 2021: Lord, Pour Out Your LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY!
LOVE that should never be underestimated or wrongly defined by what we have in mind or what we have experienced in ‘supposed earthly love.’ LOVE that is not merely an emotion, but that should set us in motion. Not fueled by earthly desires but eternal destinies that are at stake.
LIFE that is a gift from God, that we live not for ourselves, but for Him and for others. LIFE that is valued and treasured, LIFE that we ultimately give back to Him as a gift. LIFE that we recognize as sacred and holy, whether young or old, born or unborn. LIFE that is abundant and eternal.
LIBERTY that Jesus came to give. Not just freedoms in America, but true LIBERTY for all who are in bondage to sin and death. LIBERTY that breaks every chain and shackle, that turns our painful memories into praise-filled miracles!
TRUE LOVE, LIFE, and LIBERTY as designed and defined by God alone.
This year marks 70 years since Reverend Billy Graham stood on the capitol steps in February 1952 and called for congress and the president to establish a day of prayer. By April of that year, President Truman signed the legislation into public law.
Through the decades, the efforts of the National Day of Prayer Task Force have mobilized Americans to observe the National Day of Prayer in all 50 states and in U.S. territories to pray for those who lead and those in need in our nation.
The Greenwood JROTC Color Guard presented the flags, and a rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner followed. Mayor Doug Kinslow led the Pledge of Allegiance and made a proclamation in observance of the day. Reverend Quinton Rowan with Vital Church in Greenwood offered prayer for our country, Reverand Jon Newlin from the Church of the Nazarene in Greenwood offered prayer for the community, Ed Wilkinson, Commissioned Ruling Elder of the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, prayed for the schools and educators, Reverand Derrick Bremer of the Denver Street Baptist Church in Greenwood prayed for protection of the unborn, Reverand Trent Hampton with Calvary Temple United Pentecostal Church in Greenwood prayed for healing and wholeness, Reverend Nick Coleman of First Free Will Baptist in Greenwood offered prayer for those in the medical field and sick, Brad Hobbs, MSGT with the United States Air Force/Lt. with the Greenwood Police Department prayed for emergency responders, Billy Caraway with the First Assembly of God in Greenwood prayed for the imprisoned and persecuted, Tanya Taylor, Arkansas VFW District 7 Chaplain, prayed for the Armed Forces, Reverand Ronnie Deal pastor of First Baptist Church in Greenwood prayed for revival in local churches, Reverand Mark Motley with Real Life Ministries in Greenwood prayed for a great spiritual awakening, Reverand Dewey Hickey with Westwood Baptist Church in Greenwood prayed for the Great Commission, and Reverand Seth Whitaker with Southpointe Assembly of God in Fort Smith, prayed for our national leaders.
Musician Cameron Foote was accompanied by Billy Caraway for an acoustic guitar performance of “Where the Spirit of the Lord is.”
Before concluding the prayer meeting, Reverand John D. Miller, Pastor of the First Assembly of God, made a call to repentance.
