Sunday, April 29, 2001
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Sunday, April 29, 2001 |
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See you at National Day of Prayer May 3 By JUSTIN KOLLMEYER
Did you know ... That the National Day of Prayer is a tradition first proclaimed by the Continental Congress in 1775? That in 1952 Congress unanimously passed a joint resolution signed by President Harry Truman establishing the annual National Day of Prayer? That in 1988 legislation setting aside the first Thursday in May of each year as a National Day of Prayer was passed unanimously by both houses of Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan? That the National Day of Prayer is an opportunity for Americans to come together, joining in united prayer to give God thanks for all his many blessings upon our land, and seek his divine direction for our future? That this is the 50th consecutive annual observance of the National Day of Prayer? That the mayor and City Council of Fayetteville, the mayor and City Council of Peachtree City, and the county commissioners of Fayette County have proclaimed Thursday, May 3, 2001 as the National Day of Prayer Day here in our community? Sounds "official," doesn't it? Well, it is. And what a great day it will be! We will duly celebrate here in Fayette County with three distinctive events that day. First, all youth in our county are invited to come to the Heritage Park fountain in downtown Fayetteville to join in the festivities of the youth prayer rally early that morning. A first come/first served Chick-fil-A biscuit breakfast will be served at 6:30 a.m. Then some of our wonderful area youth will lead praise and worship and prayers from 7:00 7:50 a.m. Please have your own transportation to school from there. Second, at 8 a.m. a prayer breakfast for all local civic and governmental leaders will be at Grace Evangelical Church on Flat Creek Road, off of Ga. Highway 54, about half way between Fayetteville and Peachtree City. All local pastors are also invited and encouraged to come to offer prayers at the tables for our community leaders. Our "officials" and pastors are simply asked to call the church at 770-487-0791 to make your free reservations. Finally, Thursday evening, we will all gather in a "County-Wide Prayer Gathering" on the lawn of First Baptist Church next to the square in Fayetteville. Remember, this is a county and "all-church" event. We are so thankful to FBC for letting us all come and sit on their lawn! Come at 6:30 p.m. and plan to buy a fresh Chick-fil-A sandwich or Papa John's pizza, both of which will be available right on the church lawn. Or bring your own picnic basket. Everyone is asked to bring blankets and/or chairs. Thanks! We'll have live music for praise and worship, and participate in prayer circles made up of old and new friends. The majority of the prayers will be simple "sentence prayers" said in informal clusters on the lawn by all the participants, lay and clergy alike. Everything will be over at 8 o'clock. I would like to extend a personal invitation and encouragement to all our citizens and families of Fayette County to come to these important, even historical, events of the day. This Scripture verse comes to mind and gives direction to these events: The Lord says in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." I'll see you Thursday. Kollmeyer is senior pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Fayetteville.
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