As noted in Rochester’s Minority Reporter, hundreds of people attended the National Day of Prayer Initiative in downtown Rochester May 4.
Ark of Jesus Ministries Bishop David Singleton founded Rochester’s National Day of Prayer in 2012, which coincides with National Prayer Day, and began Thursday with remarks from local elected officials on the steps of City Hall.
Mayor Lovely Warren, Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo, City Council President Loretta Scott, and other officials attended the event.
Following their remarks, Singleton said community members, and churches of all religious denominations joined hand in hand in prayer for local leaders, families, communities, and the nation. Click here to read the prayer that was offered on behalf of our nation.
Around the Country
Rochester’s gathering mirrored and was part of an annual national event that took place in Washington, DC with hundreds of local manifestations around the country. This year’s national prayer was composed by Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of Billy Graham and Chairman of the 2017 National Day of Prayer intercessory initiative.
Why prayer is the ultimate protest
“From “Black Lives Matter” to “The Women’s March” to political movements, grassroots activism defines our day. We rally to take power from power-hungry elites and place it with the people.
“While these movements are compelling and certainly deserve our attention, it often feels like our passion for these causes may tear the very fabric of our nation.
“Division is everywhere. People are afraid. Hate abounds. Something needs to change.
“Throughout history, prayer has been a catalyst for people of faith to raise their voice toward change in moments just like this. In 1952, the U.S. Congress declared the first Thursday in May to be observed annually as the National Day of Prayer for prayer and meditation on behalf of our nation, leaders, and world.
“When many of us think about prayer, we think about people gathered at church or families praying before an Easter meal. In general, we think of a short, polite list of requests that ends with an, “amen.” But prayer is far more than this.”
Click here to read the rest of Nick Hall’s insightful article in today’s Fox News Opinion.
