The Patrick County Ministers’ Association has planned a National Day of Prayer event for residents of Patrick County to gather and pray publicly for our nation.Â
The gathering will be held in front of the old courthouse on Main Street, across from the Stuart Post Office, on May 5, at 12 p.m. The event should last about 30 minutes.
The GPS address for the courthouse is 101 W. Blue Ridge St. Stuart. If a parking space is not available on Main Street, both the Stuart Baptist and Stuart Methodist churches have parking lots nearby that may be used. Both areas can be accessed from Blue Ridge Street. There is also a parking lot behind the old courthouse at the Patrick County Administration Building.
Organizers of this year’s event want to pray for the leaders and officials of Patrick County. Members of the Board of Supervisors, the Board of Education, court officials, fire and rescue members, law enforcement, and other public servants are invited to attend “and let the citizens of the county pray” for them, a release stated.
According to the National Day of Prayer website, nationaldayofprayer.org., “The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.”
The importance of prayer cannot be overstated. In the Bible, there are many examples and commands for God’s people to pray for their nation and leaders. Two of the most well-known passages are 2 Chronicles 7:14 and 1 Timothy 2:1-4. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God Himself says of the nation, Israel, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” Centuries later, living under the authority of the Roman Empire, the Apostle Paul exhorts a young pastor named Timothy, “that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
The Patrick County Ministers’ Association desires that the pastors, churches, citizens, and leaders of our county will join together in unity on the National Day of Prayer to pray for our nation and leaders.
