Perry observes National Day of Prayer

Citizens gathered at the Houston County Superior Courthouse Thursday to observe the 66th annual National Day of Prayer. Laura Finley, coordinator of the event in Perry, said the nation should come together now more than ever in prayer.

“Our scripture this year is from the book in the Bible, Daniel 9:19,” said Finley. “It says, ‘O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O’ God.’ Sometimes we listen for something, but we don’t hear it. Sometimes it has to be said to us more than once, sometimes more than twice. You know God always hears you but sometimes doesn’t answer our prayers because our relationship with him isn’t where it needs to be.”

Ann Graham Lotz, daughter of world evangelist Billy Graham, was this year’s spokesperson for the National Day of Prayer. During the event Thursday, Finley showed an interview with Lotz, who said during the clip that the greatest issue is the moral and spiritual bankruptcy in the nation. She said the abandonment of godly principles, the abandonment of God’s word, that’s the most distressing. Lotz also said she prays that President Donald Trump would turn to God and look to God in prayer.

Perry resident Tracy Brinson said he thinks that prayer is the most important thing citizens can do, along with reading the Bible.

“I am a Christian, a believer in Jesus Christ,” said Brinson. “I believe that our nation was founded on the principles of the Bible and we have gone astray from practicing biblical principles. And the National Day of Prayer is something that can bring us together and really, as our president has said, to help make America great again.”

Home-school 10th grade student Heidi Hall said everyone should pray for the leaders of the nation and everyone in the nation.

“When two or more gather, there is power in prayer,” said Hall. “If we come together, we are stronger and it’s important that we pray for our leaders and nation. The Lord calls us to cast all of our cares to him. My family and I attend this event every year because we believe it truly makes a difference.”

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