Warner Robins hosts 33rd annual National Day of Prayer at city hall

WARNER ROBINS – The city of Warner Robins invited the community to city hall for the National Day of Prayer.

The city invited pastors and members of the community to lead prayers for various subjects, including youth and gangs, education, military personnel and families, government, arts and entertainment, cultural and race relations, mass media and business and economy.

The event started with a welcoming prayer by Aglow International member Emily Dennis. 

This year is the 73^rd anniversary of the National Day of Prayer and the event was organized by the National Day of Prayer Task Force. Dennis shared the task force is a privately funded organization with Judeo-Christian values, that encourages people to pray in a united public forum.

“As much trouble we are having in our country, we are still so privileged. We don’t have to worry about people coming in and interrupting this prayer time like our persecuted church in many places. We have the freedom still and we shouldn’t take that for granted. We have the freedom here to read and pray,” she said.

After the welcoming from Dennis, councilman Clifford Holmes presented a proclamation for the event.  

“I ask everyone to observe this day as a time to join their fellow neighbor in prayer, love and repentance to our heavenly father for those his grace we are loved,” he said.

After World War II veteran John Manning led the pledge of allegiance, Cheerful Cherub Pre-School, from First United Methodist Church, performed  “This Little Light of Mine.”

After the sing along, there was a recognition and blessing of first responders and law enforcement. Police Chief Wayne Fisher, Fire Assistant Chief Jason Mock, Houston County EMS Director David Borghelli, Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton, Houston County Fire Chief Chris Stoner and a representative for Georgia State Patrol post 15 were recognized.

Chad Wood from McCullough Funeral Home led the recognition and prayed for the future of law enforcement.

“I pray that your spirit, Lord, will lead them and guide them in every way. And God, we just pray lord great blessings over those who serve this city and across this nation and across the world. We truly desperately need people like this,” he said.

Speakers were diverse in age. The lead prayers were conducted by pastors, reverends judges, teenagers and other members of the community.  Dennis said the event was an intergenerational time because of the diversity among the speakers. 

The first prayer was repentance, personal renewal, spiritual and moral awakening, led by Pastor Kendall Watrous from Faith Life Family Church. She prayed for an awakening in the country and in people’s hearts. Watrous also prayed for God to help guide community leaders.

“We stand together here today, every person in this room who can hear our voice this moment, we stand against the great evil that’s trying to take over this great land,” she said.

Reverend Jon Brown from First United Methodist Church prayed for families and single parents lovingly raising children. He also prayed for God to help them with daily struggles and for those struggling to make ends meet.

The audience also prayed for youth and gangs during the event. Perry High School Junior Olivia Cooley and Houston County High School Junior Ava Barker prayed for the community’s youth and gangs to see the Lord’s light.

“Lord, may we not be swayed by the waves in the wind and allow influence and temptation to overcome us. May we be swayed by the love of Jesus, by the death of Jesus,” Cooley said. 

Pastor Joe Senter from Evergreen Family Fellowship leds the prayer for churches and ministry organizations, imprisoned and persecuted churches. In his prayer, he hopes prayers won’t just happen in church, but in daily lives.

Peach County School System Superintendent Dr. Lionel Brown led the prayer for education.

“I don’t know how many of you ever driven by a playground before and watched the children play, especially at the elementary school level, and just park your car and just watch them for a minute. God knows what those children have to endure at their homes, the turmoil, the stress, the struggle we never know,” he said.

Other speakers included:

End-time Harvest Church Pastor Melvin Womack, praying for military personnel and families.

Houston County Superior Court Judge G.E. “Bo” Adams, praying for local, state and federal government.

Warner Robins Little Theater board member Lyssa May, praying for arts and entertainment, 

IHOPEINC Peer Specialist Danielle Cooley, praying for cultural, social and race relations.

Magnolia Park manager Rob Farr, praying for mass media.

The Blind Squirrel Nut Company owner Zach Horton, praying for business and economy.

The final prayer was for peace in Israel, led by Andy Cook.

“In these days when there’s so many voices in our own country loudly proclaiming hatred for Israel, I want to ask you to join me in the honor of praying God will bless Israel. God asks for the peace of Jerusalem, let us do that,” he said.

At the end of the event, everyone joined together singing “God Bless America,” their voices, prayers and passion echoing throughout city hall.