Prayer unites Christians during service
Members of the Lights of Litomysl lift their voices during a National Day of Prayer ceremony in Owatonna May 4. Praise team members shown are, from left: Monica Anderson, Andrea Johnson and Troy Anderson.
Rev. Brent Carlson sees great value in bringing the community of believers and the church together in prayer through the National Day of Prayer.
For about 60 minutes, religious and community leaders lifted up various prayers outside Owatonna City Hall May 4. About 100 people gathered for the annual prayer event.
“This brings the Christian community together as we share the relationship with the Lord,” said Carlson, who organizes the event each year. “Prayers are not just an empty lip service,” he said, adding they bring praise and compassion knowing God will hear them.
Pastors shared prayers for churches, public safety officials, local, county and state government, nation and military while community leaders prayed for schools and the business community.
“Prayer is dealing with forces beyond our control,” Carlson said.
Carlson, who serves as pastor at Christ Community Covenant Church in Owatonna, encouraged people to do their homework by going home and praying for what he identified as the seven centers of influence across the country. They are government, military, media, business, education, church and family.
“One of my goals is to keep it focused on prayer,” said Carlson of the prayer service. “Unfortunately, sometimes we are tempted to make it political. We are called together to unite and not politicize.”
He added there is eternal benefit to prayer.
Carlson said the greatest challenge facing Americans is spiritual warfare. He warns that America does not exclusively make up God’s nation. “We offer prayer and blessings to all nations of the world,” he said.
Owatonna Mayor Thomas Kuntz shared a proclamation he issued for prayer. “It seems like the devil continues to work his way into our society,” Kuntz said. “Prayer is needed more than ever.”
During the service, the Lights of Litomysl shared some praise and patriotic songs. The service closed with everyone singing, “God Bless America.”
This was the 72nd year of the federal observance of prayer day. The first call to prayer publicly came much earlier in 1775.