Hundreds of people spread across the courthouse lawn Thursday as they came together in unity to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. Organizers and participants said they were thankful for the chance to hold the event in person and show that no one should feel alone in their beliefs or actions.
“There is power in unified prayer to God through Jesus Christ,” said Jo Barron, emcee of the event and a spokesperson for Owensboro’s NDP group. “When people come together like this, they don’t feel alone anymore. Sometimes you can feel alone even when you’re praying, even though you know in your heart that God is listening and you’re engaged in a two-way conversation. Here, you have tangible evidence of other brothers and sisters who are unified with you.”
Barron said it was amazing to see so many people attend despite still slowly moving out of COVID-19 protocols, and despite a threat of rain.
“They are into it. Their hearts are engaged,” she said. “You can see it when you walk by and hear them read the Word aloud and watch them worship and listen to pray. We’re just thankful. That’s the best word I can use. All of it is because of the Lord.”
Titus Chapman, who sang the national anthem alongside Alma Randolph, echoed Barron’s thoughts on the power of unified prayer.
“It’s a reminder that we’re not alone as believers,” he said. “When you see other people who are in the fight who are experiencing life … they are still out here coming together united under one banner, and that is giving God glory.”
One of the featured speakers was Tim Bettelli, Assistant to the President of Focus on the Family. Bettelli flew in from Colorado to pray at the event.
“I assume most of you pay close attention to the news cycle, and if you do you will probably come to the conclusion that God’s design for the family is a thing of the past,” Bettelli said. “You’ll be tempted to believe that the culture has given up on a biblical definition of the family. To be Christian in a secular culture that is increasingly hostile to our values and beliefs isn’t anything new.”
He said that’s why Focus on the Family exists — they want to “be a light in this world that stands for a biblical definition of marriage and family, that points people to Jesus, and exposes the darkness to the light.”
Other guest speakers included the Rev. Larry Lewis (speaking and praying on the topic of Church/Repentance), Dr. Scott and Carol Reader (Healthcare), Kent Ostrander (Government/Military), Pastor Mike Cisneros (Testimony/Addiction), Jailer Art Maglinger (Law Enforcement), Jim Harley (Education), and Bridget Kehrt-Groce (Media).
Others participating were Mary Fuqua (blowing of the shofar), the Apollo High School Color Guard, and the Worship on the Water Praise Team.
Barron said while NDP is a great symbol of coming together for a common cause, it shouldn’t be about a single day. Instead, it’s a great example of daily discipline.
“That is our hope, that people will engage in prayer from the time they wake up til the time to go to bed, that it’s an ongoing conversation with the Lord throughout the day,” she said. “We hope people will walk away drawn to the Lord more and desiring to pray more.”
