Day of Prayer services set for Thursday

The annual observance of the National Day of Prayer will be taking place across the nation on Thursday, and as has become the custom locally, at least two area services will be part of the yearly event.

This year’s theme is “Lift up the word, light up the world,” which comes from II Samuel 22:29-31 of the Old Testament.

D.M. Dalton, president of the Mount Airy Ministerial Association, said his group is planning a short time of prayer, singing, and sharing a message at noon in both Mount Airy and Dobson that day. The Mount Airy gathering has been going on for many years, and Dalton said his group expanded that to Dobson in 2019, so that individuals across the county could more easily take part.

Dalton said he has hopes for large turnouts this year, and he encourages area residents who are concerned about America to address that concern in what he said is the easiest and most effective way possible — with prayer.

“Even if you can’t be there physically, just set aside some time to pray that day,” he said. “I’m hoping area churches will open their doors so anyone who wants to pray could come in.”

He said in the early days of the National Day of Prayer observance, most public gatherings were held in churches. Over time, he said leaders took those services out of the church buildings and onto the public square to make it more convenient for individuals to take part.

Dalton said the services generally bring out good-sized crowds, but he has said several times over the years that he doesn’t understand why the crowds are not much larger.

“We all talk about it, we want our country to the place that it’s a Godly country…so, how are you going to do it? God says (in the Bible) where two or three gather in my name…so here we are. You have the opportunity to do it, to gather, to bring God down on the nation right here in Mount Airy…and, we won’t even do it,” he said. “Prayer is the most powerful gift God has given to us, and it doesn’t cost us a thing.”

Dalton said he is hopeful people will catch the same sense of urgency he has about prayer, and that it would start with the Day of Prayer services.

The Mount Airy service will be in front of the Municipal Building at noon. Dr. Rick Jackson, pastor at Welcome Baptist Church, will oversee the service in Mount Airy. In Dobson, Dalton will oversee the service beginning at the same time.

“As we prepare for this important day, may we all continue to pray for our country, our state, our community, and especially all of our leaders,” he said. “Let’s also remember all of the controversies that are going on around the world. What we need is unified prayer for all believers to ask God for His perfect resolve to all problems and concerns.”