The morning of May 2 broke rainy but it wasn’t enough to keep about 30 pastors and other believers from gathering under the Farmers Market pavilion here in Winnfield to observe the National Day of Prayer.

Initially planned for the courthouse corner, the location shift was brought about by the weather forecast.  Bro. Craig James, director of missions for the North Central Baptist Association, called this shelter from the rain a “tabernacle.”  He explained the purpose of this annual event:

“In 1952, a joint resolution of the United States Congress established a National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Reagan set that day as the first Thursday in May.

“On this day, Americans from all walks of life join together around the country to call out to God for Him to work in and through our country.

“We as God’s children must call upon Him to intervene in a mighty way. Our communities, parish, state, and nation are in desperate need for God. We have strayed a long way from God! We are no longer ‘One nation under God.’ We are a nation under many gods. We need help! We need God! We need a change in the direction of our nation and communities. Our only hope is in Almighty God. He is the only One that can change us. We are limited as mankind, but God is not limited. He has All Power and Authority! Jeremiah was a prophet in Israel during a time of wickedness and idolatry. God spoke to Jeremiah and said, ‘Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?’ (Jer. 32:27). Then later God spoke again to Jeremiah in 33:3, ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

“The North Central Baptist Association organized two places of prayer, in Winn Parish and Jackson Parish. At 9 a.m. we gathered together at the Farmer’s Market on Main Street and were led in scripture by Bro. Mitchell Miles. Bro. Mac Brunson prayed for our parish. Bro. Danny Keyes prayed for our state. Bro. Billy VerHoef prayed for our nation and world.

“I would like to thank everyone who showed up on a rainy day to pray. Many prayed at the Farmer’s Market, and others prayed where they were who could not be with us. But my plea is, please do not stop praying. We must pray daily. We must pray often. We must believe and trust our God when we pray. He is Able!”