Warner Robins celebrates 74th Annual National Day of Prayer

“It's been a real blessing for me because I felt like our whole country needed prayer and this is a good time to unite in prayer," said John Manning, World War II Veteran and member of Christ United Methodist Church.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Many religious leaders, city officials, and community members gathered in the Council Chambers over at Warner Robins City Hall as Local Pastors and Lay-People (a non-ordained member of a church) lead a unified prayer in celebration of the 74th Annual National Day of Prayer.

Aircraft from Robins Air Force Base flew over City Hall shortly before the start of the ceremony as this was the city’s 34th Anniversary celebrating the day.

The national theme for this year was “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled” inspired from the scripture, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Emily Dennis of Aglow International, State of Georgia Area Team, and Volunteer Coordinator for the Warner Robins National Day of Prayer, lead the welcome and opening prayer.

“So they called for a day of fasting and prayer throughout all of the colonies before we were ever birthed,” said Dennis, discussing the origins of the National Day of Prayer. “For wisdom, don’t you think that’s what we still need to be asking for today? I really believe it is.”

Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick was also in attendance, also leading part of the welcome.

“I can attest to so many ways how he has blessed my life every single day and no weapon formed against me shall ever prosper because there is one supreme power at a time when our world is in turmoil,” said Mayor Patrick. “There’s one who will never lose a battle and that’s the one who protects and guides me every single day.”

John Manning, a 98 year old World War II Veteran, who was present at the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa serving on the USS Heermann DD-532, and a member of Christ United Methodist Church led The Pledge of Allegiance.

“It’s been a real blessing for me because I felt like our whole country needed prayer and this is a good time to unite in prayer and hopefully the Lord heard us as we pray for all of our needs and blessings that we have in this country,” said Manning. “I’m just truly blessed to be able to still be here at 98 years old and to have served my country during World War II.”

Chad Wood, Family Service Counselor for McCullough Funeral Home, led the prayer for the blessing of First Responders and Law Enforcement.

“Father, we thank you for who you are, God, we thank you for the men and women that feel the call to serve. We thank you for the men and women who put their lives on the line to help others, to serve others, to protect others and follow,” said Wood.

Wayne Fisher, Chief of Warner Robins Police Department, Ned Dixon, Deputy Chief of Fire Operations for Warner Robins Fire Department, David Borghelli, Director for Houston County Emergency Management Services, Houston County Sheriff Matthew Moulton, Chief Chris Stoner of Houston County Emergency Management Services and Houston County Fire Department were all recognized.

Joyce Hutcherson, Continuing Care Coordinator for McCullough Funeral Home, led the reading of the Prayer for the Nation by Kathy Branzell which can be found here.

Kendall Watrous, Pastor of Faith Life Family Church, led the prayer for repentance, personal renewal, spiritual and moral awakening.

“That’s important, that we take that seriously, that we all take that seriously,” said Pastor Watrous about loving the city. “Because if we have a place that we don’t pray for, then we’ll have a broken down place.”

Louis Ramirez, Pastor of Warner Robins Hispanic Four Square Church and Director of the GA Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference for SE District, led a prayer about the family.

“When you think about the National Day of Prayer, you’re talking about thousands and thousands and thousands of people coming together for one reason, the main reason to pray to God,” said Pastor Ramirez.

“Our goal is to be one voice, to do as one voice, pray to God for the care of our families, to ensure that we have his protection, his health, his companionship all the time. Also, we want to commit ourselves to make sure that we belong to him, that our families belong to him, and that we need to take care of them because everything starts with the family,” said Pastor Ramirez. “Adam and Eve, everything that we see today started with the family, with one family God did so much so how much more can he do with Christian families.”

Terry Theus, Celebrate Recovery Pastor for The Assembly, led a prayer for churches, ministry organizations, imprisoned, and persecuted churches.

“You hear the planes going over, the jets flying, excuse that noise, it’s the sound of freedom,” said Pastor Theus.

Olivia Cooley, Senior at Perry High School, led the prayer for youth and gangs.

“I pray that yes, the hearts of youth and parents can turn to each other, but that youth and gangs begin to turn towards you,” said Cooley.

Dr. Lionel Brown, Superintendent for the Peach County School System in Fort Valley, led a prayer for education.

“I’m so thankful Lord that in this moral darkness, I still see hope, I still see love, I still see joy, I still see the future in the eyes of the children,” said Dr. Brown.

Melvin Womack, Pastor of End-Time Harvest Church, led the prayer for military personnel and families.

“Our soldiers, our airmen, our marines, are always in God’s hands,” said Pastor Womack.

G.E. Bo Adams, Judge for the Houston County Superior Court, led the prayer for local, state, and federal governments.

“We pray that you be with our leaders in government Lord and you grant them the wisdom to serve you well and to serve the citizens,” said Judge Adams.

Sandra Milby, Vice President of Business Development for Visiting Angels, led the prayer for art and entertainment.

“Lord you are the ultimate creator, the master artist, you are the author of beauty, truth, and imagination, you’ve gifted us your creativity,” said Milby.

Clay Layfield, Pastor of Member Care Central Baptist Church, led the prayer for cultural, social issues and race relations.

“Father in so many ways we have turned our back on the things you have said so clearly in your word,” said Pastor Layfield.

Clayton Goodwin, member of Gospel City Church, led the prayer for mass media.

“Father, we ask that you uncover them oh Lord God,” said Goodwin. “We need honesty Father and that honesty starts with you.”

Margaret Selph, member of Faith Life Family Church and Calle Vinas Home Health, led the prayer for business and economy.

“God, help us be honest and upright in all of our business dealings,” said Selph.

Barbara Pfannkuche, member of Evergreen Family Fellowship, who discussed many things including the holocaust led a prayer for peace of Jerusalem and Psalms 122:6.

“In the name of Jesus we pray for the wisdom of those in control,” said Pfannkuche.

The ceremony ended with Joyce Hutcherson leading and singing with everyone God Bless America.

Sadie Rowell, member of Island Creek Baptist Church, also called us from Sparta, Georgia, expressing what the day means to her.

“God is fulfilling his promises to us all, those tribulations, ups and downs, God is loyal and loving and we need for everybody to spread his word,” said Rowell. “Praying will solve a lot of things, many people don’t believe in it, but when everybody and everything is working against you, he will be there, I’ve seen it.”

For more information about the National Day of Prayer check out their official website.