One nation under God

Next Thursday spiritual leaders across the Teche Area and the United States will participate in The National Day of Prayer. Created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress, the day of prayer was then signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. Thursday, May 5, 1988, the law was unanimously amended by both the House and the Senate and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan designating the first Thursday of May as a day of national prayer. Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

“Our hope is that individuals, churches and spiritual leaders in America will humble themselves and unify in prevailing prayer for the next great move of God in America,” said the website NationalDayofPrayer.org. “We can come together in clear agreement that this is our greatest need. We can become a visible union, standing together in prayer. We can pray more than ever before, and practice extraordinary prayer for the next great move of God in America that will catapult the message of the gospel nationally and internationally.”

In the Bayou Teche region a number of events are slated to take place throughout the day giving people an option for joining in corporate prayer as well as offering their private prayers at home, work, schools or wherever their steps might lead on that day, May 2.

Morning Prayer

At least three decades remembered, and suspected more than 40 years, Highland Baptist Church has held an annual breakfast event and will again May 2 at Fellowship Hall. The goal of feeding and praying together, with a speaker in the lead, for one hour starting at 7 a.m. continues to inspire Loretta Landry to send out invitations to community leaders, school board members, other spiritual leaders and residents to enjoy the free breakfast and fellowship. This year Dr. David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention will be the special guest.

“There is no great movement of God that has ever occurred that does not begin with the extraordinary prayer of God’s people,” said a statement by Dr. Ronnie Floyd, president of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. He will be joined by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers and key national spiritual leaders as they lead the nation in prayer from the historic Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol. For complete listings, visit the website NationalDayofPrayer.org and join the live streaming at 6:30 p.m. from Washington D.C. Local groups throughout the Teche Area have various events planned for the public.

“First United Methodist Church sanctuary will be open for prayer Thursday, May 2, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. No service, just a beautiful, peaceful place to pray for our nation,” said one of the members, Charlotte Schneider. “It’s the perfect chance for those who work to fit time into their busy work day or on their lunch break.”

Midday Prayers

New Iberia and Loreauville will gather in the public spaces with prayer directed by speakers. The Iberia Christian Ministerial Foundation will conduct the City Hall event on Main Street in New Iberia. Each event is expected to be about an hour in duration.

Evening Services

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in New Iberia will celebrate the national theme of Love One Another with a special guest speaker invited by one of the members. Harry Daniel spent time attending the church with his aunt before attending college and moving to Baton Rouge. As a lawyer, he splits time between the capital city office and one in New Iberia.

“I think when loving one another we have to pull the layers back, not just on good days, but bad days as well,” Daniel said. “When we disagree, we have to learn to love one another, look for a human blessing. I’m excited about coming back to the community and bring it together. New Iberia has changed since I was growing up coming from an impoverished life to a successful life and I believe doing God’s work.”

St. Martinville will celebrate the day with music by Frank Randazzo and the Mallalieu United Methodist Church Choir. The Scouts BSA will have a flag ceremony and prayers offered from Gabe Smith of Our Savior’s Church Broussard, minister and author Lucinda Marie Davis and Councilman Mike Fuselier. The event is sponsored by St. Martin Parish and the parish president, Chester Cedars.

Teche Area Prayer Events

Thursday, May 2, 2019

7 a.m. 

 Breakfast at Highland Baptist Church — Guest speaker will be Dr. David Hankins, executive director of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

11:30 a.m. 

 Open Sanctuary —  Offer personal prayers until 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. No program planned.

12 noon 

City Hall Prayer —  New Iberia community leaders, business owners, law enforcement and residents gathering on the steps and by the fountain for an hour of prayer.

12:30p.m.  

Town Hall —  Brief prayer service at Loreauville’s Town Hall led by Deacon Roland Jeanlouis.

6 p.m. 

Patriotic Rosary —  St. Joseph Church Knights of Columbus with Mayor Brad Clifton.

Missionary Ministry —  Mt. Calvary Baptist Church will have an hour of prayer and speaker Harry Daniel will share words of encouragement at this annual event.

6:30 p.m.  

St. Martin Parish —  Patriotic and Christian music with speakers from government and area churches on the lawn at the courthouse in St. Martinville.  

National Observance —  Join the live stream until 8:30 p.m. by visiting https://livestream.com/accounts/2710702/2019nationaldayofprayer.