Two hundred churches, 3,000 people join locally in National Day of Prayer

Over 3,000 people attended National Day of Prayer events across San Diego County, joining their prayers with millions across the nation. On Thursday, May 6, from churches to city halls, from the beach to the mountains, and even at a workout gym, prayer was a priority.

“The numbers of those who came out to pray in our county, especially on a weekday, are impressive,” said National Day of Prayer Task Force Co-Chair Jane Crane, “and the participation by over 200 churches working together cooperatively on regional prayer events was a first. But we were most thrilled by the reports of the great spirit at so many of the events, how people were touched and encouraged and uplifted after spending time in prayer and worship together before our heavenly Father.”

Organizers report a total of at least 50 National Day of Prayer events around the county, including 16 regional multi-church events, at least another 35 churches who opened their doors for prayer vigils, and various school and workplace gatherings.

Certainly the need was great. People prayed for the situation in Iraq, for our youth, for our government leaders, our churches, and families. Some wept, some knelt, and some rejoiced when God moved unexpectedly at times.

At the Southeast San Diego regional gathering, held at The Lord’s Gym, a young man working out heard the worship music, broke into tears, and joined the prayer meeting to give his heart to God in front of the whole group. “The pastors who meet weekly together to pray at the Lord’s Gym are still excited about what God did on the National Day of Prayer,” said Pastor Archie Robinson, facilitator of the event. “Now we want to have prayer gatherings at the gym with the people more often.”

Almost 300 people turned out from the Hispanic community at a gathering of pastors, their spouses, and prayer teams. Twenty pastors from Spanish-speaking churches from all over the county led in prayer for the spiritual condition of our nation, the government, revival in the churches and among the leaders and many other needs. Following the model used at past countywide National Day of Prayer events, no pastor was introduced, thus saving time, maximizing the number of different prayer leaders, and keeping the focus on God.

“The two hours went by quickly as people joined with intensity and faith to plead for the nation where many of them have come as immigrants,” said Pastor Eduardo Elmasian, co-facilitator of the event. Pastor Lino Lopez, his co-facilitator and leader of the Hispanic Ministerial Alliance, reports that now the pastors want to invite their congregations together for the next National Day of Prayer.

In Fallbrook, every church in town participated in the National Day of Prayer gathering. NDP multi-church gatherings have taken place there for years, and this year’s turnout of over 400 people far exceeded the turnout of the last 5 or 6 years. Seven pastors and a military chaplain who had been in Iraq prayed, with the chaplain receiving a standing ovation of over three minutes. Seven choirs joined together, and a youth prayer event took place at the same time.

Prayer gatherings in front of city halls took place in Carlsbad and Escondido. In Carlsbad the Moms in Touch group brought free water for those who attended. Pastor Roger Moyer, facilitated that event with at least 10 other pastors, spontaneously offered a water bottle to someone at the end of the prayer gathering. It turned out she was a reporter from a secular newspaper who had come to interview him.

A National Day of Prayer gathering took place on the lawn by the Crest Firestorm Recovery Center, with some of those who came to pray people who had lost their homes. “The prayers of the people were precious,” said Anne Subia, a participant who has worked extensively with the fire victims and helped to organize this event.

At the East County regional gathering, a highlight was the showing of a DVD with this year’s NDP theme song, “Let Freedom Ring,” which included a clip of Saddam Hussein’s statue being felled. Another regional event took place in South Bay, where hundreds turned out to pray. At the Clairemont gathering, Korean, Chinese, and Spanish-speaking pastors participated. Pastors also worked together on regional prayer gatherings in North Park, Central San Diego, which held an all-day prayer vigil, Central Coastal, and San Marcos. Mayors greeted the prayer gatherings in San Marcos, Escondido, and Carlsbad.

All this prayer was kicked off by 500 people who came together Sunday night, May 2, in a North County Inland regional gathering of praise and prayer for the NDP. “We prayed over our leaders, nation, and community,” said facilitator Pastor Joe Rhodes, who worked with over 20 churches, “and prayer for our youth emerged very strongly.”

“Many individual churches also opened for prayer vigils and events,” said Crane. “People stepped out to organize NDP gatherings at work and schools. We can only imagine how pleased God was at those who prayed faithfully across our county and nation. We hope that next year many more will join in.”

For more information call (858) 756-7282 or visit www.ndpsandiego.org.