National Day of Prayer observed
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on May 5, 2017 9:57 AM
Speaker Mac Sullivan encouraged the 250 people attending the annual National Day of Prayer event not to let the prayerful attitude end with the event, but continue it every day of their lives in their homes, at their churches and in their communities.
The event was held Thursday at the Goldsboro Family Y.
Sullivan began by telling the audience members that they probably wouldn't remember what he said, but he hoped they would remember what the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts.
He talked about being known as God's people, saying to be called God's people, you have to be born a second time.
"To be called the Lord's people means we are followers of Jesus Christ; we are known as people who belong to him," Sullivan said.
He asked what are God's people supposed to do?
"God tells us we are to humble ourselves," Sullivan said. "God tells us to pray and seek his face."
He said to be a Christian, a person must turn from his wicked ways, the things that God considers wicked.
Sullivan also said the church must not fail God, saying it's the church's responsibility to provide "for the least of these." But that has somehow become the responsibility of the government.
"The care of the sick and needy is the church's responsibility," he said.
Sullivan challenged those attending to not stop with just the National Day of Prayer, but pray every day for God to heal this land.
That was the sentiment of Wiley Reid, who attended the event for the first time.
"We need more of this in Goldsboro, not just on National Prayer Day, by we need it every day, men and women coming together no matter who you are, what color you are, letting people know that God lives, not only in heaven, but he lives in our little bitty soul."
Janice Artis said she wouldn't be the same when she left the National Day of Prayer.
"I have something to think about when I leave here today," she said. "It's something we need. We need to get together and pray one for the other, and the Lord will change the world."
During the event, local people prayed for seven different areas -- government, military, media, business, education, church, family and youth.
Spring Creek High School senior Cameron Yarbrough prayed for the youths.
"The youth is a valuable, important part to our nation," he said. "As a youth, you go through so many struggles just trying to find your way in life. And never before, I think, has youth been under so much pressure than now due to social media -- twitter, instagram, Facebook."
Yarbrough said he feels like sometimes youths are forgotten, and that with all the pressures of social media today, parents don't understand what the youths are going through. So the youths keep a lot of things to themselves.
"But without the next generation turning to God, our nation will collapse," Yarbrough said. "It was a privilege to be a vessel for the Holy Spirit for God's word that God may speak through me. I may have touched somebody's heart, who may go out and be a light in the world for the youth of America and for people of the world.
"I hope it doesn't end here, but keeps going on for the rest of the year and the rest of time, so the youths of this country and the people of this nation may turn back to God."
National Day of Prayer task force member Pat Keim called this year's event tremendous.
"That we can come together as a community and join other communities all across the United States doing this, it is a cry, Lord hear, Lord move, Lord act," she said.
"I hope people took away the fact that God has called the people out. This church that has gathered here tonight of all tribes, tongues and nations can move on out from this and be a light in this community."