Warren celebrates the National Day of Prayer

WARREN — Hundreds came to celebrate the National Day of Prayer on May 2, outside Warren City Hall amid the glorious backdrop of sunshine and sparkling skies.

“National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans,” said Judge Steven Bieda of the 37th District Court, as he gave a brief history of the event.

The theme for this year’s observance was “Lift up the word, light up the world.” The scripture that accompanied the theme was taken from 2 Samuel 22:29-31, “For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for those who take refuge in Him.”

Each minister on the program prayed for different facets of society. The celebration started with prayer for those in police, fire, and military services, business and labor, Ukraine, schools, the media, church and government, and national renewal.

“As I look out, Lord, this is what heaven looks like, Lord, all the different colors and all the different shades, Lord,” said Pastor Lisa Reeves of New Wine Ministries in Waterford, as she addressed the audience and prayed for families.

“You could feel the power of God,” said Brenda Karakeian. “It was just a wonderful, beautiful time, I loved it.”   

The singing brought the crowd to its feet, from the youthful voices of students from Warren Woods Christian School to the powerhouse vocals of Lady Peggy James and the harmonies of the Life Application Ministries Christian Church choir. The soloist and the groups that performed left many in tears.

Among those in attendance were former Warren Mayor Jim Fouts, Judge Michael Chupa of the 37th District Court and Councilwoman Melody Magee.

“I thought it was outstanding because our city needs prayer. We all need prayer,” said Magee as she spoke about the event and what brought her there. “The power of prayer. I believe prayer works. It gets me moving in the day and helps me when I lay down at night.”

There were some in attendance who did not believe in the power of prayer.

“Praying does nothing,” said Chris McLaughlin, state director of the Secular Alliance of Michigan and president of the Michigan Atheists. “If prayer did achieve something, wouldn’t it be wonderful to get all that money back that we invest, for example, in bulletproof vests for our brave police officers? Why don’t we just pray the bullets away?”

McLaughlin would like to see more of a differentiation between church and state.

“This country was founded as a secular nation,” said McLaughlin. “It’s in the First Amendment. ‘Congress should make no law with respect to religion.’”

McLaughlin further expounded, “They are out in front of City Hall because they’re looking for an endorsement. They want to give the appearance that the United States endorses their religion.”

With a standing ovation and shouts of affirmation, the audience endorsed Roy Walters, associate pastor of Life Application Ministries, as he prayed for national renewal and concluded the ministers’ prayer presentation.

The celebration closed with strangers holding hands and saying the Lord’s Prayer in unison.