National Prayer Day Observed In Mesquite

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

Pastor Billy Montgomery of First Baptist Church in Mesquite speaks to a large crowd of attendees at a National Prayer Day Program held last week in Mesquite. Pastors from many local church who also participated in the event stand behind him. PHOTO BY BOBBIE GREEN/The Progress.

National Prayer Day was celebrated in Mesquite on Thursday, May 6 with a special ceremony held at Veterans Memorial Park.

The theme for this year’s event was Love, Life and Liberty. The local event organizer was Pastor Billy Montgomery from the First Baptist Church.

More than 100 people gathered at the Park to take part in a program of prayers and short talks being offered by clergy members from eight local churches. The common theme in each of these messages was how we need God in our lives to help save our country and our liberty from the evil that is going on around us.

“The answer to our problems is not in the White House, it is in Gods House,” said Pastor Michael Quinton of Mesquite Baptist Church.

Each of the eight clergy present were given a topic to pray for at the event. Pastor Bill Stevenson from the

First Baptist Church prayed for businesses. Pastor Dennis Lee from Living Waters Fellowship prayed about media, film and entertainment. Pastor Ross Doyel of Valley Presbyterian prayed for families.

Pastor Michael Quinton of Mesquite Baptist Church prayed for the military and servicemen. Pastor Wendy Swanson of the Mesquite United Methodist Church prayed for education. Government, Police, Fire, First Responders, Pastor Otoniel (Tony) Vejar of Palabra Viva Christian Church prayed for the government, police, firefighters and other first responders. Finally, Associate Pastor Justin Mosher of the First Baptist Church prayed for the churches.

The weather was beautiful and it was a lovely night to be sitting outside with friends.
The Community Choir sang two patriotic selections for an appreciative audience. These included “American Anthem” and “America.”

The Benediction was given by Pastor Bruce Wisenhunt from Christian Community Church.

The talks by the different pastors were well received by the audience. The talk by Pastor Tony Vejar was given in Spanish. While not many people in attendance could understand Spanish, his assistant Fabian Vallejo translated the very animated and passionate speech and prayer which drew applause from attendees.

“I am quite happy with the turnout,” said Pastor Montgomery. “Thanks to Mayor Litman we used the Veterans Memorial Park, a new venue this year. So we could accommodate more people outdoors and in the shade.”

The audience departed while ardently singing “God Bless America.”