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“The more I have conversation with people in the community, the more I grow and learn,” said Randy Vivian, Victoria Chamber of Commerce president. “God wants the same.”
Vivian’s remarks were to about 150 people who gathered at DeLeon Plaza at 12:10 p.m. Thursday for the 2008 National Day of Prayer. The event, sponsored by the Strong Families of Victoria, also included prayer from local pastors, performance by the Nazareth Academy’s choir and members of Memorial High School’s ROTC in the ceremony.
Joan Saski attended her first Day of Prayer to support her daughter Riley, who sang in the choir.
“I think it’s wonderful to stop and say, this is what I am going to think about all day,” she said. “I know the majority of us pray every day, but it’s nice to bring it out in the open.”
The theme was based on Psalm 28:7, Raymond Smith, event coordinator said.
The American King James version reads, “the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.”
Smith said prayer is America’s strength and shield.
The event was part of 35,000 other similar ceremonies held nationally.
Event leader Nancy Wyant, president of the Greater Victoria Toastmaster’s Club, said the day of prayer was important for two reasons – one, to show the importance of the nation’s heritage in prayer, and the other because God honors unity.
“We live in the United States, one nation, under God,” Wyant said to her first point. “Today, we are here, the youth, the more mature, from various backgrounds, cultures. Today we drop all barriers and differences and we lock arms and praise the one true God.”
Vivian, the keynote speaker, used an empty box to illustrate his message.
“God handles the big stuff, and when little stuff comes, I’ll handle it,” he said, gesturing to the box where he would put God when those little things came up.
“How many times do we put God in that box?” he asked. He quoted a verse from the book of Philippians 4: 6-7 that reads in the American King James translation, “be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Vivian said God wants everything big and small from people, and he wants them to pray.
Vivian’s talk was followed by Nazareth Academy’s choir singing “Amazing Grace.”Their second song, “God Bless America,” brought everyone to their feet and two rounds of applause when they were finished.
Heads were bowed for the next several moments as Jason Fray, pastor of First United Methodist Church, prayed over government. Randy Brown, pastor of the Central Church of Christ, followed with prayer for the media. Mike Malone, from Fellowship Bible Church, prayed for the church, Fred Hobbs, pastor of Mount Nebo Baptist Church, prayed for education and Mike Singenstreu, pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, prayed for families.
“God hears us when we pray,” Wyant said to close the program. “The Bible says God’s word never returns voice. I challenge you to take time each day to pray.”
The word says to pray without ceasing, Wyant said.
“God loves you and He is for you,” she said. “Blessed is the man who trusts in him, he will not be disappointed.”
Bj Lewis is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6535 or bjlewis@vicad.com.