The 10 Days of Prayer culminates this evening at North Cleveland Church of God with the Global Day of Prayer. The program will begin at 6 p.m. with the doors opening at 5 p.m.
Area Christians have gathered at designated public locations over the past 10 days praying for local government and schools.
Bradley County Director of Schools Johnny McDaniel recently asked for prayer for the 10,000-plus children in 17 schools and 1,400 employees under his guidance.
“The teachers we hire, we’re looking for people of calling and purpose who believe it is their destiny to work and serve and teach, and help impart to the children, those things that will help them be all they were created to be,” McDaniel said.
Ted Bocanegra, a member of the Hispanic Church of God in Athens to ask for unity among all ethnic groups at the kickoff luncheon prior to the days of prayer.
EMS Director Danny Lawson said he blamed God for the death of two friends who drowned checking nets.
“The nets belonged to me. I was supposed to be with them and I wasn’t,” he said. “I blamed God for that for a long time. I’ve been with EMS for 30 years in April. I don’t know what all God has protected me from.”
One unidentified woman prayed for an end to the cycle of poverty and to meet the needs of children.
This is the sixth year of local participation and 10th year since 45,000 people gathered in Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, in May 2001.
Pastor Michael Obi said in the third year, more than 230 million Christians were involved. The call to prayer has continued spreading around the world from beyond the rugby stadium to more than 210 nations.
The Global Day of Prayer will be followed by 90 Days of Blessing from May 24 through Aug. 21. The next 90 days are divided into local and international components. There will be opportunities to participate in building two Habitat For Humanity homes. Fourteen churches are participating in building the two Habitat homes as part of the Apostle Build program.
This is the first year for the international component through Operation Kid Passion, a ministry that grew out of North Cleveland Church of God, collects and ships hygiene products to other countries.
