BY LISA STAYTON
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — As tens of thousands across the country gathered Thursday for the National Day of Prayer, a group gathered at the steps of the Martin County Government Center to “exalt the Lord who has established us” and to pray for all leaders and people.
Judge/Executive Colby Kirk quoted from Colossians Chapter 2, Verses 6 and 7: “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
The National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress. The U.S. president must sign a proclamation each year encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.
“May we take time to pray for our nation and our neighbors,” said Kirk as he proclaimed a day of prayer throughout Martin County.
Dwayne Crum, Appalachia Reach Out executive director, led the group in prayer.
“Aren’t we a blessed people?” Crum asked. “It’s a beautiful day today that the Lord has given us, and the scriptures say to ‘rejoice and be glad in it.’”
Crum asked the group to pray for whatever was on their minds. He then asked them to pray for local leaders in Martin County.
“We’re very blessed to live in a place like Martin County,” said Crum. “I know that we have our difficulties, our challenges, but we live in a county that still believes in Jesus Christ.
“We live in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and most of us would say it is the greatest state in the union. Let’s pray for our state leaders, our governor, our representatives, our senators, those that serve in leadership all over the state.”
Following a few moments of silence, Crum said, “As we mentioned earlier, we live in the greatest country ever known to man. No matter your party affiliation, no matter who is in the White House, scripture calls us to pray for our national leaders. So today, I urge us to pray for our president, pray for his administration, pray for our representatives, pray for our senators, pray for those who lead our country.”
The U.S. military at home and abroad was next on Crum’s prayer list.
“Also, let’s pray for our veterans who have gone before us,” said Crum. “Because of their sacrifice, we are able to stand on the steps of this county courthouse.”
Crum said it would be “fitting” to pray for Ukraine.
“I can’t imagine having lost everything I own because of power, of selfishness, of evil that’s in the world today,” he said. “We also pray for the people of Russia.”
The congregation prayed for the upcoming local elections.
“God knows exactly who needs to be in what position, and we believe He is sovereign,” said Crum.
“Let’s pray for our schools,” he added. “My heart breaks for some of the things and ideas that people would like to push on our children. Let’s pray for Christian men and women who will come alongside our children, who will lead them and teach them. . . . Let’s pray for our school administrators, our teachers, our staff, personnel, families, and our children in our schools.”
Crum called on the crowd to pray for every family that makes Martin County home.
“As someone who goes in and out of the hollers here, my heart breaks for some of the families,” he said. “Let’s pray for those who need a special touch today. Pray for those who call Martin County ‘home.’ This is a special place, and let’s pray that we do all we can to be good neighbors to all of our families.”
Last, Crum asked everyone to pray for our futures.
“If there was ever a time in our history, we need to place our future in the hands of a loving God who has created us and knows us in the day and age in which we live now,” Crum stated. “So let’s pray for our future, that God’s will be done in all things.”
Following the prayer, Judge Kirk thanked the crowd and asked that they continue praying for the county in the weeks and months ahead.
“I pray that His will be done in all the works that we do,” said Kirk.