FRANKLIN
More than 200 people gathered at Franklin’s Armory Field on Thursday night for an evening of prayer and worship in connection with the 64th annual National Day of Prayer. Members of the Western Tidewater Clergy, including Pastors David and Patty Dillon of Rock Church in Franklin, Terrance Johnson of Kingdom Community Church in Franklin and Andrew Book of Courtland United Methodist Church, gave powerful sermons for those in attendance.

“We take this opportunity to humble ourselves and thank the lord,” David Dillon said. “We take this opportunity to pray some prayers that are burning in our hearts for the Lord.”

Dillon urged the crowd to look around and see that those taking part in the service were not divided by race, gender or denomination.

“We’re here humbly and wholeheartedly before God,” he said.

His wife Patty, before giving way to Hunterdale Boy Scout Troop 125 and Cub Scout Pack 27 to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, added, “We believe in the power of prayer, and we see all across the nation that young people love the Lord.”

A brief scripture, presented by a number of children from Rock Church in Franklin, was followed by prayers from the various pastors. Their invocations were directed toward the church, elected officials, families and those in the military.

“We humbly seek your face, Lord, for the protection of our nation,” Johnson said, listing the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, among others, as those who need thoughts and prayers most.

Book then invited children with family members overseas to the front of the grandstands to hold a flag from the different military branches as he prayed.

“For each of them, pour out your wisdom,” he said. “The decisions they are tasked with are so very, very important, and you can do more than we ask for or can imagine.”

The event culminated with the First Baptist Church Flag and Dance team worshiping through their moves to “The Anthem of Praise.” Every person in the congregation was dancing to the tune, as well. Service concluded with more than 50 children signing “God Bless America,” and with a final word from Pastor Tommy Speight of Courtland Baptist Church.

“How great is it to gather in unity and oneness,” he exclaimed, noting that 54 different churches from across the region were represented at the vigil. “That diversity shows the power of God to knit us together. We are part of a family of God, cleansed with the blood of the lamb.

“We may never gather again after today, but we’re still family.”