VIRGINIA BEACH — Good advice is good advice, regardless of where it comes from, and plenty of people refer to the Christian Bible for guidance in life.
Thursday is the annual National Day of Prayer observance and this year’s theme is “Pray for America – UNITY,” which is based on the Bible verse Ephesians 4:3, which reads “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Teresa Stanley is vice president of the Interfaith Alliance at the Beach, a local coalition of faith-based congregations, nonprofit organizations, and city service providers that works to address unmet needs and social justice issues through nonpartisan advocacy and initiatives.
“We’re very active locally, statewide, and nationally on issues for the common good,” she said. “And prayer is always an important piece of what we do.”
The IAB, she said, seeks to promote both unity and peace, while working for social justice for all.
One location that will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday for those who want to pray is Hope Lutheran Church in Kempsville. Alexander Whitfield, senior pastor of the church, said that prayer can take place anywhere.
“We don’t have to be in church to pray. God loves to hear people call his name wherever they are,” he said.
Prayer, he added, will help people conform to God’s will.
“It’s very important and I believe prayer changes things. God has his way through us,” he said.
The theme of unity is also important, but not new.
“I do believe we are challenged, but we have always been challenged. No matter who is in office we need to pray for them.”
Whitfield said praying for national leaders is essential, but it’s also necessary to pray for local officials, teachers, pastors themselves, and anyone who has authority over people.
A Day of Prayer dates back to 1952 when Congress passed a joint resolution that was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It was amended in 1988 and the first Thursday of May was designated as a day of national prayer.
Every president since 1952 has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.
