The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Faithful observe National Day of Prayer
A National Day of Prayer observance in Lorain called for breaking down strongholds damaging families and children in Lorain County.
About 75 people attended a Lorain event on May 4 which moved because of rain from Veterans Memorial Park to Church on the North Coast at 4125 Leavitt Road in Lorain.
Lyn Eberle, Lorain County coordinator for National Day of Prayer, said an event in Elyria began in April with reading the entire Bible out loud in 15minute segments around the clock, and finishing with prayer at a gazebo in Ely Park.
A long list of people from all walks of life prayed on the platform for their areas of expertise, Eberle said.
Subjects included the heroin epidemic, race relations, the economy, the armed forces, police and fire departments, education, media and the government, Eberle said.
“We have worship. We have very good musicians,” Eberle said.
Renay Burch from
Rapha Academy Fresh Start Child Care prayed for marriage and family.
“It’s my passion to see families and children to prosper in their spirit,” Burch said.
“Let us have a new compassion for the children who are dying in their hope. They see their parents falling by the wayside. They see no hand lifting their parents up. Let the marriages stand up like a tall sunflower that the children will see the marriages as a strength in the community.”
Principal Brittany Sanford invited God to return to schools and classrooms to change hearts and help the babies raising babies.
Pastor Mike Payne from North Ridgeville said the word “ministry” means to serve.
“It means to wait on tables,” Payne said. “People say, ‘I’m going into ministry.’ OK, roll your sleeves up and get to work.”
About three quarters of the people who attended the event indicated they are in some form of Christian ministry.
“Let us weep over sin,” Payne said. “Let us weep over the failures of God’s people.”
Pastor Paul Grodell from Beyond the Walls Church in Elyria said 25 years ago he was a heroin addict, and God delivered him.
“The answer to the drug addiction and the heroin problem is Jesus Christ,” Grodell said.
“The church has to embrace the heroin addicts. When an addict comes in, look at those dry bones and start prophesying to them. These bones can live again. What God did for me he can do for you.”