OKC National Day of Prayer goes digital
Task force leader said annual observance will be offered in a virtual format
The Oklahoma City National Day of Prayer observance set for Thursday will include musical selections and prayers by Oklahomans.
However, those core elements of the event will be offered in a different format this year.
The observance that typically takes place at the State Capitol will be virtual, with people encouraged to
participate via live stream.
Mike Jestes, chairman of the Oklahoma Prayer Task Force, said the digital observance is a safety precaution to limit spread of COVID-19.
He said he's been coordinating the service for years and though it will be different, it will, in essence, be the same.
“I think overall, the spirit of what we do face to face, voice to voice transcends live streaming — we are people people. We will make do,” he said.
“What I do know since I've been involved for 17 years is that people of faith pray. National Day of Prayer is just an event.”
The prayer observance is expected to be one of many across the state and nation on Thursday. The observances are typically held at churches and outside government buildings, including courthouses and city halls.
The annual observance is held the first Thursday of May, inviting people of faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
Jestes said the State Capitol prayer gathering typically draws a crowd of several hundred people and he thinks this year's virtual observance may have an even broader reach.
Last year's event included Gov. Kevin Stitt and his father the Rev. John Stitt led a prayer for Oklahoma pastors and ministry leaders. Jestes said this year's invited speakers include the governor; Sean Kouplen, secretary of commerce and work force development; Robin McMurray, Ph.D., RNC; Steve Green, Hobby Lobby president and Museum of The Bible board chairman; Cleveland County District Court Judge Thad Balkman; the Rev. Lawrence Neisent and his wife Tracey; and the Rev. Marty Grubbs, senior pastor of Crossings Community Church. Music will be provided by Crossings Community Church, under the direction of Larry Harrison.
Jestes said the 2020 National Day of Prayer theme “Pray God's Glory Across the Earth” seems fitting for the current worldwide crisis.
He said the theme for the annual observance is chosen about 11 months in advance and this year's theme was not different. Jestes said some people expressed concern that the theme based on Habakkuk 2:14 was not America-centric but more Earth of global focused.
“Then it comes up on the time to do the observance and we find ourselves in a global pandemic. Man plans his ways but the Lord orders his steps,” Jestes said.