By William H. Perkins Jr.
Editor
The Christian Action Commission’s executive director-treasurer has been invited to pray at the National Day of Prayer Rally to be held May 6 beginning at 11 a.m. in the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson.
“Our nation needs revival. Our state needs revival. The key to revival is prayer. Seldom has our nation needed a National Day of Prayer more than now,” said Kenny Digby, who is tasked that day with praying for and encouraging Christians to be proactive on moral, social, and ethical issues.
“It will be a unique opportunity for Mississippians to gather at the Coliseum on the Fairgrounds off High Street in Jackson next Thursday morning. Hopefully hundreds and maybe even thousands of Mississippi Christians will be there to pray.
“What a privilege for me to join with our governor, Tate Reeves, and many others for this time of prayer,” Digby said.
“The most significant thing a follower of Christ can do for our nation is to pray for our nation,” said Rick Blythe, director of the Stewardship/Prayer Ministries Department at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
“As a people, we are more polarized than at any time in my lifetime. Our hope is not in Washington or Wall Street. Our hope is in the Great God of Heaven, and the Church must pray if we are going to experience a movement of God,” he said.
Andy Gipson served for many years as both a Mississippi Baptist pastor and member of the state legislature before then-Governor Phil Bryant appointed him as Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce in April 2018. He has oversight of the Mississippi Coliseum and played a crucial role in arranging the prayer meeting.
“As a long-time supporter of the National Day of Prayer, I am thrilled that the Mississippi Coliseum is available to host this year’s annual event on May 6,” said Gipson, who holds both undergraduate and law degrees from Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College in Clinton.
“I think one thing that all of us can agree on is that America is in desperate need of prayer, especially in these days. It is my desire that the public will support this event and that pastors, church members, and anyone interested in praying for America will join together on May 6 as we humble ourselves before God and ask for His mercy and blessing.
“Prayer is something that should bring us all together,” he noted.
Ronnie Floyd, president of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee in Nashville and former two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, “When I served as president of the National Day of Prayer from 2017-2019, I learned there were Christians from all across America who have a deep conviction to pray for our nation continually.
“America’s need for prayer has never been more urgent. Government cannot fix us. Politics will not heal us. Prayer is our avenue to appeal to God on behalf of America and her people. We must cry out to God in desperation, asking for mercy, wisdom, and healing for our nation, our leaders, and our people.
“Prayer comes before Gospel advancement, a movement of God, and revival in the Church. Prayer will move us toward unity like nothing else can. Prayer is our single greatest action in this moment,” stressed the former long-time senior pastor of multi-campus Cross Church in northwest Arkansas.
For other locations of National Day of Prayer events in Mississippi, visit https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/post_or_find_an_event.
