City hall anchors national prayer day

The National Day of Prayer, under scrutiny by the federal courts, attracted more interest than ever in an annual ceremony at city hall.

More than 200 residents, ministers, city leaders and employees crowded into the city commission's auditorium to pray.

Mayor Rick Lott said the day - and prayer - has long been important in Plant City.

"This is the 59th National Day of Prayer and the 32nd consecutive year this day has been commemorated at city hall," Lott said. "Every time a commission meeting is held in this room we invite a local minister to open it with a prayer.

"We seek guidance from a higher power and take pride in preserving a right to call on that higher power as passed down by our founding fathers."

The focus was even greater on the National Day of Prayer this year, after a judge ruled that Congress overstepped its bounds in designating the day. The Obama administration plans to appeal the decision.

Pete Battaglia, music minister of Plant City's First Baptist Church, opened the hour-long May 6 service with the singing of "I'm Proud to be an American," one of several patriotic and religious songs during the event.

The Rev. Shafter F. Scott of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church led the ceremonies. Lott presented Scott with a proclamation from the city marking May 6 as the National Day of Prayer in Plant City.

The National Day of Prayer was initiated in 1952 when the Rev. Billy Graham led a rally in Washington, calling for a special day to be set aside for Americans to pray and meditate so that the country would experience a "great spiritual awakening." The same year Congress passed a law designating the first Thursday of May a National Day of Prayer.

On April 15 the legislative designation of the National Day of Prayer was declared unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Barbara B. Crabb in Madison, Wis. The judge didn't bar observations of the day.

Local ministers followed a predetermined agenda during the city hall service, praying for people and organizations that impact daily life in America.

The Rev. Dave Robinson, of Four Square Church, spoke and prayed for the media and public education; the Rev. Bob Franklin, Covenant Bible Church, focused on the family; the Rev. Roy Liburd, Mount Olive Baptist Church, spoke to churches and their role in community; the Rev. Emmitt Wiseman, Bethel Baptist Church, addressed the needs for wisdom and prayer in government; and the Rev. Mike Holland of Ahava Baptist Church spoke to prayers for the people.

"I pray for all men to come to the knowledge of the truth," Holland said. "Forgive us Lord when we do not argue that we are right to stand in this place which we own and praise your name and pray for your forgiveness in all things."

Scott made the closing remarks, praying that those in government will "learn to know the people who labor in God's name."

"Obey them who rule over you," Scott said. "For we look at this in the wrong way. The people in government do not rule over us; we rule over them. I would say that all the people in Congress, all those who represent us in Washington, D.C., need to be reborn on the inside and on the outside, and love all men as Jesus loves you."

The service concluded with the standing room only crowd joining hands and forming a circle around the room for one last prayer and patriotic song.

The service wasn't the only local religious event on the National Day of Prayer.

Later that night the Heal Me Crusade organized by Mike and Tina Solomon opened at Plant City Stadium. Lott presented the Solomons, members of Turkey Creek's Transforming Life Ministries, with a proclamation of support from the city.

The three-day crusade, in its second year, drew 1,900 people.

"We are just opening and our hearts to this crusade," Lott said. "America was founded on faith and freedom. Across the nation we are asking for blessings from God and good leadership from our representatives in government."