Local people gather for National Day of Prayer
Marc Turner (right), pastor at the Cleveland Worship Center, clasps hands with Jeff Groves, pastor of the Bridge Church, during last week’s National Day of Prayer event at Cleveland First Methodist Church. (Photo/Jerry Grillo)
White County News
The rain threatened but never fell to dampen the spirits of the pastors, congregants, and community leaders that came together last week to honor the National Day of Prayer, at Cleveland First Methodist Church.
Instead of praying together under the foreboding gray sky that hung thick over Freedom Park, the gathering moved across the street to the church, “and we came together to create something special,” said Jeff Groves, executive pastor at the Bridge Church.
“Being indoors made everything feel more intimate,” Groves added. “We could hear each other singing, feel each other’s presence, and truly connect in a way that outdoor events sometimes miss. It wasn’t just a gathering; it was a genuine community experience of shared worship.”
The National Day of Prayer, held annually on the first Thursday of May, has roots reaching back to the Second Continental Congress, which called for days of prayer long before the country even declared independence.
In 1952, Congress and President Harry Truman formalized the observance, recognizing the influential role of prayer in American public life. Today, it’s not just a day of individual reflection, but a communal act of spiritual citizenship — a moment when Americans of all backgrounds are encouraged to pause and pray for the nation and its leaders.
The local event, organized by the White County Ministerial Fellowship, took on deeply personal and community-focused tones.
“It’s important, I think, to just get the community together like this, believers from all walks of life and different denominational backgrounds, coming to the realization that we’re all on the same team,” said Phil Weaver, senior pastor of Cleveland First Baptist Church, who added that he was glad to see local leaders from government present, like Cleveland City Councilmember Annie Sutton, and White County Commission Chair Travis Turner, who stood in the center of the room with his arms raised in praise.
Weaver emphasized that this level of collaboration between churches and civic institutions is rare — and meaningful.
“We are the nation,” Weaver said. “When we talk about national repentance, it starts with individuals — with us. The church isn’t a building, it’s the people, and we must be in a continual mode of turning back to God.”
Across denominational lines and theological differences, the mood at the gathering was one of solidarity — a recognition that faith can be a binding force in fractured times.
“This gathering represents more than just a prayer meeting,” said Marc Turner, lead pastor at Cleveland Worship Center. “It’s a moment where diverse faith traditions converge, speaking a common language of hope, renewal, and spiritual commitment.”
That spirit of cooperation was echoed by Groves, who believes the local expression of faith speaks to a larger, global mission.
“This event is bigger than our individual churches,” Groves said. “We’re part of something greater.”
Perhaps the most defining aspect of the day wasn’t the prayers themselves, but the context in which they occurred — a culture of collaboration, openness, and mutual respect among church leaders. There were moments when everyone in the room clasped hands to pray, an act of connection that only amplified the significance of the spoken words.
“We’re blessed to live in a community where pastors can speak candidly, where intelligence and spiritual depth coexist,” said Turner. “And where our differences become a source of strength rather than division.”