Cherryville Observes National Day of Prayer
By: Lauren Ramsey – Wise News Network
Cherryville, NC (WNN)- On Thursday, May 1st, 2025, Cherryville Community members gathered together at J. Ralph Beam Jr. Heritage Park to celebrate the city’s observance of the 74th annual National Day of Prayer.
The event, held from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m., was sponsored by the Cherryville Ministerial Association and the Cherryville Main Street Program. As a result, citizens, pastors, and leaders joined in united prayer for the nation, state, and community under this year’s national theme: “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled,” drawn from Romans 15:13
History of the National Day of Prayer
“The National Day of Prayer has remained a significant part of history. Even though there have been desires for national days of prayer since 1775, the one we have today started in 1952. Congress finally passed a bill, initiated by Conrad Hilton and Senator Carlson, which states: “The President shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.“
A key amendment, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, made the first Thursday in May the permanent national observance each year. A subcommittee at the International Congress on World Evangelization in 1974, the National Prayer Committee was instrumental in coordinating the first official National Day of Prayer observance in Washington, D.C. in 1983.
Even as recently as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Day of Prayer Task Force made adjustments to keep the practice going, using digital methods for prayer assemblies.
For those interested in learning more about the event’s history, you can visit the National Day of Prayer official website by clicking here.
Mayor Welcomes Community, Highlights Theme
Cherryville Mayor H.L. Beam began the event by welcoming attendees and expressing gratitude for their participation in the city’s annual observance of the National Day of Prayer. He noted that this year marks the 74th celebration of the event, with millions around the world joining together in prayer under the theme “Pour Out to the God of Hope and Be Filled.“
Beam praised the Ministerial Association of Cherryville and the Main Street Program of Cherryville for organizing the event and the city for enthusiastically being part of a national demonstration of faith. He delivered his own prayer for the city, praying that its citizens might keep living out their devotion to the Lord.
Referring to 1 Peter 4, the mayor reminded the gathering of the importance of steadfastness in the Christian life, during which it is foreseen that in twenty years, Christians might even find themselves in the minority. In urging everyone to remain firm and praise God, he ended with a blessing for the city, the nation, and all of creation.
Rev. Keith Huss Delivers a Message of Hope and Testimony
Rev. Keith Huss of Mt. Zion Baptist Church offered his impassioned devotional based on this year’s theme. He began by thanking the City of Cherryville for still prioritizing the day and thanking God for the privilege of being allowed to gather openly in prayer.
Reading from Romans 15:13, Huss reminded the crowd of the fact that joy, peace, and hope come from God. “God wants to fill us to overflowing,” he preached, calling believers to allow themselves to serve as vessels for that hope to people in the communities around them.
In a very moving and heartfelt testimony, Rev. Huss spoke about April 2, 2024, the Saturday he had open-heart surgery. He spoke about being in the hospital with people praying for him and how the room became filled with God’s presence and removed all fear from him. “Prayer works,” he declared. “Prayer gives hope. I know if He wanted to take me home that day, I was fine— I had hope.” He said the experience strengthened his faith and taught him that God puts people in our lives to pray and to pick us up in our darkest hours.
Rev. Huss concluded his devotional with a prayer for the city, the country, and each heart before him, calling on God to move in some great manner. “God, bring miracles to each one of our lives,” he prayed. “Move in such a manner that you bring about the transformation of this town because of who you are and what you desire to become in them.”
Music Director Leads in “Amazing Grace“
As Rev. Huss’s address concluded, the crowd was then led in a powerful performance of “Amazing Grace” by Mt. Zion Baptist Church’s music director, Jeanna Spiker. Voices came together in the well-known hymn, with listeners contemplating the concept of hope and the grace of God. The emotional singing reminded everyone of the spirit of the National Day of Prayer.
Councilman Prays for the Nation and Its Leaders
City councilman Jon Abernethy spoke next with a prayer for the nation and its leaders. “My name is Jon Abernethy, and serving my Lord and Savior as a city councilman in Cherryville is an honor.”
Abernethy expressed gratitude to God for the gift of freedom, the lovely day, and the opportunity to pray publicly. He prayed for a revival of the spirit in the United States, praying that souls would return to God and the nation remain strong in its founding principles—“one nation under God.”
He lifted up all elected leaders from the president to municipal level, urging them to pray before they made decisions. In addition, Abernethy thanked the local leadership of Cherryville, observing the city council begins each meeting in prayer and prominently hangs “In God We Trust” above each session.
“We thank you, Lord, for all the freedoms you’ve provided us here,” he concluded. “I pray for all of these things in the wonderful name of your Son and of my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Chaplain Honors Veterans in Prayer
Chaplain Robert Freeman was next to speak, offering a solemn and heartfelt prayer on behalf of the nation’s veterans. “I want to pray for the veterans now,“ he said, “because they’re my brothers in Christ, and they’re my brothers in honor.“
Freeman lifted up those who have served the United States in military service, asking God to help them find strength, peace, and support through faith. He also prayed for the families of fallen soldiers, acknowledging the deep sacrifice they have made.
“Lord, I pray you would look down upon them and help each veteran,“ Freeman said. “Help them look to you for help, for strength, and for guidance.“
He concluded, “For those that didn’t make it back home, Lord, I pray for their families—that you would do what only you can do in their lives.” With reverence, Freeman thanked God for what veterans mean to the country and concluded with a call for national healing and forgiveness.
Rev. Zach Christy Prays for the Churches of Cherryville and Beyond
Rev. Zach Christy of First Methodist Church of Cherryville then followed up with a prayer in honor of the churches within the community locally and nationwide.
“By the gift of your Holy Spirit, you brought life and breath to your church,” Christy prayed. “Your great and wonderful wisdom causes you to call all of your children back to come together to build the body of Christ.”
He thanked God for his ongoing presence and for the creative methods in which he uses the church to encourage and uplift communities, and specifically the churches in Cherryville. Christy underscored that although the church might serve as where one might initiate one’s relationship with God, it is also where one might find pain.
He ended his prayer with a call to action, encouraging Christians to live out words and into the reality of following Jesus as his disciples: “May our nation and our city of Cherryville be the kind of city where Christians don’t just speak the language of discipleship, but we may live the lifestyle of discipleship.”
Pastor Prays for Families of Our Nation
Pastor Scott Homesley of St John’s Lutheran Church offered a heartfelt prayer for the families of Cherryville and the entire nation.
Homesley thanked those in attendance for taking the time to join in communal prayer and reflection. Lifting up families facing a wide range of challenges, from financial strain and illness to addiction and relational conflict. He asked for God’s wisdom, healing, and grace to cover every home.
“May love and compassion and understanding guide all our interactions with one another,“ he prayed. Homesley also remembered caregivers, military families, and those raising children or supporting aging parents, petitioning God for strength and unity within households and communities alike. “Help us to build a society where families are valued and empowered,“. He concluded, entrusting every family to God’s care through the name of Jesus Christ.
Minister Offers a Prayer of Thanksgiving for Our Nation
Lastly, Brad Alexander, minister at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Cherryville, was invited to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the nation.
“Heavenly Father, you are the God of hope, and we are thankful for the blessings that you have bestowed upon our nation,” he began. Alexander expressed gratitude for the freedoms Americans enjoy, the land’s natural resources, and the many opportunities afforded to its people.
He acknowledged the tendency to overlook God’s hand in daily life and asked for hearts that remain mindful and thankful. “Help us to have thankful hearts and minds,“ he prayed, “so that we may praise you not only with our lips, but with our whole lives.“ His prayer served as a reflective moment of gratitude for the nation and a reminder of God’s enduring presence.
Event Concludes with “God Bless America“
As the gathering came to a close, attendees stood together once more to sing “God Bless America.“ The patriotic hymn echoed across J. Ralph Beam Jr. Heritage Park, uniting voices in a final expression of hope, gratitude, and shared faith. Consequently, the rendition brought the 74th National Day of Prayer observance in Cherryville to a powerful and heartfelt conclusion.
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