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 a rich history rooted in the fabric of American tradition. While calls for national days of prayer date back to the Continental Congress in 1775, the modern observance took shape in 1952 when Congress passed a bill, initiated by Conrad Hilton and Senator Frank Carlson, stating: “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.“
In 1988, a significant amendment, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, designated the first Thursday of May as the permanent annual observance. Additionally, the National Prayer Committee, which began as a subcommittee at the International Congress on World Evangelization in 1974, played a crucial role in organizing the first official National Day of Prayer observance in Washington, D.C. in 1983.
Even in recent years, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Day of Prayer Task Force adapted to continue the tradition, utilizing digital formats for prayer gatherings.
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 commended the Cherryville Ministerial Association and the Cherryville Main Street Program for their work in organizing the event and praised the city for proudly participating in a national expression of faith. He shared a personal prayer for the city, hoping citizens would continue to live out their love for God.
Citing 1 Peter 4, the mayor reminded attendees of the need for steadfastness in the Christian faith, especially in a time when it is projected that Christians may become a minority within two decades. He encouraged everyone to stand firm and glorify God, closing with a blessing over 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 gave a moving devotional centered on this year’s theme. He opened by thanking the City of Cherryville for continuing to make the day a priority and expressed gratitude for the ability to gather publicly in prayer.
Reading from Romans 15:13, Huss reminded the crowd that God is the ultimate source of joy, peace, and hope. “God wants to fill us to overflowing,“ he said, urging believers to allow themselves to be vessels of that hope within their communities.
In a personal and heartfelt testimony, Rev. Huss reflected on April 2, 2024, the day he underwent open-heart surgery. He recalled being in the hospital surrounded by prayer and how God’s presence filled the room and calmed his fear. “Prayer works,“ he said. “Prayer brings hope. I knew if He took me home that day, I was okay— I had hope.” He emphasized that the experience deepened his faith and taught him that God places people in our lives to pray for us and lift us up in difficult moments.
Rev. Huss closed his devotional with a passionate prayer for the city, the nation, and each heart present, asking God to move in a mighty way. ”God, may you bring miracles to each of our lives,” he prayed. ”May you move in such a way that you cause this town to be changed because of who you are and what you want to become within them.”
Music Director Leads in “Amazing Grace“
Following Rev. Huss’s message, Jeanna Spiker, music director at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, led the crowd in a powerful rendition of “Amazing Grace.“ As voices rose together in the familiar hymn, attendees reflected on the theme of hope and God’s enduring grace. The heartfelt singing created a unified moment, echoing the spirit of the National Day of Prayer.
Councilman Prays for the Nation and Its Leaders
City Councilman Jon Abernethy followed with a heartfelt prayer focused on the nation and its leadership. “My name is Jon Abernethy, and it is an honor to serve my Lord and Savior as a city councilman here in Cherryville,” he began.
Abernethy thanked God for the gift of freedom, the beauty of the day, and the ability to gather publicly in prayer. He prayed for a spiritual revival across the United Staes, asking that hearts would be turned back to God and that the nation would stand firmly on its founding principles—“one nation under God.“
He lifted up President Trump and all elected officials from federal to local, asking that they seek God in prayer before making decisions. Moreover, Abernethy expressed gratitude for Cherryville’s local leadership, noting that the city council opens each meeting with prayer and proudly displays “In God We Trust“ before them at every session.
“We thank you, Lord, for the freedoms you’ve given us here,“ he said in closing. “I ask all these things in the wonderful name of your Son and 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 in Cherryville followed with a prayer dedicated to the churches in the local community and across the nation.
“Through the gift of your Holy Spirit, you gave life and breath to your church,“ Christy prayed. “In your great and amazing wisdom, you continue to call all your children together to form the body of Christ.“
He gave thanks for God’s continual presence and the unique ways he uses the church to bless and guide communities, especially the churches in Cherryville. Christy emphasized that while the church is often where people begin their relationship with God, it can also be a place where people experience pain.
“So we pray for your healing for every spiritual wound that exists in Cherryville, across the nation, and around the world,“ he said.
He closed his prayer with a call to action, urging Christians to move beyond words and into true discipleship: “May this nation and this city of Cherryville be the kind of place where Christians don’t simply talk the talk of discipleship, but that we may walk the path 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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