Those That Pray Together: Franklin County Observes National Day of Prayer
- Terri Carter
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
From churches and government to military personnel, emergency responders, schools, higher education, families, children, media, and businesses—every corner of the community was uplifted in prayer. No stone was left unturned as the Franklin County Mayor’s Office hosted its annual National Day of Prayer last Thursday at the Franklin County Annex, ensuring that each institution and individual received a moment of blessing and reflection.
Cowan First Baptist Church Pastor LZ Johnson prayed over the churches, who gave praise to God and requested blessings over the community and churches.
Judge David Stewart covered government and the justice system in prayer, asking for blessings and guidance throughout government bodies from a state to a national level. Judge Stewart offered prayers for all leaders and those entrusted with authority, lifting up the President of the United States, federal lawmakers, the judiciary, state officials, and local representatives, including mayors, commissioners, and aldermen. He asked that they be surrounded by wise and Godly counsel, guided with humility, and inspired to lead with a spirit of unity and cooperation.
A prayer for the heroes was led by Franklin County Sheriff Tim Fuller. Fuller sent a prayer up for military, law enforcement, firefighters and emergency personnel, asking that they be covered with strength and protection as they are so very often the first people to be put in harm’s way.
University of the South’s Reverend Nancee Martin delivered the prayer for higher education, praying for all of the colleges at a local and national level. The Reverend offered blessings upon all institutions dedicated to learning and personal growth. She specifically named the nearest and local colleges, praying that they may be vibrant centers of knowledge, discovery, and the pursuit of wisdom.
Very Reverend Bruce D. McMillan led the prayer for families and children. He asked for God’s constant presence and care within the homes of His people, that they may be places of faith, virtue, wisdom, temperance, patience, and Godliness. He prayed for the hearts of children to be drawn to their parents, and for parents to embrace their children with love and understanding.
Owner of ESPN Radio Winchester, Joe Abraham, covered the media in prayer asking that God would keep each member of the media mindful of the power and influence entrusted to them. He asked that they exercise their role with wisdom, integrity, and compassion, ensuring their messages are conveyed with care and responsibility.
North High Nutrition owner Clayton Knight said a prayer for businesses. Knight prayed that God’s presence would fill Franklin County, honoring Him as a steadfast foundation. He asked that every business be guided by a spirit of service and generosity, trusting that they would continue to be blessed.
Franklin County Mayor Chris Guess concluded the event by expressing gratitude to all who attended and reflecting on the purpose behind the gathering. He emphasized the significance of guiding future leaders, pointing to the WCA students as a clear representation of that responsibility.
Highlighting the importance of such occasions as moments of renewal, he stressed the need for self-improvement in order to uplift the next generation. He also reaffirmed the foundational Christian values upon which the country, state, and county were built, encouraging everyone to keep those principles at the forefront.
Songs of praise and worship were performed by Winchester Christian Academy Band and Choir throughout the program, Dr. Jerry Anderson sang the National Anthem, and the flags were presented by the National Guard before the prayers began.
The program concluded as the mayor read the annual proclamation, observing May 1st, 2025, as the National Day of Prayer.
