Community gathers to pray for Putnam, nation | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Life Church Pastor and Central Putnam Ministerial Association President Garry Taylor Jr. reads a proclamation to kick off the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.
Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church Pastor Karl Flagg asks God to look over government and law enforcement officials during the National Day of Prayer event in Palatka.
Ricky Bybee read a prayer for the military during the prayer event Thursday at St. James United Methodist Church in Palatka.
Speakers at the National Day of Prayer event at St. James United Methodist Church covered a broad range of topics including public service, families and children.
Positively Putnam FL

About 75 people, including numerous local pastors, joined in prayers for issues facing the nation at the 70th National Day of Prayer event at St. James United Methodist Church on Thursday.

Usually, the event is at the Putnam County Courthouse gazebo, but inclement weather forced worshippers indoors. The event was broadcast last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prayers covered a broad range of topics, including public service, business, the church, family and youth, with songs performed intermittently.

Life Church Pastor Garry Taylor Jr. said prayer is empowering and it bolsters the moral soul. Taylor said he is appreciative of the right as an American to pray, and that right supports a nation of religious vitality.

“Today, we remember and celebrate that Americans can celebrate and call upon the power of prayer under the name of our great Lord, Jesus Christ,” Taylor said.

Mt. Tabor First Baptist Church Pastor Karl Flagg prayed for government officials and law enforcement officers. Flagg, who is the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office chaplain, asked God to be a presence in the lives of those called to lead in government.

“Lord, we lift up every branch of government, the executive, legislative and judicial branch. Lord, we play for all officials appointed and elected,” Flagg said. “Heavenly Father, we pray for those who are local in our municipalities, our county, our region, our state, our nation and our world.”

Peniel Baptist Academy Administrator Bill Evans prayed for education, saying it is a difficult time for children to grow up. He asked for help in mentoring youth and for educators to teach in actions and words.

“Dear God, I just pray that you would step in, in incredible ways,” Evans said. “In all that we do, we would point kids to you.”

Praying on behalf of the nation’s families, the Rev. Ted Stackpole of CompCARE Ministries said drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and immorality have damaged homes. He asked for Christ to take the center of parent’s and children’s lives rather than compromise and a lack of convictions.

“We are desperate for your intervention,” Stackpole said. “We wouldn’t be here today in prayer if we didn’t think it was possible.”

Welaka also hosted a National Day of Prayer event Thursday afternoon in front of Town Hall prior to a special called council meeting.