“What we are doing is not symbolic; it’s vital. It’s our lifeline,” said Steven Smith, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church (IBC) in Little Rock.
Smith was among several pastors who coordinated an evening of prayer Thursday, April 6, at IBC for those impacted by the recent tornadoes that ripped through central Arkansas.
“Prayer does a lot of things. It has a lot of effects on people. It’s therapeutic. It makes us feel better. It draws people together. When you are praying with someone, you are close to that person. It also has the effect of allowing us to vocalize what is on our hearts. And all those things are good things, but none of those things are the reason why we pray,” Smith said. “We pray because it’s real. There is a God, and His chosen means of effecting change is prayer.”
Jeff Dial of Life Line Baptist Church opened by leading the prayer warriors in attendance through The Lord’s Prayer and quoting Matthew 18:20 – “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”
Ministers from various other churches were involved including Fellowship Bible Church, Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, The Summit Church, First Baptist Church in Little Rock, New Life Church and more.
One after the other, these pastors prayed over various needs including restoration and salvation.
“For years, pastor friends have shared with me the incredible prayer movement occurring among pastors in metro Little Rock,” said Sam Roberts, the leader of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention’s Missions Team. “What an honor to gather with many of those pastors recently to unite our hearts in praying for people in the community experiencing profound loss and volunteers providing various forms of assistance. Seeing pastors gathered around city leaders petitioning God for strength and wisdom was a powerfully beautiful picture of Christian faith.”
Pastors in attendance also gathered around government and local officials, as well as first responders, praying God grant them wisdom and perseverance and thanking them for their service. Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., City Directors Antoine Phillips and Joan Adcock, Fire Chief Delphone Hubbard, and Assistant Police Chief Andre Dyre represented the city, each saying a word to those in attendance.
“We are beginning again. We will be stronger and better than ever because we are all in one accord, united, growing and transforming with one love,” Scott said.