07/06/2026
We have to stop treating prayer like an emergency button.
Too often, we wait until tragedy strikes to call a community prayer. We gather after the violence, after the accidents, after the loss, after our hearts are broken. But what if we became just as committed to praying before those moments?
Prayer is not just for responding to crises—it is for covering our community every day. We should be praying over our children before they enter school, over our families before they leave home, over our first responders before they answer a call, over our churches, our businesses, and our town before challenges arise.
I also want to encourage those who have been entrusted with leading our community. Our elected officials and community leaders have an opportunity to stand alongside the people they serve in prayer. While everyone has busy schedules, making time to participate in or even lead community prayer demonstrates humility, unity, and a desire to seek God’s wisdom for the decisions that affect us all.
This isn’t about politics or criticism. It’s about priorities. If we truly believe that prayer changes things, then it should be a priority before a crisis—not just after one.
Let’s be known as a community that doesn’t just pray because something happened. Let’s be a community that prays so we are continually seeking God’s protection, wisdom, peace, and guidance.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” — Philippians 4:6
