Evalee Pointer believes in the reforming power of biblical Scripture.
That is why she wants to be the first reader at the annual Bible Reading Marathon and Prayer Vigil sponsored by the Summit County National Day of Prayer Task Force.
“The Scriptures say that if the word of God goes out, it will not return void,” said Pointer, 81. “If God’s word goes out from our mouths, it will surely have a positive effect on our community and our nation.”
Pointer, of Atwater, will begin reading the book of Genesis at 4 p.m. Sunday at Anthony Funeral Home, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron. Continuously over the subsequent 90 hours, more than 300 volunteers will read — covering the entire Bible — prior to the annual National Day of Prayer observance at noon Thursday on the steps of the Summit County Courthouse in downtown Akron.
A special kickoff for the local task force observance will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Anthony Funeral Home. The celebration will include the blessing of hundreds of motorcycles and a tribute to veterans.
In addition to the nonstop Bible reading, a prayer tent will also be set up in the parking lot, where about 900 volunteers will offer prayer simultaneously. Because of construction at Cascade Plaza, the traditional location of the Bible reading and prayer vigil, the event was moved to the funeral home.
David Anthony, the director at the funeral home, said he was happy to offer his parking lot for an event that he has been involved in personally. As a Christian, he said he believes that prayer is needed.
“I really think that as a country, we have been relying more and more on individuals and less and less on the influence of God and his ability to influence hearts and minds,” Anthony said. “The more we try to do it on our own, the less successful we seem to be. Sometimes we want to save the world, but we can only do so much. Participating in the Bible reading and prayer is something I can do and I want to do it.”
The National Day of Prayer dates back to 1775 when the Continental Congress encouraged prayer from the colonists while they were building a nation. It was made official in 1952 when President Harry Truman signed it into law. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan established that the day of prayer would be celebrated on the first Thursday of May. It has no government funding and organizing is left to private groups.
The local task force is aligned with the Colorado Springs-based National Day of Prayer Task Force, whose efforts are rooted in a Judeo-Christian tradition. The government-proclaimed day, however, is a time for all Americans, regardless of religion, to celebrate their faith through prayer.
This year’s task force theme is One Voice, United in Prayer, which is based on Romans 15:6: “So that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Hank Richard, a member of the local task force and coordinator of the Bible Reading Marathon, said it takes an army of volunteers to pull off the multiple events to celebrate National Day of Prayer. The core groups that help the task force organize the Bible reading and prayer vigil are Truly Reaching You Ministries, Love Akron and Kingdom Builders.
“We are always trying to identify new groups and new people to join us in doing what God has called us to do — read the Scriptures and pray for each other,” said Richard, a parishioner at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Akron and co-founder of Kingdom Builders. “We believe it’s time for Christians to step up and give glory to God outside the walls of the church.”
Bill Barber, who has volunteered for the last decade to find Bible readers from midnight to 6 a.m., agrees with Richard. He said his commitment to the vigil is tied to his belief in a sovereign God.
“I just really believe that the more we proclaim God’s word and the more we pray, the stronger our country will be,” said Barber, 55, of New Franklin. “We take this special time to read the Bible and pray nonstop to make our world a better place. I believe in the power of God’s word and in the power of prayer.”
Other local National Day of Prayer observances include:
• The annual community prayer breakfast hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Norton at 7 a.m. Thursday at Johnson United Methodist Church, 3409 Johnson Road. Bishop F. Josephus Johnson, founder and senior pastor at The House of the Lord, will be the featured speaker. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 330-825-7676. Proceeds will benefit Emmanuel Christian Academy.
• A community and organizations prayer breakfast at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday in Ballroom C of the Quaker Square building, 135 S. Broadway. Reservations for the breakfast, sponsored by the Summit County National Day of Prayer Task Force, can be made by calling 330-996-0602 or emailing cpapro99@aol.com. A free-will offering will be taken.
• A noon prayer service on Thursday at Manchester United Methodist Church, 5625 Manchester Road in New Franklin. The church will also be open for individual prayer beginning at 11 a.m.
• The sanctuary at Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, 275 S. Firestone Blvd. in Akron, will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for individual prayer.
Colette Jenkins can be reached at 330-996-3731 or cjenkins@thebeaconjournal.com. She can be followed at www.twitter.com/ColetteMJenkins.