A DAY OF PRAYER
Community turns out for day of prayer

Right, The Brook Hill School's string ensemble perform prior to the beginning of the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast held on Thursday. Below, Bullard Mayor A.W. Hines reads a proclamation. -- Bullard Banner photos by Lori Mellinger

It was a "season of prayer" on the Brook Hill campus last week as the community joined together in honor of National Day of Prayer.

About 100 people attended the second annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast - in conjunction with the annual event.

"We were honored and pleased with the turnout," said co-organizer Donnie Barron. "It shows the strength of faith in this community. "

City Manager Larry Morgan concurred.

"This is an opportunity to bring the community together for a noble cause, and we achieved that goal," Morgan said. "We hope to continue this tradition. This is now officially an annual event."

The breakfast, which started at 6:30 a.m., featured a presentation of colors by Boy Scout Troop 366. Local singer Lauren Alexander performed the National Anthem, and Bullard Mayor A.W. Hines read a proclamation.

Hines

Then came the "season of prayer," where local ministers took turns praying for the president and national leaders, state and local leaders, families and church, schools and students and military and their families.

The Rev. Tom Terry, Oak Grove Baptist Church, began by saying, "We're so thankful for Christ. We thank him for answering prayers and sharing his blessings and we need him now more than ever."

He also asked for intervention in times of war and prayed for the upcoming election.

"We ask you to intervene there as well and turn abortion away," Terry said.

The Rev. Scott Brown, Bullard First Baptist Church, prayed for state leadership, thanking God for Gov. Rick Perry, senators and representatives.

He also singled out Bullard City Council.

"We thank you for the mayor and members of the council," Brown said. "It's a thankless job, and we appreciate their service.

Brown asked for prayer for the school board, superintendent and headmaster.

"Give them wisdom to educate our children, and bless the families in Bullard," he said.

The Rev. Randy Fitzgerald, First United Methodist Church, prayed for families and churches.

"There are some in our community who have struggles in their families," he said. "We pray for them that they may have renewed hope and trust in you.

"We also pray you allow our churches to prosper," he said. "We must keep the focus on you; through you we can be the body of Christ."

Brook Hill Headmaster Rod Fletcher prayed for schools and students.

"Our students are at a cultural crossroads as they encounter different things," Fletcher said. "We ask you to help them stay on track and honor your will.

"We ask you to put your hand on our public schools and protect students, and we ask you continue to give guidance to Brook Hill."

Fletcher said there was a revival happening and asked Godly men and women to guide the youth.

The Rev. Jared Wellman, Carpenter's Cross, prayed for the military and their families.

"We are blessed to live in America with its freedom, and we lift up the military to you," Wellman said. "We pray for comfort for the families of our soldiers and know we are working toward a climax of history."

After the prayer, Sadler's catered breakfast for the event. The cost was defrayed by sponsors, so the event was free to the public.

Sponsors included: Hughes Plant Farm, Legacy Financial, Capco Engineering, Remember When, Bullard Rotary, LHR Livestock, Austin Bank, Carpenter's Cross Church, Southside Bank, Texas National Bank, Brookshire's, Snow Coney Island, Bullard Kiwanis, Cristen's, Tom McDonald - State Farm, Pinnacle Realty, Franklin Bank, Clay and Stacey Thompson, Oak Grove Bible Church, Larry Melhart - Allstate, Tad Morgan Dentistry, and Teresa Adams- Wilks - Farmer's Insurance.