'Hope' is the theme of National Day of Prayer event
'We come as people of faith, asked to speak about promises, not problems,' Persley said to a group of some 65 individuals who came to take part in the annual Day of Prayer, sponsored locally by the Albany-Dougherty National Prayer Committee, a volunteer group that sponsors the annual Day of Prayer and Mayor's Prayer Breakfast each year to offer members of the community opportunities to pray for their leaders.
Larry Price, the volunteer chair of ALDON, told those gathered for the event that they are commanded Biblically to to pray for their leaders.
'Today is about hope,' Price said. 'It's about trusting in God. And it's about coming together as a community to pray for our city and our county leaders.'
The theme for the event came from Romans 15:13, which says, 'Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.'
Joining Persley as featured speakers for the Day of Prayer were Anastasia Franklin, worship leader of Christ Church of Albany, and Mark Lane, area director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Each spoke of how people of faith can bring about dramatic changes in a community beset by troubling issues.
'Our leaders are held accountable by God, and I urge you to fervently pray for them, not just today but every day,' Franklin said.
Added Lane, 'My prayer is that our community leaders experience the hope that is found in Christ alone. When faith is directed toward the future, we can call it hope.'
Persley said hope grows within families, communities and churches.
'The family is the first place where hope is nurtured, and community offers an opportunity of shared grace,' the APD chief said. 'And church is the launchpad for change. These churches, it must be noted, are not just sanctified on Sunday; they're a lighthouse for the lost Monday through Saturday.'
After the speakers delivered their brief messages and prayers, those assembled gathered in groups of three to eight to pray in clusters.
They took into the short prayer session a thought offered by Persley: 'Albany doesn't need more fear; it needs more hope.'
ALDON already has scheduled the date for the 75th National Day of Prayer: May 1, 2026.
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