Tyler Observes National Day of Prayer

TYLER � Tyler’s observance of the National Day of Prayer kicked off Thursday with the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Various prayers, musical performances, and more were offered during the Harvey Convention Center event. Mayor Barbara Bass remarked, “Freedom of religion and freedom of speech are God-given rights. They are not man-made.” She asked the hundreds in attendance to remember “all of the different ways that we need to be praying, all of the different groups we need to be recognizing.” She added, “I ask that you continue to keep prayer in your life throughout the year.” Various churches joined other agencies and community members in sponsoring and organizing the free event.

Also on the schedule: two new events sponsored by Bridlewood Church of Bullard, Lane�s Chapel United Methodist Church, and Mission Tyler. �Prayer on the Square� was held at noon in downtown Tyler. Clergy participants included Rev. David Dykes of Green Acres Baptist Church, Rev. John Robbins of Marvin United Methodist Church, and Bro. Lou Thomas of Lane�s Chapel United Methodist. Along with that event, organizers scheduled an Evening Community Prayer Service at Lane�s Chapel with Pastor Stephen Broden of Fair Park Bible Fellowship of Dallas as guest speaker.

Bridlewood Church pastor Dan Cummins says the noon and evening events are to become annual activities for Tyler�s National Day of Prayer. Cummins says next year�s Evening Community Prayer Service will be hosted by another church in the community.