by Ezabelle Janssen, Staff Writer
LONG BEACH (GG) — On Thursday, May 7th, light cascaded down, shining on Long Beach City Hall, as pastors, public servants, church members, and residents gathered for the annual National Day of Prayer service. Long Beach Mayor Tim Pierce welcomed the crowd as church leaders from all over the city came together to offer prayers for families, schools, churches, military members, and the nation itself, creating a morning defined by faith and fellowship that blurred denominational lines.
Long Beach Fire Chief Griff Skellie opened the service, “Dear Heavenly Father Almighty, in heaven, Creator of all things, you are all things that are good,” he prayed. “We thank you for all the blessings that you give us,” reminding the crowd, “Your plan is the best plan.”
The theme of togetherness echoed throughout the ceremony, especially during First Methodist Church’s Reverend Ben Barlow’s prayer over families.
“Lord, we thank you for the gift of the family unit,” Barlow said. His prayer acknowledged both the beauty and hardship found within families, “We also recognize that even across our great city, there are families that are broken,” he continued. “There are families that are missing pieces.” Barlow prayed for those grieving, asking for “an extra measure of your grace” while encouraging families to remain places of belonging and restoration.
Unity took center stage during the prayer over churches delivered by Reverend Matthew Gaddy of First Baptist Church.
“It is a joy to be here, to be part of a community that prays together,” Gaddy said. “That’s the family of God.”
As he prayed over Long Beach’s churches and ministry leaders, Gaddy called for collaboration rather than division among congregations. “Lord, bring unity within our churches here in Long Beach,” he prayed, asking congregations to set aside “pride, division, and competition.” He also lifted pastors, volunteers, custodians, worship leaders, and church staff members who serve behind the scenes. “Let them know, dear Lord, that their work in the Lord is not in vain,” he said.
Deacon Jerry Dubuisson of St Thomas Catholic Church guided the military prayer, speaking proudly about his son’s upcoming promotion in the Air Force.
“He and his wife are both majors in the Air Force,” Dubuisson joked, “and I told him, no matter what rank he obtains, she’s always going to outrank him.”
The crowd erupted into warm laughter before the tone shifted toward solemn gratitude. “We never forget that freedom is not free,” prayed Dubuisson, “We pray for them, we honor them, and we recognize them as true examples of service.”
Education remained another major focus of the gathering as Reverend Barbara Hunter of Grace Lutheran Church brought humor and heartfelt sincerity to her prayer for schools.
“We do have good schools here, but that doesn’t happen by accident, or wishing,” Hunter said before jokingly reminding attendees, “we encourage you to pay your taxes,” drawing laughter from the crowd. A former school teacher herself, Hunter prayed for teachers, students, and staff navigating increasingly difficult times.
“Grant that our schools will have the resources and the support they need,” she prayed. “Encourage teachers in their efforts to help students thrive.”
As the gathering came to a close, Mayor Pierce offered one final reminder that lingered, “It never hurts to pray for each other, because everybody needs a prayer now and then.”
(Photos by Ezabelle Janssen/The Gazebo Gazette)
