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W.Va. Secretary of State Prays With Tyler County

By Staff | May 9, 2018

SOS Mac Warner Cutline: Secretary of State Mac Warner speaks to Tyler County residents at a National Day of Prayer observance in Middlebourne.

Thursday, May 3 was recognized as the National Day of Prayer, and several members of the community gathered at the Tyler County Courthouse in Middlebourne, joining Secretary of State Mac Warner to pray for the citizens of Tyler County and the nation.

Pastor Troy Guild of the Middlebourne Baptist Church led the ceremony with an introduction and prayer. He was assisted by Chelsea Lenz Smith, who led the singing of worship songs. Guild announced, “I believe what we do here today, with the power of God, can change things for generations to come… This isn’t just a gathering, but this is God’s people gathering before his throne and asking him for a mighty work.”

Secretary of State Warner announced, “It’s a real joy to be here, even with the disruptions of the trucks driving by… what a wonderful thing and what that means for the future of West Virginia to be happening right here in Tyler County with all this great Marcellus boom, and I’m really excited to see what is happening.”

Warner reflected back to a time in Afghanistan when he last heard the song “Here I Am To Worship,” sung by an African lady named Lilly. Lilly was a song leader who was later shot for her beliefs.

Warner recollected the story to show the importance of how much is at stake and how important it is to ask the Lord’s blessings everyone. He added, “I wasn’t allowed to talk about religion when I was in Afghanistan, it was immediate cause for dismissal, but the thing they needed most was Jesus… that leaves a lasting impression.” Warner referenced Second Chronicles in the Bible which states that we should humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways.

Commissioner Vincent prayed for military, police and first responders at a National Day of Prayer event in Middlebourne.

Warner then went to prayer… for local, state, and national governments.

Warner later added he chose to visit Middlebourne on this day, because of what is going on in the county. “You guys are the center of the Marcellus Shale development,” mentioned Warner.

He continued “I was in Washington DC this past week, and they had the top 50 infrastructure projects in the nation listed, and Tyler County was 15 on the list.” Warner mentioned he also enjoys driving the rural roads of Tyler County, despite the poor road conditions.

He stated, “I love traveling the roads. I know the traffic, the trucks, and the broken roads bother people, but that is a sign of progress and jobs.”

Commissioner Eric Vincent prayed for the military, police and first responders on a local and national level. Vincent stated “What a humbling experience that God gives us to be able to pray with the people we love.”

He continued, “The thing about military, police and first responders is love… the love that we feel for them and the love that they give back to us, and that love comes from Christ.” Vincent referenced John 15:12 which states, “Love each other as I have loved you.” Vincent felt the next verse especially deals with military, police, and first responders and that love by stating, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

“We are blessed to have them in our lives” concluded Vincent.

Resident Chuck Sapp prayed for schools and the education system. Sapp prayed, “We thank you for our schools and continue to pray for our students.”

Sapp continued, “We pray that you lead us to share our love for you to these lost sheep and protect us with your armor.”

Paula Keplinger delivered a powerful prayer for families and marriages.

Keplinger prayed, “Lord most high, we call you Father for a reason.”

She continued, “All through your word, you make it clear that you cherish family… We pray for a sweeping of your beautiful, mighty, unifying spirit in this nation, turning the heart of the fathers back to their children, and the hearts of the children back to their parents.”

Keplinger continued. “We ask you to be mothers and fathers who will love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength… we pray for parents to know that family is a holy institution, ordained by you from the beginning, to bring them up in the way they should go.”

The ceremony concluded with Pastor Guild announcing when he first moved to the area, he and his family had one desire on his heart and that was for God to bring a mighty revival to our land. He added, “If we want revival, it’s not going to come from just wanting it; it is going to come from making ourselves available to God.”