National Day of Prayer Event Set for May 7 in Front Royal

Churches and ministries from across Warren County are coming together on May 7 for a community-wide National Day of Prayer gathering to unite residents in prayer for local, state, and national needs.

Community leaders Cecil Jones, Noah Goss, and Elvi Rogers sit down with Mike McCool in the Royal Examiner studio to share details about the upcoming National Day of Prayer.

The event will take place at 6 p.m. at the downtown gazebo and is open to the public.

Organizers Elvi Rogers of Dynamic Life Praise & Worship Center, Noah Goss of Young Life, and retired minister Cecil Jones said the evening is designed to bring people together across denominations with a shared purpose.

“We’re all united in that we love God and want His hand on our community,” Rogers said.

The gathering is part of the National Day of Prayer, observed annually on the first Thursday in May. Established by Congress in 1952, the day encourages Americans to come together in prayer, with thousands of events held nationwide each year.

Locally, participation continues to grow. More than 100 people attended last year’s event, and organizers say even more churches and ministries are joining this year.

Confirmed participants include Celebrate Recovery, Church at Skyline, Deeper 47 Regional Prayer Ministry, Dynamic Life Praise & Worship Center, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, First Baptist Church, Fishnet Ministries, LifePoint Church, Love Revival Church, Shenandoah Farms Baptist Church, Virginia Hills Church, and Young Life of Warren County.

The program will feature structured prayer focused on specific areas of need within the community. Pastors and ministry leaders will each lead a short, focused prayer lasting three to five minutes.

Prayer topics will include government and civic leadership, law enforcement and first responders, the U.S. military, healthcare workers, schools and youth, families in crisis, and those facing homelessness, addiction, or abuse. Local businesses and the broader church community will also be included, along with a closing call to reflection and renewal.

“We’ll be praying over our military, law enforcement, and government,” Rogers said, explaining that each leader is assigned an area where they have a connection or calling.

Music will play a central role in the evening as well. Band of Brothers will open the event with worship songs, lead a patriotic selection during the program, and close with additional music for those who wish to stay for a time of praise.

The event is also expected to include participation from state leaders, including former Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears and Del. Delores Oates, along with local pastors and ministry representatives.

Goss said the gathering reflects a broader mission of reaching people where they are.

“Young Life is an organization where we don’t wait for students to come to us—we go to them and build relationships,” Goss said.

He added that prayer remains a powerful tool, even when it happens quietly or behind the scenes.

“Prayer is powerful. It’s what can get things done,” Goss said.

Jones, who has served in ministry for decades, emphasized the importance of faith and intention in prayer.

“When we pray according to His will, things will happen,” he said.

Organizers say one of the most meaningful aspects of the event is the unity it creates across different churches and backgrounds.

“It was just so neat to see the different denominations coming together,” Rogers said of last year’s event.

This year’s national theme, “Glorify God Among the Nations: Seeking Him in All Generations,” reflects that same spirit of unity across communities and age groups.

The program is expected to last about an hour. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and prepare for an evening focused on reflection, prayer, and community connection.

For additional information, reach out to Elvi Rogers, National Day of Prayer Planning Team, by email: ndopfrontroyal@gmail.com

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