President Costin prays for peace on college campuses during National Day of Prayer rally in Lynchburg

Liberty University was well represented at the second annual National Day of Prayer service held Thursday morning at the base of Monument Terrace in Downtown Lynchburg. A women’s choir from the School of Music was also invited, performing “In the Beginning” to set the tone for the event.

“National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage,” said Lynchburg Mayor Stephanie Reed, who organized the rally and offered the closing prayer. “Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history. We believe that praying collectively over our city is something that can bring us together and bring about positive change for everyone.”

One week before the start of Liberty’s Commencement weekend, Liberty President Dondi Costin prayed for a clear calling and obedient following for graduating students as they go into their professional fields.

“Father, I pray for every university in our city, in our county, in our surrounding area,” Costin said. “I pray for every administrator, every faculty member, every student. I especially pray for those students who … will walk across the stage at Commencement … that every single one of them will understand that they have not crossed a finish line. I pray that You would go with them and be with them, and that they would make a difference in every sphere of influence to which You lead them.”

As recent protests have continued on college campuses across the nation, disrupting the educational process and creating political divide, Costin also prayed for peace.

“Father, I pray for college campuses today, which are in a state of chaos, campuses which have lost their way,” Costin said. “I pray, God, that You would call them all back by the end of this day, that You would restore order, that you would restore peace, and that those administrators, faculty, staff, and students can get back to the business to which You have called them. As the Scriptures remind us, this generation’s job is to make sure that the next generation doesn’t forget the God who made us and the God who loved us. So God, I pray for those college students today that when they leave their campuses they would do so knowing that they have an obligation to ensure that the next generation has the exact same opportunities they have had to worship You and to love You and to study in a country that is free.”

Topics of prayer also included revival in Lynchburg, the region, and the nation, as well as the well-being of public safety personnel and military veterans and their families.

Others offering prayers included David O’Brien, a chaplain for the Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority; former Lynchburg Mayor Jim Whitaker, who is in his 25th year as chaplain for the Lynchburg Police Department; Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison, Lynchburg City School Board member Leticia Lowery, Jubilee Center Development Center Executive Director Dr. Sterling Wilder; and CloudFit Software Chief Technology Officer Carroll Moon.