United through prayer, people of different faiths gathered downtown in Pilot Point to celebrate the National Day of Prayer.
This annual event is held on the first Thursday of May, and there to pray were members of the community representing the different places of worship.
Each person prayed over a specific topic, such as schools and families, local and federal government and public service workers.
“We should be very proud that we are able to do that in an open setting without fear of reprisal from our government, and so it's a privilege,” Pilot Point’s Mayor Chad Major said.
With his guitar in hand, Vince Lujan started the program off with the song “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”
Lyrics for that song and several others were included inside the programs, so residents could sing along with Lujan throughout the program.
There to welcome and open with prayer was Pastor John Theisen, followed by a Presentation of Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Afterward, Major read the city of Pilot Point Proclamation proclaiming May 7, 2026, as a National Day of Prayer throughout the city.
“I thoroughly love the fact that we come together as a community, and I think whether we had it, mandated or not mandated, but encouraged at the national level, we would do it anyway, because that's who this community is,” Major said.
Next to follow was Pastor James Lee of County Line Baptist Church, who said a prayer about repentance and trust.
Pastor Jason Sidler of the Pilot Point Calvary Baptist Church and Reverend Cindy Kennedy of the Pilot Point United Methodist Church prayed for members of the federal government.
“We know that our politicians are always and constantly looking for the right thing to do,” Kennedy said. “So we lift them up today that God may guide them and lead them into making the right decisions, the best decisions for all of this country.”
Up next to speak was B.J. Wheeler with Grace Point Nazarene Church who said a prayer for the U.S. Armed Services, a special topic for him, as he has served in the Marines and currently has relatives who serve.
“They are the ones that allow us to fight and sometimes sacrifice for our country to have the freedom to gather like this without any fear of retribution. And it's because of all of them, all the branches in the service,” Wheeler said.
Deacon Candidate Steve Mleziva with the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church prayed for the state government.
Pastor Craig Tullis of Pilot Point Church of Christ then prayed for the local government.
He opened with a little humor, asking the crowd a series of lighthearted questions, an exercise he said was to remember what it means to be a hospitable community.
“Most importantly, we need to pray that we are a community that is good to be represented,” Tullis said. 'That we are good people to represent. And so that's what we're going to pray for because this is our community.'
Pastor Denton Rhone of the North Texas Seventh- day Adventist Church introduced his wife, Sendy Rhone, and their two kids before he and then his wife said a word of prayer for the police, fire and public service workers.
Next to follow was Tom Swartz with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, who prayed for the schools.
He serves 17 counties, and Pilot Point is one of the communities he covers.
“What a blessing it is to be here in Pilot Point,” Swartz said.
Pastor Rick Starrett with Grace Point Nazarene Church prayed for the families of Pilot Point.
To close the ceremony, Pastor Dwayne Edwards with Grace Point Nazarene Church said a prayer for the church and reminded everyone about the importance of gathering together.
“I believe with all my life that when the church unites, when the church loves each other, we can change the world,” Edwards said. “When we don't do that, we can't change the world. But we should. And that's why we gather here today.”
