GLOCESTER – In Chepachet a couple of dozen believers were carrying flags, smiling, and strolling in the summer-like sun from Glad Tidings Community Church on Victory Highway to the Pavilion at Kent Field on Putnam Pike. It was May first, and the mission of the little band of believers was observing the annual National Day of Prayer.
Between the church and the pavilion, the group briefly stopped in at Haircraft Studios to pray.
“I requested they stop by the studio and give my place a blessing,” said owner Stephanie Amato. Each person said a prayer and then all prayed together. “It was really beautiful,” said the business owner.
The NDOP 2025 theme was “Pour out to the God of hope and be filled” from the verse “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
At the Pavillion, Air Force veteran Robert Mountford of Pascoag, a newcomer to Glad Tidings, said he liked the prayer event “because it’s different.” He was pleased with, among other things, the convivial atmosphere. “You can pray and enjoy yourself.”
Unlike the newcomer, Abby Woods of Burrillville has been a member of the church thus far her “whole life.” She attended the NDOP with family members, husband Zach and Emelia, age three. She said the National Day of Prayer in Chepachet was “awesome.”
“It sends a message to the community that we want to be out with everyone,” said Woods.
NDOP gatherings were established in Chepachet in 2018.
Coordinator Pattie Sheets of Glad Tidings received an unexpected email from NDOP and signed up for a 30 day email devotional to pray for the USA.
“I knew nothing of NDOP before this. When it was over I felt convicted that NDOP was something our church should participate in. I brought it before my pastor and he agreed,” explained Sheets.
The NDOP was held even during the state’s shutdown and restrictive COVID years, Sheets said.
This year was “our most powerful. The presence of God was all over the pavilion today.”
Moreover, “we also invite the other churches in our town to join us,” said Sheets.
Pastor Michael Coburn of Chepachet Union Church, which is located across the street from the pavilion, accepted the invitation.
“I think prayer is a wonderful gift that really matters, that makes a difference. Few things are more wonderful than people coming together to lift up their community and their nation to God,” said Coburn.
Glad Tidings Community Church’s Pastor, David Schlaupitz, said he was “thankful to be a part of a national move of God that happens at the same time every year, when our entire nation comes together to pray from 12 o’clock to 1o’clock in the afternoon on the first Thursday in May.”
“Collectively, I truly believe in the power of prayer and have seen the effects of people praying in agreement,” said Schlaupitz. “Today is just one sample of a much larger move of God happening in the United States of America.”
“I believe in the power of prayer,” said Stephanie Calise, a Glocester Town Councilor who was also in attendance. Prayer “unites people of all faiths and denominations by setting good intentions for the world we live in, especially for our country, leaders of our country and individuals who live here. It saddens me that there is so much hatred, speculation, and mistrust everywhere.”
“I firmly believe in the goodness of humanity and that God wants his followers to lead with light and love. Romans 12:21: Do not be overcome by evil, overcome evil with good,” said Calise. “It was my pleasure to attend this event and set my intentions for goodness for our future.”
The media director of Glad Tidings, Alex Oredola, who was also singer and pianist at the event, led prayers at the pavilion, including for the media and for protection against its influence.
“As long as we stay connected to God…there’s nothing that comes out of our TVs, radios, speakers that can effect us,” Oredola proclaimed.
Songs performed by Oredola to appreciative-looking listeners included How Great is our God and I Exalt Thee.
Danielle Rodriguez, girls ministry director for Glad Tidings said she was “very thankful for today, that we can come together as one body in Christ Jesus. To lift up the prayers for our nation and each other as one.”
NDOP co-coordinator from Glad Tidings Caroline Libby led prayers for the government, the nation and its defense, saying she sees “a glimmer of peace, justice, and truth,” and was grateful the nation now has a White House Faith Office. Part of the prayer led by Libby was “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for [good] and not evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
Councilor Cheryl Greathouse gave the National Day of prayer reading.
“As a representative of the Glocester Town Council I was honored to recite the National Day of Prayer 2025,” said Greathouse. “During this event I was able to ask all those present to pray for the town of Glocester and those of us on the town council: myself, Cheryl Greathouse, Stephanie Calise, William Worthy, Jon Burlingame, and Walter Steere. This was a wonderful event to show the town of Glocester that there is a community that cares, blesses and prays for this town.”
Others happenings at the NDOP at the pavilion included:
- the Pledge of Allegiance led by Georg Barna and flag held by Noah Taylor, age 12
- the Pledge Allegiance to the Christian Flag led by the pastor’s son Jadon Schlaupitz, age 14
- Prayer for Youth and Families by Pastor Mike Coburn
- Scripture Reading Romans 15:13;2, and Thessalonians 2:16-17 by Pastor David Schlaupitz
- Prayer for Local Businesses by Pastor Jared Chenes
- Prayer for Churches by Danielle Rodriguez
- National Day of Prayer Reading by Cheryl Greathouse
Glocester was just one of the towns observing NDOP.
“We had a wonderful day of prayer here in Rhode Island,” said Jaime Lind, RI State Coordinator for the National Day of Prayer Taskforce.
“We had 12 gatherings across the state. Historically our Capitol gathering has met at the State House to pray, but were not able to do so this year, so we met at a nearby church in the city,” said Lind. “I am hopeful that we will be able to return to the state house for next year’s NDP on the first Thursday of May.”
“People gathered in cities representing every county of the state, including South Kingstown, North Kingstown, Bristol, Barrington, Tiverton, Warwick, West Warwick, Coventry, Providence and Johnston,” said Lind of the 74th annual observance of the event. “As we gathered, we prayed for our state and nation in the areas of government, families, the church, military, media, business and education.”
A Proclamation by the president of the United States on May 1 states in part :
“Across every chapter of our grand American story — from General George Washington’s humble prayer at Valley Forge to Reverend Billy Graham’s legendary rallies in the heart of Manhattan to the somber National Prayer Service in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, our greatest leaders have always recognized the necessity of faith, prayer, and devotion to God. As President Washington famously stated in his seminal Farewell Address, ‘Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports’….on July 13, 2024, my faith took on new meaning. An assassin’s bullet came within a quarter of an inch of ending my life. In that instant, as Secret Service crowded around and knocked me to the ground, I felt what seemed to be the supernatural hand of God. I believe that God spared my life for a reason — to save our country and restore America to greatness. It serves as a sacred reminder of our Creator’s infinite goodness, guidance, and grace. ”
President Trump on the National Day of Prayer by executive order established The Religious Liberty Commission. The EO reads in part: “It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law. The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views are integral to a vibrant public square and human flourishing and in which religious people and institutions are free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or hostility from the Government.”
Meanwhile, in the evening of May first, a 90-minute nationwide virtual prayer gathering was hosted by organization president Kathy Branzell and athlete Tim Tebow. Guests included Juan and Meoldee DeVevo of Casting Crowns, A.R. Bernard, Samuel Rodriguez, Dallas Jenkins of The Chosen, Dr. Tim Clinton, Ben Carson, M.D., and others.
Back in Rhode Island, where freedom of conscience was preached in 1636 by Roger Williams founder of Providence Plantations, religious liberty was expressed in Glocester 2025 by the joyful-looking and praising group as they walked from Glad Tidings Community Church to Haircraft Studios and gathered at the Pavilion at Kent Field in the Chepachet Village.
“I feel very blessed to be part of a great community. As we gathered under the pavilion to pray, I took a step back and thanked God that we were able to come together as one unit and pray,” said Glad Tidings Lead Administrator Stephanie Chenes. “It was a beautiful afternoon.”
