This weekend will mark a new first for Springhead United Methodist Church. Beginning at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, the Rev. Dr. Patrick C. Elmore Elmore will lead a 26-hour prayer vigil for peace.
“I use peace … because that’s something that will come out of this,” Elmore said. “If we just pray for direction, God’s guidance and peace, all of those things will come.”
The family-friendly event is open to everyone in the community. The event will begin with a potluck Friday, Sept. 11, and prayer will continue through the night before ending at 6 p.m. the following day. An ice cream social will also be held towards the end of the event Saturday, Sept. 12.
Elmore began planning the prayer vigil in June. He chose Patriot Day as the start of the event. Although he does not have active military experience, Elmore has worked in a military environment. For 13 years, he was a counselor and part-time chaplain for the United States Air Force before becoming a full-time pastor.
The prayer vigil will serve as a way for members of the community to observe the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Originally from New York, Elmore sees Patriot Day as a time to acknowledge vulnerability and pray for protection.
“At that time, the response of the people was to go to church and pray,” Elmore said, recalling the days directly after 9/11. “Church after church was lit up at night because they were having prayer vigils. This went on for weeks.”
Still, the upcoming Sept. 11 vigil is an invitation for all types of prayer: for guidance, for friends, for family and for peace.
Elmore describes prayer as effortless because it is something that can be done at anytime, anywhere.
“It’s uncomplicated,” he said. “It’s something that everyone can do every single day of their life.”
At Springhead, small blue baskets are at the end of pews in the church’s sanctuary, where members of the congregation can write down their prayer requests. Prayer guides and stations will also be set up around the church during the event, as well as prayer-based activities for kids.
“The more you pray, the calmer you become,” Elmore said. “It just changes your whole demeanor … because you are so calm and focused. Turmoil around you doesn’t affect you.”
Although this vigil is the first one that Elmore will host at Springhead UMC, the pastor of over 40 years has organized them at previous churches. The first one he hosted was all night in Philadelphia during Operation Desert Storm. The response was so successful he decided to hold prayer vigils routinely, instead of just in emergency situations. In Philadelphia, he began holding them on the months that had a fifth Sunday, which grew into a vibrant and anticipated event.
For Springhead’s prayer vigil, he has reached out to members of the community and other church leaders.
“My own personal thrust is community,” he said. “If we’re doing something like this, this is a community event.”
For those that have a busy weekend ahead, Elmore encourages them to come in, even if it’s just for one half hour.
“I tell people, 30 minutes can make a difference in your life,” he said. “It’s allowing people to be led by God whatever way is comfortable for them.”
Ultimately, Elmore hopes that people will realize and understand the importance of prayer from the event. He hopes to lead by example.
“I can’t make people do things, but I can certainly show them how,” he said. “We don’t need to give God instructions. We just need to seek His will. And that starts with prayer.”
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
PRAYER VIGIL
The 26-hour prayer vigil is open to all members of the community. The event is family-friendly and will be concluded with an ice cream social beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
When: 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12
Where: Springhead United Methodist Church, 2301 Sparkman Road