Light it Up North Alabama Lifts Prayers of Support for Huntsville Health Care Workers
The Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles, tells the story of a King named Jehoshaphat who when faced with a national crisis, called for the entire nation to join together in prayer. The king decreed that the people should gather together to seek divine guidance and provision. In this time of global crisis, Jehoshaphat’s call for national prayer– sounds a lot like wise counsel.
It is with this perspective that we joined in solidarity with other area faith leaders to promote unity and seek the Lord through prayer and thanksgiving. On April 5, 2020, between 6:30 and 8 pm, Huntsville area residents did just that; congregating in the parking lots of multiple Huntsville city hospitals, to show support for health care workers and solidarity with other residents in prayer.
Residents lit up hospital parking lots by flashing their hazard lights while their radios were tuned to one of three local radio stations 88.1 and 99.5 WAY-FM, 102.1 WDRM, and 90.1 WJOU. At either of these stations, listeners were able to hear a pre-recorded broadcast of prayers and expressions of thanks from community leaders and clergy. Among the selected leaders were pastors, hospital executives, local business leaders, and more.
Oakwood University Chaplain, Andrew Pileggi, also prayed for youth who have been removed from school and families whose lives have been upended by the pandemic. Dr. Carlton Byrd, Pastor of the Oakwood Church and Speaker/Director of Breath of Life Television Ministries, prayed for God’s healing power and for God to cover and empower churches through this difficult time.
As Jehoshaphat cried out to God on behalf of his people, he said, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chron. 20:12b NIV). With flashing lights and radios echoing throughout each parking lot, Huntsville residents echoed the sentiments of Jehoshaphat. We may not know exactly what to do, but we know The One who does.
