Shelbyville-Bedford County Ministerial Association members went out into discipleship at 35 different Shelbyville locations on Thursday, offering prayer and thanksgiving to those in want during the National Day of Prayer observance. Pastor Jimmy West of Edgemont Baptist Church led the group on the public square.  

West read this year’s chosen scripture text was from Colossians 2:6- 7.  

“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, being rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.”  

West credited the text writing to the Apostle Paul who is recorded as talking to believers in that text. He compared those words to today’s discipleship mission.  

“The greatest need in our country is for people to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ,” West told those in attendance at the courthouse steps.  

“The best help that we can ever have in our nation is for people to come to know Jesus Christ.”  

West said there are seven institutions of the National Day of Prayer—all to be considered the largest centers of influence in the nation. Those include government, the media, arts, businesses, educators, churches and families. He encouraged the crowd to take time to pray for those working within those seven.  

Following a few moments of silence, West closed the program in prayer. As birds chirped and heads were bowed, West said the day’s observance is an opportune time to pray for America.  

He mentioned America’s forefathers, independence and sovereignty. As he held his Bible in his hand, West said one’s reputation and faith should be rooted in Christ alone.