Wrapup: A Night of Prayer and Reflection at Immanuel Baptist

This past week, around 70 people gathered at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lexington for a solemn and hopeful evening of prayer hosted by the Central Kentucky Network of Baptists. The gathering was called to mourn, to intercede, to repent, and ultimately to find hope in Christ in the face of brokenness in our communities and around the world.

Framing the Evening with Scripture

The night began with a welcome and an opening reading from the Psalms and the words of Jesus: “The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18), and “You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). With this truth anchoring the time, participants prayed for God’s presence, comfort, and healing to guide the gathering.

Call to Repentance and Awakening

Scriptures from Joel 2 and Acts 3 reminded those present that true revival begins with repentance. Together, the congregation reflected on the reality of sin—personal and communal—confessing apathy, hardness of heart, fear, prejudice, and the failure to love and protect “the other.” A time of silent and corporate confession followed, seeking God’s forgiveness and refreshing presence.

Prayers for a Broken World

Much of the evening was spent lifting up recent tragedies that have shaken hearts across the nation and beyond:

Victims of Violence in Worship Spaces: Attendees prayed for the Annunciation Catholic Church and School community in Minneapolis after the recent shooting that took the lives of children and left many injured. Prayers were offered for grieving families, for healing of the wounded, and for churches everywhere to remain safe refuges of faith and hope.
Refugees and the Loss of Iryna Zarutska: The tragic story of Iryna, a Ukrainian refugee killed in Charlotte after fleeing war, was remembered. Attendees prayed for her grieving family, for justice and compassion in systems meant to protect, and for refugees worldwide to find safety and welcome.
Rising Political Violence: The assassination of Charlie Kirk while speaking at a university event was a sobering reminder of deep divisions and unrest. The gathering prayed for his family, for justice, and for a national climate where discourse is marked by peace and reconciliation rather than hatred and fear.

Lifting Up Students, Responders, and Leaders

The group also prayed for college students navigating fear, confusion, and ideological pressures, asking God to give them courage, clarity, and peace. First responders—police, medical personnel, pastors, and counselors—were remembered as well, with prayers for their strength, endurance, and protection as they carry the heavy burdens of trauma and care.

Prayers were then lifted for leaders and for the nation as a whole, asking that God would grant wisdom, humility, and integrity, and that policies would uphold justice and human dignity.

Hope in Christ Alone

The evening concluded with a declaration of hope rooted not in safety or political solutions, but in the promises of Christ. Scriptures from Romans, Hebrews, and Revelation reminded everyone present that Jesus is the conqueror of sin and death, the One who wipes away every tear and makes all things new.

The gathering ended with a corporate commitment to respond in love, serve the vulnerable, speak truth, and pursue peace. A final benediction was spoken over those present: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24–26).

The prayer gathering was a sober reminder of the brokenness of our world, but also a powerful witness that, in Christ, there is always hope.

We thank the many who attended and those who helped to lead us faithfully in the prayer service.