Muskogee people gather at Mayor's Prayer Luncheon
May 3—Past mayors prayed for their successor Thursday at Muskogee's Mayor's Prayer Luncheon.
Several dozen people gathered at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center for the luncheon, which marked the first such observance for newly-installed Mayor Patrick Cale.
Former mayor Marlon Coleman, pastor of Antioch Temple of Hope, offered a public prayer for Cale.
"Give him guidance and wisdom as he is your chosen vessel for this time," Coleman said, praying that Cale "doesn't have to follow behind anyone else's agenda anybody else's footsteps. He is your vessel for today. Open his ears to wisdom and block his ears to things he doesn't need to hear."
Former mayor Bob Coburn sat with his wife, Gwen, and prayed silently.
"It's good to be here to support the community and to support Patrick," Coburn said.
Cale said it was nice to be supported by the community.
He offered a prayer of thanks and guidance for community leaders, spiritual leaders and leaders of organizations that help the community.
The Mayor's Prayer Luncheon is part of the National Day of Prayer, traditionally held the first Thursday in May. This year's national theme is "Light up the word; light up the world."
The main scripture comes from 2 Samuel 22:29-31: For you are my lamp, O Lord, and my God lightens my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God — his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."
Muskogee's service was led by the Rev. Jeff Cranton, pastor of Presbyterian Church of Muskogee and president of Muskogee Ministerial Alliance.
Cranton offered a prayer for city and national leaders — "that they will use that power for the benefit of our people."
He also spoke prayers for military service people and their families, for people who work with infrastructure and for medical personnel.
"Guide us as a nation and bring us together as one, that we might live for you and share your love," he said.
Other ministers offered prayers on different topics.
The Rev. Rodger Cutler, pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church, prayed for education, asking God to bless students and guide school board members and leaders.
Former council member Perline Boyattia-Craig, pastor-emeritus of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, offered a prayer for law enforcement.
"For all the things that are going on today, I feel they need a special covering," she said.
She asked that "they continue to be a light in the community and to be a friend to our youth, so they would not be afraid."
Larry Smith, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church, prayed for families.
