Rio Rancho community gets together for national day of prayer

Early on the morning of May 2, National Day of Prayer commenced at the Rio Rancho Church of Christ.

Minister Raymond Archibeque led the prayer, but individuals from the community prayed specifically for families, military, first responders, schools, churches and businesses.

"This morning in 1952, with Harry Truman as president by joint resolution in Congress, they came together and decided there would be a National Day of Prayer for the country. In 1988, under Ronald Reagan, it was finally signed in that the first Thursday in May would be designated as the National Day of Prayer," he said.

Pastor Matt Flores from Awakening Church prayed for families.

"I consider us all to be family," Flores said.

He went on to say that all human beings are brothers and sisters with God as their father.

"So everything we can do in the united bodies that you've given us, help us to be good stewards out there so that we can continue for all of our days to teach our family what it means to love the Lord, our God, with all that we have, help us to give everything that we have," Flores said in prayer.

A somewhat emotional Danny Archibeque, elder for Rio Rancho Church of Christ, led the group in prayer for military forces, active duty and veterans alike.

"When you see a person in uniform out there in the community, please thank them for their service because it goes a long way," he said.

As he cried through his speech and prayer, Danny Archibeque said while people have their opinions about those in service they are there for different reasons but are there for the country none the less. He added that military personnel do not do it for the money.

Praying for the schools was Rio Rancho City Councilor Karissa Culbreath.

"I am a city councilor here in the city of Rio Rancho, but I always say of whatever title that I'm going to carry that I am a child of God is the No. title. Mommy and wife after that," she said.

She prayed for not only the students that attend the schools but all the staff and administration that make education possible.

"Both of my children are being educated and are on their way to the school bus as we speak. So praying for schools and for our students is critical and vital," she added.

Leonardo Montoya, men's advocate at Vision City Church, passionately led the group off in prayer for churches.

"How amazing is it that nine churches are here today to pray?" he said.

He quoted the book "A Cry in the Wilderness" by Keith Green saying "We need to stop playing the church and be the church."

James Foust, Southwest Association vice president at The Gideons International, prayed for businesses.

"I am praying for our businesses. The large businesses are part of our industry and our culture. Our small businesses are very important also. Mom and pops, the home-base businesses," he said.

The last to speak and pray was Rio Rancho Police Chief Stewart Steele. While he did pray for public safety, he also served as guest speaker for the occasion.

"I may be qualified to pray for public safety — and I have served in every position in the departments for the last 40 years of my career — but I have always loved the Lord, our God, for my whole life with my whole heart, all my soul and with all my mind and with all my strength. But still to serve as guest speaker here for National Day of Prayer, I didn't feel qualified for that," he said.

He added that many memorable figures in the Bible were called upon to do God's bidding that seemed underqualified in those positions.

"So I stand before you unqualified but qualified by God," he said.

During his prayer and speech he thanked the community and God for bolstering people in the public safety career world.

"We could not do what we do every day with you or him," he said.

The prayers ended with the singing of "How Great is Our God" and one final prayer.

To watch the occasion people can visit the YouTube video.