BY WADE LITTLETON Tribune Staff Writer

For only the second time in 18 years, Hamblen County’s National Day of Prayer Service had to be moved from the Courthouse to the First Baptist Morristown Fellowship Hall. As if it was held outdoors, there was plenty of enthusiasm.

The Rev. Dr. Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Morristown, explained the purpose for Thursday’s service.

“The purpose of us coming together is to pray for our nation,” Haun said. “There is no doubt that this nation is the greatest on the face of the earth. We have been blessed by our God.

“There is also no doubt that we have some problems and some spiritual problems that only God can solve,” Haun said. “We’re gathered here in order to bring our nation before The Lord and to ask Him to help.”

Haun then delivered the message on Daniel 9:4-19, in which the prophet Daniel prayed from captivity in Babylon. He interceded and prayed for his nation of Israel that was under God’s judgment at the time.

In his prayer, Daniel said that “we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from your precepts and your judgements.

“To the Lord our god belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him. We have

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First Baptist Morristown Pastor Rev. Dr. Dean Haun reads from the Bible, Daniel 9:4-19.

Wade Littleton/Citizen Tribune not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws which He set before us by his servants the prophets. Yes, all Israel has transgressed Your law, and has departed so as not to obey your voice; therefore, the curse and the oath written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against him.”

Haun concluded by reading from Daniel 9:16-19.

“O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us. Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.

“O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name,” the passage from the New King James Version concluded.

After prayer, people were allowed to pray as groups or individually for the spiritual needs in their lives and were dismissed afterwards.

Music and vocals were provided by Pastor Michael Greene and Keyboardist Rebecca Fieldman.