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Journal-News.com

Praying, singing, preaching and teaching all to happen at the stroke of midnight

HAMILTON — Some people do their best praying at night. Perhaps it's the darkness.

Parents awaiting their children's safe return home surely pray, while others find the quiet time moves their hearts to speak.

An all-night prayer vigil at a South Front Street church is geared toward those who find themselves drawn to seek God as others slumber. The doors will open as the clock strikes midnight and Friday turns into Saturday at Mount Calvary Fire Baptized Holiness Church, 1012 S. Front St.

Sadie Lampkin, Mount Calvary pastor, and Greg Andrews, pastor of House of Deliverance, will be preaching and teaching. Special singing is planned as well as prayers for the city, the homeless, those incarcerated and other needs.

Organizer Tracy Bradley said the vigil is planned until 5 a.m. when breakfast will be served. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as desired.

"People can drop in at any time. Free to come and stay as long as you want. It's geared for anyone who wants to pray," said Bradley.

As a single mother raising two sons, ages 11 and 13, Bradley understands the nightly prayers of parents.

"I know with them coming up, it is not like when I was coming up. They have it a lot harder," she said. "I'm doing all I can to raise them up right with God's help."

Lampkin said she believed the project would benefit the community.

"There are so many things happening around us. I feel it is the only way we are going to help the community is by praying. We are in trouble with our young people in particular. They feel there is no way out (from street life)," said Lampkin.

"We hope that someone will be delivered and set free from the bondage they are in," she said.

Bradley said Mount Calvary members are very familiar with logging long hours in the pews.

"If people love the Lord and praise him like we do (it's not challenging)... Sometimes we are in church for three hours on a Sunday morning and then back at 4 p.m. in the afternoon," she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2169 or pmccracken@coxohio.com.