Lakewood stages 55th National Day of Prayer service
Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 05/5/06BY RICHARD QUINNTOMS RIVER BUREAU LAKEWOOD — The Rev. Sandra Gonzalez of Spirit-Filled Life Ministries needed only one guest to join her in Town Square on Thursday night.
He showed, so the rest took care of itself.
It didn't matter that a local businessman was disappointed after the mayor learned the law allows prayer warriors to proselytize even if the speakers who propel their words are powered by electricity paid for by taxpayers.
[It didn't matter that the businessman went to the Lakewood police watch commander to complain about the noise, use of Taxpayers electricity, and proselytizing to convert all the Jews.
It didn't matter that the watch commander said it's perfectly allright to procelytize & use Township electricity, "if you don't like it-speak to your Mayor-Meir".
It didn't matter that the service toggled back and forth between English and Spanish, a public sign of respect to the masses of Latino immigrants who have flooded Lakewood in recent years and comprised more than half of the worshippers Thursday night.
It didn't matter that the evangelical service — celebrated so loudly it could be heard several blocks away — drew momentary glares from passers-by who wanted to know what those people were doing.
It didn't matter because He showed up.
"As long as it's me and God," Gonzalez said. "It's not about numbers. It's about your faithfulness and obedience to the call."
The rest was important to her, but without God, it doesn't matter.
