Dr. Billy Harris delivered a straightforward and stirring message at the National Day of Prayer Service Thursday in Troy.

“America is in trouble with God,” Harris told those who gathered for the service. “God will either bless us or bury us. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, to be the mouthpiece of God. We are not doing what we are called to do and we are in trouble with God.”

Harris, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and My Hope with Billy Graham, said if darkness continues to prevail in the world, it is because “we fail to shine.”

“God’s light has been passed on to us,” he said. “This is no time for wimps in the pulpit or sissies in the pews. It is time for us to accept the torch that has been passed to us.”

Harris said America was founded on Christian principles but America has forsaken its spiritual roots.

“And, we are in trouble with God,” he said. “America was founded to be a Christian nation. America cannot turn its back on God and not pay the price tag. We cannot be silent. ”

Harris said billboards and bumper stickers read: “God Bless America” but God has already blessed America.

“Now, it’s time for America to bless God,” Harris said but added that Christians cannot bless God simply by “going to church.”

“We go to church; the minister preaches; we go home; that’s what Christians do now,” he said. “When prayer was taken out of the schools, Christians were in church. While babies are being aborted, Christians are in church. Being in church is not enough. We’ve got to quit going to church and be the church of the Living God. The only hope for the world is Jesus.”

The crowd that gathered for the National Day of Prayer Service was one of the largest in recent years, said Linda Adams, Salem-Troy Baptist Association, administrator.

“We had people in attendance from all around the county,” she said. “We had a group of students from New Life Christian Academy and were especially proud to see so many young people in attendance. The students also read during the Bible Reading Marathon that began at 6 p.m. Sunday and concluded at noon Thursday. People from throughout the county read in 15-minute increments and we read from Genesis through Revelation and then began reading in the New Testament until noon.”

Adams expressed appreciation to all of those who participated in the Bible Reading Marathon as readers or as recipients of God’s word.

Millie Blanton of Brundidge said she attended the closing of the Bible Reading Marathon and the National Day of Prayer Service because she loves God and loves hearing His world read.

“It’s important for us to hear God’s word and then heed his word,” she said.

Dolisca Steed of the Richland community,” said she receives a blessing from the reading of God’s work and the hearing of it.

“I read as a part of a group from Richland Baptist Church and again today,” she said. “Being a part of the Bible Reading Marathon is a way to reach out to the community by sharing of God’s word.”

Probate Judge Wes Allen said Americans should never forget that this nation’s Founding Fathers used God’s word to establish “one nation under God.”

“It’s time for revival and for a spiritual awakening to sweep this country,” he said.

Harris agreed and said that such a revival must begin with “with each of us.”