About a dozen people got together Thursday afternoon on the front lawn of the courthouse to celebrate National Day of Prayer, led by the leaders of several local churches.

The Rev. Wayne Young, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Caleb LaFond, associate pastor of of the church, the Rev. Solomon Cooper from Quinn Chapel AME, Jeff and Jim Cremeans from the City Mission Church and Terry Jones, pastor of Resurrection Hope United Methodist Church, led prayers about government, the military, the media, businesses, education, churches and family.

“It’s part of our history. Our forefathers knew that without God they couldn’t run a country,” Jim Cremeans said. “We ought to take the time not just at Thanksgiving, but all the time and recognize all we have or will have will come from his hand. We need everyone to turn back to God and recognize that he’s in control.”

Those in attendance received a National Day of Prayer pamphlet, sticker, and a few small items to take with them.

“I think that this is an extremely important day just in the sense that we express our gratitude for all the gratitude this nation has,” Young said. “It’s always just like mom says, you’ve got to say thank you.”

Mary Jane Ford has taken part in National Day of Prayer for the past six years and said that unity is the most important to her.

“I believe in the unity of Christian people coming together to honor our country and government,” Ford said. “I think there’s power in unity of people coming together and praying.”