The National Day of Prayer was observed locally Thursday morning on the front steps of the Historic Liberty County Courthouse.
A large crowd that included mayors, councilmen and commissioners gathered as Pastor Henry Frasier Jr., pastor of New Dimension Christian Fellowship, told them to not wait another 365 days to pray. He then quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:17 when he asked members of the community to “pray without ceasing.”
Frasier told them that when people pray, they are trying to get information and instruction from God.
“All across the nation today, people are gathering in prayer,” he said. “Many people will pray just long enough to get the  information, but they’ll leave before they get the instructions. That’s like taking a prescription medicine without reading the instructions for it. We all can agree this land needs healing, (but) it’s sad we won’t gather like this again for another year.”
For the third time, the annual event was led by Pastor Richard D. Hayes, New Day Community Church and president of the United Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County.
 “I think the event shows the camaraderie of community members as we come together to pray (for our community and our nation) despite different political and social (views),” Hayes said. “It shows we’re all of one accord.”
Following Hayes’ opening remarks, Gypsy James led the congregation in singing “America, the Beautiful.”
Pastor Rich Wright of Hinesville First United Methodist Church officially welcomed everyone, thanking them for caring enough about the community, the state and nation to seek God’s grace and guidance.
Other pastors who spoke included Pastor Larry Murray of Fellowship of Love Church of God in Christ, who prayed for the safety of soldiers as well as their families.
Pastor Douglas Harn of Victory Assembly of God prayed for the city and county, asking God for his provision and protection.
Pastor Nancy Kornegay of Liberty Tabernacle of Prayer for All People prayed for teachers, principals and students.
Pastor Thomas Crutchfield of Life United Pentecostal Church prayed for the nation, telling the crowd “this land is your land; this land is my land, from California to Hinesville, Ga.”
The service concluded with Pastor Hermon Scott of Baconton Missionary Baptist Church asking all elected leaders to gather in front of the steps as he prayed for them and other elected leaders across the state and country.
James then led the congregation in singing “God Bless America.”