Liberty County residents prayed for their country and community during a National Day of Prayer observance held May 2, on the steps of the historic Liberty County Courthouse. The event was organized by the United Ministerial Alliance of Liberty County. The National Day of Prayer was formerly established in 1988. Pastor Andrew Velez with Victory Assembly of God offered opening remarks. Leah Hayes sang “Hero” to open the program, and “God Bless America,” at its conclusion. The pre-K class from Little Treasures Learning Center unfurled a banner, welcoming all to the occasion. Pastor Richard Hayes, UMA president, read a presidential proclamation from President Trump on this year’s Day of Prayer. It read, in part, “The United States' steadfast commitment to upholding religious freedom has ensured that people of different faiths can pray together and live in peace as fellow American citizens. We have no tolerance for those who disrupt this peace, and we condemn all hate and violence, particularly in our places of worship.” Several pastors spoke or offered prayer: Pastor Julian Jones with Tabernacle of Faith COGIC, Pastor Lucile Smiley with Trinity Missionary Baptist Temple, Pastor Elisha Boyd with Emmanuel Christian Church, Pastor K.E. Brown with Destiny Christian Center, Pastor Shanna Crutchfield with Live United Pentecostal Church, and Elder Glenn Reed with Connection Church.