Thursday a group gathered in the rotunda of the Logan County Courthouse to exercise their right to pray as they participated in the 60th annual National Day of Prayer. The multidenominational service was led by several pastors and spiritual leaders from the community.

As a free nation, our right to pray in public without persecution is a right often taken for granted.

During the hourlong service, many of the prayers that went up were for those who have secured that right for all Americans: our nation's leaders and our military.

Prayers were also offered for our churches, families, schools and educators, businesses and our economy, and the media.

Ken Benham of Jefferson Street Christian Church led the congregational reading of the open prayer. Prayers for government and military were led by Rebecca Van Nydeggen of The Salvation Army.

Pastor Dustin Fulton of Jefferson Street Christian Church prayed for the media. Pastor Robert Long of the Abundant Life United Pentecostal Church prayed for business and the economy.

Prayers for our churches and families were led by the Rev. Andrew Nyren of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Dr. Robert Wilson of Christian Marriage and Family Enrichment Services led prayers for our schools and educators, with his wife, Patsy, leading the closing song, "God Bless America."

Pictures by Nila Smith

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An American flag and a Bible: patriotism and spiritualism.

Benham (left) and Van Nydeggen (center) read the opening prayer aloud.

The multidenominational event was also multigenerational as people of all ages attended the service.

Fulton shares Scripture before prayer.

Long encourages everyone to pray for local businesses and our economy.

Wilson prepares to offer prayers for our schools and educators.

Nyren led prayers for our churches, inviting individuals to pray in small groups for their own churches as well as others.

Patsy Wilson leads the group in the singing of "God Bless America "

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