SANDPOINT — Blue skies reigned over hundreds of local faithful Thursday as they prayed for divine blessings on the nation, state and local communities.

Great weather and national momentum brought more than 500 people to Farmin Park Wednesday for the National Day of Prayer. A collaborative event organized by several pastors throughout the region,  the Sandpoint Day of Prayer is only one of thousands of events that took place simultaneously throughout the country.

“I’ve been to Days of Prayer in Montana, when I lived there,” attendee Linda Clark said. “After that, I went to (events) in Oregon and now I’m coming here.”

Instituted by Congress in 1952, the National Day of Prayer is held on the first Thursday of every May. The local event got its start in 2005 and has been going strong ever since then, according to Pastor Ken Lawrence of Sandpoint River of Life Church.

“Each year we’ve done this has been the best one yet,” he said “This year is no exception, although the sun probably had something to do with that.”

Sure enough, according to several attendees, the fine weather helped put them in a thoughtful, reflective mood. A sober, reverent atmosphere ruled the park as event-goers bowed their heads. At several points during the service, many became emotional and openly cried, especially when pastors and worship leaders highlighted their own imperfections and moral failings.

“You’ve got to make your congregations uncomfortable, because we’re not growing when we’re comfortable,” said Michael Lewis, who led worship with his wife, Bridgette, at the hour’s closing.  

During the primary event, several local pastors took the stage to pray over a broad range of topics including education, the media, business, government, the military, families and churches. Some pastors prayed that those involved in positions of power or influence would seek God’s wisdom in their choices. They also request divine guidance for the nation as a whole.

“We ask that you would work in each of us and awaken us to the fullness of our calling,” Pastor Chris Bassett of Hidden Valley Worship Center prayed.

Others spoke out against choices they said were taking the nation in an immoral direction. Pastor R.T. Maldaner of First Baptist Church identified uncommitted husbands and wives and the acceptance of same-sex marriage as attacks on the traditional family, while Pastor Barry Johnson of New Song Bible Church decried what he saw as an anti-Christian bias in the national media.

“We pray for a godly influence on the media and that the deliberate antagonism against Christ and Christians will end,” Johnson said.

 After the led prayer ended, the attendees split up into groups to pray at stations dedicated to the seven topics. That small group worship is set to continue in full force throughout the next 10 days, as organizers are renting the Dale Reed building near the park to house 24 hours of nonstop prayer. Those who wish can drop by the building any time in the next 10 days to help the cause.

The local day of prayer came together thanks to an extensive collaboration across many denominations. Representatives of Assembly of God, Cedar Hills Church, Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cocolalla Cowboy Church, First Baptist Church, First Christian Church, Hidden Valley Worship Center, New Song Bible Church, River of Life Church, Sandpoint Christian Center, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and First Lutheran Church worked together to make the local event possible.