COEUR d’ALENE - Blake Brinkmeyer had his reasons for riding his bike several miles to be part of the National Day of Prayer Thursday at McEuen Park.

Among them was honoring God.

“It’s important to recognize God. It’s important to give God credit where credit is due,” the Coeur d’Alene man said. “He created everything. He created a path to salvation for us, a way out of the darkness and into the light.”

About 500 people attended the hourlong event, put on by the Kootenai County Ministerial Association.

Praise music filled the air as hands rose high and heads bowed in prayer. Several wore shirts that proclaimed their faith in Jesus Christ. Most stood throughout, while some sat on stairs and lawns around Veterans Memorial Plaza.

The crowd cheered and a few shouted "Amen!" when Pastor Tim Remington of The Altar Church said, “God is so good, isn’t he?”

One by one, pastors prayed for elected leaders, first responders and school boards. They prayed for the salvation of souls, national repentance and the restoration of biblical foundations. They prayed for unity, humility and peace.

Pastor Steven Hemming of Family Worship Center said it is time “for the church of the living God to rise up.”

“It is the gospel that is going to change hearts and cause a revolution in our community,” he said.

Pastor Jonathan Owens of Heart of the City Church said Jesus was surrounded by sinners and spent time with tax collectors.

“We are to love all,” he said.

Pastor Steve Massey of Hayden Bible Church said rather than fighting, people should seek strength and gentleness from God.

Pastor Jackson Lanterman of Juvenile Justice Outreach prayed for the youth of Kootenai County. He warned that they were under attack.

“Lord God, there is a great evil sweeping the nation, sweeping the world,” he said, asking that adults be raised up “who know the truth and stand on the truth” to guide the younger generation.

“Tear down the lies and reveal the darkness for what it is,” Lanterman prayed.

Michael Duke was one of the last to leave the National Day of Prayer.

“I have Christ in my heart and there is no other way to get to heaven than through Christ," he said. "So that’s why I was here."