When the National Day of Prayer celebration ended at McEuen Park on Thursday, Randy and Sandy Harzell of Hayden stuck around.

They were not in a hurry to leave. The people, the atmosphere, the music, left them happy, even joyous. 

“I loved it. It was so beautiful,” Sandy Harzell said.  

“It gives me hope for our nation,” she added. 

A crowd estimated at about 1,000 filled Veteran Memorial Plaza on a warm, sunny afternoon for the faith event put on by the Kootenai County Ministerial Association that marked the 75th annual National Day of Prayer. 

Pastors from many churches took turns reciting scripture and praying for elected leaders, educators, law officers, youth and President Donald Trump. They prayed for the salvation of souls, restoration of biblical foundations and an outpouring of God’s grace on the nation.

Young and old sat on stairs, on the grass and under awnings. They stood shoulder to shoulder, listening, singing and holding hands high.

Many wore shirts with sayings like, “Need Prayer? Tap my shoulder,” “Get on your knees and fight like a man,” and the words “One Nation” just below a cross. 

They praised the grace and love of God. They prayed for changed hearts and lives. 

“What a beautiful day the Lord has given us,” said Pastor Paul Van Noy, adding they came together to “celebrate the presence of a mighty God.” 

Pastor Bill Muck of Crossroads Community Church asked the crowd to shout, “There is power in the name of Jesus Christ.” 

They did. 

Then he asked them to shout it again, louder.  

And again, louder yet.  

They did.

“You think we can get them to hear us in Washington, D.C.?” he asked. 

Pastor Mike Slothower of River of Life Friends Church said many people who have moved to Kootenai County said they believed God called them there. He said people want to hear the gospel in North Idaho. 

“We live in a special place,” he said. 

Pastor John Padula of Set Apart ministries said America “can no longer be a religious nation. We need to be a people who turn to God.” 

Matthew Howell attended the National Day of Prayer gathering for the second year and was pleased to see many new faces. 

“The spirit is here,” he said. 

Erin Barnard also attended last year and called it a fantastic experience. 

"This one was even better,” she said. "The energy was just beautiful."

Barnard said she believed each pastor who spoke had the hand of God upon them. She was delighted to see such a large crowd. 

"It just lightens the spirit and opens the heart to remember we’re all here in one body of Christ," she said. "It doesn’t matter what we believe in politics. We are here to focus on God and that’s how it should be.”
 

    People hold hands during the National Day of Prayer celebration at McEuen Park on Thursday.
  

    People raise their hands in praise during the National Day of Prayer at McEuen Park on Thursday.
  

    Randy and Sandy Hartzell of Hayden join the National Day of Prayer celebration at McEuen Park.

  

Pastor Tim Remington looks up during the National Day of Prayer event in Coeur d'Alene.