The community gathers at the Armory lawn in Marietta for the 75th annual National Day of Prayer celebration Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Community members gathered on the Armory lawn to celebrate the 75th National Day of Prayer on Thursday.

A cool breeze and a cloudless sky welcomed community leaders, students, business owners and passerbys to worship, pray, and share a space to gather and give thanks based on their respective religion.

Freedom Gate Church Pastor Rodney Lord led the celebration, which included worship, prayer and remarks from elected officials and local pastors.

The theme for this year’s celebration was “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations.”

About 15 speakers provided prayers and remarks for specific areas of life, including local government, students, upcoming generations and civic leaders.

Worship team members from Freedom Gate Church perform worship music throughout the National Day of Prayer celebration. The celebration was held at the Armory lawn in Marietta Thursday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Ron Heidebrecht with Freedom Gate Church discussed the history of the nation as it celebrates 250 years this summer and the role faith and prayer has played.

“Because of the Great Awakening, prayer played a significant role in the Continental Congress,” he said.

Heidebrecht read through various historical prayers and proclamations, including a prayer from Thomas Jefferson in the 1800s.

Elected officials spoke and proclaimed how faith guides their judgements. Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling said it’s easy to see the blessings of the county.

“Those blessings in our lives are because of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” he said. “That’s where it all comes from.”

Ohio House Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, stands with St. Mary Catholic School first-graders during the National Day of Prayer celebration on Thursday. The celebration was held at the Armory lawn. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Schilling spoke about how having faith better serves the community as well as family and friends. He said it’s all about what everyone is doing to serve their community and build a positive environment.

Washington County Chief Deputy Bryan Lockhart spoke on behalf of Sheriff Mark Warden about the importance of service in the community.

“The National Day of Prayer actually falls on an important week for the sheriff’s office,” he said. “It’s National Correctional Officers and Employees Week.”

He said to thank those front-line officers for their service in the community.

The celebration continued throughout the early afternoon with worship and remarks from speakers. First-graders from St. Mary Catholic School stopped by for prayer as the up-and-coming generation.

Mineral Wells residents Margaret and Evan Frees bow their heads during the National Day of Prayer event Thursday at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

More than 80 people at Bicentennial Park in downtown Parkersburg listened to pastors and public officials deliver prayers and speak on the importance of faith to them.

Greg Nangle, youth pastor at The Rock Church in Parkersburg, drew a comparison between the city and Nazareth, where Jesus grew up, citing a verse in the Bible where someone said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Nangle, a former Parkersburg Police officer, admitted he had spoken negatively of the city in the past but said he wanted to repent of that and bless the city on Thursday.

“It is very easy to get down on the city you live in,” he said. “This is God’s city, and He loves the people in it, from the least to the greatest.”

Nangle prayed for the gospel of Christ to be preached in Parkersburg and for positive things to happen here.

Greg Nangle, youth pastor at The Rock church in Parkersburg, prays on the stage at Bicentennial Park during the National Day of Prayer observance Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“Whether it’s Republican, Democrat or independent, let them bend their knee to you,” he said.

Jamie Williams, a member of Downtown Bethel Church in Parkersburg who works in recovery, offered prayer for people battling addiction.

“On this National Day of Prayer, we lift up every soul bound by addiction,” she said. “You (God) are not intimidated by addiction. You are not surprised by relapse.”

Isaiah Kennedy, a member of The Rock Church, spoke affirmatively about the things for which he was praying.

“I thank you that Parkersburg would not be known for its drug problem and would not be known for its poverty,” he said.

Kayleigh Kennedy, a member of The Rock church in Parkersburg, prays on the stage at Bicentennial Park during the National Day of Prayer observance Thursday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

His wife, Kayleigh, expressed thanks in her prayer that people have the freedom to gather and proclaim their faith.

“Lord, we will not take it for granted,” she said.

Speakers at each event primarily focused on Christian prayer, though proclamations read by Mayor Josh Schlicher in Marietta and Mayor Tom Joyce in Parkersburg invited people to pray in accordance with their own faith and consciences.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com

Downtown Bethel Church member Jamie Williams, who works in recovery, prays for blessings on those battling addiction during the National Day of Prayer observance Thursday at Bicentennial Park in Parkersburg. (Photo by Evan Bevins)