RED BAY – Red Bay Mayor Bobby Forsythe said he was fully prepared to address only a handful of people at the city’s gathering on Thursday in honor of the National Day of Prayer, but the Red Bay City Hall auditorium was nearly full Thursday morning with city officials, local pastors and residents joining together to pray and sing hymns.

“I figured with the weather being the way it was and having to move the event indoors that we wouldn’t have a big crowd,” Forsythe said, “but I am very proud of the big group that came out today to pray for our city, our county and our nation.”

Forsythe told the crowd that the theme for this year’s National Day of Prayer was “One nation under God,” which is a phrase that was officially added to the United State’s Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 after a joint resolution of Congress and President Dwight Eisenhower signing it into law.

“President Eisenhower said at the signing that ‘we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America’s heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country’s most powerful resource, in peace or in war,’” Forsythe quoted. “This day is about making sure we understand the supreme being is God, and I think it’s important we recognize this day. I am from the old school that still believes God is in full control. I don’t think that good things can go on without His blessings.”

RBPD Off. Chad Holcombe said that a person is only as strong as his or her prayer life, and he offered up a prayer that asked God to restore honor to the nation, put America’s homes back together, mend the broken marriages and he called for more people to turn to God.

“I pray that Christians will stand strong and not compromise,” he said. “I pray that [God] will give them a heart to continue the fight of faith.”

Park and Recreation director Mike Shewbart said he fully believed in the power of prayer and was glad the leaders in his town did as well.

“The Bible says that ‘where two or three gather in My name, there I am with them’ and that’s something I believe in and I think our leaders believe in,” Shewbart said.

“Four years ago several people decided we should start having a monthly prayer time in Bay Tree Park and it’s something we’ve done whether it’s hot, cold, sleeting, snowing or raining. We’ve had as many as 50 people show up and as few as two, but we made a commitment at that time to pray for our city and our nation and the people who lead us and we will keep doing that.”

Shewbart said those who missed out on Thursday’s Day of Prayer could still join them on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 a.m. in Bay Tree Park for a five-minute devotion and a time of prayer.

“I just feel like it’s important for us to remember who is in control and to seek the Lord in the things we do.”