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A good crowd turned out for the National Day of Prayer Observance Thursday at Escambia County High School’s Cornell Torrence Gymnasium.

The annual event is held on the first Thursday of May, which is designated at the National Day of Prayer.

After a welcoming and opening prayer by Gobert, Dietrich Bondurant played a trumpet solo, followed by the pledge of allegiance by the Royal Rangers of Atmore First Assembly of God. The “National Anthem” was sung by Jessica Caraway.

Atmore Mayor Jim Staff read a proclamation, and Willonette Hammond was tasked with the blowing of shofar.

After prayers specifically for repentance and human trafficking victims and rescuers, a praise dancer with Holy Community Church performed.

The breakout prayer time then commenced for those to pray for government, church, military, family, education, media and business. Then, the Bible reading was held.

Bondurant hit a trumpet solo and the Rev. Cleitis Walker Sr. bid a closing prayer.

The service’s ushers were The Yellow Hat Society and The Elegant Ladies of Essence. The local National Day of Prayer committee members included Linda Godwin, Mavis Torrence, Urla Boggan, Debbie Lisenby, Edna Powers, Thelma Powers, Linda Albritton, Rhonda Lowery, Sandra Huffines, the Rev. Derek Gobert and the Rev. Wayne Johnson. Frisco Gehman served as the sound technician.