People around York County participated in the National Day of Prayer on Thursday. It was approved by the U.S. Congress in 1952 and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Strangers and friends offered up their prayers for our leaders across the country and at home. They sang songs, held hands and prayed for the end of the war in Iraq, for our youth and for an improved economy.

Here's a sample:

Many things need correcting

The crowd outside of Rock Hill City Hall was small on the National Day of Prayer, but the group of about 15 prayed for everyone who wasn't there.

Participants asked God to watch over city and county leaders, state and national elected officials, the fire department, the police department, schools, the mayor and more.

Alice Adams of Rock Hill said she's always wanted to attend the event but never had the time when she was working. Now retired, Adams and her husband, Bobby Adams, said they prayed for the economy and for a swift end to the war.

"There's so many things going on that need correcting," Alice Adams said. "We need more Christians to speak out and pray."

--Jessica Schonberg

Young people searching

About 25 men and women gathered outside First Baptist Church in Clover at noon Thursday to talk to God.

They sang the same song before and after they prayed: "God Bless America."

As they divided in groups, some bowing heads and some holding hands, those three words were at the heart of their prayers.

They asked God to bless America's leaders, to protect the soldiers and to bring revival to their youth.

"We've got so many young people today that need the Lord," Patsy Ramsey of York said. "They're searching and seeking, and they're out in the world today. They're not going to find him in the world. They've got to come to God to seek him."

Ramsey came because she felt the need to pray for the country and believes God will help, she said.

"He's the answer to all our problems," she said. "I believe that with all my heart."

Rusty Fleming, of Clover, said the Day of Prayer unites people in a common goal.

"It helps people focus on that God can have an influence and it's not all about necessarily what we can do," he said.

--Adam MacInnis,

Enquirer-Herald

A lot of faith in prayer

A couple dozen faithful gathered at Fort Mill's Town Hall on Thursday afternoon to pray for strength, Christians and missionaries around the world, government leaders and society in general.

"Basically, I'm praying for our country, especially our leaders and troops," Greg Rogers said. "It's always appropriate to pray for our missionaries and persecuted Christians in other countries."

Pastors from several local churches and Fort Mill Councilman Tom Adams led the group in prayers for the government, military, media, businesses, education, church and family. Some in the group prayed silently, heads bowed or kneeling. Other punctuated the preacher's points with "Amen."

"I put a lot of faith in prayer and what God asks of us," Adams said. "I'm encouraged to see so many people here."

-- Jonathan Allen,

Fort Mill Times