T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Local musician Shaina Thornton performs various worship songs at the 75th annual National Day of Prayer.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The 75th annual National Day of Prayer took place outside the Belmont County Courthouse on Thursday morning.

The event took place after a week of volunteers marathon-reading the Bible from start to finish outside the courthouse.

The National Day of Prayer is a yearly observance held on the first Thursday of May that invites people to pray for the nation. According to the National Day of Prayer website, the occasion was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of Congress and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

Phil Cleaver said this is the third event hosted in the city since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had to lay it down for a couple of years for covid, but it looks like we have a nice turnout. We had a gorgeous day, a little on the cool side, but no rain and not really windy. So thank you, Lord,” Cleaver said. “As a city, as a county, as a nation and even internationally, this event is to pray. Pray for our nation, obviously, but to pray for all of the events that are going on in the world that God will prevail.”

The event kicked off with local musician Shaina Thornton performing various worship songs.

Following Thornton’s performance, Cleaver welcomed attendees to the event.

American Legion Post 159 presented the flag with Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack leading the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Current Belmont County prosecutor and Court of Common Pleas judge-elect Kevin Flanagan made a proclamation declaring that National Day of Prayer is an annual observance established by the United States Congress, inviting citizens to turn to Almighty God in prayer.

“Whereas this year marks the 75th annual National Day of Prayer, a meaningful milestone, reflecting generations of Americans seeking God’s guidance and grace,” Flanagan said.

He added that the National Day of Prayer theme is “Glorify God Among the Nations,” which calls both young and old alike to recognize God’s faithfulness, to proclaim his goodness and to seek him with humble and grateful hearts.

“Whereas the people of Belmont County acknowledge the power of prayer to unite our community, strengthen our families and guide our leaders,” Flanagan said. “I, Kevin Flanagan, prosecutor of Belmont County, Ohio, do hereby proclaim Thursday, May 7, 2026, as the National Day of Prayer in this county. And I encourage all residents to join together in prayer, glorifying God among the nations and seeking him in every generation.”

The event then saw keynote speaker Scott Pauley speak about how he believes the country needs Jesus.

He said he believes the greatest need of the nation currently is that people need to know how to pray.

“I think sometimes we get this idea that if we get the right leaders in place, or if we find some solution to some problem, it’ll fix the problem. But the real need is spiritual, and only God can fix that,” Pauley said. “We need to return to prayer in our homes and in our churches and communities.”

He added that he believes Christ is the only hope the nation has.

“I’m trying to point everybody I can to him,” Pauley said.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, East Richland Evangelical Friends Church, Christ the King Lutheran Church and Harbor of Hope Assembly of God Church all came together to celebrate the day when people across the nation lift their voices in prayer.