Almost 100 people attended the 61st annual observance of the National Day of Prayer, held in Polk County at the courthouse lawn in Columbus on Thursday, May 3. Rev. Hubert Street welcomed attendees, James Metcalf led the crowd in the first prayer and everyone sang “America the Beautiful.” Prayer leaders included Rev. Philip Bailey, Sheila Whitmire, Rev. Dean Elliott, Rev. Steven Abe, Rev. Timothy Brown, Harrison Fisher, Rev. Albert Teague and Rev. John Roberts. The event was sponsored by the Polk Baptist Association, and this year’s theme was “One Nation Under God,” based on Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.” (photo by Leah Justice)