A congregation of God-fearing Pike County residents gathered at Brundidge City Hall Thursday to participate in the National Day of Prayer.

The spiritual group joined hands in a circle that traced the perimeter of one side of the wrap around patio of the Bass House.

As the bells of nearby Salem Baptist Church played melodies, different people shared prayers and worship.

“This nation needs your healing,” belted Pastor Michael Lawler of Brundidge United Methodist Church.

“We are lost and have forgotten your ways.”

Lawler was one of the spiritual leaders who voiced his concern over the current state of the country, and he said it was time that America once again becomes, “truly, one nation under God.”

Pastor Bobby Hood was present as well and said that National Prayer Day is a great way to begin the turnaround.

“It’s probably the most important thing that Christians do as a nation,” Hood said.

“We’ve got to get back to doing what God wants us to do.”

Hood explained that the U.S. was founded upon Christian values.

“Thomas Jefferson paid to put bibles in schools,” he said. “28 of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence were graduates of seminaries.”

Hood said that all the founding fathers lived according to values taught by the bible that were the core of the country.

“Today what are we trying to do?” he asked. “Erase it all together,” was the answer he offered frustratingly.

“The National Day of Prayer is a mighty call for all of us to turn back to God,” Hood explained. “Man can’t fix all the problems of today. If we want to see our nation healed, we must turn back to God and we must do it in mass.”