Nearly 250 people gathered at the front steps of the Summit County Courthouse at noon Thursday to “Pray for America” — this year’s theme set by the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
The local prayer observance, sponsored by the Summit County National Day of Prayer Task Force, was one of thousands of events nationwide that brought millions of Americans together to pray.
The local event — a largely evangelical, Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance — included prayers for families, government leaders, clergy members, educators, safety service workers, military personnel and business people.
Congress established the National Day of Prayer in 1952 and designated it as the first Thursday in May in 1988. The day of prayer encourages people to pray for the nation, its people and its leaders.
After the local group dispersed, an unattended backpack was discovered near the courthouse steps. The Summit County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad was called and determined the backpack contained nothing harmful and likely was left accidentally.