Approximately 75 worshippers congregated on the steps of the Coupeville Courthouse Thursday, raising their arms and praising God in recognition of the National Day of Prayer.

“It was wonderful,” said Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard. “Terrific.”

Several pastors from local churches led the prayer rally, orchestrating the reverent and highly spiritual gathering.

“It was a beautiful day for it,” said Pat Moretz. “We’re thankful for the beautiful day.”

The festivities kicked off on Wednesday evening with a well-attended youth rally in Oak Harbor and continued the following morning with a prayer breakfast. Thursday afternoon’s prayer rally capped off the day of worship.

“We feel that it went really well,” said Jacque Hildreth, National Day of Prayer Island County coordinator. “We encourage more people to come and join us in prayer. We had a good turnout.”

Ray Pacheco postponed his lunch to attend the rally.

“I just stopped what I was doing,” he said. “Just to be here is great. Excellent prayer. I think next year will be even more powerful.”

The National Day of Prayer was started 56 years ago. The courthouse prayer rallies have been an annual event for the past three years. If Thursday’s turnout was any indication, the event will increase in size.

“We want it to grow every year,” said Hildreth.