Community gathers in prayer at courthouse for National Day of Prayer
Published 2:16 pm Friday, May 2, 2025
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby welcomes everyone to Thursday’s National Day of Prayer at the Carter County Courthouse.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A group of young and old gathered to pray for U.S. leaders, local leaders, the military, schools and the addiction issue in the county at Thursday’s National Day of Prayer.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Local leaders, along with pastors, gathered to recognize the importance of prayer to Elizabethton, Carter County and the United States during the National Day of Prayer held at the Carter County Courthouse on Thursday. Pictured are (from left) Elizabethton Mayor Bill Carter, Aaron Henson, Dr. Charlene Thomas (county commissioner), Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby, Jackson Smith (program organizer), Tony Trott, Troy Davis, Randy Johnson and Mike Fritz.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent A large gathering assembled at the Carter County Courthouse on Thursday morning as part of the National Day of Prayer.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Pastor Mike Fritz speaks to the crowd about the drug crisis in Carter County before praying over addiction.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent There is peace, calm and comfort when prayer is offered to God — no matter what age you might be.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Pastor Tony Trott prays over the Air Force and Space Force at Thursday’s National Day of Prayer event in Carter County.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent An attendee of the National Day of Prayer bows his head and clasps his hands during the time of prayer.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Pastor Randy Johnson prays for local citizens of Carter County.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Pastor Troy Davis prays for local government leaders.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Thursday’s National Day of Prayer was a time for local residents to unite in prayer.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent These men bow their heads as prayers by different church pastors and local leaders are offered.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent Dr. Caleb King prays over national government leaders.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent The Smith Family provided a timely song for the National Day of Prayer event at the Carter County Courthouse.
Ivan Sanders/Star Correspondent City of Elizabethton Mayor William E. Carter reads a proclamation recognizing Thursday as a National Day of Prayer in Elizabethton.
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Star Correspondent
Community members gathered at the Carter County Courthouse on Thursday to observe the National Day of Prayer, joining together in reflection and unity as local officials, faith leaders and citizens lifted up their voices in prayer for the nation, state and region.
Held annually on the first Thursday of May, the National Day of Prayer is a federally designated observance established by Congress and supported by a presidential proclamation each year. The day invites people across the country to seek divine guidance and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives through prayer and meditation.
This year’s observance in Elizabethton and Carter County was led by organizer Jackson Smith, who welcomed participants and introduced a lineup of speakers representing various facets of community life. In addition to heartfelt prayers, the event included a musical performance by The Smith Family to set a reverent tone for the morning.
Mayor William E. “Bill” Carter of the City of Elizabethton and Carter County Mayor Patty Woodby each issued formal proclamations declaring Thursday, May 1, as the official National Day of Prayer.
Mayor Carter’s proclamation noted the historic nature of the occasion, recognizing it as the 74th consecutive observance of the National Day of Prayer. The proclamation called on Elizabethton residents to observe the day in ways appropriate to its importance and encouraged a unified moment of prayer at 11 a.m.
In her proclamation, Mayor Woodby emphasized Carter County’s commitment to faith, compassion and unity, highlighting the community’s resilience in the aftermath of recent challenges such as Hurricane Helene and regional flooding. Her statement underscored the power of prayer to bind communities together across differences and reaffirmed the county’s hope for a future of justice and peace.
A series of prayers followed the proclamations, each one focused on a specific area of public life. Dr. Caleb King offered prayers for national government leaders, while Troy Davis lifted up local government officials. Randy Johnson led a prayer on behalf of citizens and local communities.
Military branches were recognized in a series of prayers led by Mike Fritz for the Army, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and Tony Trott for the Air Force and Space Force. Schools were also a focus of the day’s prayers, with Aaron Henson asking for guidance and protection over students, educators and institutions of learning.
The final prayer came from Dr. Charlene Thomas, a Carter County commissioner, who addressed themes of peace and unity across the country, national safety and a collective return to God. Her words served as a call for national healing and spiritual renewal, echoing the sentiments expressed in both proclamations.
Mayor Woodby also called upon Fritz to pray over the drug addiction crisis in Carter County as well as other addictions that residents face.
Throughout the event, those in attendance stood in solemn recognition of the values that the National Day of Prayer seeks to uphold — faith, unity and moral reflection. The service offered a chance for community members to come together across denominational and political lines to share in a collective moment of spiritual grounding.
As the crowd bowed their heads in prayer under sunny skies, the event served as a reminder of the importance of intentional time set aside for gratitude, intercession and unity — especially in times of both hardship and hope.
