National Day of Prayer
<p>Patrick Hamlin brings his hands together while listening to a prayer.</p>
<p>From left, Joan Kirsebom, Mary Anny Ryan and Tommie Ernist, all of Post Falls, pray during the National Day of Prayer at the Post Falls City Hall plaza on Thursday.</p>
<p>Ian Van Ostrand, 14, sings along with a musical number performed Thursday at Coeur d'Alene City Hall where approximately 200 gathered to recognize the 60th annual National Day of Prayer.</p>
With the world's turmoil, Tommie Ernst believes the days are numbered.
"When you see all the things that are going on - hurricanes, tornadoes, rising seas, wars, chaos - this is indication that the end will come," the Post Falls woman said on Thursday before praying during a National Day of Prayer gathering under the flagpoles outside Post Falls City Hall. "It is scriptural.
"We'd better pray that our country is under God. Our country needs help; it needs God's help."
Recognizing that there was a larger gathering in Coeur d'Alene at the same time, Ernst, Mary Ann Ryan and Joan Kirsebom believed it was important to pray in their hometown for government leaders, the city, country and world.
The senior women, who hadn't met before Thursday, were unfazed when they were the only ones who were present.
"Where two or three are gathered, He is in the midst of us," Kirsebom said.
Kirsebom said regardless of the size of the gathering, there's power in prayer as a nation together.
"It pleases God and He does want to hear our prayer," she said. "It recognizes that He is the one who will help us."
Ryan, whose son Dan is in Baghdad, Iraq, serving with the Idaho National Guard, said praying for situations in the world are necessary.
"Scripture says he will heal our land, but only if we humble ourselves and pray," Ryan said.
In Coeur d'Alene, about 200 gathered in front of City Hall at noon for prayer, praise and music. Under cloudy, gray skies, 15 pastors took turns leading the group as they turned to Scripture.
Some stood with hands raised, others with hands clasped, and some closed their eyes and bowed their head.
They prayed for President Obama, for men and women in the service, for government leaders, for the youth of Kootenai County, for humility, for national repentance and for new beginnings.
"We have to pray for those in authority because every decision they make affects every one of us," said Jonathan Owens pastor of Heart of the City Church.
"That's right, Amen," yelled a man in the crowd.
Pastor Gary Brown of Reach America said the community's young are in spiritual warfare and being assaulted from every side.
"We stand here today as a hedge of protection on their behalf," he said.
Brown called on adults to be leaders, not just for their children, but all youth.
"When young people look at our lives may they truly see Jesus living and working in us," he said.
Pastor Tim Remington said the country needs turn to God again.
"When the nation gets on its knees before God, you're going to see change," he said.
Jean Kramer of Hayden Lake attended the prayer gathering and believes it will make a difference.
"Our nation is messed up and we need the Lord guiding us," she said.
"Just look at all these people," Kramer added, looking at the crowd of people. "You can't ask for better wisdom that comes from God. Our people need that."