People gather to pray on national day

During a sing and pray moment Thursday, above from left, Suzy Neal, Rebecca Coffey, Edna Jones and Carol Hagood join in at an event sponsored by Upstate Alive in downtown Greenville as part of National Day of Prayer. Owen Riley Jr./Staff e-mail this story print this story Related Related Web site • National Day of Prayer Photo gallery • See images from the event

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In weather that seemed more like New York in March than springtime in the South, people black, white and brown lifted their hands in praise to God on Thursday, the National Day of Prayer, asking his providence over government leaders, soldiers, teachers, business leaders and health-care workers.

People across the Upstate and the nation were doing the same thing.

"Our nation needs prayer right now," Sunil Varghese, a member of Mt. Zion Christian Fellowship said as the church's musicians filled Main Street with the sweet sounds of acoustic guitars.

Curious passers-by turned their heads, some quickly averting their eyes and hurrying past. Others stopped and watched, smiles slowly spreading across their faces as worshippers gazed up into the gray sky with love for something that can't be seen except in the hearts of those who believe.

An Air Force ROTC troop from Wade Hampton High School was led into Piazza Bergamo by saxophonist Tom Jones, setting a patriotic tone for the event, sponsored by the interdenominational evangelistic group Upstate Alive.

Greenville City Councilman Garry Coulter read a proclamation from the mayor declaring it a day of prayer in Greenville.

"Prayer has been an essential foundation stone in the establishment and growth of the United States of America," the proclamation said.

Eight people, most of them pastors, took turns praying for such things as racial and denominational unity, for the disenfranchised and homeless, the sick and the lost.

"I think prayer is the key to everything," said Melissa Gresham.