Three months ago when the Ringgold City Council approved a request to once again hold the National Day of Prayer at the historic Depot, it had no idea how badly the community would need the event as it fell in the wake of the tragic tornado that struck the city.

“It’s a glorious day to be here together as a community and family,” said Clyde Painter, pastor of Lakeside Bap-tist Church in Rocky Face and who organized the event. “The city of Ringgold and Catoosa County will rise again, and both will be stronger than ever before. We are here to bombard heaven with our prayer.”

Thursday’s event was the 60th nationwide observance of the National Day of Prayer, which began being officially recognized in 1952.

“Today will go down as a great day for the city of Ringgold,” Painter said. “The city needed this today, more than ever, considering everything that it has endured.”

The hour-long service allowed several local pastors and officials to lead prayers and recognize various members of the community such as schools, law enforcement, and government.

“It’s such a great day,” Painter said. “We’re right here in the heart of rebuilding, and the spirit of the people is so strong. The people of the community are bruised and battered, and homes are lost, but we are not broken.”