The Rev. Kevin Novack of St. Columba Catholic Church delivers the Prayer for Education on Thursday to an audience of about 75 worshippers. Residents gathered at the La Plata County Courthouse to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. Dr. David Keitz, who served as emcee, said the event is about thanking God for America’s freedoms: “We’re free to gather, and we’re free to speak and pray as we choose without censorship or persecution.”