Students from six Greene County high schools or middle schools gathered around their schools' flagpoles to pray early Thursday morning before classes began.

In addition, students at Nolachuckey Elementary School prayed in front of the school at 1 p.m.

The prayer rallies were held on the National Day of Prayer, an annual event held the first Thursday in May.

In a separate event, at noon Thursday about 65 people gathered in front of the downtown Greene County Courthouse to pray and hear brief speeches from local officials. (See article on Page A-1.)

About 75 people, including some who trickled in during the event, attended a prayer rally at Greeneville Middle School before classes began, according to Cindy Paxton, a technology leader at GMS and sponsor of the rally.

The event was organized and publicized by the after-school student-led Bible study group, Teens of Faith.

The crowd broke into smaller prayer circles and prayed about school, government leaders and the presidential election, according to Paxton.

About 50 student gathered around the flagpole at Chuckey-Doak High School to pray.

Students, many wearing flip-flops and running shoes, held hands and took turns praying in the chilly morning sunshine. Some voices were soft; others carried well. No public address system was used.

One girl prayed for a spirit of revival in the hearts of her classmates. A boy prayed for soldiers in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan and in a hundred other duty stations around the world.

Another girl prayed simply for safety driving back and forth to school another day. Another student prayed for help for those having problems with their families, school or other life issues.

Another girl prayed for leaders at all levels of government, and at school. Another student prayed that Christians would "let our light shine" at school and elsewhere.

Before dismissal, one girl led the crowd in singing "Light of the World," a contemporary Christian worship song that most of the students seemed to know.

Voices rose for the chorus: "Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you're my God."

Fellowship of Christian Athletes advisor Uriah Fletcher, who is a teacher and a coach, helped a member of the organization, Alaina Demay, a junior and member of the FCA, to set up and publicize the prayer event.

At Chuckey-Doak Middle School, students in the First Priority Club had printed programs and invited an adult pastor, the Rev. Jason McCoy of Greeneridge Baptist Church in Horse Creek, to speak.

Rev. McCoy said God's strength is a source of "power when I'm not powerful."

The program included verse 7 of Psalm 28, which states, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."

Rev. McCoy said the Bible promises that, "whatever your battlefield, God will be your strength."

When he explained that the shield in the Bible verse stands for God's protection, the students seemed to listen intently.

Matt Musgrove, an eighth-grader, welcomed the students and opened and closed with prayer.

Dustin Cobble, a sixth-grader, sang "The Star Spangled Banner."

Another sixth-grader, Laura Ramsey, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Students Alex Hensley, Megan Schrodt, Mariah Schrody and Josh Lamb read short prayers for different branches and levels of government, the military and the upcoming presidential election.

The group grew by ones and twos as parents dropped children off before classes began.

Rev. McCoy said, "Every day should be a National Day of Prayer, not just one day."

He also said that God's son, Jesus, "understands how you feel. All He wants you to do is talk to Him" through prayer.

Some 50 to 60 students and adults gathered around the flagpole in front of Nolachuckey Elementary School at 1 p.m. to pray, according to Alora Ricker, a sixth-grader at the school who helped organize the rally.

Ricker said students prayed about "getting through the rest of the day" and thanked the Lord for bringing them to the rally to pray.

The students sang three songs, "Amazing Grace," "Lord, I Lift Your Name On High," and "Sanctuary."

The rally was co-sponsored by Principal Gerald Miller and teachers Ginger Lister and Diane Janes, Ricker said.

Student sponsors were Konnor Donahue, Kylie Renner, Javan Wilhoit and Ricker, again according to Ricker.

At South Greene High School, about 40 students, faculty and staff gathered around the school's flagpole on the football field to pray and sing.

R.C. Brown and Arianna Ingram began the program by singing "Old Rugged Cross" and "Amazing Grace." Danielle Dean, a student, also sang a song.

Allison Seckler told the history of the National Day of Prayer.

Kaylin Delarosa explained the importance of prayer, and Kimberly Shelton gave an example of establishing a personal relationship with God.

Students prayed for U.S. troops, the nation and personal spiritual needs.

The prayer rally was hosted by the student club, Soldiers For Christ, and teacher Scott Phillips.

"I'm proud of these young people for what they do every day, and not just on National Day of Prayer," Phillips said.

The rally concluded with the reciting of the Lord's Prayer.

About 40 students, faculty and staff at North Greene High School attended a prayer rally before classes began.

The prayer time began with singing by the youth group Impact 4:12.

John Buchanan, brother of coach James Buchanan, addressed the gathering.

William Jennings, a student, read Scripture.

About 25 students, faculty and other adults participated in a prayer rally held around the flagpole at West Greene High School before classes began.

The rally opened with students who read Scripture.

Members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes performed a skit depicting the passage in the Bible where the resurrected Jesus told His disciple Peter to "feed my sheep."

"I think it's very important we pray for our country," Mark Bowles, a teacher and co-sponsor of FCA, said.

The rally closed with students praying in a circle about their school, country, community and troops.

Stephany Napier, a Greeneville Sun intern, also contributed to this article.