Seven years ago, Krum resident Louvenia Sprabary was within earshot of a plane as it hit the Pentagon.

DRC/Barrom Ludlum

About 50 people gathered for prayer on the south side of the Denton County Courthouse on the Square on Thursday. The event was part of a national movement called Cry Out America, which asks people to come together and pray for their families, friends and nation on Sept. 11.

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Sprabary, who was on vacation with her family, said they were on returning to a tour bus from Arlington National Cem­etery on Sept. 11, 2001, when she heard a big boom, then saw fire and smoke billowing in the distance.

Sprabary first thought the explosion may have been a mistake by city workers, but after soon learning the fire was related to an attack on the country, she was left with a feeling of disbelief and surprise, she said.

“I was in shock. You just can’t believe it,” she said, adding that she feared it would happen again. “We prayed. All we knew to do was pray.”

On Thursday, the only thing she knew to do seven years ago — pray — brought her to the south lawn of the Denton County Courthouse on the Square, where about 50 other Denton County residents gathered.

Sprabary participated in Cry Out America, a movement in which people from various religious denominations nationwide pray for one hour at their county courthouses for their families, friends and country on Sept. 11.

Thursday was the first time the event was held in Denton County, said Connie Hudson, the event’s organizer.

Hudson said she was unsure how many people would turn out for prayer but was pleased to see the number of people who came from all over the county to make the event a powerful experience, she said.

“I believe that we touched heaven, and I hope to see good changes for our na­tion,” Hudson said.

Those at the event prayed and sang. While some prayed for the homeless, the sick and their families, others prayed for the evacuees of Hurricane Ike, the voting process and the upcoming presidential election.

County Commissioner Bobbie Mitchell said it was refreshing to see so many people come during their lunch break to participate in the event.

Mitchell, who gave the invocation, said any time people gather to pray is important to her.

“Anytime you get a chance to refresh your soul in the middle of a work day, to me, that makes the day go better,” she said. “You can go to your meetings the rest of the day feeling filled because you’ve been refreshed and feel revived.”

Hudson said the Bible states that God will hear his people and restore and heal them if they humble themselves, and she believes that is something that can happen.

“We’re praying for our city and our country and our nation daily,” Hudson said. “This was a public thing, but it’s done privately daily. It’s done in our homes. That’s where it starts.”

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .