Robin Charbonneau of Wiscasset and her children, at top, enjoyed a beautiful sunny day on the mall in downtown

Brunswick on Thursday as they attended the 64th annual

National Day of Prayer gathering. One of the featured prayers was her son, Isaac, 17, inset above left, who offered an inspirational and powerful prayer for families, before singing “Build Your Kingdom Here,” a song by Rend

Collective. Issac Charbonneau is a “family expert,” according to Pastor Brenda Cross, who introduced the speakers.

He is the second of nine children (No. 10 is “on the way”), and called on fathers, in particular, to be men of integrity within their families. More than 75 people gathered on the mall for the annual prayer service, held the first Thursday in

May. Tori Schalk, above right, whose family has been missionaries to South Africa and now lives in Topsham, did not plan to attend the gathering. “I was having my Bible study in the park, but felt the Holy Spirit calling me here for a reason, so I came down and joined in prayer,” noting that as

Charbonneau prayed for families, she offered prayer for her own. The gathering included music by Compass Point Academy students, a small worship ensemble, a pledge to the flag, and prayers led by nine pastors, teachers, business owners and students. At right, the Rev. Frank Hansen prays for government leaders. Below, Brenda Cross and Melodie Tims lead music. Tims, a preschool teacher, also prayed for education. Other prayers were offered for churches (by the

Rev. Chuck Eames), businesses (Sharon Kirk), the media

(Pastor Jimmy Lewis) and the military (Clarence Munsey).