Sounds of praise and powerful prayers echoed through parts of Hamilton on Wednesday as several different churches and religious groups gathered for Bermuda's National Day of Prayer.

While grey skies threatened rain, the annual event began at midday with a relatively small group gathered in and around the bandstand in the centre of Victoria Park, including religious and political representatives, Deputy Premier Paula Cox, Opposition Leader Kim Swan and Senator Michael Dunkley, Bishop of Hamilton Robert Kurtz and Rev. Calvin Stone.

However, stragglers continued to join the group throughout the 90-minute service, until there were more than 100 gathered.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Neville Smith of Radnor Road Christian Fellowship shared with those in attendance: "Let's believe good things for this country . . . God is about to do something spectacular."

Throughout the service, the focus was continually on the people of Bermuda coming together in unity to face the future, working together to look for solutions to many of the Island's social ills.

The theme of the event was focused around the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14, which read: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Before prayers began, Deputy Premier Paula Cox said: "As we stand here today, let us ask the the Lord for His strength . . . Let the Lord be a beacon of light was we move toward the future."

Among those leading prayers for specific topics, were Judy Webbe, Rev. Musa Duba and Jenita Burke, and specific subjects including the confession of personal and corporate sins, Bermuda's young people and the upcoming challenge for the next Premier.

In praying for our next Premier, Ms Burke called on God to provide blessings and wisdom for Paula Cox, Terry Lister and Dale Butler, and that our new leader would be someone who "rules with honour" and was a leader who was "tapped into [God]".

Pastor Stefan Burton-Shnell led prayers for the pulling down of strongholds across the Island.

"We pray that the strongholds of selfishness will be broken down," he prayed.

He also prayed very urgently and powerfully for what he saw as a national sin of pride, particularly looking at how disunity amongst the different communities has manifested itself through gang violence, as well as the general feeling of helplessness in the community arising from the economic challenges faced by many.