Can We Get An 'Amen' For National Day of Prayer?

They came by the scores with one simple task. To pray.

Thirty-two area churches united as one converged on the Mission Viejo Civic Center plaza Thursday as part of a National Day of Prayer.

They spoke in different languages, including Korean, Chinese, Farsi and Russian, as part of a cultural witness before one God.

They prayed for the president and his family, city councilmembers and both Koreas. They prayed for the military, the hurting, and the lost. They prayed for marriages and for schools.

They prayed for each other.

After 15 minutes of worship through song with a choir comprised of singers from the participating churches, prayers followed in various languages—with interpretation—for various needs, including: Pastor Brian Anderson for spiritual protection over America; Pastor Gerardo Arenado for President Barack Obama, his family and leaders in Washington; Lt. Cmdr. Carl Stamper for the military; Pastor Mark Huang for Misison Viejo and its city leaders; Pastor Shin Mijo for the economy and jobs; Pastor Sourik Davidian for the Church in America; Pastor Ven Gorelov for the nation to return to God; Pastor Mark Whitlock for the Church to look like Heaven; Jordan Chaklos for teens; Brooklyn Robinson for children.

Then those with personal needs were asked to come forward and have one of three dozen pastors in front of the stage pray for specifics.

Prayer tents were set up on the outside of the plaza that offered opportunities to pray for everything from arts and entertainment to emergency personnel to medical professionals to those who need salvation.

Mike Maiolo, senior pastor of Mission Viejo Christian Church, was the point man in this second annual event in Mission Viejo, though National Day of Prayer has been in existence since 1952 when President Harry Truman signed a bill calling for it on the day of the president's choosing; in 1988, it was amended to the first Thursday of May.

"Today," Maiolo told to the congregants, "we are one church."

And then the prayer began.

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS: How did you participate in the National Day of Prayer?