Lawmakers, Cops Join Thousands to Pray for Nation

WASHINGTON -- Marriage wasn't the only focus on the National Day of Prayer. Americans gathered at some 43,000 prayer events from coast to coast to seek God for this nation.

At one church in Mitchellville, Maryland, people could drive through for prayer.

"We felt this would be an opportunity to just reach out to them for a few moments as they drive on by, just like they drive up to a McDonald's window," said Dwayne Hooper, minister of the Largo Community Church.

Everyone was invited.

"I'm here so I can be prayed for," said Alfredo Dunn, a Maryland police officer.

"We've been able to join in prayer together thinking about our communities, thinking about public safety," Col. Daryl Palmer, a fellow Maryland police officer, added.

"I prayed for peace, for safety -- not only for law enforcement, but for the community," Maryland police officer Carl Copeland, said.

The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer was "Lord, hear our cry" from the book of First Kings.

"Hear the cry and the prayer of your servant that is praying in your presence today," said Shirley Dobson, chairwoman for the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

On Capitol Hill, decision makers humbled themselves before God.

"It is times like this when we bow our head in prayer," presidential candidate Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said. "We pray for our leaders and ask that you give them wisdom."

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was there, too.

"It is up to us who are the true believers now to stand up, to stand up for what we believe, to have the courage and the faith to believe that God will get us through this difficult period," Carson encouraged.

Levita Brooks, with the Largo Community Church, shared her thoughts on the day.

"If the believers would just take one day and everybody pray at the same time about the same stuff, can you imagine what God would do?" Brooks asked. "That's what the National Day of Prayer is about."