There was a lot to pray about Thursday at an inaugural breakfast observing the National Day of Prayer in Colorado Springs.

With two ongoing wars, the rise of antisemitism, religious division, political discord and myriad social crises, attendees were asked to set aside any differences and unite in sending heavenward petitions for pressing issues of the times.

“Prayer changes things — we’re reminded of hope, healing and reconciliation,” said keynote speaker Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who moved to Colorado Springs in 2010 to pastor a church under the Christian and Missionary Alliance and last year won the mayoral seat.

“Our fight is not against other humans but against the forces of darkness,” he said. “Prayers bring a sense of comfort, courage and renewal.”

About 75 people gathered at The Pinery for the event hosted by the Pikes Peak Southern Colorado Leadership Conference to share prayers for government leaders, military, businesses, churches, entertainment and media — the nationwide focuses of the day.

The 2024 theme, “Lift Up the Word — Light Up the World,” references a biblical verse from 2 Samuel that says God is the lamp that lights the darkness and a shield to all who take refuge in him.

The world is clearly in turmoil and needs a savior, said the Rev. Gwen Henderson, senior co-pastor of Genesis Church of the Nazarene.

“We can’t go through anything today without prayer,” she said during her presentation. “Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts, and the door has no handle. So you have to open the door and invite him in.

"God does answer our prayers; we may not know when, we may not know how, but he’s always on time.”

Stu Davis, who runs COSILoveYou, an interdenominational nonprofit that orchestrates projects to benefit the community, challenged the group to reclaim the sense of humility that Jesus modeled on Earth.

“I believe America has a love affair with power, pride, arrogance and influence,” he said. “There is not a single one of us of whom that indictment is not true.”

God gives people instructions in the Bible on how he wants them to live, Davis said, with the first directive being “humble yourselves.”

Sign Up for free: Peak Interest

Yet too often religious leaders search for the same dominance that exists in the rest of society, he said.

“We have to lay down our influences, egos, social platforms, political preferences and our lives. We have to break that spirit of competitiveness,” Davis said. “All of historical reconciliation, or peacemaking, offered that required humility had to begin with the oppressed forgiving the oppressor. I need to extend grace, not sit around waiting for the spirit to hit someone else.”

Attendee Lon Halley, who works with Capitol Ministries, which does Bible studies with government leaders, said he believes Americans have forgotten about the love of freedom.

“We’re losing the foundational principles this country was founded on,” he said. “We’ve lost our way in the nation, and we need a lamp to light our path. We are all one in Christ.”

It’s apparent that the country and its people are hurting, said the Rev. Gabriel Valle, pastor of Venga Tu Reino Church and a member of the Pikes Peak Southern Colorado Leadership Conference board.

“There are a lot of things that are trying to divide us rather than unite us,” he said. “Prayer unites us. It is impossible to pray and never love because God is love.”

Tens of thousands of people were expected to participate in prayer events Thursday in parks, churches, schools, statehouses and other locations.

The prayer breakfast was one of three major events in Colorado Springs during this year’s observance; others were sponsored by Men With a Purpose and New Life Midtown. About 50 churches in town also held separate services, organizers said.

A day set aside for nationwide prayer predates the United States’ founding, being traced to the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775.

The tradition was formalized in contemporary times when President Harry S. Truman proclaimed a National Day of Prayer on July 4, 1952. The law changed in 1988, when President Ronald Reagan declared the National Day of Prayer would be held annually on the first Thursday of May.

A nonprofit National Day of Prayer Task Force originated in 1983 in Colorado Springs, where it is still headquartered. The organization organizes, coordinates and oversees annual events of evangelical Christians.

The observance has faced controversy over the years, over disagreements whether it was an interfaith observance. The organization’s website today says it is grounded in Judeo-Christian beliefs.

Contact the writer: 719-476-1656.