PROVO — Scores of Utahns gathered at a variety of venues around the state Thursday to celebrate their faith and that of others during the National Day of Prayer.

In Provo, about 50 people gathered at noon in the sanctuary at Provo Community Congregational Church to pray for peace, freedom and mercy for their enemies. Speakers represented a variety of faiths including Jews, Protestants, Catholics and Latter-day Saints.

Chaplain Linda Walton of the Utah Valley State College Interfaith Student Association said it is certain that participants "don't always agree theologically, but almost all religions pray, and that's why we're here." Quoting author John Mecham, she said religion in America "shapes the life of a nation without strangling it."

Chaplain Michael Benedict, chairman of the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, prayed for all in attendance to "accept the stewardship" to lead the less fortunate, knowing that "they too are a part of our community." He prayed all would have courage to "always be mindful, always be prayerful, always be vigilant, and to never take (citizens') rights and responsibilities for granted."

The Rev. Miki Laws of American Fork Community Presbyterian Church said there is a "very thin line between freedom and chaos" and prayed that participants might know "that God is always in charge . . . that we will know how to respect freedom and to avoid chaos," even when public policies disagree with personal preference.

The Very Rev. Kevin Crowell of the Emergent Catholic Church International offered three brief prayers from Russian Orthodox, Anglican and Catholic writing and teaching. "Help us change our world as we pray for our enemies," he said.

Alex Stecker of Hebrew University in Jerusalem prayed that God would "strengthen the defenders of this nation, establish peace in the land and everlasting joy for its inhabitants."

Asking God to "still and calm the elements, that they might not bring about (more) suffering for the innocent," Chaplain Alden Brown of Utah Valley Regional Medical Center acknowledged those whose lives have recently been scarred by natural disasters, as well as victims of war and struggles "between neighbors and in the streets of our communities and cities and nations."

Provo Mayor Lewis Billings attended the service and read a proclamation lauding the celebration of the National Day of Prayer in Provo. The service included an interdenominational hymn and a rendition of "God Bless America," by vocalist Chelsie Porter.

Other services around the state were led by evangelical Christian ministers, who organized and sponsored events in St. George, Orem, Salt Lake City, Park City and Ogden.

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