Day of prayer marked with dissenting views

Supporters marked the 60th annual National Day of Prayer on May 5,
just weeks after a federal appeals court dismissed a suit that
challenged the law creating the day as unconstitutional.

Focus on
the Family founder James Dobson spoke of the "poignant moment" for the
annual gathering on Capitol Hill after a federal court last year had
cast uncertainty about future observances. "Millions of people prayed,
and many of them here in this room, and God heard and answered prayer
and here we are today!" said Dobson, husband of Shirley Dobson,
chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

While similar
events took place in churches, on military bases and on courthouse
steps across the country, about 400 people at the Washington observance
prayed for relief from natural disasters and thanked God for the capture
and death of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.