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GREENSBORO — It took just a few words to fire up the crowd at the midday National Day of Prayer  gathering at the Phill G. McDonald Plaza downtown on Thursday.

“What a privilege to live in a nation where ... we can come on government property to pray,” one of the speakers said through a microphone to cries of “Amen” from the crowd.

A federal  judge’s recent ruling that the National Day of Prayer  is unconstitutional added a sense of urgency for people like Melissa Leonard .  The case is on appeal.

“Our nation needs prayer,” Leonard said. “We need healing and we need God’s guidance.”

President Barack Obama, in his proclamation  marking the Day of Prayer,   called upon “citizens ... to pray or otherwise give thanks in accordance with their own faiths and consciences and for our many freedoms and blessings.”

Obama also asked for God’s continued “guidance, grace and protection as we meet the challenges before us.”

The day has been recognized by the government since 1952 , when President Harry Truman  signed  the National Day of Prayer into law.

In 1988 , President Ronald Reagan  signed a bill into law decreeing the National Day of Prayer be recognized on the first Thursday of May  each year.

The Greensboro observance, organized largely by Hunter Hills Evangelical Friends Church , featured prayers and the Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge  choir. Other events included a prayer breakfast at the Hayes-Taylor YMCA .

As the choir sang in the background downtown, a small but devoted crowd joined with singing and clapping in the  90-degree weather. At various times, participants linked hands in groups across the public space.

One of the participants, Ricky Evans , had taken an early lunch from his personal training studio downtown and snapped pictures and sent commentary by text message to his wife, who was at work.

“Religion isn’t just within the church, it’s in unity, out here,” Evans said as he swayed back and forth.

Those leading prayers asked the audience to remember the government and military and civil servants, among others.

“I thank you for the heart you have given them,” said Chris Edwards  of Greater Piedmont Teen Challenge  in a prayer for those in the military. “I pray you give them peace in their storm.”

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 373-7049 or nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com