Prayers and songs rang through the humid air outside the State House early Thursday afternoon.

About 200 people, adults and children, gathered at the State House steps to pray for their nation, their state, their leaders and for each other. Some knelt on the grass, others closed their eyes and raised hands to the heavens, but all were together in prayer.

They gathered for the State House Rally to observe the 52nd annual National Day of Prayer.

The rally started at noon with praise and worship music and then a welcome from the Rev. Ken Carter of Greenville, state coordinator for the National Day of Prayer.

"Jesus is up there rejoicing over the fact we're all out here today," Carter said.

Gov. Mark Sanford appeared about halfway through the event to read a proclamation honoring the National Day of Prayer and speak briefly.

Sanford, who has openly asked for prayer from South Carolinians since first being elected, described how the recent war in Iraq has motivated many people to turn to prayer.

"Since our nation's founding Americans have turned to prayer, and on this day we honor the religious diversity that is our strength," Sanford said. "The crisis in the Middle East has brought back the significance of prayer. We live in times when prayer is desperately needed. ‘.‘.‘. We have the unique opportunity right now to focus on the power of prayer."

While Sanford mentioned the state's diverse religious population, the rally focused completely on prayer from a Christian point of view.

After he spoke, several ministers gathered around him and prayed for him, some of them laying their hands on his shoulders.

Participants in the rally said they were glad to be able to worship with Christians from a variety of denominations.

"This is a great chance to pray with a combined group of people. It's nice to have events that bring different denominations together," said Michael Smarsh of Lexington, who attends The Harvest church. "It was also great to have a chance to pray for the governor and to see him out here with us."

Ministers from several Midlands area churches and other members of the community offered up prayers for President George W. Bush, for the armed forces, for fellow ministers, those persecuted for their Christian faith, and for South Carolina schools.

"You could tell by the reaction of the people here today that the rally reached everybody out here," said Cyril Belton, a member of Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia. He attended with fellow members of the church choir. His music minister, Harold Brooker, offered up one of the prayers.

"It's really important for Christians to be united like this," said Diane Lee of Camden. "This rally shows other people that we live what we talk about every day -- not just on Sunday."