Gathered for prayer

Community members gathered at the footsteps of the Costa Mesa City Hall on Thursday to join in the National Day of Prayer.

Eloise Ott of Praise Jam, a local musical group, played patriotic songs and encouraged everyone to sing along.

“We invite people to bring their beach towels, their food and whatever they want to come here and enjoy this gorgeous day ...,” she said before the midday event.

Most of those who gathered to pray for their country were Christian.

“Anybody who finds that ‘God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in time of trouble’ can come here and pray,” Ott said.

Yvonne Brown has been a regular at National Day of Prayer evens outside City Hall.

The 89-year-old said she’s putting her two cents in by attending “because I love America.”

There were several who gathered in a circle to pray while the national anthem played. The circle grew as people were invited to join.

Madeline Ryan has been attending for four years. She said that to her every day is one of prayer, but she attends the annual event to support Ott and remind people how lucky they are to be in America.

“I’ve been around the world, and there’s no place like the United States, so I thank my lucky stars every day for what I have,” she said. “People don’t get out of their backyards, they don’t know how lucky they are.”

There were events like the one in Costa Mesa scheduled throughout the nation, Ott said.

“Just be out today, don’t stay home,” she said.