Dozens of people assembled in a North Suffolk church parking lot beneath a cross bearing an American flag to offer prayers and exhortations to leaders on Thursday.

Pastor Carl LeMon of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Eclipse said it was the first time in his 19-year association with the church that Ebenezer has held dedicated events for the National Day of Prayer.

“We have in the past just left the church open for observation and (personal) prayer, but this is the first time we have made an effort,” he said.

LeMon said the National Day of Prayer is vitally relevant with numerous conflicts occurring all over the globe.

“The day and the times warrant our prayer and our intercession. These are challenging times, absolutely,” he said.

He invoked the words of the Church of England cleric and Baptist movement precursor John Wesley.

“John Wesley said, ‘Nothing really happens without first happening in prayer.’ Prayer is very important.”

Explaining its importance, he said prayer is having a relationship with God.

“As children we believe God loves us beyond our wildest imaginations,” he said. “God loves to have a relationship with us. We talk to God about the things that matter.”

The noon session involved exhortations for Chuckatuck Borough Councilman Mike Duman, Mayor Linda T. Johnson, several state delegates and senators, Gov. Bob McDonnell, Congressman Randy Forbes, U.S. senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, U.S. Supreme Court justices and President Barack Obama.

“Let us pray (that) our local, state and federal representatives that lead our nation at all levels might live peaceful and quiet lives,” prayer leader Bob Earl said.

LeMond said: “We name everybody — the President, the Supreme Court justices … Mike Duman is at the top of the list.”

“We’re praying for anybody that we know, because there’s something mysterious about praying for people.”

Participants also were invited to write a private petition and nail it to the cross.