"We need another Dunkirk," said Dr. James Dobson at Saturday's national day of prayer in Houston as he recounted the famous story and called American Christians to devote themselves to prayer and fasting. "God answers prayer." He is absolutely right.

What an encouraging day during such a discouraging week! Against the backdrop of a severe financial crisis and near-crippling political gridlock in Washington, the S&P's first-ever downgrade of American debt, the increasing prospect of a double-dip recession, and the terrible tragedy of the murder of 30 American special forces heroes in Afghanistan -- including operators from the Navy's SEAL Team Six -- more than 30,000 Americans gathered peaceably here yesterday to pray for the Lord to have mercy on our country. They joined together with evangelical Christians gathered at some 1,300 satellite viewing locations in all 50 states. They implored the Lord to spare us from the judgment our many sins deserve. They pleaded with the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit and give us a Third Spiritual Awakening. They chose, too, to pray for the Lord to bless the State of Israel and the Jewish people, and prayed faithfully and passionately for the peace of Jerusalem.

"The Response" was no ordinary prayer meeting. Personally, I've never been to anything like it, and I was blessed by every minute of it. There were no political speeches. No entrance fees. No offering. No fund-raising appeal. No merchandise sold. No light show. No entertainment of any kind. This was simply seven straight hours of prayer and fasting, heartfelt contrition and repentance, Bible reading from the Book of Joel and many other Scriptures, and wonderful worship - both modern praise songs and beloved hymns - with every generation represented along with so many races and ethnic backgrounds. Let's do more of this…

How often do 30,000 American believers gather not for entertainment but simply to fast, pray and worship all day long? Yes, some feared the event was going to be political. But it wasn't. Yes, some feared what would be said or done would be theologically off base. But it wasn't. I know because I was there. I wish even more had been there, too. We need more pastors and ministry leaders to teach and follow the Book of Joel, not fewer. We need more officials to call for prayer and fasting and to be encouraged for doing so, not fewer.

I'm grateful to Texas Governor Rick Perry for helping call for this event to take place, for encouraging people from all over the country to participate, for standing his ground against intense liberal and atheist opposition and even a federal lawsuit (which was dismissed), and for speaking and praying at the event despite many calls for him not to do so. “