Common messages mark diverse National Day of Prayer observance in Pleasanton

The ethnic and religious diversity of the Livermore Valley and beyond was on full display Thursday evening when the sixth annual National Day of Prayer was observed at the Alameda County Fairgrounds amphitheater.

Originally organized by Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, the observance was led by the Interfaith Advisory Council this year supported by Haubert’s office staff. He represents the First District including Dublin, Livermore, the unincorporated Livermore Valley as well as portions of Pleasanton and Fremont. 

A scene during the pre-event reception demonstrated the interfaith leadership when Rev. Ken Wolter, chair of the group (formerly at Cornerstone and now running his own cancer-care nonprofit), greeted Parvinder Singh from the Tri-Valley Sikh Center (Livermore) and Rabbi Raleigh Resnick from Chabad of the Tri-Valley (Pleasanton). The warm handshakes and embraces conveyed the love and respect they had for each other. It was the same when Haubert came by to say hello.

In the practice of past events, each speaker prayed in their tradition and in their language, which meant translators accompanying some speakers. Languages ranged from Spanish to Hindi to Punjabi to Buddhism to Sanskrit — to name a few.

After the presentation of the colors by soldiers from the Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, their chaplain, Terri Sykes, led the pledge of allegiance and a fervent prayer. Her prayer set the tone for several others.

Speakers represented the Shiva Vishnu Temple in Livermore, the Fa Yun Chan Temple of the Buddhist Community, the Tri-Valley Sikh Center, the Coptic Orthodox Church in Pleasanton, the BAPS organization, Tri-Valley Baha’I faith, Crosswinds Fellowship (in Spanish), Palma Ceia Baptist Church and New Beginnings Church in Livermore.

Most of the speakers prayed for wisdom, discernment and integrity for leaders at every level as well as a blessing on the United States. God’s mercy and forgiveness (ours and his) also were common themes. The National Day of Prayer dates to 1952 and was formalized by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Muslim Ustadh Feraidoon Mojadedi prayed, “Oh, the Lord of Majesty and mercy, we turn to you in humble supplications, asking that you endow our leaders with strength rooted in righteousness, that they may serve with honor, integrity and clarity of purpose. Make them peacemakers in times of division, bringers of calm amidst the storm, guided not by pride and power but by justice and mercy.

“Let them use their authority as a trust to uplift the weak, protect the innocent and serve the common good above all, make them builders of what’s beautiful and enduring institution founded upon truth, policies inspired by mercy, Crown their character with humility, their words with wisdom and the example with grace, so they may become reflections of the good you love, a model of service, beauty and goodness for all.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provided the string quartet for the music during the reception as well as a choir for the opening and closing songs.

Haubert’s office estimated the crowd at about 260 people, the largest in the six-year history.

Injured hiker airlifted out of Las Trampas after 36 hours in parkMarch 29, 2026 8:50 pm

Downtown Livermore restaurant up for sale months after reopening from fire damageMarch 27, 2026 5:26 pm

Tri-Valley residents rally for ‘No Kings’ during demonstration dayMarch 29, 2026 2:29 pm