From the President to the common folks, the Filipino nation bowed their heads in prayer at 12 noon Thursday to intercede for peace, unity and prosperity in a synchronized nationwide interfaith “Moment of Prayer.”

They interceded by saying The Prayer for Peace in the Philippines or praying in their own words for the leaders of the land, families, children and a myriad of concerns.

President Duterte prayed privately while Vice President Leni Robredo who was attending a fund raiser, managed to pray with her staff. Senate President Vicente Sotto III interceded with a group at the Philippine Senate, while Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led a moment of prayer for the House of Representatives.

At the Supreme Court, Associate Justice Antonio Carpio presided over the prayer, and Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin prayed privately while attending a lunch engagement.

In their own venues, members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police gave voice to their heart’s desire for peace.

Elsewhere, big businesses also had recourse to prayer.

In many parishes, church bells rang and noontime Masses were preceded by the Prayer for Peace in the Philippines, in various dialects. Muslim leaders and their groups also intoned the same prayer as part of their noontime prayer.