Huge crowds have gathered in Washington to pray for the United States with the country just weeks away from a presidential election.

Groups led by evangelist Franklin Graham and Pastor Jonathan Cahn filled the area around the Lincoln Memorial.

Graham led supporters in a march with seven stops where leaders such as Paula While and Jentezen Franklin led prayers.

In a surprise appearance the crowds were addressed by vice president Mike Pence.

"I just want to say 'Thank you for your prayers," he said as he spoke on behalf of President Trump. "Today, at this Washington Prayer March you continue a great American tradition. Since the founding of our nation, our leaders and our people have gone to prayer in challenging times."

"Abraham Lincoln, before whose monument we stand today, said during his time in the White House: 'I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I have nowhere else to go."

Franklin Graham called on the nation to return to its Christian roots: "We see that as a nation we have turned our back on God. We've taken God out of school. We've taken him out of government. We've taken him out of public life.

"We need to put God back in these areas. We need God's help. Only God can heal our land and bring us together."

The other group of Christians gathered for an event called The Return led by Cahn. They too were there to pray for the nation.