A quarter-million people flooded Cairo’s main square today in a stunning, jubilant and mostly peaceful protest demanding that for President Hosni Mubarak step down from power.  The crowd was young and old, urban poor and middle class professionals. It was by far the largest protest yet in a week of extraordinary public protest.

“God, bring your will in Egypt. Bring freedom and liberty, in order and without violence. Give wisdom to the leaders of this movement. Move the heart of Mubarak to release his grip and yield to the tide of your hand in history. Resist any who would take advantage of this season. And settle the rest of the Arab world as well… In Jesus…”