Some of the country's most prominent conservative religious leaders -- including several linked to Glenn Beck's Black Robe Regiment and similar new groups -- gathered for two days last week in Dallas to further plan efforts to push for some of the most pressing conservative issues.

Many of those in attendance were either linked to the Black Robe Regiment or the conservative Pray and Act movement, which launched to urge members to pray for a return to social values that include an end to abortion and same-sex marriage.

Pray and Act also has a clear political element, urging followers on its website to be: “consistent by voting in all elections only for candidates who affirm the sanctity of life in all stages and conditions, the integrity of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and religious liberty and respect for conscience.”

Rev. Joseph Fessio, editor in chief of Ignatius Press in San Francisco and a Catholic priest, was among the participants in the two-day meeting in Dallas.

Fessio said the meeting included Rev. Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in La Mesa, Calif., and was led by James Robison of Life Outreach International.

It also included Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, Dr. Richard Lee of First Redeemer Church in Cumming, Ga.; Jay Richards of the New Testament Baptist Church in Vinton, Va.; Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council; Kenneth Copeland of Kenneth Copeland Ministries; Tony Evans of Dallas; Joyce Meyer of Joyce Meyer Ministries; and Maggie Gallagher of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy.

Lee, Land, and Robison are involved in both the Pray and Act and Black Robe Regiment. Some at the Dallas meeting said there was discussion of Beck's Aug. 28 rally and likely future political-themed meetings of ministers.

“We did talk about the [Beck] rally, those who were there and how it had a peaceful, unifying spirit,” Lee told me. “I think there will be more gatherings across the nation of Christian leaders getting together to pray for our country.”

Lee said the group prayed and discussed efforts to focus on conservative issues related to abortion, same-sex marriage and religious freedom. “It was looking at our leadership to see what we can do to return the Judeo-Christian values to our country,” he said. “It was a prayer meeting, but hopefully there will be political meetings - get to the voting polls.”

Fessio said the attendees have different interests, but with a unifying effort to pursue conservative issues such as opposing abortion and same-sex marriage. He cited Garlow's involvement in California's same-sex marriage ban initiative: “Jim was a major force in Prop. 8.”

He also said the Black Robe Regiment was given attention at the meeting: “That was brought up and I think there was a consensus that it was good.”

“It was a pretty big list of very active people,” Fessio told me. “There was a sense of unity and concern about the loss of the country's moral compass. It was quite moving to me.”

The event took place at Dallas' Hotel Hyatt Regency, Fessio said, beginning 1 p.m. Wednesday and ending at Noon on Thursday. He said each participant paid their own way.

The group included a mix of ministers and other religious leaders from three growing conservative movements.

One is Renewing American Leadership, Newt Gingrich's group that includes Garlow and urges followers “to preserve America's Judeo-Christian heritage by defending and promoting the three pillars of American civilization: freedom, faith and free markets.”

Another is Pray and Act, led by Garlow and Chuck Colson and includes a long list of members who have signed up in support online.

The third is the Black Robe Regiment, Glenn Beck's group that organized out of his Aug. 28 rally and includes several members also involved in Pray and Act. Beck has said the group is apolitical, but several members told us they plan to urge parishioners to vote for candidates that follow their views.