Prayers for Nelson Mandela after second night in hospital

South Africans prayed for Nelson Mandela as he spent a second day in hospital today suffering a lung infection that has sparked worldwide concerns for the ailing peace icon.

Mandela's latest health scare was splashed across the front pages of local newspapers but government officials have released no updates since announcing he was hospitalised in Pretoria early Saturday in a "serious but stable" condition.

The congregation at the Regina Mundi church in Soweto, a flashpoint during the anti-apartheid struggle, prayed for the 94-year-year-old national hero.

"I am coming to church today with Madiba in my thoughts. I want him to get well," churchgoer Nokuthula Tshibasa, 38, told AFP, using Mandela's clan name.

It is the fourth hospital stay since December for the Nobel peace prize laureate, who turns 95 next month, after he was discharged in April following treatment for pneumonia.

South Africans are beginning to come to terms with the mortality of their first black president who is revered as the father of the "Rainbow Nation" multi-race democracy.

"I mean Tata is 94. At 94 what do you expect?" said church goer Sannie Shezi, 36, using an affectionate term meaning father. "He lived his life, he worked for us. All we can say is God help him. If things happen they will happen, but we still love him."

The Sunday Times newspaper carried a front-page picture of the elder statesman smiling and waving under the headline: "It's time to let him go".

"We wish Madiba a speedy recovery, but I think what is important is that his family must release him," long-time friend Andrew Mlangeni, 87, told the newspaper.

The former apartheid era prisoner who was jailed for life alongside Mandela in 1964 said it was clear he was not well and it was possible he "might not be well again".

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj told AFP that Mandela was breathing on his own. "The truth of the matter is a simple one. Madiba is a fighter and at his age as long as he is fighting, he'll be fine," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Mandela was in his thoughts, while the White House has also sent good wishes.

Mandela was receiving care at his Johannesburg home when his lung problems returned. He was admitted to an undisclosed Pretoria hospital Saturday after his condition worsened.

*ndtv