Republican presidential hopefuls have emphasized their opposition to gay marriage and abortion before a crowd of Christian conservatives who hold significant sway in Iowa’s leadoff presidential caucuses.

Nine declared and prospective 2016 candidates appeared at a weekend forum sponsored by the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition and attended by more than 1,000 people.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz noted that the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in four states’ same-sex marriage cases on Tuesday and said that between now and then, conservatives must, in his words, “fall to our knees and pray.”

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul encouraged conservatives to be more assertive in their opposition to abortion.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal spoke about his conversion to Christianity and said he would seek to protect religious freedom.