One thing that is common to all religions in some form is prayer. Prayer is a means of communication with our creator, of conveying our wishes and hearing our own hearts speak.

This Thursday, people from across America will gather in one great community of prayer in honor of National Day of Prayer.

In Demopolis, the Blackbelt Christian Ministerial Association will host the National Day of Prayer event on Thursday from 12:10 to 12:30 p.m. at the gazebo in the park downtown.

The program will be opened by the Rev. Lacornia Harris of New Aimwell Baptist Church. Then, different ministers from the area will lead prayers for different topics.

Dr. Allen Atkins of Fairhaven Baptist Church will open prayer for the family unit. These prayers include prayer for the covenant-breaking influence that manifests as divorce to be bound from our city and nation; and that families be bold to instruct their children in God’s ways and lead the family in honoring God as the Lord of their lives.

Dr. Art Luckie of the First United Methodist Church will open prayer for the church. These prayers include prayer that pulpits will be positions of the truth in God’s word with no compromise; that spirits of disunity be removed from the church’s homes; and people and that God’s people will see the need of this hour for prayer.

The Rev. Frank Stiff of the Saints Tabernacle Church of God in Christ will open prayer for the government. These prayers include prayer for wisdom from our local leaders, state leaders and federal leaders to have their hearts open to be led by God’s direction in these hard times; and for our city, state and nation to be protected from social unrest, terrorism and biological and chemical warfare.

The Rev. Brooks Barkley of First Baptist Church will open prayer for our educational systems. These prayers include prayer for godly teachers and professors that will teach truth in our places of education; for wisdom in choosing educational materials that will make a stand for honor, truth and righteousness in our classroom; and for the Lord to protect the Christians in our classrooms.

The Rev. Sid Rowser of Jerusalem Baptist Church will open prayers for economic blessing. These prayers include prayer for the prosperity of the businesses in our city, state and nation; for job creation for our youth; and for grace for those living on welfare to have doors of opportunity opened.

Demopolis mayor Mike Grayson will close the program with a prayer for the city of Demopolis.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the National Day of Prayer. It is a way for the community to come together with their prayer needs and feel the healing power that prayer provides.

n The Demopolis Times Faith page is seeking information about area churches’ Vacation Bible School.

We would like to have the dates, times, ages and themes for your Vacation Bible Schools, along with the host church’s name and address.

Please e-mail this information to david.snow@demopolistimes.com or call it in at (334) 289-4017, ext. 317.