Miss-Lou residents will join thousands across the country today holding prayer services during the annual National Day of Prayer.

&uot;The focus is to bring the community together,&uot; said the Rev. Ron Stoker, president of the Natchez Ministerial Alliance and pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church. &uot;We do it as a separate community, but the nation as a whole is coming together.&uot;

Although days of prayer have been called throughout America’s history, Congress officially established a day of prayer in 1952 to encourage Americans to pray for their country and its leaders.

&uot;It’s great to have folks pray together,&uot; said Troy Thomas, pastor of Bethel Church in Vidalia and a member of the Vidalia Ministerial Alliance.

When people gather to pray &uot;I believe it has great fruit,&uot; Thomas said.

In 1988, Congress modified the Day of Prayer legislation so the event would always be held on the first Thursday in May.

In 1999, more than 20,000 events were held nationwide.

Prayer services are scheduled for all 50 states this year, and this year’s theme, based on Romans 12:12, is &uot;PRAY2K, America’s Hope for the New Millennium.&uot;

Ferriday resident Liz Brooking is helping to coordinate a prayer service for that town today.

&uot;Most of the people (that attend) are people that really believe in the power of prayer,&uot; she said.

Because of their biblical beliefs, many feel that praying in groups is more powerful, she said.

In Ferriday, and at other prayer services today, those who attend will pray for their communities and for leaders at all levels of government.

&uot;We’re really praying for America and everything that trickles down through America,&uot; Brooking said.

All prayer services are open to the public. The community is encouraged to attend.