NATCHEZ &045; The economic and spiritual needs of the Miss-Lou and the United States as a whole may be great, but rest assured &045; God will provide.

That was the message of the majority of prayers lifted up as part of National Day of Prayer celebrations held Thursday in Natchez and Vidalia.

&uot;We need jobs, Lord,&uot; the Rev. Kim Frith of Community Chapel Church of God said at a service held Thursday night at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Natchez.

&uot;And we are thankful that You will meet those provisions,&uot; she said as many in the congregation agreed with loud &uot;amens.&uot; &uot;We know you will provide.&uot;

Those praying during lunchtime at Vidalia Town Hall prayed for God to be with Mayor Hyram Copeland, who was visiting industrial prospects Thursday in Baton Rouge.

&uot;There is a need. And You told us to pray for those in any authority over us. You know the need of jobs in our area. Do it so that Vidalia may be able to honor and glorify You,&uot; said the Rev. Ron Ledford of Calvary Baptist Church.

The Bible says that when even two people are gathered together to pray, God is in their midst, said Eleanor Riley, a resident of Vidalia.

&uot;My help cometh from the Lord,&uot; she said. &uot;We know You’re here Š and that, in Your time, You’re going to answer our prayer.&uot;

What’s also needed is for people to humble themselves before God, said the Rev. Harrison Wilson of St. Paul African Methodist Church.

If that is done, Wilson said, paraphrasing Scripture, &uot;then (God) will heal them and their hand and their lives.&uot;

She and several other members of the Natchez Area Ministerial Alliance also asked God to direct the steps of both the people and our leaders so that change can come and God may be glorified.

&uot;Let us be agents of change,&uot; said the Rev. Arthur R. Brown of Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

&uot;Let us be agents of change to find solutions to the problems of this old world. Let us establish Your kingdom on Earth by feeding those who are hungry.&uot;

As many struggle making ends meet and finding direction, others are struggling spiritually and emotionally in this day and age, some said.

&uot;We come as people seeking Your face, as people who are broken and battered and in need of encouragement,&uot; Wilson said.

In his sermon, Wilson encouraged people to model their prayers after the Lord’s Prayer. &uot;When we pray,&uot; he said, &uot;there’s nothing we can’t do.&uot;