In Natchez, about 40 people gathered Thursday on the sidewalk in front of City Hall to call on God to unify the Miss-Lou and to revive it, both economically and spiritually.

The annual gathering, sponsored by the Natchez Area Ministerial Alliance, was just one of many National Day of Prayer services held throughout the country.

Dolly Jones of Natchez was in a nearby government building when she heard about the event and decided to attend for the first time.

It’s important for Christians to attend such public events to take a stand for what they believe in, Jones said.

&uot;People need to realize they need to wake up,&uot; Jones said.

&uot;Christians are sitting down and not speaking with boldness,&uot; he said.

&uot;When we come together with unity, our city will be blessed like no one can understand now. In fact, God is already starting to do it.&uot;

At the event, attendees volunteered to pray for God’s blessings on a variety of areas, including leaders, schools, businesses, families, churches and the needy.

They prayed aloud for spiritual revival and for unity of all Christians and all races. And they prayed for the revitalization of the community.

&uot;You (God) can bring in industry,&uot; one attendee said in her prayer. &uot;You can make this city prosper.&uot;

&uot;Let us see Natchez rise up … so that you might be glorified,&uot; said the Rev. Dennis Flach, pastor of New Covenant Presbyterian Church.

And it doesn’t take a large number of people to call upon God, attendee Pat Nickerson said in her prayer.

Even the spirit of a small group &uot;can spread like a great fire,&uot; she said.

Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith, who welcomed the group, said he believes it’s important for him and all Christians to come together regularly to express &uot;their love for God publicly … and ask him for guidance.&uot;

In Vidalia, Concordia Parish residents and town leaders gathered Thursday to join in prayer because it is what they’ve been told to do.

&uot;I’m here because the Bible tells us we need to pray for those in authority over us,&uot; Calvary Baptist pastor the Rev. Ron Ledford said.

&uot;Our nation was founded on Biblical principals and this takes us back to our roots.&uot;

The Rev. Troy Thomas of Bethel Church said he had gathered with others to celebrate the National Day of Prayer for about seven years now.

&uot;It’s a great thing to be able to come to city hall and pray,&uot; Thomas said. &uot;Some cities are being sued for the same. More of us need to take advantage of it.&uot;

Around 30 people gathered in the Vidalia City Hall for about 20 minutes of prayer followed by food and fellowship.

Thomas said he was pleased with the turnout but he had seen more in years past.

Ferriday resident Dorothy Curry attended the prayer service for the first time.

&uot;I feel we should be praying all the time,&uot; she said. &uot;Anywhere prayer is going on I want to be there.&uot;

Leaders prayed for city and parish officials, churches, elected officials, courts, Congress and the president as well as soldiers and residents of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Louis Crooks, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, said the event was announced at his church.

&uot;I think all our local officials need prayer,&uot; Crooks said.

&uot;We should really have more people here,&uot; he added.