VIDALIA &8212; Community members and church leaders gathered in a new way Thursday to recognize the annual National Day of Prayer.

Twelve churches from Natchez each signed up for 30-minute intervals between noon and 6 p.m. and gave their message.

The service, which is usually held at the city hall during lunch, was held outside under an oak tree in Memorial Park.

&8220;This is the first year we have done this all day long and outside,&8221; Pastor Ray Perkins of First Evangelical Methodist said. &8220;The focus is on prayer, but they can do whatever they want to do in their service.&8221;

Music was played throughout the day and the cool breeze blew the sounds of prayer and song through the park.

&8220;We pray for the media and raise them up with integrity to promote goodness,&8221; said the Rev. Saah-Buckman of Holy Family Catholic Church. &8220;We pray that the negative media be turned to positive and pray for all the leaders of the world.&8221;

Topics covered in prayer throughout the day ranged, but all were there for the same reason.

&8220;It&8217;s so great to have more diversity where more people can come whenever they want,&8221; said the Rev. Jerry Nickerson of First Church of God.

The event brought numerous groups in throughout the day and Perkins thinks the event will continue to be held outside.

&8220;At the places where we have done this before, we started with 100 people, grew to 500 people, and then had to go to a rodeo stadium,&8221; Perkins said. &8220;You just get so much more diversity with this program.&8221;

Citizens of Vidalia, along with leaders from local churches gathered Friday to thank God.

The Rev. Troy Thomas, a Vidalia resident since 1985, stood in front of a gathering of less than 10 people in city hall, and delivered his message through song and prayer.

&8220;Amens&8221; and &8220;all rights&8221; could be heard as his passionate words echoed throughout the room thanking God.

&8220;It&8217;s good to see people coming here from work and participating,&8221; Thomas said. &8220;I want Vidalia to be known as a city with God.&8221;

Heads were bowed as prayers for all aspects of life filled the room.

&8220;It does me good to see people coming together for the reason of love,&8221; the Rev. James Benbrook said. &8220;I am thankful for all my blessings of life and would like to share loving kindness with everyone.&8221;

Prayers were offered for Paige Staggs, a teen who is battling cancer, for local and national leaders and for all people in the world in their daily routines.

&8220;I&8217;m glad the people could come from work to enjoy the event and hope they will continue coming together in God&8217;s name,&8221; Thomas said.

Refreshments followed the short prayer service as people ate, talked and then returned people to their daily routines.