VIDALIA — As the strains of “Amazing Grace” faded, approximately 30 Vidalia-area residents who were gathered in the council chambers at Vidalia City Hall bowed their heads to pray as part of a national movement Thursday.

The group was gathered for the 57th annual National Day of Prayer, an annual event in which citizens gather at their city hall to pray for their country, their city and their governments.

The theme for this year’s event was the verse Psalm 28:7, which says, “The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him and I am helped,” a theme very applicable to our times, Bethel Church Pastor the Rev. Troy Thomas said.

“America’s strength and shield is the Lord,” Thomas said.

One of the local ministers participating in the gathering, the Rev. Wilbert Mason of New Birth Christian Center, in Ferriday, prayed for local harmony.

“I come lifting up Vidalia, Ferriday, Jonesville and Sicily Island, that we may come together in unity to do what is right,” Mason said.

Mason also prayed that law enforcement officials would be strengthened.

“For the narcotics officer, (God) give him the wisdom to be able to get the drugs off the street,” Mason said.

The Rev. Ron Ledford, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, in Vidalia, said he had to confess the nation is faltering, but he also prayed for a turnaround and for godly officials and advisors to be raised up.

“For our president all the way down to our mayors, we pray for them,” Ledford said.

After the brief prayer service, Vidalian Miguel Gonzales said he participated in the event because now is as good a time as any when it comes to praying for the community.

“I think prayer is important, and I think this was a good opportunity to pray for our community,” he said.