VIDALIA — Local leaders, ministers and lay people alike gathered Monday to unify in prayer and to honor the Concordia Parish’s veterans at the Bryant O. Hammett Conference and Convention Center Monday.

The service came together several weeks ago when one ministerial alliance approached another ministerial alliance about the possibility of having a community-wide prayer service to promote unity.

“We trust that this will be the beginning of many opportunities that we as people together in Concordia Parish will have to come together, fellowship together, worship together and, most importantly, love together,” the Rev. Simeon Green III said.

The Rev. Charles Minor led the assembled group of approximately 140 people in a prayer for local civil servants, thanking God for giving the area great leaders.

“We pray that (God) would give them godly wisdom to lead and guide Concordia Parish,” Minor said.

Likewise, Minor prayed for the aldermen of all of the parish’s municipalities.

“We pray that there would be a coming together, that though they would have differences of opinion, that for the sake of the people of this parish they would come together,” Minor said.

The Rev. Gene Lee said he was particularly honored to pray for the military, because he had not been allowed to join due to an eye problem.

“I pray (God) would help us as the citizens of the United States of America understand some of the things (those in the military) go through, their families and some of the things they leave behind,” Lee said.

Prison Chaplain Mark Richardson echoed those sentiments, and reminded those present that U.S. troops are actively engaged in conflicts overseas.

“Though we ought not be in favor of war, we all ought to be in favor of our warriors,” he said.

But those present said they also recognized that the area and the nation are not without fault, and the Rev. Wilbert Mason led the group in a corporate confession of sin.

The prayer asked that God would humble the hearts of those present and make them godlier.

The Rev. Dan Glenn kept with the theme of repentance when he prayed.

“We have turned from (God’s) ways, from (God’s) will, we have turned from (God’s) decrees and statutes,” Glenn said.

“Let us always be mindful of the freedom (God) has given us but let us be mindful that we do not have the freedom to do anything we please.”

The Rev. Gary Howington prayed specifically for the communities of Concordia Parish, that racism and hatred, poverty and economic strife would be halted.

Those present also had a role to play, Howington said.

“We ask (God) to minister through us to every person we meet,” he said.

Glenn also prayed a prayer for peace in Israel, while the Rev. Jack Middleton prayed for the youth of the area and the Rev. George Pookatu led prayers of blessing over local communities and the nation.

During the service, a time was set aside to recognize the area’s veterans, and the group gave a special recognition to Delcy Merritt, who is reportedly the most decorated veteran in Concordia Parish.

During his military career, Merritt was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action, the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation, two major battle stars and battlefield promotions from private to seargent.

His military career ended when he received a severe battlefield wound.

The group presented Merritt with a special flag to show their thanks for his service.