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NATCHEZ — Miss-Lou churches and community members will be joining others nationwide for the National Day of Prayer this Thursday, May 2.

Observances of the National Day of Prayer begin at noon in both Natchez and Vidalia.

This is a time of prayer and meditation where communities lift up their local, state and national leaders, their schools, their public safety departments, military and more.

Natchez’s prayer service is organized by the Natchez Ministerial Alliance and will take place outdoors at noon around the bandstand on the bluff.

The service will last 45 minutes to an hour at most, so it can be observed over a workday lunch break, said Rev. Bo Swilley, pastor of Community Chapel Church in Natchez.

“Bring your lunch, a chair and come have a time of worship and prayer with us,” Swilley said. “Both our community and nation are in need of prayer. Will have several different pastors from area churches who will lead the service but the focus will be mostly on prayer for our military, our country, families and community leaders. We encourage believers from across the community to come out and observe this time of prayer with us.”

Likewise, Vidalia will have a prayer service at the town council chambers inside Vidalia City Hall at noon on Thursday led by Rev. Troy Thomas of Bethel Church.

Thomas said invitations have been sent out to at least 14 different church groups “to get different churches involved and we want to get the public to come out if we can.”

Light refreshments will also be served, he said.