NATCHEZ — A band of Miss-Lou prayer warriors will join prayer-sayers across the nation in bowing their heads today to lift up the nation in prayer for the 61st National Day of Prayer.

The Natchez Area Ministerial Alliance is hosting a gathering for National Day of Prayer from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Memorial Park.

The Rev. Bo Swilley of Community Chapel Church of God said pastors of various churches will speak at the event and lead prayer throughout the day. Swilley said members of local church choirs and musicians will lead worship songs in the park.

Swilley said the event is non-denominational and will be as diverse as each pastor participating in the local celebration of prayer. He said the prayer will focus on asking God to watch over the area, state and the nation.

“We’ll be asking Him to bless us and thanking him for blessing us just as he has already done,” Swilley said.

The Vidalia Ministerial Alliance will welcome the public for National Day of Prayer services at noon at the new Vidalia City Hall.

The Rev. Ron Ledford of Calvary Baptist Church said the service will focus on praying for the country’s leaders — both national and local.

“We’ll start all the way at the top with President Obama and make our way to our mayor, Hyram Copeland, and the surrounding communities as well,” Ledford said. “We’ll be raising awareness of people’s needs to pray for our leaders.”

The Rev. Troy Thomas of the Bethel Church said he’s been associated with the service for 15 years and looks forward to it every year.

“We believe there is more spiritual energy when we pray together, so we want to invite as many people as possible,” Thomas said. “I’m hoping we’ll have more people, since we have more room now.”

Thomas said the service will feature prayer, scripture readings and songs.

Swilley said the message of the prayer, not the size of the crowds, is what is most important today.

“I hope people come and hear about God’s love and the power of prayer and see what happens when the nation prays together,” he said.