VIDALIA &045; Supporting local military men and women with prayer seemed a natural thing to do. But with the nudging of a relative, Liz Walker took the idea a step further.

With the help of her pastor at First Baptist Church in Vidalia, Walker has organized a prayer list that she hopes eventually will include the names of all the local men and women serving in military units throughout the country and world.

&uot;We want to pray for them by their specific names,&uot; Walker said. &uot;We want them to know and their families to know that we are lifting them up in prayer.&uot;

With war in Iraq appearing more certain each day, her thoughts have centered on all those who are in the Middle East or possibly on their way to the area of conflict.

Walker said nothing is more powerful than prayer, and no gift is greater. She does not have a relative in military service, but she finds the project, launched earlier this week,

has been rewarding for her.

&uot;It’s been a real blessing to me. People are proud of their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews. And this is a real comfort to them,&uot; she said.

Tanya Jenkins can attest to that. Her son, Michael Jenkins, 20, left Feb. 7 for Fort Polk with his National Guard unit. Her sister-in-law placed Michael’s name on the list.

&uot;I’m glad she did it,&uot; Tanya Jenkins said. &uot;I feel prayer works. The prayer list is a wonderful thing they are doing.&uot;

Anyone who wants to add a name to the list may do so by e-mail, fax, telephone or mail, Walker said. The addresses and numbers are: e-mail to troops@fbcvidalia.com; fax to (318) 336-4428; telephone (318) 336-8199; or mail to Support Our Troops, P.O. Box 505, Vidalia, LA 71373.

Names are on view under Operation Enduring Prayer on the First Baptist Church Web site, fbcvidalia.com.

The Rev. Gary Nunn, pastor at the church, said the prayer program is working well and he is pleased to be a part of it.

&uot;With what they are sacrificing for us by serving in the military, the least we can do is lift them up in prayer,&uot; he said. &uot;Not that prayer is a little thing to do. It is a great thing, the best thing we can do for them.&uot;

Members of the church pray regularly for the country, the president and military troops, Nunn said. &uot;But we are praying specifically for those from our own area who are serving. And of course we always are praying for a peaceful solution.&uot;

Many people have become interested in the prayer list. Nunn believes the list will continue to grow.

Walker said the list grows daily as more people find out about it. &uot;And maybe through our prayers, it will all be ended soon,&uot; she said.