Bermuda is being urged to come out to pray for the Island on the National Day of Prayer.

The third annual event will take place on Wednesday with people from all denominations coming together to pray.

The event is the brainchild of Joan Simmons, the chairman of the board of the National Day of Prayer. Mrs. Simmons spoke to The Royal Gazette along with Bishop Neville Smith, the lead pastor, explaining where the idea came from and why people should come out to pray.

Mrs. Simmons said the idea for the event "was a vision from the Lord" when she visited Rosario, Argentina, in 2004.

She said at the gateway to each city, there was an altar with a biblical name. The minister there told her that October 7 was their national day of prayer and Mrs. Simmons said 80,000 people over a 35 mile radius hold hands and pray.

"The Lord spoke to me and said "Go back to Bermuda and speak to the Government about a day of prayer", she said.

She explained she made an appointment to see then Premier Alex Scott who "sanctioned" the idea. The next step was to get a leader.

"We needed a real strong leader so we looked over all of Bermuda and who the Lord dropped in our spirit was Bishop Smith", she said.

The event is non-denominational and the organisers are encouraging everyone to come out and pray for the nation.

Bishop Smith said although the event is Christian, they want to "embrace everyone in the nation".

"One of the reasons we decided to have it in Victoria Park is because it's neutral ground. It's going to be an interesting time of prayer", he said.

He added the purpose of the day of prayer is to not only pray for Bermuda as a whole, but to also pray for the Government, the youth and families.

"We are asking people to just pray. It's time to get Bermuda praying", he said.

In addition to the day of prayer, there are events leading up until that day. On Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., there will be a prayer service at Fort Hamilton. Organisers are also encouraging people to pray at the same time on Wednesday morning.

At 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a prayer service on the steps of City Hall with the final prayer service taking place in Victoria Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be praise and worship in addition to prayer.

In case of rain, the 6 p.m. service will take place at West Pembroke Pentecostal Church, Princess Estate.

For more information contact Mrs. Simmons on 297-2327 or Bishop Smith on 293 4041.