The Island’s churches aim to unite the Island through prayer.A committee of pastors, collectively known as Bermuda Prays, yesterday announced they were responding to issues such as gang violence, and a decline in traditional family values.They are teaming up in the face of the community’s challenges for a series of initiatives under the rubric of ‘Awakening the Nation’.“We believe that our national woes can be attributed to a spiritual waning across our Island,” a spokesman said. “Hence, our undertaking is to unite the whole country though prayer.”On Sunday in Hamilton’s Anglican Cathedral, the ‘Solemn Assembly’ will bring together all the Island’s churches at 7pm for group prayer.And a ‘Week of Open Doors’ commences on Monday, with churches opening to the public for prayer with a special focus on Bermuda’s young black men.A one-hour ‘National Gathering for Prayer’ will be held on May 16 at Hamilton City Hall.Anglican Bishop-Elect Nick Dill said: “This whole thing came about with Premier Craig Cannonier feeling that we’re in a crisis situation, and that the churches need to do more in moving us forward.”The ‘Solemn Assembly’ is aimed at uniting churches of all denominations, he said.“It needs to start with us. We need to take notice of our role. It’s been an interesting process bringing different denominations together — we all have different styles, and this melding together has been a great experience.”The group of church leaders is to announce the campaign formally tomorrow morning at the Cabinet Office.