Hundreds of people around the Island are grieving after bouts of violence and road fatalities in the past two weeks.

In a crusade to reach the masses several members of the local religious community have banded together in an effort to intercede on behalf of all residents so desperately in need of prayer.

"We are calling on everybody solely based on the fact that everybody really needs to be involved. It's high time that the people who know the word and who know the work of prayer wade in the mud," said Dennis Bean who attends Better Covenant Christian Fellowship.

"There is a way out and the way out is through prayer. The Island is in trouble and we need to call on God for help."

This afternoon Mr. Bean, Rev. Nigel Lambert of Exousia Christian Fellowship and Henry Cambell who runs the Full Armour Christian Academy are organising two prayer vigils or "spiritual audit" this afternoon.

Mr. Bean is particularly disturbed that many of the people who have been killed through violence or road traffic accidents hailed from Sandys Parish. He added that if the accused murders of Tekle Mallory are found guilty that will also be a loss for the community.

"We are trying to get the people of Somerset area to be cognisant of just what's happening around them and the necessity to seek intercession through prayer."

However, he added that today's effort for a community get-together may branch into a greater initiative to pray for other areas of the Island. "It could be next weekend that we are down at White Hill field or Rangers," he explained

Mr. Bean said that because he is heavily involved in community work he is sensitive to what is happening in the community but he felt that other's had to be "duly sensitive" to what is happening as well.

"The sad thing is that people ignore what is happening until it really happens in their own families," he noted. "The bottom line is that the community needs prayer...Prayer helps to change whole atmosphere."

Everyone in the community is encouraged to attend either the vigil at Somerset Cricket Club during the pre-Cup Match lunchtime interval or the one slated for Royal Naval Field at 6.30 p.m.