The Bradford Ministerium is joining others across the country in celebrating the National Day of Prayer today.

In honor of the day, pastors from around the Bradford area will pray outside of their churches from noon to 12:30 p.m., said the Rev. Matt Blake.

Even though they can’t hold the annual gathering in Veterans Square due to social distancing guidelines, “We still want to be seen as a presence in our community,” Blake explained.

The ministerium invites everyone to go outside, wherever they are, between noon and 12:30 p.m. and pray, too.

Blake talked about why observance of the day is important.

“It’s important for us as a nation, especially right now, to believe in a higher power,” he said. “We as people are not in charge of the world. God is still in charge.”

Blake suggested that people pray this year for “people who are really feeling the effects” of the global pandemic, such as essential workers, people who are out of work and senior citizens.

The National Day of Prayer is held annually on the first Thursday of May, and people of all faiths are invited to take part.