In observance of the National Day of Prayer, the community gathered for an hour of prayer inside The Link at First Baptist Church of Picayune for the Second Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

Thursday, Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero addressed the significance of prayer alongside several religious community leaders, including Rev. Harvey Bernard, Rev. Tommy Hart, Rev. Josh Braddy from New Palestine Baptist Church, Rev. Allen Hickman from Resurrection Life Worship Center, Rev. Keith Warden from First Baptist Church of Picayune and Rev. David Brown.

Braddy, including those mentioned previously, led several prayers over breakfast during the event.

“God, help us follow you when days are hard and when no one is looking because you’re the only thing that matters on this planet,” Braddy said. “Let’s be thankful for our city’s mayor and administrators and pray for our law enforcement.”

After the prayers, Pinero walked up on stage to introduce the event’s keynote speaker, Pearl River Community College President Dr. William Lewis.

“We wanted to find a Christian leader who lives a good Christian life and contributes to the growth of Pearl River County,” Pinero said about Lewis.

Lewis went on to speak about the importance of using the power of God to empower the younger generation.

“Over the years, we’ve had wonderful students come to our college. However, we’re seeing a lot of students who lack support from their homes and because of that they don’t have direction in life,” Lewis said.

He also said the college is making an effort to guide these students beyond the classroom through programs like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which teaches the importance of individual responsibility.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter how much money or friends you have. All that matters is our relationship with Jesus Christ,” Lewis said.

Hickman concluded the breakfast by asking guests to join hands together for a prayer.

“With everything going on in the city, can we all grab a hold of the fact that we need the Lord? We’re not going to come up with answers all on our own,” Hickman said. “Let’s all end together with one voice and ask God for wisdom.”

The National Day of Prayer was declared in 1952 to unite people from all religions with prayer, according to the National Day of Prayer Task Force website.