National Day of Prayer will not solve all of our nation’s, state’s or county’s problems. It will not eliminate crime or reduce the soaring deficit. It probably will not calm the vitriol that has taken over much of our public discourse these days.

But it will bring people together, united for a common cause — lifting the “seven centers of influence in America” to God in prayer.

It will provide an opportunity for people of different races, backgrounds, income levels and denominations to join hand-in-hand.

Anyone who believes in the power of prayer is invited to attend two National Day of Prayer events in Lincoln County Thursday.

King’s Daughters Medical Center will host its fifth annual prayer walk 7-8 a.m. at the entrance to the radiology outpatient department. Hosted by the KDMC prayer committee, the event will feature Brookhaven Police Department Chief Kenneth Collins as its speaker. KDMC chaplain Woody Rimes will offer the opening prayer, and Andi Cotten and Heather McKenzie will lead in worship singing.

At noon, the Lincoln County Baptist Association will host a prayer service on the steps of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Government Complex. LCBA Director of Missions Rev. Steve Jackson stressed that the program is not focused on one denomination.

The theme is “Love one another, John 13:34,” and will include songs, scripture reading and prayers for what Jackson called “the seven centers of influence in America”: the government, military, media, businesses, schools, churches and families.

Prayer is powerful, and we encourage anyone who agrees to attend Thursday’s events. No matter our differences, most of us can agree that we could use more prayer in our lives.