Local residents will have an opportunity to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday at Helen Jenkins Chapel in Thorsby at 9 a.m.

The event will include an organized time of prayer, inspirational music and refreshments.

“We just feel like the nation really needs prayer right now,” said coordinator Melba Davis.

Maplesville will also recognize the event. Residents will meet at the flag pole at town hall at 9 a.m. for prayer.

Davis, a former Thorsby town clerk, helped lead the event for several years up until 2008.

After a two-year hiatus, she has partnered with the pastors of area churches to bring it back.

Chilton County Probate Judge Bobby Martin, alongside other community leaders and church pastors, will lead public prayer for topics such as local government, federal government, churches, schools, military troops and others.

Terry Jackson of Thorsby will sing “God Bless America,” and a group from Thorsby First Baptist Church will provide music as well.

Free coffee and doughnuts will be available to all in attendance.

“Obviously, the National Day of Prayer is about our nation going back to biblical values and virtues that our Founding Fathers put forth,” said Pastor Clint Harris of Pates Chapel Baptist Church, who will be leading a prayer. “I hope that all the cities and towns in our county will have some representation.”

Both Davis and Harris referenced the recent decision of U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb of Wisconsin that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

The lawsuit was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which contended that NDOP violated the separation of church and state.

The White House has said, however, that President Barack Obama intends to recognize the day, and that the judge’s decision does not prohibit the President from signing a proclamation.

Harris said he thinks a lot more good than bad can come from a national day of organized prayer.

“I think it’s great that we can come together for one day as a people and do that,” he said.