With an American flag whipping in the breeze and the sound of traffic whizzing by, some 50 people gathered at noon Thursday on the steps of City Hall to take time out for prayer.

The group was one of thousands across the nation who met in observance of the National Day of Prayer. The theme was "Light the nation with prayer."

Services in Jackson drew about 80 people. It was the first year that Jackson held a separate prayer service.

Scott City will hold a prayer observance tonight at 7 at the high school flagpole. Students have been gathering at the flagpole each morning before school to pray and will continue to do so until summer recess.

Why do people need to pray?, asked city attorney Eric Cunningham.

The need for prayer is obvious with school shootings, violence and moral decline, Cunningham said.

"We can look at our own lives and see the answer is obvious," he said.

Prayer isn't just a spectator sport for Christians, it must be an everyday activity, Cunningham said.

The Rev. Jack Smart said that in spite of the nation's failings, God has limited his judgment. "That can only be an expression of his marvelous grace," he said.

National Day of Prayer is an annual event held on the first Thursday in May each year. The idea of setting aside a day for prayer goes back to the Continental Congress in 1775. But it has significance for today as well.

Having a community event eliminates denominational differences and brings people together to honor God and seek his guidance, said Sherri Mehner, local coordinator.

As part of that community spirit, local churches have adopted city and school leaders to pray for them throughout the year.

Jane Stodghill, who coordinated the Adopt-a-Leader program, said it wasn't too difficult to find churches and members willing to pray.

"We just got on the phone and started calling pastors and they embraced it," she said. "We really didn't ask permission, we just said we'd like to do it."

Prayer for city leaders and local officials is important. It offers encouragement and support not only for them, but for their families, Stodghill said.

"Their energies are so divided," she said. "It's important that we continue to support them."