MARTINS FERRY — People are invited to participate in a prayer walk starting at noon Saturday through downtown Martins Ferry.

The Rev. William Webster, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, said the 2-mile walk will begin at First Christian Church, located at 710 Zane Highway, continue through the city and conclude about 2 p.m. at the City Park.

“Along the way there are eight scheduled stops for walkers to pause, reflect and to pray,” Webster said. “This event is a vehicle empowering our community to unite together, to pray together for our community as we pray for her churches, the leaders and first responders; for our youth and our elderly.”

He said people will also be praying for military veterans and those in active service, police and firefighters and “for justice and mercy.”

“Various prayer leaders and clergy will lead portions of the different prayer stations on the route,” he noted.

Webster said even though the event is taking place outside, participants are encouraged to wear a mask to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“We want everybody to be safe. We want this to not be a bad event, but a good event,” he said.

Webster said the committee believes now would be a good time to hold such a walk because of all the events and stressors occurring to people in the community and nation.

“It’s been a crazy year, one of the most unique years anyone alive has seen. The last time the world saw a pandemic was during 1918 and 1919. There isn’t anyone alive, at least in Martins Ferry, who remembers that,” Webster said. “We’ve also seen a lot of division in our world. We’re praying for unity that way as well.

“Financially the Ohio Valley has gone through lots of downs, so we’re praying for the economic revitalization of our community and the valley,” he said.

Webster said the group also is praying for students to do well in school and further their educations, and for some to hopefully come back to the city and county and start their own small businesses. The group will pray for churches that are struggling, too.

“This was really needed,” Webster said of the walk. “The group asked me to help and I was thrilled. This demonstrates God’s love in a tangible way.”

Webster said each participant will receive a purple lanyard to wear containing the guiding Bible verse for the day: 2 Chronicles 7:14 — “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

Walk committee members include Jeff and Sheila Berka, Kathy Cunningham, Don and Karen Grubb, Brian and Beth Hastings, Dennis Ludolph, Mike Ludolph, Quili Ludolph, Adam and Tammy Mitchel, Lamont Tucker and Webster.

For more information, call Grace Presbyterian Church at 740-633-2699.