It’s time for a new school year, and for the second year in a row, churches throughout the community have come together to organize "Community on Our Knees," a prayer event planned for 7 p.m. Aug. 3 on the Covington square.

Prayers during the event will be directed toward students, families, teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, Board of Education elected officials, all Newton County School System employees, the City of Covington and Newton County officials, and civil servants.

The event grew out of a ministry of Covington First United Methodist Church that involved praying for schoolchildren and teachers in its congregation as the school year began. Church members also visited school campuses to pray.

The experience of these ministries was so meaningful to those involved that they felt there was a need for a community-wide event. A committee was formed, with members from local churches of all denominations throughout the county, and this group created "Community on Our Knees."

Last year, an estimated 1,000 people attended; this year, that number is expected to increase. Participation has increased to a total of 14 churches.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, there will be a prayer wall and prayer center on the square. Visitors will be able to write a prayer on a stone and leave it on the wall, in keeping with the theme, "The path to the cross is paved with prayer."

There also will be prayer centers with an altar, and groups from participating churches will say prayers throughout the day.

The 7 p.m. event Saturday will feature both prayers and praise music by Eastridge Community Church’s praise band. Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston will begin the event with a welcome; a series of prayers will follow.