Ministering to the poor in Argentina last July, Bermudian Joan Simmons said she had a vision from God to organise a Bermuda National Day of Prayer.

Firm in her Christian beliefs, as soon as Mrs. Simmons returned home she put the wheels in motion for the event to take place. And now, just a little over a year later, her vision will become a reality.

On Wednesday, September 14 as part of the Bermuda National Day of Prayer, everyone is being asked to set aside five minutes at 11 a.m. to pray for the country.

"The purpose is to gather people in one place to pray together for this nation of Bermuda. I have a real passion for Bermuda and my heart's desire is to see this nation transformed by the blood of the Lamb," said Mrs. Simmons.

She said the prayers should focus on "healing for this nation, family, youth, Government/political, labour, unions, education, business, judicial and medical matters and the media."

She is encouraging churches across the Island to open their doors from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the day for people to come in and pray. "We sent letters to all the churches and many pastors have called me and said they will be taking part," she said.

At noon the committee will hold a prayer service on the steps of City Hall. The day will culminate with a service at the National Sports Centre where the guest speaker will be Argentinian Ed Silvoso. Mr. Silvoso, an evangelist, is president and founder of Harvest Evangelism Inc. in San Jose, California. He preaches in Argentina, Hawaii and the Philippines and has authored several books.

Mrs. Simmons sings Mr. Silvoso's praises and said he is helping his country return from the brink of economic disaster.

"He brings Christian businesses together to trade," she said. As an example, through his efforts business interests have been forged with some South African companies.

"Through this man, God is using the church to build the nation economically," she said.

But it wasn't after speaking with Mr. Silvoso that Mrs. Simmons had her vision.

"God gave me this vision while I was on a mission trip to Argentina in July, 2004 to organise a Bermuda National Day of Prayer and let it be an annual event," she said.

It happened when the minister conducting her tour at 12-Gates in Rosario, Argentina talked about an annual prayer ceremony.

"He said that on October 10 every year 1,500 ministers get together with the townspeople ? about 80,000 and that they hold hands across the 35 miles of the town and pray for an hour.

"While he was saying that, right away I felt in my spirit move," she said. "That's where I got the vision."

A staunch believer in the power of prayer Mrs. Simmons was an organiser in the Global Day of Prayer held last May at the National Sports Centre. That event saw Bermuda join with Christian communities across the world in praying for peace.

But she said she felt an event to concentrate on Bermuda was necessary.

Moved by the alliance of church and government that she saw in Argentina, Mrs. Simmons said when she returned to Bermuda she shared her views with Premier Alex Scott, Opposition Leader Grant Gibbons, and Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp.

"In Argentina the mayor will call ministers to come to city hall and pray with him for answers," she said.

"While they are praying God reveals the answer. They (the clergy) help the mayor receive from the Lord what the Lord wants the mayor to do."

Mrs. Simmons revealed that she has prayed both with the Premier and Mr. Mapp.

"I called the Premier at the time of the twins murder and prayed with him in his office," she said. "And when Trimingham's and Smith's announced they would be closing, I called the Mayor because I knew that could mean financial hardship for the City. We talked in his office and prayed for about an hour."

Mrs. Simmons returns to Argentina next moth to participate in a prayer canopy with Mr. Silvoso.