While celebrities such as U2's Bono and Microsoft's Bill Gates have taken on the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa with charitable donations, on Thursday local women of diverse denominations will wrestle this epidemic through prayer.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church will play host in Napa to the local effort in the World Day of Prayer. For a 24-hour period starting Thursday afternoon, women from a variety denominations in more than 180 countries will unite in prayer.

Melanie Oberting, president of the local chapter of Church Women United, said each year, the theme is offered by a different country, and this year it is "Signs of the Times," a liturgy written by South African women.

Oberting said she has been involved with the World Day of Prayer for five years, and that the event draws mostly women, but that men and people of all faiths are welcome. She said participants come from a range of churches -- Catholic, Methodists, Presbyterian, Lutherans, Episcopalian and more. "Kids come from Kolbe Academy, Trinity and other Christian schools," said Oberting.

The variety of participants and the international themes are inspiring to Oberting. "It gives me a good feeling that I am learning about another part of the world, and acting as part of the whole community. I show strength and support for other nations' problems. It makes me more grateful about what we have here."

The World Day of Prayer started around 1912, when women of various mainline denominations chose to have a day dedicated to praying for foreign missions. In 1928, the World Day of Prayer committee was formed.

Carol Erickson, who belongs to Napa Valley Lutheran Church, is the treasurer for Church Women United. She said the gathering of women, and the message of hope, are positive steps.

"What's meaningful about it is that it is written by women from different countries," said Erickson. "Women around the world are praying around the clock. I support whatever we can do (about HIV/AIDS). It's an important area for work to be done."