Bismarck churches have been keeping soldiers close to their minds and hearts in the past few weeks.

Places like Bismarck Baptist Church, McCabe United Methodist Church and the Church of the Ascension have posted names, photos and notes in their churches of the people who are deployed.

"To keep us mindful and to remember, to support them," said the Rev. Art Scanson of McCabe.

Scanson's son, Lane, appeared on the "Today" show Wednesday, his father said.

Lane, who is full-time Army, served in Desert Storm, Art Scanson said, in fact, in the lead tank that traveled into Iraq back then, and now trains other soldiers in urban combat at Fort Knox, Ky.

At Bismarck Baptist, the Psalms are explored, with their themes of worry, fear, bitterness, honesty with God during emotional distress, and peace in God's presence, said the Rev. Don Burnett. Recent weeks' worship theme has been "In the Shadow of War."

A few weeks ago, an evening was set aside for prayer, and during worship, time is given for audible prayer from the congregation.

Brochures are available giving guidance on how to pray for leaders, and a Web site directs people to the President's Prayer Committee, Burnett said.

At First Evangelical Free Church, the wife of a man who has been deployed created "Enduring Freedom" buttons, which were distributed to members "to remind them to support and pray for troops," said the Rev. Terry Kern.

Kern said that as events have ratcheted up, attention has been paid at worship to prayers of support for the president, leadership and troops.

At Lord of Life Lutheran Church, an eternal candle is kept burning on a small table near a bowl into which all names of congregation members and others deployed are kept as a reminder to prayer, said the Rev. Lisa Ahlness.

The chapel at First Presbyterian Church has been made available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day for prayers by members and others from the community, said the Rev. Jake Kincaid. The church office also offers materials at no cost to anyone in the community who is seeking guidance, Kincaid said.

In addition to Ascension's "memory wall" of photos of those deployed, the pastor, the Rev. Marv Klemmer, is considering a parish potluck and prayer service.

Cathedral of the Holy Spirit addresses changing conditions in the homilies at its two morning Masses, one at 6:45 and one at 8 a.m., said the Rev. Tom Kramer. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church also addresses concerns during worship, and especially at Lent, with its additional midweek services, said the Rev. Laurie Natwick.

The prayer committee of the Bismarck-Mandan Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship has set a United Prayer Gathering for 4 p.m. March 30 at First Baptist Church, Burnett said, as a united appeal for prayer from the community.