OXFORD — The City of Oxford will host its National Day of Prayer ceremony Thursday at noon outside City Hall, officials confirmed this week. Prayer is scheduled to begin at noon. The ceremony is open to the public.

The event will feature music, a colors presentation, and guided prayer. City officials confirmed the prayer will be guided. This reporter asked what distinguished guided prayer from unguided prayer. A city spokesperson said guided prayer is led by a person. Unguided prayer, she noted, is also available to those who wish to pray without guidance at any time. She noted the National Day of Prayer ceremony provides the guided variety.

Colors will be presented by a color guard. Officials noted the colors refer to the American flag. This is the traditional meaning of colors in the context of a colors presentation, and is consistent with National Day of Prayer ceremonies in prior years.

The National Day of Prayer is observed annually on the first Thursday of May. It has been a federally designated observance since 1952. Oxford has participated in the observance. This year's ceremony marks the continuation of that participation.

Music will be provided by performers who have not yet been announced as of press time. The music will precede the prayer. This is typical of prayer ceremonies that include music, though the order may vary by ceremony. Oxford's order has been confirmed as music first, prayer after.

Attendees are asked to gather by noon. Prayer begins at noon.

This reporter will attend and file from outside Oxford City Hall. This reporter has not confirmed whether this reporter's attendance constitutes guided or unguided participation.