While rescue workers continued to search through crushed buildings, President Bush made the proclamation Thursday, inviting ''the people of the world who share our grief to join us in these solemn observances.''

Some places of worship will open doors early in the morning and leave them open during the day for people to drop by and pray.

Other sites will hold guided services at various times, and others will include prayers of remembrance in their previously scheduled events.

The president encouraged employers to allow workers to attend services during lunch hours.

''All our hearts have been seared by the sudden and senseless taking of innocent lives,'' Mr. Bush said. ''We pray for healing and for the strength to serve and encourage one another in hope and faith.''

A sampling of sites and the times they will be open today are:

Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road, noon.

Catholic Church of the Most Holy Trinity, 720 Telfair St., 12:15 p.m.

Covenant Presbyterian Church, 3131 Walton Way, noon.

Doctors Hospital, 3651 Wheeler Road, Classroom 1, 8:45 a.m.

Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 2230 Walton Way, noon.

First Baptist Church, 602 Georgia Ave., North Augusta, noon to 1 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, 642 Telfair St., 7 a.m. (Eve Room), noon and 7 p.m. (sanctuary)

Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Ave., North Augusta; doors will be open between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. with services at noon and 6 p.m.

Lakemont Presbyterian Church, 1000 Bluebird Road, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Midland Valley Church of the Nazarene, 3526 Jefferson Davis Highway, Clearwater, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Millbrook Baptist Church, 176 E. Pine Log Road, Aiken, noon.

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, 3321 Wheeler Road, noon; candlelight vigil at 6 p.m.

St. John United Methodist Church, (chapel) 736 Greene St., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

St. Mark United Methodist Church, 2367 Washington Road; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., 9:30 a.m.

St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church, 117 Pleasant Home Road, noon and 7 p.m.

Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church, 1330 Monte Sano Ave., noon.

Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wesley United Methodist Church, 825 N. Belair Road, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Whole Life Ministries, 2621 Washington Road, noon to 1 p.m.

Reach Virginia Norton at (706) 823-3336 or vanorton@augustachronicle.com.