BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Joseph Castro is the organizer of the first of five community prayers to take place outside of Bakersfield hospitals.

Castro says they're doing this to honor the many men and women who are fighting the COVID-19 war that has plagued the United States.

The first one took place on Thursday at Mercy Hospital Southwest.

"Right now it's about you guys," Castro said. "We want you to know that we are here for you, we are praying for you, and laying hands on you."

Castro says he was inspired to honor medical professionals, by other states to ask the community to show up in their cars and flash their lights for a moment a prayer.

"So right now I have a couple of decoy cars spread out through the field that has my playlist," Castro said. "We are synced up on that one playlist so that everyone can hear."

According to organizers over 200 cars filled Mercy Hospital Southwest lot.

As for safety measures, attendees remained in their cars the entire time, as praise and worship music played in the air.

"It's been a very stressful time as you might imagine and for our caregivers who are giving so much each and every day," Robin Mangarin-Scott, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Dignity Health.

"Right now to see all these people gather in support of them means the world."

Castro adds if you would like to get involved in future events head over to their Facebook page United We Stand Bakersfield.