Inspired in part by the widespread publicity surrounding the so-called “praying bandit,” Mayor Greg Ballard stood today with two dozen social service providers, many of them pastors, and urged people facing financial crises to get help.

“Personal hardships do not justify criminal behavior,” Ballard said, but “some of our residents are struggling more than ever, and many who need assistance don’t know where to turn.”

Ballard said people in desperate financial straits often approach him and say crime is their only option.

“But that’s not true,” the mayor said at a morning press conference at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 40 W. 40th St. “There are all these organizations that can help.”

Among the groups represented at the press conference was the Indiana 211 Partnership, a help line that offers a wide variety of referrals.

“There are thousands of programs waiting to help people in need,” said Lynn Engel, a director of the group.

Police have charged Gregory Smith, 23, Indianapolis, with robbery and other charges after a robbery of a clerk at Advance America payday loan provider. Police said he told her he had a 2-year-old child to support, then asked her to pray with him. The two got down on their knees and prayed for nearly 10 minutes, surveillance video showed.

Then, according to the charges, he robbed her of $20 and her cell phone.