Prayer Sweeps the Nation on 9/11
Cleveland, Tenn.––September 11, now known as Patriot Day, was a time for repentance and consecration this year throughout America as hundreds of thousands gathered for prayer across all 50 states at county courthouses, churches, prisons, university campuses, public parks, and Marking the 14th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this was not simply a day of remembrance and mourning, but a time for ecumenical, cross-generational, and multi-cultural gatherings as differences were set aside to join together in a common goal of focusing on transformation in the spiritual condition of the nation. Many events also included a special moment of thanksgiviing for local first responders along with prayer for the families of the fallen and those currently serving in these roles.
Cry Out America began in 2007 as 9/11, noontime prayer gatherings, concentrated on crying out to God for mercy at county courthouses across the nation. However, the Awakening America Alliance, who oversees the COA initiative, continues encouraging local communities to move from a single event to an ongoing process throughout the year. They believe consistent, united prayer will be required to bring about a spiritual awakening. They provide free resources for laity and pastors to equip and encourage congregants to pursue a lifestyle of praying, caring, and sharing in their communities.
Various state and county coordinators shared that one of the hallmarks of this year’s COA gatherings was the extraordinary unity experienced in their cities. “We are praising the Lord for what He has done throughout the nation today as He brought hundreds of thousands of believers Together Beyond the Boundaries, which was our 2015 theme,” commented Cry Out America National Coordinator Kay Horner. “It was beautiful to see there were congregants that had been divided in different circumstances in the past together agreeing in prayer,” reported Karen Masood of Marion County Florida.
Peggy Scarborough, COA State Coordinator for South Carolina, had Cry Out events in every county for the sixth year in a row. “South Carolina had the greatest year yet,” reported Scarborough. “Several counties in South Carolina had more than one gathering during the day,” she added.
This year saw several events held at State Capitol buildings. “Without exaggeration, the presence of God filled the halls of that hallowed building as we worshipped and cried out to the Lord for forgiveness, mercy, and the restoration of godliness in this nation,” said Arthur Guice, who coordinated the gathering at the Illinois State Capitol Rotunda. Governors from Georgia and Indiana signed proclamations, recognizing 9/11 as Cry Out America or Patriot Day. “Historically, when the people of God have set aside their differences to come together across this nation in extraordinary united prayer, God has heard from heaven and responded with great outpourings of His Spirit,” declared Indiana’s Governor Mike Pence.
It is impossible to say how many participated in Cry Out America prayer gatherings. Some states initiated mobile prayer teams that covered several counties in one day. They would drive from county to county, stopping to pray at various sites. Others showed up at county courthouses where they knew there was not yet a coordinator and prayed alone.
Cry Out America partnered with recent feature movies, released on or close to 9/11. War Room and 90 Minutes in Heaven are two films that have a strong prayer emphasis, and coordinators were given opportunity to have private screenings in their communities. Kay Horner asserts that the value of prayer must again become central. “We believe that America is beginning to experience a Christ awakening that will transform the nation,” claims Horner. “It will not happen overnight, but is a process that will culminate in a great revival in the hearts of Americans.”
To learn more about Cry Out America or the Awakening America Alliance, an organization purposed to “provide a broad umbrella under which the body of Christ in America can unite together in seeking a contemporary spiritual awakening,” please visit www.awakeningamerica.us.
(Source: Center for Spiritual Renewal)
