Over 2,600 Sites Across U.S. for Cry Out America Prayer Event
Cleveland, Tenn.—September 11, 2012 was a historic, profound day of united, consecrated prayer commemorating Patriot Day through the participation of more than 1,700 churches and 2,600 interdenominational, public prayer events involving city and county officials, first responders and committed laity. Cry Out America (COA) events took place across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in all 38 U.S. counties with populations more than one million—with an average gathering size of 100 people, some 250,000 intercessors were clearly crying out for a spiritual awakening in 21st Century America.
Dr. Billy Wilson, Executive Director for the International Center for Spiritual Renewal, Empowered21 and The Awakening America Alliance, said, “There is hope for America! That hope has been exemplified across the nation at more than 2,600 prayer points with 900 county-wide services today as Christian believers gathered to pray for the spiritual condition of our nation. Without fanfare or glaring lights these believers simply united their hands and hearts across denominational lines to Cry Out for God’s mercy on our nation. If the only hope for America is a deep, transformational spiritual change that begins at the grass roots, and it is, then Cry Out America signals that hope. We are humbled, grateful and excited that we have been able to serve this growing network across the nation this year.”
Christ Otto, Director of Belonging House in Salem, Mass., and a prayer missionary in New England, said, “Cry Out America has become part of a larger movement of prayer that is happening across New England. Yesterday we gathered at the Massachusetts State House, on the land once owned by John Hancock. Just two miles away is Bunker Hill, and around the corner from where we prayed are the graves of Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. As we prayed, we were visibly reminded that freedom has a price. We sought God in the womb of the nation. We cried out for a rebirth of freedom in Massachusetts and across the country. We cried out for another Great Awakening. This is our third year hosting a Cry Out America event in Boston, and we joined gatherings North of Boston and in Plymouth in a united prayer for revival in America.”
Positive, moving reports are pouring in from the various COA 9/11 prayer gatherings. Kay Horner, Cry Out America National Coordinator, said, “Our hope is that the Cry Out America 9/11 prayer gatherings will be an ongoing effort across our nation throughout the year. Many counties are already planning continued united gatherings that will ultimately lead to cooperative evangelism and service initiatives in their communities.”
“Several Hundred gathered at the Bradley County Courthouse on Tuesday, September 11. The focus of this gathering was a community-wide call to acknowledge that God is the only answer for our nation. Community leaders and intercessors chose to acknowledge that God is the creator, as such, He has all ability and all authority to hold people responsible for their choices,” said Iris Ray, Bradley County’s Co-Coordinator, along with Pastor Jamie Work. “God blesses those who choose His ways, His plans and His purposes but removes Himself and His covering from people who turn their back on Him. On September 11, 2012, the people of Bradley County made verbal commitments to choose to acknowledge the sovereign God, to worship him, to follow him and to tell others about him.”
“This is the third year that South Carolina has had all of its counties participating. I desire to see every county in America in prayer on 9/11/13! Prayer is the only thing that will save America. I’m here to stand with Cry Out America and serve our state and nation until America has a real revival and a return to God,” said Peggy Scarborough, South Carolina State Coordinator.
Rev. Allen, county coordinator in Lexington, S.C., had a gathering at their 9/11 Monument. Rev. Allen said, “We are here today because we find ourselves at a defining moment for our nation’s future. In generations past people have found themselves at crossroads of decision—a fork demanding a choice. Sometimes the nature of that choice determined the future of their children. But at other times, nothing less than the very life of the people was at stake. Today we are at the crossroads where our very lives are at stake. For the last 40-plus years, our nation has increasingly drifted lazily toward the falls of godless postmodern values, rejecting God’s standards in favor of a reinterpreted anything goes morality. Soon we will reach the point of no return unless we act quickly. In America the events of 9/11 awakened us to the threat of radical Islamic fundamentalism, but the greater threat confronting us today is our departure from God. We desperately need another spiritual awakening in America.”
“As we move from 9/11 and a Presidential election, we believe that our trust does not lie in the economy, not in military might and not in politics. Many Christians are lured into thinking that politics are the answer, but the one and only answer is Jesus. Cry Out America comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. On a daily basis, numerous commentators express their shock at how far this nation has strayed from a spirit of freedom and public trust in God. American’s greatest need, even in this difficult season, continues to be their need to know Jesus Christ,” concluded Wilson.
Cry Out America precedes America For Jesus—A National Call to Prayer, which is planned for September 28–29, 2012 at Independence Mall in Philadelphia, a city where the foundation of our liberty was birthed. The Awake Now Conference, Love Philadelphia Outreach, Awake Youth Rally, and the National Solemn Assembly will begin forty days of prayer and fasting before this year’s election.
To learn more about the Awakening America Alliance, how you can get involved in Cry Out America 2013, to become an Alliance partner or to learn more about America For Jesus, please visit www.awakeningamerica.us.
