Could 9/11 Prayer Gatherings Spark Next Great Awakening?

Despite Mayor Bloomberg’s 9/11 Memorial clergy ban, a historic day of united, consecrated prayer will nonetheless mark the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.

Cry Out America, in conjunction with the Awakening America Alliance, is mobilizing Christian believers across the nation, and throughout every denomination, in prayer on 9/11, on this 10-year anniversary, to humble ourselves and seek God for the healing of America.

Cry Out America has confirmed more than 2,400 official points of prayer for Sunday. Those prayer points cover all 50 states, including the U.S. provinces of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, through the participation of over 1,500 churches and 900 interdenominational, public prayer events. In all, Cry Out America events are scheduled for all 38 counties with populations over 1 million.

“The attacks on our nation on Sept. 11, 2001 were the wake-up call of a lifetime for all of us and 10 years following the terrorist attacks on 9/11 our nation needs God’s protection and grace more than ever,” says Billy Wilson, executive director of the Awakening America Alliance and The International Center For Spiritual Renewa. “On this 10th anniversary we invite believers across America to unite with us in issuing a spiritual wake up call for a new Christ Awakening in our generation during county-wide prayer gatherings and by praying in their local churches on 9/11 during the Cry Out America initiative.”

Cry Out America believes that the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist’s attacks gives America the perfect moment to pause, remember and pray for our nation. The first decade of the 21st century has been a difficult time for America with war, fear, uncertainty, financial instability and spiritual decline. America is overdue for a spiritual turn around and for a new awakening.

“We do hope that Cry Out America will help grass-roots Christian believers increase their courage to call for public prayer,” Wilson says. “We have witnessed wonderful energy and commitment from a remnant of Christians across America who have not given up on this nation and who are convinced that united, extraordinary prayer is critical to our future.”

Wilson does not anticipate an exact duplication of any prayer movements of the past, rather a fresh outpouring of grace for intercession that will take on new dimensions and forms in the 21st century church.

“Campuses, workplaces, 24-hour houses of prayer, church prayer towers, market place prayer gatherings, united pastor prayer gatherings and many other expressions all have a place in what is needed now in America,” he says. “These are exciting times to be engaged in prayer.”

Cry Out America expects some gatherings will have more than 3,000 people present and others will be as small as a handful. Last year Reno, Nev. had a COA gathering with just one person praying on the steps of their county courthouse. Average gatherings are about 100 to 150 people and usually involve numerous, different denominations, city and county officials, first responders and committed laity.

In what appears to be a very trying time for the church and the nation, the Awakening America Alliance believes that America could be on the verge of a sweeping move of God’s Spirit that will touch every state, every county and every heart.

“We welcome every concerned believer to join us in prayer for America during their Sunday services and in united county-wide prayer gatherings,” Wilson says. “Together I believe we can see America turn around and witness a new spiritual awakening in the 21st century.”

Wilson, Awakening America Alliance cabinet members and the International Center for Spiritual Renewal Board of Directors will join the Concerts of Prayer Greater New York and the churches of lower Manhattan who were most affected by the terrorist attacks 10 years ago in a special grass-roots prayer gathering on Saturday at East River Park. The gathering called Reaching Out: A Sacred Assembly, begins at 4:30 p.m. and is open to the public. The Sacred Assembly will feature leaders from across New York City including pastor Rick Del Rio who served as chairman of the Ground Zero ministerial task force. Leaders from across the nation will also participate in the program built around prayers of remembrance, reconciliation and renewal. Cry Out America is honored to be co-sponsor of this event where clergy and first responders are being featured.

Churches can register and receive free resources to help lead their congregation in prayer this Sunday, 9/11, at www.awakeningamerica.us or they can call 1-888-929-2538. To register your local church or find out about a local county prayer gathering and to learn more about the Awakening America Alliance please visit www.awakeningamerica.us.