How a Small Texas Church Birthed Historic Capitol Hill Prayer Event

Three years ago, my church in Bullard, Texas, was very concerned regarding the spiritual and political direction in which we saw America heading. One Wednesday evening, a handful of our members gathered to pray for America. I remember praying a very simple prayer aloud: “Lord, open to us a door to the nation, that somehow we can make a difference.”

Little did any of us realize that night how God would literally answer that simple metaphorical prayer. He opened to a little country church in East Texas the actual door to the Capitol of the United States of America and its most sacred room, the National Statuary Hall.

We had already conducted several successful countywide prayer events in East Texas when I saw Rabbi Jonathan Cahn on Sid Roth’s program, It’s Supernatural, sharing from Isaiah 9:10 and the events surrounding 9/11 and the stock market crash in 2008.

I had published a book in 2010, The People, Preachers and the Politicians, relating the events of the first 11 chapters in 1 Samuel to America’s parallel situations and how the prayer of one woman, Hannah, saved the nation of Israel, ushering in the anointing of King David and his tabernacle.

In one chapter, I dealt with the fact that Wall Street crashed on the Day of Atonement—something I had not heard anyone pointing out from their pulpits. So when I heard Rabbi Cahn on television, I knew what I was hearing was probably the most pertinent prophetic word for our times.

I began to ask God what to do with this information. “Why are You speaking this word at this time to America?” I pleaded. I believe the answer I heard was, “If the place of dedication (Is. 9:10) becomes the place of judgment, then the place of judgment can become the place of rededication.”

Shortly after seeing Rabbi Cahn on It’s Supernatural, I called my good friend and congressman, Louie Gohmert, and asked if he would help me organize a prayer event for elected officials. He agreed, and we attempted to have the event on April 30, 2012, at St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City—the day and place of America’s dedication to God—but we were turned down.

Though we received permission to have the event in Federal Hall, our nation’s first Capitol and the place of George Washington’s inauguration, Rep. Gohmert and I decided it was best to have it in the current Capitol, where more members of Congress could attend.

So with a letter to Speaker John Boehner’s office, we received permission to hold the event in the Capitol’s most sacred room, the National Statuary Hall—an honor not granted to a private Christian organization in more than 100 years. This event was not only historic but prophetic in restoring God and prayer back in our nation’s government.

On Wednesday, May 8, the National Statuary Hall was the venue for the second annual “Washington: A Man of Prayer,” the observance of the 224th inaugural anniversary of George Washington as the first president of the United States. I am excited at the possibility that this event will become an annual event for members of Congress.

More than 100 attended the event in the nation’s Capitol, which paid respect to our nation’s first president as a man of faith and prayer. From 1800-1879, Christian church services were held in Statuary Hall, allowed by legislation signed into law by then President Thomas Jefferson who attended church there regularly during his presidency.

Hosted this year by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., the tribute was exclusively for members of Congress. This non-partisan event served as an opportunity for members of the Senate and House to honor America’s greatest statesman and petition the Almighty for wisdom in governance as public servants to God and the people. Prayers were offered on behalf of the nation, our president and his cabinet, the Supreme Court and its Justices, and all members of Congress.

“Washington: A Man of Prayer 2014” is already in the planning phases for the 225th inaugural anniversary with Congresswoman Michele Bachmann serving as congressional host. Other Christian organizations giving their support to next year’s event include Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America and Eagle Forum.

Click here to watch the event.

Dan Cummins, founder and organizer of “Washington: A Man of Prayer,” is the pastor of Bridlewood Church in Bullard, Texas.