The local Cry Out America prayer vigil was one of 2,400 official points of prayer in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands. Cry Out America events were scheduled in 38 counties with populations over 1 million.
Kay Horner, who chaired the Cleveland Cry Out America organizing task force, said she was especially pleased with the number of young people present.
“The multicultural and intergenerational aspect of the gathering was an added blessing to the unity of various denominations coming together with one purpose in mind, crying out to God for a Christ-awakening in America,” she said. “I left with a real sense of hope and anticipation of what God is going to do for Cleveland and Bradley County as well as the entire nation of America.”
Billy Wilson, executive director of the Awakening America Alliance and The International Center For Spiritual Renewal said, “The attacks on our nation on September 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.”
Believers across America, united with the Cleveland-based organization, issued a call for a new spiritual wakening in county-wide prayer gatherings and by prayer in local churches on Sunday.
Wilson said 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,” he said. “We do hope that Cry Out America will help grass roots Christian believers increase their courage to call for public prayer. 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.”
State Rep. Kevin Brooks said Sunday was a somber day of prayer, remembrance and reflection for his family.
“It was an honor to be asked to pray for our nation during a special prayer service on 9/11 in our church,” he said. “It is my prayer that we return to one nation under God as our founding fathers had envisioned.”
Brooks added, “It was humbling to be with our local First Responder heroes who were recognized at the Cry Out America 9/11 on the campus of Lee University.”
The state legislator, who represents the 24th Legislative District, pointed out, “Today’s most somber reflection was the realization of the children who lost parents in the terror attacks of 9/11. That moment was crystalized while Mayor Tom Rowland stood and prayed with us in the Conn Center today. We are blessed to have such a caring, committed community — and city and county leaders who pray with us and for us. We in turn must pray for them.”
State Rep. Eric Watson spoke Sunday at Council Baptist Church where he paid tribute to first responders, military personnel and the sacrifices all Americans have made in unwavering service to the nation.
“Across our great country and throughout the world, Americans will pause today to honor our brave fighting men and women who for more than 228 years have underwritten our freedom by their duty, honor, and selfless-service,” he said. “We salute them now for this selfless-service and recognize that their devotion to duty makes them a source of inspiration for all to emulate. They are our heroes because they have repeatedly triumphed over adversity. They know what it is like to stand guard in the chill of the night while others sleep.
“They understand the meaning of hardship; standing watch at freedom's frontier far from loved ones. They have seen the horror of war and catastrophe. Yet they endure, and it is this devotion to duty that gives us strength. It inspires today's military men and women to serve. Looking out on the world today, we can see how this unbroken line of heroes continues the work of veterans from bygone eras.”
