Historic Satellite Prayer Vigil Set for Saturday

Thanks to a unique church/media partnership, devastated Americans in all 50 states will be able to participate in "America Prays," a vigil led by some of the nation's top pastors and speakers. The prayer event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, from 4-5:30 p.m. EDT/MDT and 3-4:30 p.m. CDT/PDT.

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; James Dobson, the founder and president of Focus on the Family; Max Lucado, an author and speaker; Bruce Wilkinson, the author of "The Prayer of Jabez," and John Maxwell, the founder of Atlanta-based INJOY, will join together in prayer at Glad Tidings Church in Lake Charles, La.

Their prayers will then be televised through FamilyNet and Sky Angel, webcast on Crosswalk.com in partnership with OnePlace.com, and broadcast on radio through both Salem and Moody broadcasting networks - reaching over a million people. In addition, more than a quarter million people, linked by satellite in scores of churches, are expected to participate. This is projected to be the largest prayer vigil in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.

Later that evening, at 9 p.m., contemporary Christian artists Sonic Flood, Margaret Becker and Steven Curtis Chapman will participate in an America Prays live chat on Crosswalk.com.

"As an outreach to our communities in this time of uncertainty, we want to team up with every possible church across our country for a much-needed event - America Prays," says John Maxwell, founder of the sponsoring company, INJOY.

Two times a year, Maxwell explains, INJOY does an equipping simulcast for local churches and pastors. And it "just happened" that this Saturday was one of those dates. They already had 700 churches signed up and 60,000 people registered for the teamwork conference.

But after the United States was attacked, Maxwell's ministry team considered pulling the plug on Saturdays' event. "By Thursday morning after prayer," says Maxwell, "I just felt that 'no,' we need to go ahead and do this, but what we really need to do is devote the last session to national prayer." That's how America Prays was born.

The team decided to invite technology and media companies to participate - to enable the entire nation to gather - and invited additional Christian leaders.

"I just talked to Max Lucado a little while ago," Maxwell told Religion Today. "He is going to write a special prayer for America at this time and will pray that prayer tomorrow. We will then put it on our Web site so Americans can download it for free."

Bruce Wilkinson and Maxwell each will give 15-minute messages. "Basically, I am going to share that God has given the body of Christ an opportunity at this time to make a difference," Maxwell shared. "The church has always flourished under persecution and this is the time for us to let our light shine, to care, to have the right spirit and attitude - to truly be salt and light."

The pastoral team plans to take a free-will offering that will benefit two churches in New York and one in Washington, D.C., who have committed to using those funds to serve their communities well.

Franklin Graham encourages all of America to join in: "This is a time for all Americans to pray for and support the thousands of victims, their families, and loved ones that have been affected by the tragic events of today.

"I have seen firsthand the human suffering caused by terrorism and war in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and at the U.S. embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, the day after it was bombed," says Graham. "And I am deeply saddened by the atrocities that have reached our own American soil in such a devastating and despicable way.

"These horrors remind us how precious life is and how important it is to be spiritually ready to stand before and give account to Almighty God. My prayer is that the people of this nation will turn their eyes and hearts to the Lord and seek His wisdom and protection."

Graham says his relief organization, Samaritan's Purse, stands by ready to mobilize the country's resources to aid in this tragedy if called upon.

"May all Americans pray for our president and government leaders, that God would guide and direct them as they lead our nation during these dark hours," Graham adds.

Jim Dobson had this to add: "Our hearts and prayers are extended to the victims and the loved ones of those whose lives have been devastated by this cowardly act. But it will not destroy us or weaken our resolve. America has always rallied and drawn strength when it has faced tragedy and danger-and it will do so again. We need to pull our loved ones close, and to turn to the God of our fathers who gave us solace and guidance in past troubling times."


To find a participating church near you, visit America Prays or simply stop back at Crosswalk.com for a live webcast.