Cry Out America prayer gathering honors first responders, remembers 9/11

The world will never forget the day when nearly 3,000 people, including first responders, lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked the United States.

To honor those victims and first responders and to pray for the nation, a Cry Out America prayer gathering was held for the second year Friday afternoon on the front lawn of the old Perry Courthouse.

Cry Out America is a national prayer movement focused on crying out for a Christ awakening in the United States. It’s an initiative of the Awakening America Alliance, founded in 2007, which facilitates county-wide prayer gatherings in all 50 states. Emily Dennis is the Cry Out America coordinator for Houston County and assistant coordinator for Georgia Cry Out America. All members are volunteers.

Dennis said Cry Out America is a Christian grassroots organization. She said it was formed as a direct result of the 9/11 attacks. She said so many people joined in patriotic unity following the attacks, and in 2002, Congress and former President George W. Bush declared that 9/11 would be called Patriotic Day.

However, Dennis said all of that patriotism and the seeking out of peace through God by many people began to dwindle.

“America’s morality just seemed to be spiraling downward, as was their spirituality,” she said.

She said Christian leaders came together in 2007 and said “we need to repent for some of the things going on in our country, to cry out to God and send out an awakening.”

Therefore, these leaders decided that there needed to be a time to pause and remember 9/11.

“It’s truly my opinion that only God can change the hearts of mankind,” Dennis said.

She said the prayer gathering, where everyone could come together in unity, was held at the courthouse because it stands for mercy and justice.

At Friday’s ceremony, she welcomed all those attending.

“We will never forget,” she told the crowd.

Following the welcome, the opening prayer was given by Dr. Janie Brown of Caters Evangelistic Connection in Perry, and the Perry High School JROTC Color Guard did the posting of the colors. Major Tommy Jackson with the Houston County Sheriff’s Department led the pledge of allegiance.

Houston County first responders were then asked to stand in front of the audience so that everyone could bless them for taking care of the community. Houston County mayors and council members stood behind the first responders to pray for them.

“I think it’s good to let our first responders know that we’re praying for them,” Dennis said. “We’re going to stand behind our first responders. Their greatest gift is being put on the line every day.”

The ceremony continued with local pastors and laypersons each taking the time to pray for repentance, family, churches and ministry organizations, race relations, military personnel and families, education and restoration of campuses, arts and entertainment, business and economy, mass media, the peace of Jerusalem and local, state, federal governments and upcoming elections.

In conclusion, the crowd joined in for the closing proclamation, and Skip Blumenthal of First United Methodist Church in Warner Robins performed “God Bless America” on his bag pipes.

“God’s love is for everyone,” Dennis said, noting that the prayer gathering was held to pray for the things that affect the nation and Houston County.

“We are going to be a friendly, kind and respectful county, and we’re going to model that to our children and pray for God to visit Houston County with the love of Jesus Christ,” she said.

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