A group of local Christians plan to gather for a prayer event for national unity from noon to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 on the Columbus City Hall steps.
The get-together is a spin-off of a national event called “The Return,” with organizers asking those who have strayed from the faith to repent and return to a commitment to living in Christian love, according to thereturn.org, an outreach of international author, Christian teacher and rabbi Jonathan Cahn.
The nationwide event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., also will serve as a call for the country as a whole to return to God “for the fulfillment of God’s purposes for America and all who dwell within it,” the website reads.
Franklin Graham of Samaritan’s Purse ministry will lead a prayer march that day from the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol building.
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Evangelist Julie Lashley of Cornerstone Outreach Ministries in Columbus is organizing the local, nondenominational event that will include praise and worship, a list of speakers still being finalized, emcee Pastor Adam Carrigan of Bethel Baptist Church, and possibly a small area after the event for passersby, including motorists, to stop and request prayer.
“Our focus is definitely prayer,” Lashley said.
The format will be similar to the local celebration of the National Day of Prayer, often held on the city hall steps in years past or at The Commons.
Lashley has asked that attendees clearly avoid any political apparel, through Christian apparel is welcomed.
“This is not about politics,” she said. “There simply needs to be a sense of unity among Christian brothers and sisters, and for people to return to the Lord and for all of us to allow our lives to reflect him.”
Author Cahn has pointed out that, in ancient times, the period of time known as the Days of Awe stretched Sept. 18 to Sept. 28, and were set aside as a special time to intensify prayers, intercession, repentance, and revival. It concludes on Sept. 26, which is the Day of Atonement, or the day marking Moses’ return of 40 days of prayer from Mount Sinai.
“I’ve always been a person supportive of prayer in this community, and for Christians to be unified,” Lashley said.
Columbus resident David Theile is helping Lashley organize the event that he sees as a terrific opportunity for togetherness for believers.
“But, whether you’re Christian or not, I think there are Godly values and virtues that we all can agree upon,” Theile said.
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Jonathan Cahn, author of "The Harbinger," and many other bestsellers, has launched "The Return," a national and global day and movement of prayer and repentance culminating in Washington D.C. on Sept. 26 — 40 days before the presidential election.
Cornerstone Outreach Ministries has secured the Columbus City Hall steps for Sept. 26 from noon to 2 p.m.
The prayer event will be handled like a National Day of Prayer. Speakers will lead prayer for certain topics along with praise and worship. This will not be directed toward politics, but a returning to Jesus Christ.
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