Thousands of Christians gathered in Fredericksburg, Va., this weekend as part of the ongoing prayer rallies known as “TheCall.”
The sounds of worship filled the Fredericksburg Expo Center, as the mostly young crowd cried out for God’s love and mercy to fall on America and turn this nation back to Himself.
“In this hour, that is our only hope, is for us to come together, stop business as usual and just start crying out for the mercy of God,” Joy Marcum of Joplin, Mo., told CBN News.
CBN founder Pat Robertson reminded the crowd of Virginia’s great spiritual heritage, which began when the first settlers landed at Cape Henry and dedicated this land to Jesus Christ.
“We claim by the spiritual authority we will not give it to Satan,” Robertson declared. “We will not give it to evil. This country belongs to Jesus Christ. It’s His. We’re His people, and we’re here to pray and claim what God has promised!”
TheCall’s president, Lou Engle, says Virginia has always played a key role in God’s plan for America.
“There’s something about Virginia—that it has a grace to take a stand in the ideological battles and spiritual battles of this nation,” he said. “So when it comes to the issue of abortion, we feel Virginia is going to hold the line from that which is coming out of Washington, D.C.”
Back to Life movement founder Laura Allred agreed, saying God—not Washington—is the answer.
“Many Americans are looking for a man, whether it be Obama or Romney; we need to look to Jesus Christ to bless America,” she said.
President Obama’s recent endorsement of gay marriage was on the minds of many who gathered to pray.
“The church better wake up or it’s going to find itself doing things it doesn’t want to do,” Rep. Bob Marshall, R-Va., warned.
Another highlight of TheCall was a visit from world renowned evangelist Reinhardt Bonnke, who believes America’s best days are still ahead.
“America is still a beacon of light,” Bonnke said. “And I believe God will bless this great nation, and a conference like this is part of God’s plan to do just that.”
