Spiritual movement debuts in Graham County; expansion planned in surrounding area
Robbinsville – It began on Sept. 11, 2009: a gathering on the steps of the courthouse in Blue Ridge, Ga.
The response was so well received that the Copper Basin Ministerial Association decided to continue the event on a monthly basis, which would see a church in the community would host the prayer meeting at the City Park gazebo in downtown Blue Ridge. The pastor of the host church – or a representative – would facilitate.
Almost 16 years later, Awake America prayer meetings have expanded their gatherings from Fannin County, Ga., to not only Union County, Ga., but across the state line into Murphy, Hayesville, Franklin and Robbinsville. The goal is to raise up the voices of the nation and declare the name of the Lord to the lost. Their desire is for “a tsunami of prayer” for restoration and repentance of our nation.
At noon June 12, Robbinsville hosted its first Awake America meeting at the Graham County Courthouse. It was facilitated by Lake Santeetlah resident Kevin Haag. He and his wife moved to the area in 2019 and attend Robbinsville First Baptist Church. Kevin also leads a men’s accountability group via Zoom, with men from all over the country.
The first meeting in Robbinsville was attended by several business leaders, pastors, and citizens of Graham County.
The primary focus of Awake America is to bring pastors, government officials, business leaders, military, media and concerned citizens together to pray for America, its leaders and for a revival for America. The prayer meetings are held in county venues, from city halls, parks, courthouses and other locations.
Awake America Founder Lydia Long began corporate intercessory prayer meetings at her home church in Blairsville, Ga., World Harvest Church North, in 2004. After five years, being led by the Holy Spirit, she sought to promote Awake America meetings, to encourage prayer in different locations.
“My goal is for America to awaken to the move of the Holy Spirit in these troublesome days we are living in, like never before,” Long shared.
The mission is founded on 2 Chronicles 7:14-16, which says, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now, have I chosen and sanctified this house that my name may be there forever: and mine eyes and mine hear shall be there perpetually.”
Each prayer meeting’s agenda includes prayers for the military, first responders, national, local, state government leaders, unity in the body of Christ, the media, local businesses, repentance and revival, America’s youth leaders, revival for youth, human trafficking, persecuted christians, education and leaders, pastors and Christian leaders, unborn children, family restoration, Israel and peace for Jerusalem. Awake America serves within a 150-mile radius from World Harvest Church North.
The next meeting will be held at noon Thursday, June 26, at the Graham County Courthouse. Everyone is invited to attend and pray for Graham County and our nation.
For more details, visit awakeamericaprayermeeting.org.