The New York City terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, was a wake-up call to many Americans. Now a national organization is calling on people to unite in prayer on the upcoming ninth anniversary of the attacks.

On Saturday, Sept. 11, a prayer assembly will be held in front of the Chilton County Courthouse at noon.

The assembly is part of an initiative called Cry Out America, which has been spearheaded by the Awakening America Alliance, based in Cleveland, Tenn. The group has no denominational or political ties.

“They’re hoping to get these kinds of meetings held in every county of the United States,” said Phil Burnette of the United States Corps of Chaplains (USCOC), who has assumed the role of county coordinator for Cry Out America.

Burnette has invited several local pastors to speak and lead prayer for the community, state, country and leaders on all levels. He said people of all denominations are encouraged to participate.

“More than anything, it’s a prayer type event. It’s not a political event. It’s not proselytizing or trying to get anyone to change their religious beliefs,” he said. “There’s not a rigid agenda other than encouragement and prayer.”

The Awakening America Alliance defines itself as “a cooperative initiative within the body of Christ to increase awareness of the deep spiritual need in today’s America and to pursue a new Christ awakening in our nation that will impact our world.”

The group’s website, www.awakeningamerica.us, cites the shaken economy, the decline in church attendance and the need for spiritual awakening. The group is in the process of recruiting county coordinators and collaborating churches in each U.S. county.

Burnette said he has been heavily promoting the local assembly on Facebook.

“I feel like prayer is one of the most important things in people’s lives,” he said. “This is just another way of promoting it.”

For more information, visit the website or contact Burnette at ChaplainBurnette!@yahoo.com or 205-287-4386.