Church urges prayer ahead of election results

Three thousand candles line the steps of National City Christian Church on 14th Street & Massachusetts Avenue. Interfaith individuals across the nation are calling on a day of prayer and meditation, and this church is serving as a hub for activity.

A program called A M.O.R.E. Prophetic Vote – standing for mobilizing, organizing, registering and energizing – will air at the top of each hour until 9 p.m. At that time, a two-hour national program will air, filled with music, prayers, speeches from local interfaith leaders and testimonies from others.

Rev. Liz Theoharis, director of the Kairos Center in New York City and co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, came from New York to help organize the event.

“Folks here are singing songs, ringing bells, sounding the shofar and praying that every vote gets counted,” Theoharis said.

Interfaith volunteers flocked to the church early evening Tuesday to line its steps with thousands of small, plastic candles.

“We’re lighting 3,000 candles, which we hope are symbolic in leading us into the light,” said Arlene Holt-Baker, chair of Community Change. “Tonight, the steps of this church will shine so bright.”