Tens of thousands of people are expected to flood the National Mall this Saturday, Sept. 26, for the Washington Prayer March 2020 with Franklin Graham.

“America is in trouble and in distress but we have hope—our hope is in Almighty God,” said Franklin in explaining the timing of the prayer event. “This is why we are asking men and women across this country to join together and do the most important thing we can do—pray in the Name of Jesus Christ. Our families and churches can show all of Washington—and the nation—that we believe in the power of prayer and need more of God in America, not less. Our hope isn’t in Republicans or Democrats. Our hope is in God.”

Beginning at the Lincoln Memorial, the march will take a 1.8 mile route along the Mall, with participants stopping at seven specified locations to pray for our nation and our leaders.

Although COVID-19 has put a damper on many scheduled evangelistic events this year, Franklin is asking those who attend the march in person, as well of those watching online, to gather together in an intentional time of prayer.

“It’s not the importance of where we do this,” he said, “it’s just that we stop and pray.”

So far, people from all 50 states and several U.S. territories have RSVP’d to attend the march in D.C., while thousands of others around the world have committed to participate via livestream.

Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, said he’s excited about the initiative.

“There has never been a time in American history where we have needed God more than today. This is why I’m excited about this initiative to call all Americans to pray at this critical time,” Floyd said. “We need to cry out to God for revival in the church and awakening in the nation so we will be even more empowered to reach every person for Jesus Christ in every town, every city, every state and every nation.”

Those traveling to the nation’s capital for the march are asked to arrive at the Lincoln Memorial Plaza at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday. The march will commence at noon and conclude around 2 p.m.

Participants are expected to follow applicable health and safety protocols—including the use of social distancing and a face mask while in public—and to monitor government orders that may impact travel. Anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should refrain from participating in person.

To help facilitate prayer, specific prayer points have been outlined for each stop along the route:

• Humbling ourselves in repentance and asking God to forgive our sins and heal our land.
• Our military, police and other law enforcement, firefighters, and their families. Security and peace for the nation.
• Salvation of the lost. Renewed strength in our families. Frontline medical workers and solutions to the coronavirus pandemic. An end to abortion.
• The president, the vice president and their families. All those who work in the White House and in the executive branch of our government.
• Compassion and kindness toward one another. Respect and reconciliation between races. Healing in communities torn by violence and injustice.
• Religious freedom. Boldness for churches to stand firm with the Word of God and to preach Jesus Christ in a troubled world.
• Our Congress and other leaders at the national, state and local levels. The Supreme Court and judges across the nation.

“Prayer is our most important weapon,” Franklin said. “It allows us to go directly to the King of kings, directly to stand in front of the throne of grace and make our petitions known directly to God.”