When the call went out for Christians to come to Washington, D.C. in early October 2012, to pray prior to the national elections, organizers were not certain how many to expect. John Bornschein, vice chairman of the National Day of Prayer (NDOP) Task Force, says he watched the numbers go up and down—as people registered or had to cancel—until registration for The Summons finally landed at exactly 300 people representing all 50 states. Bornschein shared his belief in the significance of that number by comparing those in attendance with the 300 soldiers that God used in Gideon’s army (Judges 6–7). “God chose each of you to be here on assignment,” he said.   The assignment was to spend four days (Oct. 3–7) in D.C. in what was described as a “solemn assembly,” with the focus on praying in humility and repentance toward a national revival and spiritual awakening. Organizers provided bus transportation to various sites for prayer, while participants also prayer walked on their own to various key points throughout the city. Two-hour sacred assemblies of prayer and worship were hosted both at the base of the Washington Monument and at the Senate Park near the Capitol building. The group also participated in a pastor-led dedication service at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. In addition, participants had “prayer appointments” in many of the Senate and House of Representative offices. Although most of the Congress people themselves were on recess, their staffs graciously received the participants, shared prayer requests with them, and allowed prayers of blessing to be prayed over them. Shirley Dobson, chairman of the NDOP Task Force, stated her belief that there has never been such a comprehensive prayer saturation in the Congressional offices. Dave Butts, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, preached a closing message on Sunday morning. He encouraged the group to continue praying before and after the elections, stating his observation that “we are in the midst of the most massive movement of prayer ever in the U.S. It’s happening now—and it’s accelerating!” Some of the partner ministries included America’s National Prayer Committee, Campus Renewal Ministries, International House of Prayer, Family Research Council, Harvest Prayer Ministries, and the National Day of Prayer. (C) 2012 Prayer Connect magazine. www.prayerconnect.net