SAN FRANCISCO- The nationwide prayer rally for ‘America, Return To God’ movement has hit the Bay Area as some 300 pastors gathered and fell on their knees to pray for the nation last Sunday evening.

At the Mountain View Chinese Christian Church, sponsored by the Great Commission Center International, the prayer meeting has drawn great support from the leading evangelical Chinese pastors. The founder and chairman of GCCI Rev. Thomas Wang was presented at the meeting to deliver the keynote speech with the theme "Is there a nation that replaced its God?" He called on all Christians and churches to pray for the repentance of the United States and return to God. Many leaders shed tears as they prayed on their knees.

The five major prayer topics were as follows: personal repentance (Neh 1:5-9), God’s healing of the land (II Chr 7:14), leaders in the government (Tim 2:1-2), the moral value of the society (Deu 11:26-28) as well as the spiritual health of the churches (Mat 5:13-16). Chinese and English prayer meetings were held simultaneously at two different chapels in the Church, 200 at the Chinese one and another 100 at the English one.

Dr. Bill Tam, leader of the English prayer meeting, was very satisfied with the attendance. He was encouraged to see some young Christians coming to pray for the country. On the other hand, the leader of the Chinese prayer meeting and chief pastor of the Mountain View Chinese Christian Church, Rev. Daniel Tan, was disappointed because the attendance has not fulfilled the goal of 400. He believes that it is now even more urgent to share the vision of ‘America, Return To God’ to many Chinese pastors.

A 128-pages book "America, Return to God" was published in early May by GCCI in an attempt to wake up all Christians and encourage them to take up the responsibility to change the fallen society. 500,000 copies were distributed for free to Christian publics and sent to American leaders of all levels and of all professions. The book has stirred up prayer burden among many people for the destiny of this great beloved nation. Wang, chairman of GCCI, wishes to see American churches and Chinese churches holding hands together to pray for the revival of America.

The first kick-off prayer meeting was held in Dallas on Saturday Sept. 2, followed by Arlington and Greater Los Angeles. More promotion has to be done for more active participation, according to GCCI. The next gathering is set to be this Sunday at New Jersey.

[Editor's note: Carol U has contributed to this article.]