Ried Powell was inspired by Evangelist Franklin Graham’s idea of leading thousands of Christians in a prayer march around Washington, D.C., March 26.As associate pastor at Four Square Church, Powell wanted to ensure a similar event in Crescent City on the same day was was broad enough to make sure it didn’t matter whether participants were Republican or Democrat, only that they felt comfortable coming to pray for the country.“The purpose of the event is simply to pray for our country, pray for our leaders and elected officials,” Powell said. “In the bible, it talks about no matter who is in charge, we’re supposed to be praying for them. When a lot of people are unsure what to do, we can all agree on prayer.”#placement_573654_0_i{width:100%;max-width:550px;margin:0 auto;}var rnd = window.rnd || Math.floor(Math.random()*10e6);var pid573654 = window.pid573654 || rnd;var plc573654 = window.plc573654 || 0;var abkw = window.abkw || '';var absrc = 'https://ads.empowerlocal.co/adserve/;ID=181918;size=0x0;setID=573654;type=js;sw='+screen.width+';sh='+screen.height+';spr='+window.devicePixelRatio+';kw='+abkw+';pid='+pid573654+';place='+(plc573654++)+';rnd='+rnd+';click=CLICK_MACRO_PLACEHOLDER';var _absrc = absrc.split("type=js"); absrc = _absrc[0] + 'type=js;referrer=' + encodeURIComponent(document.location.href) + _absrc[1];document.write('');Powell put the word out on the Four Square’s Facebook page and then he invited everyone on his contact list to come pray with them.“We thought we might get anywhere between 10 to 30 people,” Powell said. “We hope Christians feel united knowing there are a lot of things people are divided on right now. We want them to feel like there is more that unites us than divides us.”Officials lost count after 80.One person was overheard asking which churches showed up.Another answered, “I think all of them.”Leaders and representatives attended from several area churches, including Crescent City First Baptist, Grace Lutheran Church, Smith River Baptist, Hiouchi Fellowship, New Life Community Church, United Methodist Church, Crescent City Church of Nazarene, Home Church, Solid Rock Christian Fellowship, Fort Dick Bible and Gasquet Fellowship.Powell kicked off the march, with a prayer, at Beach Front Park. The procession then made its way up H Street, most in quiet prayer and contemplation, others in joyful song. They made stops along the way for group prayers outside the Del Norte Superior Court, the Crescent City Police Station, the United Methodist Church and the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office, each with a different guest speaker.Blake Inscore was the final speaker when the group made its way back to Beach Front Park. Inscore shared how these turbulent times during the pandemic have led to frustrations both as pastor at First Baptist Church and as mayor of Crescent City.“I’m not sure I’ve ever entertained the thought of saying I’m done. There’s been nights over the last six months, whether I’m trying to process being a pastor or being the mayor, I felt like saying I’m done, Lord,” Inscore shared. “I’m done watching people being angry with each other. I’m done trying to show respect to everybody, put my mask on, and give them six feet then turn around and watch people yell at each other. I’m just done, Lord. And every time the Lord said, ‘Well I’m not.’”He added that because so many people find it easier to lift up their opinions and politics, the answer to what ails the country is simple.“We just need to go back to living our lives for Christ,” Inscore said. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });