Before the sun rose over Arizona on Monday, January 13 a bus load of Tucsonans boarded a bus bound for the state capitol in Phoenix to join with about 300 other civic-minded Arizonans to pray.
They were part of a coalition effort that included Our America, 4 Tucson, One Cry Tucson and the Center for Arizona Policy to bring Arizonans to the capitol to pray for the state leaders. The event brought people together from diverse backgrounds who share common values that resonate with all Americans – including religious freedom, economic prosperity, and unity. Our America believes prayer fosters humility and the ability to engage respectfully, even with differing viewpoints.
Our America‘s Arizona Grassroots Director Paul Parisi was among the prayer pilgrims and said the event was a model for how to unite Americans in a time of partisan divide. “There is more that unites Americans than divides us,” Parisi said. “Sometimes it just takes finding an opportunity like this to bring us together.
“At the end of the day, we all want the same things,” Parisi added. “We want to raise our children and grandchildren in safe neighborhoods. We want to be able to enjoy freedom of speech, thought, and religion. And we want a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. These were some of the things we prayed for at the capitol.”
Pastor Pat McClanahan of the Tucson Fellowship Bible Church helps coordinate the annual prayer day. He told Our America, “The ultimate goal is to build unity around shared values, promote mutual respect, and foster a sense of community. We believe America thrives when individuals from diverse perspectives work together. It all begins with prayer and a commitment to truth and goodwill.”
