‘Unified in peace and in prayer’
Faith groups gather for walk, service in response to Satanists’ black mass
A large and diverse crowd of Christians walked the streets of downtown Oklahoma City on Monday to show their unified stand against a satanic black mass being held in a public venue just a few blocks away.
The ecumenical Unity Prayer Walk quickly swelled to more than 1,000 people who prayed and sang as they traveled from the “Jesus Wept” statue at NW 5 and Harvey Avenue to First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, 131 NW 4.
The walk and a Unity Prayer Service at the church were held in response to the Dakhma of Angra Mainyu’s black mass in the City Space Theater at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Couch Drive.
Participants said they walked to publicly acknowledge their faith and to show that God overcomes evil with His love.
“For us, the black mass is a travesty. It strikes at the heart of the community, and I think they (Satanists) are trying to send a message in Oklahoma City, the
Bible Belt, a community known for its faith,” said Mustang resident Bryan Estabrooks, a Catholic who walked with his wife, Lora, and their three children.
“We want to show our kids that our faith is not a passive act. You have to give people a reason for your hope, and that is Jesus Christ.”
Gathering together
Two years ago, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, led by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, denounced the Dakhma of Angra Mainyu and its planned black mass, a parody of the Catholic Mass, at the Civic Center.
Coakley held a prayer event at a Catholic church on the same September day as the Satanists’ presentation. Also, many Christians from Oklahoma and other states flocked to the Civic Center and held prayer gatherings outside the venue as the black mass took place in 2014.
This year, many faith leaders, following through with an idea from the Family Policy Institute of Oklahoma, decided to gather together for the ecumenical Unity Prayer Walk and Prayer Service held on Monday. Timothy Tardibono, Family Policy Institute president, said the premise of both events was to bring people of faith together to unify in prayer for issues that they are all concerned about.
The Rev. William Novak, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, represented Coakley and the Catholic archdiocese. He thanked those who gathered at the “Jesus Wept” statue, a well-known symbol of hope and faith on the grounds of St. Joseph Old Cathedral, adjacent to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
“We are all brothers and sisters unified in peace and in prayer. It is why we are here today to stand against evil,” Novak said.
Arm in arm, leaders from various faith traditions — Southern Baptist, Catholic, United Methodist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, nondenominational, Presbyterian and Pentecostal Holiness — led the crowd to First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, 131 NW 4. At one point, the leaders sang “Amazing Grace.”
Several people prayed the rosary, while another group sang a rousing rendition of “Victory in Jesus,” which they ended by shouting out “Hallelujah!” Numerous people prayed the Lord’s Prayer together as they walked the short distance from the statue to the church.
There was standing room only once the crowd gathered inside the building to hear faith leaders and others from different parts of the metro area share scripture readings and lead prayers and hymns.
The service
One highlight of the service was the standing ovation the crowd gave to Oklahoma City Police Staff Sgt. Anthony Carter when he walked up to the podium to lead a prayer for military and law enforcement.
“Many of you are surprised that I’m here in uniform, but it gives assurance that God has His people everywhere,” Carter said, adding that he has been in ministry for 15 years.
Along with Carter’s prayer, leaders led prayers for faith, community and the church; Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma; government; education; business; arts and media; and racial reconciliation.
“Lord, we pray for the leaders of our government because they bear a heavy responsibility to manage the common good of our people. And we confess that many times we are a nation and a state divided,” the Rev. Emerson Falls, Native American Ministries specialist with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, said during his prayer for government.
“We divide by red states versus blue states, ‘black lives matter’ versus ‘blue lives matter’, race, ethnicity and so many other things. Oh Lord, we ask that you grant our leaders wisdom from above to lead us.”
Members of First United Methodist Church of Oklahoma City, Marty and Penny Anderson, of Oklahoma City, said they liked the idea of unifying with other Christian believers.
“For us, it’s about overpowering darkness with light, so anything they do over there, we’re going to overpower with goodness and love and Jesus,” said Marty Anderson, referring to the Satanists’ activities nearby.
The Rev. Jorge Cabrera, pastor of Little Flower Catholic Church, shared similar thoughts.
“This is important to show solidarity with our fellow Christians, to make ourselves visible. Sometimes people think that evil is prevailing, but God is alive and active as always. We’re here to proclaim that truth,” he said.
The Rev. Fannie Wallace, pastor of Praise Assembly in Del City, said members of her congregation felt mandated by God to attend the walk and prayer service.
“We are in such a season of refreshing and revival for the body of Christ, but you can’t do it without unity. We want to see God — we’re tired of religion — and we can’t see Him if we have no unity.”