Leading Christian leaders and pastors gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. and in Los Angeles City on Saturday to lead Christians in a "solemn assembly" of unity to pray for the healing of their divided nation and for America to return to God.

In the nation's capital, Christians braved the rains and the cold weather to listen to speakers during the United Cry DC 2016 event, WND reports. The speakers called on the nation's pastors to courageously address political topics including abortion, racial tensions, broken families and same-sex marriage among other pressing issues.

The event was electronically linked to a similar gathering in Los Angeles called AzusaNow, creating what organisers described as a "prayer umbrella of revival." The link-ups thus united Christians on opposite sides of the country in unity, reciting prayers in both English and Spanish. Americans of various races—African-American, Caucasian, Asian, Native American and Hispanic—attended the twin events.

The speakers harped on the theme that America is in crisis and that the nation is in a pivotal moment of its history. They called on Christians to pray, repent their sins and keep their faith in God.

The pastors reminded the crowd that Christianity and the truth must never be sacrificed for the sake of cultural expediency.

Other messages that resonated with the audience included:

● "When light stands next to darkness, light always wins."

● "Our problem is not skin, our problem is sin."

● "Passivity has never been, nor ever will be, a prescription for healing in this country."

● "The sin of racism is absolutely against the will of God."

Pastor Rafael Cruz, the father of Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz, spoke about the need for America to return to God.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, urged Christians not to be afraid of taking a public stand for Jesus. "If we are afraid of what people say, we have lost our reverence for God," he said.

"What American needs today is not a fear of man, but a fear of god. ... It is time for you and I to leave with no fear of man, only a reverence for God. ... You and I in America today are not being asked to die for Jesus, we're simply being asked to live for Him," Perkins said.

Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn concluded the event in Washington with a stirring and powerful testimony and a message of hope.

Cahn reminded Americans of the many blessings given them by God. But he noted that God is now withdrawing His hand "because we are failing to keep God first."

But "as long as God lives, there is hope, the light will overcome the darkness," he said.

Other speakers included Anne Graham Lotz, the daughter of renowned evangelist Billy Graham; Robert Vernon "Bobby" Schuller, lead pastor on the "Hour of Power" worship broadcasts; Alveda King, niece of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.; Pastor Jim Garlow, author of the New York Times best-seller, "Cracking DaVinci's Code"; Pastor Harry Jackson Jr., conservative activist and commentator; Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership; and Lewis and Rachel Hogan, founders of United Cry.