Organisers of a major ‘March for Jesus’ this weekend say they expect thousands of people to attend, and that the event will seek to “lift up Christ the King”.
The ‘March For Jesus’ is billed as “a non-political, family-friendly celebration of Christ and the Christian faith”.
It originated in London in the late eighties where Christians marched through the streets in prayer and worship motivated by a desire to bring Christ to the streets, the organisers say.
This year, in Europe so far there have been marches for Jesus in Berlin, Sofia, Madrid, Warsaw, and at least eight other European cities – and in various African nations, along with North America and parts of South America, with millions turning out in Columbia and in São Paulo, Brazil.
“This Saturday the 27th of September, thousands of Christians of every age, tradition and nationality will converge on Dublin for the March For Jesus. Over 12,000 people marched in Dublin last year, among which there were thousands of young people,” the coalition of churches hosting the event said.
There is “widespread anticipation” that last year’s crowd would be exceeded on Saturday, they added.
“There are Christians coming from Kerry to Derry, and everywhere in between! Young and old, single and married, Catholic and Protestant, committed and simply curious, will all congregate in Dublin on Saturday, in one Name: Jesus!” they said.
“Many Churches have rented buses and are making a day out of it. We personally know of people from over 400 different churches North and South who have contacted March For Jesus Ireland and who intend to be there on this momentous occasion.”
“The crowds are intending to come to Dublin to lift up Christ the King,” Pastor John Aherne said.
“There is something so special about bringing worship and prayer outdoors. It not only changes hearts, it changes the very atmosphere. Maybe this is now even more significant, seeing as many of our public spaces seem to have become increasingly dangerous, and in some ways disconnected from any sense of community or belonging,” he added.
“Christ is the Light of the world, and whenever we turn from Him, invariably we end up in darkness. Violence, addiction, crime, polarisation, disillusionment and distrust seem to characterise our societies. We have an epidemic of mental health issues and suicide, particularly among young people. We have the seemingly ever increasing threat of war, along with the dire and hopeless future prophesied by people like Greta Thunberg,” the All Nations Church pastor said.
“People are grappling with a desire for meaning, purpose, certainty and hope that our nihilistic post-modern worldview does not offer. Many religious leaders are reporting a surge of interest in Christianity among young people, and we are definitely seeing this here in Ireland. Reports of the demise of Christianity therefore have once again been greatly exaggerated by an Irish media that seems absolutely determined to only cover Christianity if it can be framed in a negative way.”
He added that “in spite of the complete lack of media coverage of the March For Jesus there is great interest being shown by people of all ages and places throughout the island.”
“There will be a children’s choir and a brass band, face painting and balloons, along with contemporary style worship and praise. It will be a family day, of joy and celebration, but also of deep reflection and prayer, as thousands of Christians pray for Ireland and the many issues and challenges we face at this present time. The participants in the parade will not only sing, they will pray for peace and blessing over our beloved city.”
“We believe that Jesus still changes lives today. This is our hope for Ireland,” he continued. “It is our hope that the March For Jesus will play a part in many being drawn to faith in Jesus Christ. For we are marching to celebrate the One who guides us through this life. We are mindful that while Ireland has a rich Christian history — from St. Patrick to today —it is one that in many respects needs to be reawakened and reinvigorated. “
The crowds will gather at the Garden Of Remembrance and leave at approximately 2pm and make its way to St Stephen’s Green South. There will be worship, prayer, testimonies of changed lives and messages of hope shared by Christian leaders representing churches across Ireland. The March For Jesus is free and open to all.