In 2017, United? We Pray began as a ministry to help Christians pray and think about racial strife. We recorded podcasts, wrote articles, and taught in churches across the nation. You can see resources from that era of the ministry here. 

In 2025, our ministry changed when, on March 15th, seven very different churches from the Birmingham area gathered together. We had no idea what we were doing—we still don’t—but we knew we wanted to do one thing: Love one another in a way the world could see. We wanted a watching world to know that God is doing a beautiful, reconciling work in our city. We wanted to pray for more of his work in our city! We wanted God to give Birmingham a different reputation than “Bombingham.”

And so we gathered. We sang. We heard God’s Word preached. We prayed. And God’s beauty fell upon us (Psalm 90:17). One of the pastors at the gathering prayed, “God, we pray that a divided Birmingham will see a united church.” And the Lord answered. Christians from over 50 different churches gathered together to pray that day in March. And so, United We Pray became an annual prayer gathering that brings Christians of all colors from Birmingham together. 

We are not the first Christians in our city to gather to pray; we stand with gratitude on the shoulders of praying saints who’ve gone before us. By God’s grace, we won’t be the last believers who gather to pray for Birmingham. But tomorrow has enough trouble of its own; today is all that is guaranteed. 

And today, we firmly believe that we are Christ’s disciples and that we are one in him. Today, we believe this unity can bring the world to faith in Jesus (John 17:21). Today, we believe our praying together is a way forward from Birmingham’s broken past. And today, we believe the churches of Birmingham are rising up to cry out for Birmingham. This gathering is put on by Birmingham churches. It is from Birmingham and for Birmingham. Hallelujah! Amen. 

JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT PRAYER GATHERING MARCH 15, 2026