Glory Riders to visit Selma Tuesday

Published 11:18 pm Monday, April 25, 2011

Riding on white, robust horses while praying, singing and playing ceremonial drums aloud, the “glory riders” will make a stop in Selma Tuesday at 10 a.m. to spread a message of hope.

Founded in 1990, the California-based prayer group has traveled to such places as Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Mobile, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Louisiana by horseback preaching healing, restoration and justice in the streets. With more than a dozen riders, teams from both Dothan and Mobile plan to converge in downtown Selma Tuesday and later travel to Tuscaloosa and Birmingham as part of its “2011 Campaign of the South.”

Riders and those on foot will walk downtown Selma for two hours holding intercessory prayer and singing songs of worship to God. Bershet Gua, leader and director of Glory International and Glory Ride, said the city of Selma stood out to her.

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“When we decide to go to the different cities there’s no planned route, but it’s spontaneous as we wait on prompting from God,” Gua said. “Certain cities just stand out to us, and there’s a deep healing needed and unresolved issues in Selma that only God can heal. We believe the state of Alabama has a huge destiny and will be a forerunner to reconciling the entire nation.”

Gua also said the tours have been a major success. The symbolism of white horses as taken from the Bible in the book of Revelation, Gua said, demonstrates a symbol of hope that inspires something greater.

“So many lives have been blessed,” Gua said. “We feel led to pray for the healing of wounds and healing in hearts towards one another and God. Our goal is to reach state capitols across the nation.”

Shelby High, a local contact for the event, said the Glory Riders’ presence in Selma is another great positive for the area.

“We’re excited and we feel blessed,” High said. “It’s another step of prayers released for our city and county.”

Gua and the Glory Riders will also attend the National Day of Prayer event on the Capitol steps in Montgomery on Thursday, May 5.