Leaders issue urgent call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. — Some of the nation’s most prominent pastors, including Dr. Jack Hayford, the Rev. Ted Haggard and Dr. Paul Cedar are spearheading a two-day convocation in May that will include a proclamation establishing a “National Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.”

The annual observance would fall on the first Sunday of October near the season of Yom Kippur.

“We are living in a sobering moment in history that calls us, as people of God, to fulfill our biblical mandate to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and to stand against the alarming rise of anti-Semitism,” said Hayford, who is serving as chairman of the honorary leadership committee. “We are not to be passive, we are called to pray with passion, to intercede. This is not about politics, this is about the Word of God.”

Well-known Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias is endorsing the effort.

“Prayer is the only means that will ultimately change hearts in this troubled part of the world,” Zacharias said.

Hundreds of pastors, ministry leaders, and heads of denominations are already cooperating in their efforts and have committed to have their congregations praying for the Peace of Jerusalem on Oct. 3.

The movement, which first began when the idea was presented to a group of Christian leaders in New York City early in 2002, has quickly spread worldwide.

Leadership committees are already forming in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and other nations to join with the global effort.

“We must realize the hour in which we are living,” said the Rev. Robert Stearns, co-chairman of the call to prayer effort. “Throughout the world dark forces are at work, seeking to destroy the Judeo-Christian world and Western civilization as we know it. This gathering is a strategic time in which both Jewish and Christian leaders can affirm the importance of faith, the value of unity, and a commitment to pray for Israel and the Peace of Jerusalem.”

The signing event, which is open to the public, begins with a May 20 prayer banquet at the Hilton Hotel Manhattan, where the charter signing of the “Call to Prayer” will take place. The following day there will be a special diplomatic prayer briefing at the Israeli consulate, hosted by Ambassador Alon Pinkas, sponsor of the event. At the same time, strategic planning sessions will take place at the Empire State Building to build local church and citywide models and empower grassroots volunteers in preparing to call the nation to this annual Day of Prayer.

For more information, call 1-800-519-4647 or log on to prayforthepeaceofjerusalem.com

Published by Keener Communications Group, March 2004

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