March 25, 2004

An Urgent Call to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Jack Hayford and Dozens of National Leaders call for
Annual Day of Prayer
MAY 20 & 21, 2004 NEW YORK CITY

Dr. Jack Hayford, one of America’s most respected pastors, along with Rev. Robert Stearns, Dr. Pat Robertson Rev. Ted Haggard, Dr. Paul Cedar, Dr. Corkie Haan, Dr. Don Finto, Rev. Jane Hansen, , Dr. Dick Eastman, Dr. James Hutchens, Mr. Gary Bauer, Rev. Kenneth Copeland, Dr. Ravi Zacharias, Mr. Bill McCartney, Mr. Michael W. Smith, Mrs. Kay Arthur and dozens of other leaders in a broad coalition are calling upon “all men and women of prayer” throughout the world to assemble in New York City for an urgent two-day convocation to affirm and sign a proclamation establishing a “National Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem,” to be held annually the first Sunday of October near the season of Yom Kippur.

Hayford, serving as Chairman of the Honorary Leadership Committee, states, “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. 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.”

“We are standing at a strategic turning point concerning the history of the church and Israel,” stated Pastor Rick Lunsford, of Gratefully Grafted Ministries Int’l. “God is once again whistling to the nations to take their stand, linked arm in arm with His chosen people Israel.”

Well known Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias is endorsing the effort and stated, “Prayer is the only means that will ultimately change hearts in this troubled part of the world.”

Hundreds of pastors, ministry leaders, and heads of denominations are already cooperating in this call and have committed to have their congregations praying for the Peace of Jerusalem on October 3, 2004. 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, and there has been communication from church leaders from as far away as Australia who plan on mobilizing believers in their nation.

Rev. Robert Stearns, co-chairman of the call to prayer, says, “We must realize the hour in which we are living. 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 begins with a Prayer Banquet on Thursday evening, May 20, at the Hilton Hotel Manhattan, where the charter signing of the “Call to Prayer” will take place. Friday, May 21, there will be a Special Diplomatic Prayer Briefing at the Israeli Consulate hosted by Ambassador Alon Pinkas for sponsors of the event. At the same time, special strategic planning sessions will take place at the Empire State Building to build local church and city-wide models and empower grassroots volunteers in preparing to call the nation to this annual Day of Prayer. Thousands of churches globally are expected to unite in this effort on Sunday, October 3, 2004.

The Signing Event in New York is open to the public. Individuals interested in learning more are invited to contact 1.800.519.4647, or visit www.prayforthepeaceofjerusalem.com and request an information packet. Various photos are available from KAIROS MEDIA to accompany this Press Release. Please contact Vanessa Coenraad for details, vanessacoenraad@eagleswings.to

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