Toward the end of this year, church leaders of all denominations from all over the world will participate in a prayer event alongside hundreds of leaders from the Jewish community worldwide. Charisma Magazine reported last year that an estimated 50 million Christians agreed to join in prayer for this event. So far, churches from 70 nations have agreed to make preparations for this upcoming prayer event scheduled for October 2nd.
This interdenominational event, as of now, is co-chaired by Robert Stearns, executive director of Eagles’ Wings, and Jack Hayford, president of the International Church of Foursquare Gospel. The event has so far attracted the interests of various religious leaders including Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals.
He commented in a brief statement posted on the website, “Jerusalem is at the very heart of what is happening in the world politically and spiritually. As Christians have been doing for years, we must pray that God would bless Jerusalem and bring its people peace and freedom.”
In a public-statement, co-chairman Jack Hayford wrote, “To pray for the peace of Jerusalem is to pray, ‘Lord, let your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth, not only in the ultimate revelation of His King coming from Heaven, but in the present revelation of God's peace as it comes into our hearts in a troubled world, to bring to the …center of the world, something of a peace that alleviates the tensions, the hatred, the bombings, [and] the torments.”
Website sources noted that the Holy Land continues to be a hotspot for violence and terrorism. In biblical accounts, Israel bears witness to many historical happenings within the history of Judaism and Christianity. Various leaders commenting on the event website urged believers to offer prayers of peace for Israel.
Last year, co-chairman Robert Stearns visited various Israeli leaders including the prime minister and head rabbi. This event, Stearns commented, was the “single most important development in Israeli-Christian relations in the 56-year history of the state of Israel.” Stearns also mentioned that the Israeli government, until recently, has had no formal public relationship with the general Christian community.
Stearns was also present for the formation of the Christian Allies Caucus in Israel. He wrote in a newsletter, “I took this time to express the genuine conviction of growing among the Christian community in response to our biblical mandate to pray for peace of Jerusalem and to stand with God’s chosen people.”
According to the event’s website, the purpose of the prayers would be for a “sustained, fervent, informed global intercession for the plans and purposes of God for Jerusalem and all her people.” Coordinators for the International Day of Prayer for Peace in Jerusalem (IDPPJ) plan to hold the event the first Sunday of every October until the arrival of the Messiah. Event organizers hope to enlist the help and prayers of 100 participating nations, 100 million believers, and 100,000 churches by October of this year.
Currently, prospective participants have the option of contacting coordinators from about 64 different locations in North America, South and Central America, Oceania, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
