As the nation solemnly remembers the victims of the 9/11 attacks, many Americans are turning their eyes to the Creator and humbling their hearts in prayer, repentance and fasting.
A significant portion of them have been mobilized through a movement that began in April through a commentary by WND CEO and founder Joseph Farah, culminating in the 9/11 Day of Prayer & Repentance.
From rural towns like Murphy, N.C., to New York City, thousands have responded to the call to devote themselves and their families, church groups, Bible studies and neighbors to prayer and repentance.
In Murphy, N.C., a 9/11 prayer gathering is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at Konehete Park. The organizers invite "all churches, fellowships and believers in Jesus Christ" to come together for a time of repentance.
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"There will be no speakers, no music, nothing to distract from 'crying out to God in repentance for individuals, communities, schools and our nation," they say.
Jim George of New York City suburb Maplewood, N.J., spread the call to about 50 churches within a five-mile radius in a dozen communities.
In America's Heartland, Bayless Baptist Church in St. Louis, at 8512 Morganford Road, has announced it will be open all day on the 9/11 anniversary for people to come and pray.
In rural, southeastern Kansas, members of Pleasant Hill Community Church in Parsons have responded to the call by setting aside Wednesday as a day of prayer and fasting.
Out West, Verne O'Brien of Sierra Vista, Ariz., told WND that "the Lord has laid on my heart to meet weekly for one hour in my home with other believers who have the same burden to pray for the nations and, yes, this nation."
"I know that this is the start of something powerful in this area of the U.S.," he wrote.
In St. Petersburg, Fla., Virginia Beale has been going through the local phone book urging churches to participate.
Meanwhile, Susan Jones of Whitefish, Mont., has been asking pastors in her area in face-to-face meetings to take part.
Televised event with Rabbi Cahn
Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., will host a televised special featuring bestselling the author of "The Harbinger,"Rabbi Jonathan Cahn.
Cahn's book and a companion movie by WND Films, "The Isaiah 9:10 Judgment," present evidence of shocking parallels between events in ancient Israel described in chapter 9 of Isaiah and what has happened in America since 9/11.
Cahn believes about an ancient judgment that befell Israel is repeating itself in America.
Overwhelmed by the response to his call to prayer, Farah said that when America "was founded 237 years ago, fellow believers fought to establish and protect the role of God in the fabric of our country."
"We are a nation originally built on and by prayer," he said. "Today, as Christians, we can look around and readily see that our beloved homeland is tragically broken and our culture is breaking down and dramatically moving away from God."
Farah said "those of us who understand the challenges we face for the very survival of America as we have known it as one nation under God must start planning now to do something radical."
Leaders endorse
The 9/1 Day of Prayer and Repentance has been endorsed by leaders such as evangelist Greg Laurie, Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., singer Charlie Daniels, historian David Barton, singer Pat Boone, pastor Jack Hayford and Tom Hess of the Jerusalem House of Prayer.
Other endorsers are:
- Actor Chuck Norris
- Radio host Mancow Muller
- Author and radio host Barry Farber
- Promise Keepers
- Regent University President Carlo Campo
- Singer-performer Carman
- Pastor Rob Shepitka
- Terry James of Rapture Ready Prophecy Web
- Ray Thomann of HIA Radio
- David Reagan of Lion & Lamb Ministries
- Barry & Toni Feinman of Jezreel Ministries
- Larry Hutch. TBN broadcaster
- Pennsylvania state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf
- Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries
- Bill Wilson
- Kay Horner of Cry America
- John Radell of Faith and Freedom Coalition
- Chuck Missler of Koinonia House
- Pastor and author Carl Gallups
- Jim Fitzgerald
- Singer Jason Crabb
Daniels told WND: "I am very much with you, and every day is a day of prayer for me. A lot of people pray for America, but to put a focal point on it, to unite people behind it, to let them know they're not by themselves, there are millions of people out there doing the same thing."
Daniels said he's convinced "God is in control" of America.
"If He decides He's going to shut it down, He's going to shut it down," Daniels said. "2 Chronicles does say, 'If my people called by my name repent of their wicked ways and pray, I will hear from heaven and heal their land.' That's a promise from the Creator of the universe."
Jason Crabb, the current GMA Dove Awards' artist of the year, took his endorsement one step further when he agreed to serve on the Special Advisory Council for the 9/11 Day of Prayer and Repentance.
More information can be found at the online resource page for the event.
An invitation to the event: