CLARENCE, NEW YORK (ANS)- Protestant, Catholic and Jewish leaders from around the world are endorsing an international "Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem," to be held annually on the first Sunday of October, this year on October 3. People all around the world will be asked to pray in harmony for the Peace of Jerusalem.

Endorsers of this effort include its co-founders, Jack Hayford and Robert Stearns, plus NAE President Ted Haggard, Mission America Chairman Paul Cedar, CBN Chairman Pat Robertson and President Michael Little, National Religious Broadcasters Chairman Glenn Plummer, Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, Kenneth Copeland, Michael W. Smith, Pat Boone, and Janet Parshall (see the full list below).

A Press Release received by ASSIST News Service (ANS), states that the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Metzger, has given his full endorsement of this effort, as has Ehud Olmert, the former mayor of Jerusalem, who is now the Vice Prime Minister, and most importantly, the newly formed "Christian Allies Caucus" of the Israeli Knesset. The Roman Catholic Church was represented by Monsignor William Showali, the personal representative of the Latin Patriarch in the Old City.

According to Rev. Robert Stearns, recognition of the day is growing quickly. "Leadership Committees are already forming in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other nations to join with us in this global effort. There has been communication from church leaders from as far away as Australia who plan on mobilizing believers in their nation."

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.?

Jack Hayford says, "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."

Well-known Christian apologist Dr. Ravi Zacharias adds, "Prayer is the only means that will ultimately change hearts in this troubled part of the world."

CALL MADE FOR TWO-DAY CONVOCATION IN NEW YORK

Dr. Jack Hayford, one of America’s most respected pastors, along with Rev. Robert Stearns, Rev. Ted Haggard, Dr. Paul Cedar, Rev. Dick Eastman, and dozens of other leaders are calling upon “all men and women of prayer?throughout the world to assemble in New York City for an urgent two-day convocation on May 20-21, 2004 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.

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.

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.

Thousands of pastors are already cooperating in this call and have committed their congregations to participate on Sunday, October 3. See more at http://www.DayToPray.org, where you can also learn of a leadership summit to take place May 20-21 in New York. Call (716) 759-1058 or go to http://www.DayToPray.org for more information.

By Michael Ireland Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service