International "Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem" preparation is underway. The campaign arises following the assassination of Sheikh Yassin by Israeli aircraft as the spiritual leader and founder of Hamas was pushed in a wheelchair from morning prayers at a Gaza City mosque.

It is organized by evangelicals associated with support for Zionism. Most of the supporters participating are people well known for their sympathy for Israel or Zionist positions, including Jack Hayford, NAE President Ted Haggard, Mission America Chairman Paul Cedar, CBN Chairman Pat Robertson and President Michael Little and Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias, etc.

The day of prayer aims to remind people about the bloody and sorrow history of conflicts between Christian and Jewish. Through their reconciliation, they may both gain strength to fight against the evilness in secular world.

One of the Christian representatives, 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."

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 idea of the movement was presented to a group of Christian leaders in New York City early in 2002. Now the campaign has begun to globalize, leaderships committees are already formed in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic and other nations. Also, Australian leaders plan to mobilize believers in their nation.

A two-day convocation will be commenced in New York 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 reportedly already cooperating in this call and have committed their congregations.

The schedule is almost confirmed. It begins with charter signing of the “Call to Prayer on May 20 evening, at the Hilton Hotel Manhattan. On 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.

Prayers for Palestinians, including many Christians, who are suffering in the occupied territories, will be considered.