Hundreds of Millennial Evangelicals Gather in Jerusalem to Pray

The first Sunday of every October marks the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace Jerusalem. Launched in 2002, by evangelical Christian leaders Dr. Jack W. Hayford and Bishop Robert Stearns, millions around the world now join in on this annual observance. This year, however, hundreds of Millennial evangelicals are not just praying, but they are engaging in a 21-day fast, and then traveling to Jerusalem, many of them for the first time.

The keynote speaker will be Member of Knesset (MK) Michael Oren. Joining him will be Rabbi Marc Schneier, former head of the World Jewish Congress. A host of other luminaries and leaders from Israel and around the world are expected to attend.

Robert Stearns, the head organizer of the event, has long been a leading figure in the pro-Israel global community. He leads both Eagles’ Wings, a New York based organization, and a sister organization in Los Angeles, the Israel-Christian Nexus. “We are hearing a lot of reports about a decline of next generation evangelical support for Israel,” Stearns said. “But gatherings like this one are a strong part of the remedy to that. Millennial evangelicals simply need a re-introduction to Israel, not only from a biblical basis, but also from a basis of things which speak to them, like human rights and social justice.”

Thirty-two-year-old Adam Mesa, senior pastor of the 8000-member Abundant Life Worship Center outside Los Angeles, was profoundly impacted by a Stearns journey to Israel. “Israel was very important to my parent’s generation because they witnessed the rebirth of the Jewish state, and it fit in with their view of Bible prophecy. For me, I was not very interested in Israel until I went with the Nexus trip. I was amazed when I went to Israel with Bishop Stearns to learn other facts, such as the reality that Israel is the only nation in the Middle East where the Christian population lives in real security and religious freedom. An awareness and support of Israel is now a part of my daily life and ministry. I feel like my life has been married to Israel.”

Hundreds are expected to attend the event and are coming from approximately 20 different nations. In preparation, many have been on a 21-day fast, which began on Rosh Hashanah and is scheduled to end on the last day of Succoth.

The main “kick-off” event, the Global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 7 at the Tayelet Haas Promenade at 4 p.m.

This will be broadcast live globally by G-D TV and will take place in churches and congregations around the world that Sunday. G-D TV is one of the largest Christian television networks in the world with millions of viewers. Immediately following the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem will be the Awake Jerusalem opening session, also, televised on G-D TV, from 6-8 p.m. We will continue our nonstop worship and prayer watches at King of Kings beginning at 8 p.m. and continuing through the night. Our Monday and Tuesday schedule includes ministering at different locations in and around Jerusalem (please see schedule below) as well as main sessions in the evenings and continuous overnight watches.

“I have seen Robert Stearns work for Israel up close. It is nothing short of transformational. If the Jewish community wants to know the future of Christian Zionism, look to Robert Stearns and Eagles’ Wings, and get behind him with all your heart and all your soul.” —Rabbi Pini Dunner

After the main event, the group will be doing “prayer vigils” at key sites throughout Jerusalem, such as Yad Vashem and the Southern Steps of Temple Mount. The group will also be holding an event in Bethlehem, in cooperation with the Palestinian Christian population. Palestinian Christian leader Maher Canawati said, “Robert Stearns and Eagles’ Wings are one of the primary Christian groups who always, faithfully remember the difficulties of the Palestinian Christians. Even in the most difficult of times, he has always brought his groups into Bethlehem and brought much assistance to the Christians living here. Robert is one who is building a trusted bridge between the sons of Isaac and the sons of Ishmael.”

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem event, Sunday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. (seating by 3:45), is free and open to the public.

Media kits and interviews will be available on location. Press check-in is at 2:30 p.m. {eoa}

This article originally appeared at christiannewswire.com.