A Call to Prayer ...from many religious leaders Please click the blue triangle to reach what each had to say. Billy Graham Sheila Walsh Craig Parshall Janet Parshall Rabbi Scott Sekulow Franklin Graham Carmen Pate Woodrow Kroll The events in New York City and elsewhere today are unprecedented in our lifetime. The terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the deliberate downing of domestic aircraft, are absolutely unconscionable. And yet these tragedies are now forever welded in our minds. This is to the 21st century what Pearl Harbor was to the 20th century, except this was an attack on innocent civilians. We must pray continuously for the families and friends of the victims, for the success of rescue workers still looking for survivors, and for our President and his aides as they formulate an appropriate response to this act of terror. And we must not allow hope to die. Even in the midst of this present tragedy, God is in control and we pray with David, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word” (Psalm 119:114). A prayer for our nation from Dr. Kroll: "O righteous Father, we do not pretend to understand why a tragedy of this magnitude has happened, but as Christians we have both the privilege and the responsibility to pray for the friends and family of the victims and ask that you comfort them in this their darkest hour. We pray for police, firemen, and rescue workers still looking for survivors. Reward their efforts with miraculous finds. We pray for our President and his aides as they formulate a response. May it not come from anger but from righteousness and the need for a nation to protect its citizens. As the events unfold, Father, may we come to understand and to forgive those who have perpetrated this terrible human loss. And through the horrendous events of this day, may we find our way back to You, to a deeper appreciation of your sustaining grace in our deepest need. May we find our strength in You and in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.” Woodrow Kroll is President and Senior Bible Teacher, Back to the Bible Nancy Leigh DeMoss Luis Palau Dr. James Dobson Ray Pritchard Cardinal Edward Egan Cardinal Edward Egan, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, praised the city's fire fighters and police officers for rushing to help those in need. "I saw New York at its best," he said. "I saw police officers and fire fighters careless of their own safety, interested in only serving this great city, covered in soot. I saw many of them bleeding from the necks and arms. They're New York at its best." Pope John Paul II Bishop T.D. Jakes Charles W. Colson This is a national crisis of unparalleled proportions. It is Pearl Harbor compounded; a day that will redefine infamy in the annals of American history. I grieve the massive loss of life and pray that God will comfort the families and friends of those who have been taken from us. I call on my fellow Christians, and for all Americans, to take time now to pray for those who are grieving, and for President Bush, Secretary Rumsfeld and our nation’s leaders. I have tremendous confidence in these leaders in this time of national trial and testing. Make no mistake about it. Our nation has sustained the most severe attack in nearly two centuries, and the response must be proportionate, but swift and sure. Anything less will be inadequate in light of our responsibility as the leader of the free world, and the responsibility of our government to restore order. At the same time, the purpose of terrorism is to destabilize free societies and to take away our liberties. We cannot succumb to this assault on our deepest beliefs by restricting the civil liberties that make this nation great. The soul of our nation is facing one of its darkest hours. May God help us. Charles W. Colson is founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Steve Douglass Larry Huch Dr. Frank Wright Commissioner Joe Noland The Salvation Army’s emergency food and aid vehicles and personnel have been on-site at the World Trade Center area since 10:30 a.m. ET (Tuesday) morning assisting victims and emergency personnel. Additionally, mobile emergency centers are at the plane crash site in Somerset County, Penn., and every Salvation Army emergency canteen, along with hundreds of counselors and social workers throughout the northeastern United States and Canada, are on call to serve victims, families, friends, and rescue workers 24 hours a day. Our hearts are broken for the victims of today's tragedies, their families, and for America. Though The Salvation Army is on site providing assistance to our friends and neighbors who are the victims of this tragic event, our deepest desire would be that all Americans do what we have always done in times of national tragedy—hold fast to our faith and pray for our president and all our nation's leaders. Throughout our history, America has remained strong because we have relied upon our faith in God, who is our deepest and surest help in times of trouble. Commissioner Joe Noland is territorial commander, The Salvation Army, Eastern United States