Churches in the greater New York area began 72 hours of prayer and worship
last night to ring in the New Year—that is, the Jewish New Year.
last night to ring in the New Year—that is, the Jewish New Year.
In the run-up to Rosh Hashanah, which begins Sept. 30, at least 24
different houses of prayer and churches from the five New York boroughs and as
far away as Pennsylvania are taking turns leading two-hour prayer and worship
“watches” as part of the event dubbed “Rosh Hashanah at the Eastern Gate.”
different houses of prayer and churches from the five New York boroughs and as
far away as Pennsylvania are taking turns leading two-hour prayer and worship
“watches” as part of the event dubbed “Rosh Hashanah at the Eastern Gate.”
Organized by Eagles’ Wings, a New York-based ministry that emphasizes the
Jewish roots of Christianity, along with the Metro New York House of Prayer, the
meeting is focused on seeking God for the upcoming Hebrew year.
Jewish roots of Christianity, along with the Metro New York House of Prayer, the
meeting is focused on seeking God for the upcoming Hebrew year.
“The body of Christ is at a vital point right now in the world,” said Joel
James, director of development for Eagles’ Wings. “The nations are roiling now,
and there is a spiritual wave of activity that is rising now in the world. And
we believe that this [event], right now, is very significant in terms of what it
will do for intercession at this critical moment.”
James, director of development for Eagles’ Wings. “The nations are roiling now,
and there is a spiritual wave of activity that is rising now in the world. And
we believe that this [event], right now, is very significant in terms of what it
will do for intercession at this critical moment.”
According to the Eagles’ Wings Web site, Rosh Hashanah the holiday is
regarded as a time when “God reviews the books of judgment and determines the
fate of each person for the upcoming year.”
regarded as a time when “God reviews the books of judgment and determines the
fate of each person for the upcoming year.”
“So we as believers want to align ourselves with God’s calendar,” James
told Charisma. “We come together in a foundation of prayer, and we come
together in worship as believers to acknowledge the significance of this time of
year but also to seek God for what’s ahead.”
told Charisma. “We come together in a foundation of prayer, and we come
together in worship as believers to acknowledge the significance of this time of
year but also to seek God for what’s ahead.”
This third annual event is expected to draw 1,500 to 2,000 people each
night to Calvary Temple International Assembly of God in Wayne, N. J.
night to Calvary Temple International Assembly of God in Wayne, N. J.
Worship leaders including Marco Barrientos, Rita Springer and Julie Meyer,
and revivalists such as Keith Miller, Mosy Madugba and Wesley Campbell will
participate in the prayer watches, and give prophetic messages and teachings
focused on preparing for the Hebrew New Year.
and revivalists such as Keith Miller, Mosy Madugba and Wesley Campbell will
participate in the prayer watches, and give prophetic messages and teachings
focused on preparing for the Hebrew New Year.
The meetings will include times of prayer for the peace of Jerusalem and
for an outbreak of revival worldwide. “We’re kind of laying a foundation here
before the new year really begins, and this is kind of like God’s people coming
together to call on heaven and prepare the ground for the new season to
come.”
for an outbreak of revival worldwide. “We’re kind of laying a foundation here
before the new year really begins, and this is kind of like God’s people coming
together to call on heaven and prepare the ground for the new season to
come.”
Not only is the time of year spiritually significant, says Stephen Jenks,
Eagles’ Wings operations director, but the location is important as well. He
believes that hosting the prayer event in New York could have worldwide
ramifications.
Eagles’ Wings operations director, but the location is important as well. He
believes that hosting the prayer event in New York could have worldwide
ramifications.
“New York City is one of the key gateway cities on our East Coast,” he
said. “As a major center of business, finance, government, entertainment,
education and the arts, in many ways it is the ‘eastern gate’ of our
nation.
said. “As a major center of business, finance, government, entertainment,
education and the arts, in many ways it is the ‘eastern gate’ of our
nation.
“In addition, the diversity of New York City is second to none, as
literally every nation on the earth is represented in one of the communities
that make up this region,” Jenks added. “We believe that as we lift up the name
of the Lord over this region and see Him bring transformation that this ripple
effect will touch the nations of the world.”
literally every nation on the earth is represented in one of the communities
that make up this region,” Jenks added. “We believe that as we lift up the name
of the Lord over this region and see Him bring transformation that this ripple
effect will touch the nations of the world.”
Jenks hopes the 72 hours of prayer and worship will fulfill the biblical
mandate found in 2 Chronicles 7:14—that if God’s people humble themselves and
pray, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.
mandate found in 2 Chronicles 7:14—that if God’s people humble themselves and
pray, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sins and heal their land.
“Our desire for these days is that as we come in the spirit of humility and
unity serving one another and ministering to the Lord, and allowing the Lord to
search our hearts and cleanse us—that then as we cry out to the Lord He will
hear from heaven and bring the transforming power of His love and presence to
heal this region and bring salvation to this area and the nations that are
represented in it,” Jenks said. –Felicia Mann
unity serving one another and ministering to the Lord, and allowing the Lord to
search our hearts and cleanse us—that then as we cry out to the Lord He will
hear from heaven and bring the transforming power of His love and presence to
heal this region and bring salvation to this area and the nations that are
represented in it,” Jenks said. –Felicia Mann
Cheri Fuller and Cindy Lamb Curry 
Marilyn Hickey 
Charisma Staff 
