Terror Attacks in NYC

It has been over a week since the deadliest attack in New York City after 9/11 took place. A terrorist used a rental truck to smash into people that killed eight people and almost a dozen wounded in Lower Manhattan. It could have been worse. The Financial district where it happened is a small land area of 1.5 square miles surrounded by Hudson and East rivers. Several small groups of prayer initiatives meet here during weekdays to pray and seek God’s purposes for Wall Street.

I was crossing the bike path just a few minutes before the truck terror took place. I normally don’t pass through there, but on that day I did. Coming out of the World Financial Center building which is right across the World Trade Center, I was fascinated by the renovations and the new shopping stores there. When I saw that I thought to myself, “How long will peace remain?” As I was leaving the building and crossing the bike path that question bothered me and felt an urge to pray. I called my wife to pray for peace. It only took a few seconds after that and the atmosphere was terrorized. It was on October 31st when many celebrate Halloween. Later read that that the terrorist’s intention was to hit the school bus. Although it was a true accident, it may have stopped the killing spree causing harm to more cyclists and pedestrians. God’s mercy indeed is truly amazing!

After the 2008 financial crisis we started praying there for God’s protection and reform. Earlier in 2012, while during one of our noon prayer meetings on the West side location, a few months before the super storm Sandy we were urged to pray against water coming to New York. Little did I know why the Lord asked us to do that until saw the devastation Sandy brought. The city was taken by surprise. Few days after Sandy while visiting the little Catholic Chapel where we used to meet for prayer was amazed to learn that the water receded after it came up to the entrance and did not enter or damage the property. The Chapel is right on the water and all chances point otherwise. The custodian of the chapel who had joined us occasionally for prayer saw the hand of God that day. I am sure many of us have similar testimonies of answered prayers.

Peace as the world knows is so fragile! The Bible is spot on. “For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape.” (1 Thes 5:3).

Such incidents are reminders for us to always look to the Prince of Peace alone and to pray without ceasing. There is no way to escape all these things unless we embrace the salvation of His Son. how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…(Heb 2:3). Whether one is a regular church goer or an atheist we know that peace and safety only comes through the Christ.

A few prayer leaders from NYC did a prayer walk on the same bike path a couple of days after the terror attacks. The One World Trade Center is in the background. We serve the Lord of hosts who made heave and earth.

It was interesting that at the spot where the cyclists were killed was a chalk drawing that said, One Nation Under God. It is unusual to see anything depicting God in that location.

God reminds us to seek Him when we are too busy and have no time for the gospel. There is a deep urge in every human soul for God. When enemy tries to divide the only hope for America to be one nation under God.

One Nation Under God

The solution for America is not One World Trade or One World agenda. The solution for every nation is simple: To be under God’s protection and mercy. For that He is not asking us anything in return but to be repenting and turning our ways to God.

Only He can meet the need inside of us. When we remove God out of every corner, God can still create a demand for the truth. The chalk drawing is an example. Many years ago, the prophet Amos wrote in 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.”

For truly to be ‘One Nation under God’ is a big deal. The leadership in all three branches-executive, legislative and judiciary need to open their eyes to the truth of Isaiah 33:22, “For the LORD is our Judge, the LORD is our Lawgiver, the LORD is our King; He will save us.” When one branch makes a decision that is pleasing to God the judges or House can delay or stop or other way around. It is hard to bring a small group in one accord but as nation it is even harder. During President Eisenhower these words were added and since then millions repeated it. Sometimes our works can be far from our words. “One nation under God” is a reminder of God’s mercy and an opportunity to humble before Him.

It is not too late or too far gone if we take advantage of while it is still TODAY. “For he said, I have answered you in an acceptable time, and I have helped you on the day of salvation: behold, now is the acceptable time; and behold now is the day of salvation. ” (2 Cor 6:2). Let us use our today to turn to God and pray for forgiveness and healing.

Thank you for being on the wall. Please continue to pray that the Lord would open our eyes to see the truth of His purposes clearly in the midst of the shaking and chaos around. These are testing times But our seeking Him everyday can go a long way. He is at the door!