Chuck Norris, Michele Bachmann, Greg Laurie Promote Nat'l Day of Prayer and Fasting on Sept. 11
Actor Chuck Norris has joined other prominent conservative leaders, including evangelical minister David Barton, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Pastor Greg Laurie, in naming September 11, 2013, a National Day of Prayer and Fasting, an idea introduced in mid-April by Joseph Farah, editor-in-chief of the conservative news website WorldNetDaily.
Norris, a self-proclaimed Christian and Republican, wrote on his nationally syndicated weekly column last week that he believes Americans need to turn to God now for guidance.
"WND Editor Joseph Farah and thousands of others across the land are calling up America's spiritual reserves, challenging our spiritual fervor and cranking up our spiritual warfare by also declaring a National Day of Prayer and Fasting – and on what better day than Sept. 11, 2013?" Norris, who made a name for himself as an action actor specializing in martial arts in 1980s American cinema, wrote in the recent column, which originated on WorldNetDaily.
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Norris went on to reference the words of the American inventor and U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, writing: "Our duty is not to judge the outcome or discern the impact but simply to pray."
In addition to Norris, David Barton, a conservative activist, also voiced his support for the Sept. 11 Day of Prayer and Fasting, saying in a statement to WND that "a national day of prayer and fasting on 9/11/13 is a concept all Christians can and should get behind. It's not too late for God to heal our nation. But we can't do it ourselves without His mighty hand."
Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, Calif., has previously spoken on the importance of an American Christian revival during the May 2, Congress-designated National Day of Prayer event held in Washington, D.C.
At this previous prayer event, Laurie asked God to "send a mighty spiritual awakening that will turn the hearts of men and women, boys and girls back to you."
"You have told us if we will humble ourselves and pray, and seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, that You will forgive our sins and heal our land," the megachurch pastor added.
According to a WND press release, the organizers of the National Day of Prayer event on May 2 agreed to shift their focus to the Sept. 11, 2013, National Day of Prayer and Fasting once their event ended.
WND's Farah reportedly hatched the plan to hold a National Day of Prayer and Fasting on Sept. 11 while suggesting it for a column piece for WND in late April.
Farah then reportedly received a large amount of support for the idea and has now recruited conservative leaders such as Norris, Bachmann and Laurie to support the cause.
Norris has previously been involved in the political limelight, releasing a video alongside wife Gena Norris ahead of the 2012 presidential election, encouraging evangelical Christians to not vote for President Barack Obama.
Norris' comments in his September 2012 video held a similar tone to his recent comments regarding the National Day of Prayer and Fasting in that they urge Americans to turn to God in order to save the future of the country.
"We can no longer sit quietly or stand on the sidelines and watch our country go the way of socialism, or something much worse," Norris warned in the video, encouraging evangelicals to vote for "God and country."
Farah's National Day of Prayer and Fasting revolves around the biblical passage found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV): "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
The day seeks to address current topics facing the American public, including same-sex marriage, the HHS Mandate, and the role of God in schools and society, among other issues.
Farah implores Christians throughout the country to mark the date on their calendar and notify their pastor of the day, and to register their support on the WND website.
