As the country grapples with yet another act of terrorism, many people ask again: “How could this happen?”
Eight people were killed last night when Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov plowed into a bike path with a rented Home Depot truck. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the suspect was radicalized domestically.
As more information trickles in, many in the Christian community are lifting their hearts in prayer. Here’s what they’re saying:
Just saw the news about the attack in Manhattan. Our hearts are with you, New York…heartbroken, filled with prayer & grief.
— Sarah Bessey (@sarahbessey) October 31, 2017
Our hearts and prayers go out to Argentina and the friends and families of loved ones lost in NYC attack. Peace of God be with you.
— Louie Giglio (@louiegiglio) November 1, 2017
praying for New York pic.twitter.com/n1viIFkQ0S
— Kari Jobe (@karijobe) October 31, 2017
Pray for those wounded and the 8 families who have tragically lost loved ones in this act of terror. https://t.co/UEya0Jln6I
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) October 31, 2017
Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
After hearing of the the terror attack in New York, I once again returned to the all too familiar place of prayer, mourning and heartbreak for all the lives that have been lost to yet another act of senseless violence. We pray for the family members and loved ones of the victims and we pray also for the city of New York that has once again been the target of terror.
We are all tired of reading the headlines of more innocent people being killed. We all long for the day when civilians are no longer targeted by lone wolves roaming our streets. But we must also remember that a lone wolf is no match for the power of our unity and the foundations of our shared values. The best of our people, our institutions, our families and our faith cannot and will not be shaken if we remember from where and from whom our strength comes from. May we choose to respond to this tragedy in love and with common cause as Americans. May this cowardly act only serve to strengthen our conviction that love and light will triumph over darkness.
Ronnie Floyd, president of the National Day of Prayer
Today every pastor in every church in America must pray for everyone affected by last night’s act of terror in New York City. We must pray specially for the families of the eight people who lost their lives and for those who were injured, for they will bear the physical and psychological scars of this terrible attack for the rest of their lives. Let’s pray with genuine faith and conviction, remembering the hope we have in Jesus, who said to us, ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
James Dobson, founder of Family Talk Radio
Every new act of terror that targets innocent lives is a tragic and terrible reminder of the evil that exists in our world. This particular attack is perhaps made even more painful by its proximity to the World Trade Center. Make no mistake, this is pure cowardice veiled in violence. True bravery belongs to the first responders and specifically the police officer credited with helping end this violence before even more were injured or killed.
We pray for the people of New York, many of whom are likely reliving the pain of 9/11 all over again. We pray also for the families who have lost loved ones on what should have been a normal fall day like any other. Finally we pray for the end of the hateful ideology that gives birth to these senseless and barbaric acts.
Greg Laurie, founder of Harvest America
Our nation has been touched by yet another barbaric act of terrorism. This time eight lives have been taken from us and a dozen more injured, only blocks from the site of the World Trade Center. Today we mourn the senseless loss of life and the attack on our way of life, but we must never allow violence and hatred of this kind to shake us from the foundations of our faith. As Christians, we take heart, knowing that in the end all evil will be defeated and goodness and love will win the day.
We pray for the city of New York, which has just experienced its most deadly act of terror since 9/11. We pray also for the victims’ families and loved ones left behind, that they will find peace in the weeks and months ahead. We also pray that God would bring redemption from this tragedy, as only He can, reminding us all that it’s in Christ alone that we can find true and lasting hope.
Bishop Joseph D’Souza, moderating bishop of the Good Shepherd Church of India and president of the All India Christian Council
I’m deeply grieved to hear terror has once again struck American soil and claimed the lives of eight innocent people, the majority which were foreign nationals from Argentina and Belgium. We must recognize that these violent attacks — wherever they’re committed and specially when they’re carried in the name of religion — are always an act of terror against the world. It’s in the interest of not only terrorism’s obvious targets, like America, Europe and the Middle East, but of the whole world to eradicate this evil once and for all. This latest attack in Manhattan should galvanize our world leaders to work even harder to make their countries safe, for their own citizens and for the citizens of their allies and friends.
Jay Lowder, founder of Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries
In the wake of the Oct. 31 terrorist attack in New York City, it’s more evident than ever that every follower of Christ needs to be intentionally sharing our only hope…the hope of the gospel. America is a nation in great turmoil. In recent weeks we have been assaulted by a mass shooting, natural disasters, political upheaval, racial division and even missile threats from abroad. As people are looking for direction, comfort and peace, we as the church must awake from our apathy and slumber to passionately take hold of our assignment to reconcile others to Christ.
This story will be updated throughout today.
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