Evangelist Leads Thousands In Prayer On War (2 Day event had 250,000-300,000)

The Miami Heald ^ | March 24, 2003 | Donna Gerhrke-White

[FreeManWhoCan]

Evangelist Luis Palau prayed for captured and killed American troops Sunday during Beachfest in Fort Lauderdale, which rivaled the largest U.S. revivals, according to police crowd estimates.

''Please bless America,'' Palau prayed as a 24-by-16-foot flag was unfurled on the stage Sunday afternoon during a patriotic salute to a nation at war.

He asked God ''to protect the troops'' as well as Iraqi ''innocents'' -- people he described as being just like Americans in wanting peace and a better life for their children.

He also pleaded with the thousands thronging to hear his message to put aside their political differences and pray for American leaders to make wise decisions.

''Even if they make mistakes,'' Palau urged the crowd to pray that ``they turn to God for wisdom.''

The preliminary estimate by Fort Lauderdale police that 300,000 had attended the festival over two days would make it one of the largest such religious events ever, comparable to Billy Graham drawing more than 250,000, for example, in his four-day Jacksonville crusade in 2000.

Police said they had revised their Beachfest attendance numbers to about 200,000 on Saturday because of a huge turnout for Palau's evening message and for popular Christian bands.

That would be more than double the previous record of 85,000 who attended one day at one of Palau's faith festivals in Seattle.

[FreeManWhoCan]

I found this in the Herald today page 3B. Its a shame the online edition does not show the picture. The crowds were HUGE. Its great that this evangelist did this. But why wasn't this on the news?

[wideawake]

Why not?

Because people purposefully vomiting in the streets is much closer to what journalists actually do than praising God. Therefore journalists prefer to focus on the pukers.

[RoseofTexas]

Please add 30 PRAYER WARRIORS to the crowd numbers!! We weren't there in the flesh but we were there in the spirit!! We held our own prayer gathering!! GOD IS AWESOME!!

[jgrubbs]

Here are some pictures from Beachfest:

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

WOW!!! What an awesome sight! God saw - God knows - but the newspeople of America who deny the reality of God moving on this nation - especially now at our time of great need - and on behalf of those fighting for freedom and to defend this nation - are working in conjuction with the prince of the power of the air. Too bad. Perhaps there is someone somewhere praying for their darkened, hardened hearts to be transformed by the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! HE is ABLE to do even THAT! Praise God!

[FreeManWhoCan]

Hi! Thanks for the pictures and for being there. I know nothing about him but the pictures are very moving. I don't know if its just me, but can you or anyone else "feel" the prayers. I dont know how to explain. I feel the people of the US and the world praying and I know it helps our President. So many in that crowd. So many good hearted people. God bless you all!

[Seeking the truth]

I had seen several signs posted on lawns in my development here in Boca Raton re: Beachfest.

I thought it was some sort of Latin Music Festival!

What the hell do I know anyhow?

[CyberAnt]

I met Luis many years ago in Medford, OR. I was working at Channel 10 in Medford, and while Luis was in the area for a meeting, he came out to the Broadcast Center and spoke to all of us (the owner was a personal friend of his). He gave me a small New Testament which I carried with me for years.

[TightSqueeze]

''Please bless America,'' Palau prayed as a 24-by-16-foot flag was unfurled on the stage Sunday afternoon during a patriotic salute to a nation at war.

Cancel my subscription to the resurrection - Jim Morrison

[Knute]

True peace comes to those who have a personal relationship with the Prince of Peace!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yes, it does. And the Prince of Peace said - Think not that I came to bring peace - but a sword......(I know - the Word of God is the Sword of the Spirit). But if we are going to get into a "Just War" discussion - please - I will have to do it in off hours. Just know this - when Jesus met a warrior of his day - soldiers - one who feared God - He said that He had not seen that much faith in all of Israel! What a comment! Huh? About a WARRIOR???

[stars & stripes forever]

It warms my heart to see so many in Florida enjoying the Son.

[CyberCowboy777]

Please send a quick e-mail to you local media. Ask them to cover these rallies and point out that these repersent the majority of Americans.

Gallop had a poll at 75% supporting I believe. A New York Times/CBS News poll found that 70 percent of Americans approved of Bush's handling of the Iraq conflict, a USA Today/CNN Gallup poll published on Friday that put backing for a war waged without the explicit approval of the United Nations Security Council at 76 percent.

Go here to find your local media.

Type in your Zipcode.

http://www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials/

It took me 15 minutes to e-mail 4 TV stations, Two papers and 4 news radio stations. Same e-mail cut and paste.

Some media outlets want you to use a form on their web-site.

You can be certain that they are getting mail from the LOUD minority.

We must oppose the Anarchist and Urban Terrorist.

Remember they have a Freedom to speak....

Not a Right to to be heard.

[HiTech RedNeck]

It's pretty clear from the context that this warrior understood that Jesus had not just authority but Authority. The Pharisees were refusing the evidence of the Holy Spirit, that this warrior had acknowledged. That's why Jesus elsewhere warned the Pharisees about the only unforgivable sin, the "blasphemy of the Holy Spirit."

[HiTech RedNeck]

What, you think that God, that Jesus Christ, shouldn't be cheapened with show biz?

Gasp, shock, the bible agrees.

But the bible also says the grace of God is greater than this kind of junk.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Yes, the Warrior of whom Jesus Spoke understood authority - because he was an authority in his military sphere - and when he gave orders - people obeyed him. And things were done that he ordered..... This man understood that Jesus gave COMMANDS - and people were healed, delivered from satanic bondage, and brought back from the dead. This man understood that JESUS was THE authority (as He is) - He has been given all authority on earth, in heaven, and under the earth. At HIS Name every person, spirit, entity must bow. This soldier of his day - officer - understood authority and appreciated this One who displayed THE authority to help the one in this soldier's household.

But my point is that Jesus did not decry this man's occupation as a warrior. He did not criticize this man's occupation. That was the point. Neither did he deny the fact of war. He said - as far as it is POSSIBLE, live at peace. It is not always possible.

[truthandlife]

Thanks for the story. Very encouraging and had no idea it went on. The media did not cover it.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Also John the Baptist, telling the soldier who inquired how to repent, to "be content with your pay." Sure a far cry from "quit your job."

[skr]

My front car plate: FLORiDa The Sonshine State