A growing coalition of the Church and community prayer leaders is calling pastors, prayer coordinators, congregations, and networks throughout each state and region to set aside a 40-day period between September 24 and November 2, 2004, for corporate fasting, prayer, repentance and seeking the face of God. Our desire is to “stand in the gap” for our communities, regions, states, and nation as it passes through a time of war and another critical national election. Various churches and prayer groups will begin with all-night prayer on September 24, which is also the eve of Yom Kippur.
Are these folks aware of the reading of the book of Jonah on Yom Kippur (one would think?), or did they merely notice a 40 day period from the beginning of Yom Kippur to election day?
1 And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
Why do we read the Book of Yona on Yom Kippur?
The repentance of the people of Ninveh serves as an inspiration to us to repent, and shows us that repentance can overturn a Divine decree. (Shelah Hakadosh) Also, it teaches that even Yona could not flee from G-d. (Sefer Hatoda'ah)
http://www.ohr.org.il/yhiy/article.php/1231
THANKS MUCH.
Was going to post this and it fell off the priority list in my getting ready to go to PROMISE KEEPERS in Tucson tomorrow early.
Thanks.
Thank you for the ping.