***News Release***
NYC Pastor Carter Conlon: In a Tumultuous and Tense Culture, True Peace Only Comes from Jesus
‘It’s Time to Pray,’ the New Book by Times Square Church Pastor, Dedicates a Full Chapter to ‘Praying for Peace’
NEW YORK—Between frightening headlines, divisive politics and a roller coaster stock market, there’s plenty for people to worry about. Peace can certainly be elusive.
New York City pastor Carter Conlon, who leads Times Square Church in Manhattan, an interdenominational congregation with over 10,000 people in attendance who represent 100 different nationalities, says when peace seems far away, Christians can rest assured that peace is a promise from God.
Conlon is the author of the new book, “It’s Time to Pray,” which will be released next week. In it, he dedicates an entire chapter to “Praying for Peace.”
“It is not only possible to have peace in the midst of darkness; it’s a promise that Jesus gives to all who believe on Him,” Conlon writes. “And His promise of peace in the midst of your circumstance is exactly what He can and will give to you.”
In the “It’s Time to Pray” chapter on peace, Conlon relays the true story of successful businessman and lawyer Horatio Gates Spafford, who lost all his possessions in the great Chicago fire of 1871. It didn’t trouble him much, because he set his affection on “things above.” But two years later, four of his children and more than 220 others died on the sinking Ville du Havre ship.
Mr. Spafford was given the tragic news and, heartsick with grief, he suddenly felt a rush of supernatural peace and comfort as he looked to the Lord for strength. With tears streaming down his face, he picked up a pen to record his feelings, and from his heart flowed the words to the great hymn, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
“Can we have peace in our hearts when our world is turned upside down?” Conlon asks. “Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid’ (John 14:27). The kind of peace that the world gives is conditional—it stands on a shaky foundation that can change with every passing whim. But the kind of peace that Jesus promises His children is unconditional. It’s a peace based on the foundation of God Himself—unchanging, loving, gracious, merciful and faithful. God’s peace is not dependent on our circumstances; in fact, it thrives in the midst of our trials, tribulations and dark valleys.”
Conlon joined the pastoral staff of Times Square Church in 1994 at the invitation of founding pastor David Wilkerson who launched Teen Challenge and wrote the best-selling book, “Cross and the Switchblade.” Conlon was appointed senior pastor of Times Square Church in 2001.
Conlon continues to be a voice for God far beyond the pulpit of Times Square Church by speaking at numerous conferences across the country and around the world. His weekly radio spots air on 1010 WINS, the nation’s longest-running all-news station, and his one-minute devotional and 30-minute program, called “A Call to the Nation,” are currently syndicated on over 350 Christian radio stations worldwide. He is the author of several books, including “The 180 Degree Christian,” “Fear Not” and “Unshakable.”
To be released Nov. 6, “It’s Time to Pray” is published by GPC Books, an imprint of Times Square Church’s partnership with Charisma House. Charisma House has published books, including 14 best-sellers, that challenge, encourage, teach and equip Christians.
For more information on “It’s Time to Pray,” visit www.ItsTimeToPrayBook.com.
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