'Sin City' May Never Be the Same
By Wendy Griffith
CBN News
October 23, 2007
CBNNews.com - LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Las Vegas is known around the world as 'Sin City,' but over the weekend thousands of believers gathered there to cry out for a spiritual revival.
The City of Lights
Welcome to Las Vegas: city of lights, casinos, and non stop entertainment. It draws millions of thrill seekers each year, promising to keep your sins secret.
But in another part of town a cry went out - not for a show or a rock concert - but a cry that Christian leaders from 'The Call' say is touching heaven for Las Vegas.
There's something about seeing this many people just worshipping with all their hearts. Makes you think of what heaven will be like. And that's what The Call is all about: calling heaven down to earth and here in Las Vegas - crying out to God for mercy instead of judgment.
"Beloved I assure you a military invasion is scheduled for this nation and it will be terrifying if God's hand of mercy does not break in - and it will be in the hands of the prayer movement of this nation," Mike Bickel, from the Internationall House of Prayer, said.
Lou Engle started The Call movement seven years ago. He says that in a city that is known for sin, God is sending salvation.
Engle said, "I believe there is no safe place for the devil. We're believing for miracles and a prayer movement that will erupt in this city and contend with the darkness - that's our dream, that's why we're come."
Some 10,000 believers packed the Thomas & Mack Center for 12 hours of intense prayer and fasting for Las Vegas.
"I want to pray for my city, this is my home. I want to see something change. I want to see prostitutes turn to Christ, I want to see the lost and the lonely just open up their arms and say, I want God. This is not a city that's been forgotten," Ashley Woods, a Las Vegas resident, said.
What Happens in Vegas…
"I want to see casinos become these massive houses of prayer. Crazy right? And I want people to come to here to get healed instead of to gamble," Johnny Andow, Las Vegas resident, said.
And as for that commercial that says -'What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' - Christian leaders say that's not true.
"God sees everything. Nothing is hidden from His eyes. absolutely a false statement," Bickel said.
What organizers do hope stays in Las Vegas is the spiritual outpouring they experienced during The Call. And they're believing that from this night on the city known for sin will never be the same.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
