Over 55,000 conservatives, upset with the decision to exclude clergy and prayer at New York City’s 9/11 commemoration service, signed a petition urging Mayor Michael Bloomberg to reconsider his decision.

The petition, created by the Family Research Council, expresses the frustrations of many who believe prayer should be a part of the 9/11 ceremonies.

"Your plan to exclude pastors and prayer from the Ground Zero commemoration is not only offensive to the families of victims, but strangely overlooks the role that faith played in bringing healing to countless lives," the petition notes. more >>

Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas, will be starting a new sermon series on Sept. 11 titled, "Twilight's Last Gleaming," in hopes of getting the message across to Christians that "we are not going to save America."

The sermon series kicking off on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks is actually based on a book of the same name to be released in January 2012 by Worthy Publishing. The book's subtitle, "How to make America's last days your best days," is actually meant to be encouraging, according to Jeffress.

Jeffress, who has authored several books and often appears on major news networks to provide a Christian perspective on various issues, spoke with The Christian Post about his new sermon series and book. more >>

The Washington National Cathedral will reopen the weekend of Sept. 11 after sustaining damage from last week's earthquake.

President Obama will be delivering the keynote address at the historic cathedral on Sept. 11 as the nation marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

"In the days following the 9/11 attacks, our nation came together to pray, reflect, and mourn. Washington National Cathedral was honored to serve as the spiritual home for our nation during those tragic, uncertain times. Now, a decade later, we come together again to remember the victims and heroes of 9/11 as well as the nearly 6,000 service members whose lives have since been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan," the cathedral announced. more >>

The decision by NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg to exclude any prayers from clergy at ground zero in the upcoming 10th anniversary commemoration of the 9/11 attacks is being categorized as un-American by an evangelical leader and spiritual adviser to President Obama.

Florida Pastor Joel C. Hunter, who also serves as an executive board member for both global and national evangelical associations, said Christians should speak out or protest the decision because the importance of faith in the United States is being neglected.

Bloomberg stirred much controversy recently when he stated, "Everybody would like to participate, and the bottom line is everybody cannot participate. There isn't room. There isn't time. And in some cases, it's just not appropriate." more >>

As Americans everywhere prepare for the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, two survivors live to testify not to the brutality but the grace extended to them on that frightful day.

Sujo John and Brian Birdwell, though personally unconnected in their lives, share one similarity – September 11.

While John worked in the North Tower of the Twin Towers, Birdwell was employed at the Pentagon when the multiple suicide attacks occurred ten years ago, leaving one critically injured. more >>

David Silverman, the president of the American Atheists, is agreeing with religious leaders who oppose Mayor Bloomberg’s decision to ban clergy from the upcoming 10th anniversary ceremony of the 9/11 attacks.

Prayers and invocations spoken by the clergy would thereby also be excluded from the annual memorial service, outraging many who felt that the event would not be complete without the support from religious leaders.

“I think such invocations should be allowed,” Silverman, 45, blogged, “and I would indeed like to volunteer to give such an invocation on behalf of nonreligious people.” more >>