From sunset on September 27 to sunset on September 28 is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.  This sacred day of the Jewish year is the climax of what are known as the High Holy Days, also called the Days of Awe.  The theme of this period is repentance.  Of course, in ancient Israel the Day of Atonement was the holy day when the High Priest offered sacrifices to God and made atonement for the sins of Israel.  In modern times, when we think of atonement, or reconciliation to God, we usually think of this in terms of our individual relationship to the Lord.  However, the Day of Atonement focused on national repentance and atoning for the sins of all the people.  It was a corporate event.  Right now, our nation is in serious spiritual peril.  We need prayer as never before.  It occurred to me that Yom Kippur is an appropriate day to emphasize prayer and repentance.  Thinking about this, I decided to share with you something I wrote years ago, just after 9-11.  Some of the references are dated but my point, and the cry of my heart, still stands.  – Victor Morris

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