This is an excerpt from a sermon delivered at the Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001. In it, Bishop Jakes seems to allude to the controversy surrounding comments made by religious leaders Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson about the attack on the World Trade Center.

America has been asleep, relaxing, taking it easy. But I want to serve notice on every evil, demonic force attacking us: we are awake now. Somebody shout, wake up, America.

And I certainly agree that we need to repent, and I certainly agree that we need to pray, and I certainly agree that we need to seek the face of God as never before, but I do not suggest that God has gotten angry at us and decided to allow the enemy to destroy us. I do not believe that this is the work of God.

And I am upset that anyone would suggest that the God that I serve would do such a thing. This is not the God that I serve. The God that I serve wouldn't have killed those mothers and children and babies. The God that I serve would not have used this wickedness and debauchery to execute wrath on people who are praying.

Even if America has its immoralities, and it does, might I remind you that God said, I would save Sodom and Gomorrah if I could find 10 righteous people.