MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD WILL COVER THE EARTH IN PRAYER
By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA (ANS) -- As many as 200 million Christians from many diverse traditions and streams in nearly 175 nations are expected to unite to cover the earth in prayer during what is being billed as the largest prayer meeting in history.

This event, known “The Global Day of Prayer” (GDOP), will take place on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005. Its mission is to seek God for the glory of Christ and the blessing of the nations, says a pres release obtained by ASSIST News Service (ANS). (Pictured: Logo for the Global Day of Prayer. Courtesy: GDOP).

This rapidly growing, grass-roots phenomenon has its gravitational center in South Africa, where in four years a single stadium event of 45,000 Africans grew to more than 2,000 venues across 56 nations and 23 million across the continent of Africa. Like a wave, it is now spreading across the globe.

A television, radio and Internet simulcast is planned. Stadium events projected to be covered include Suva, Fiji; Hong Kong, China; Jakarta, Indonesia; Chennai, India; Cape Town, South Africa; Cairo, Egypt; Basel, Switzerland; Belfast, Ireland; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Dallas, TX and Calgary, Alberta.

Though the Global Day of Prayer will launch on May 15, 2005, it will be celebrated each Pentecost Sunday until the year 2010, and build to a goal of 500 million participants. Unlike other days of prayer, it includes mobilization to actively bless towns and cities. Its theological umbrella is the Apostle’s Creed, the most ancient confession of the Church.

The GDOP process is taken from the Book of Acts in the Bible that recounts the birth of the Christian Church in the city of Jerusalem. Leading up to the first Pentecost, followers of Jesus prayed continually for ten days. Then, on Pentecost God answered their prayers publicly and gave birth to the Church. After Pentecost the new Church experienced intense unity across racial and economic lines, filled the city with awe and wonder, sold possessions and gave to the poor, saw astounding growth and experienced the favor of the city.

The Global Day of Prayer will, likewise, include three elements. First, the event begins with ten days of continuous prayer following a biblical prayer guide designed to focus and unite prayer toward the glory of Christ and the transformation of the nations (see www.waymakers.org for an easily distributed version).

Young people will pray all night into the tenth day in what is called “The Whole Night for the Whole World” (see www.wholenight.org). Second, on Pentecost Sunday, May 15, Christians will gather in stadiums and other public venues. Participants will cross racial, denominational, and economic lines in order to pray together, including “A Prayer For the World” that will be prayed in unison at every observance around the world. And third, the 90 days following Pentecost will see those who prayed together collaborating to “bless the city” in which they live. It is called “90 Days of Blessing.”

Each community is autonomous and asked to create its own projects in keeping with its own culture and setting. It is expected that Christians will be motivated to not only honor the Gospel in word but in deeds such as building or repairing low income housing, tutoring needy students, repairing school buildings, concerts series in parks, evangelism, artistic fairs, job training, caring for the weak, and many other expressions of the love and blessing of Christ.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT

According to its website, the GDOP is comprised of Christians and Christian organizations in the United States encouraging Americans to be involved in praying for our world.

At the October 2004 International Prayer Committee (IPC) meeting in Thailand, seventy prayer leaders from each of the major regions of the world, met to consult and plan for the Global Day of Prayer. These leaders represent networks that affect tens of millions of Christians. The Global Day of Prayer is a continuation of a vision that God has been using across Africa in a wonderful way through Transformation Africa. The commitment to proceed was re-confirmed by these leaders as was the conviction that the Global Day of Prayer process should continue each year until 2010, in order to build momentum and fill the earth.

Dick Eastman, Steve Hawthorne, Barbara Byerley, Vonette Bright, Paul Cedar, John Robb, Bob Bakke and Kim Butts were among the members of America's National Prayer Committee (NPC) that were in attendance at the IPC meeting. Dave Butts, chairman of the NPC was asked by the IPC if the NPC would serve to encourage the involvement of Americans in this vision. The NPC members in attendance gave their enthusiastic support.

The date was set by Transformation Africa for the Global Day of Prayer as Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 2005. Additionally, this day shall be preceded by 10 Days of Prayer Toward a Greater Pentecost.

It was soon noted by the American attendees that America's National Day of Prayer, a date set by Congress as the first Thursday in May would be May 5, 2005, and ten days before the Global Day of Prayer. It has been further noted that May 5 is Ascension Day commemorating Christ's ascension into heaven 40 days after His resurrection into heaven.

The only time that the church has gathered together in prayer in a persistent and unified manner for 10 days leading up to Pentecost, was immediately following Christ's ascension. (Acts 1:9-2:47) Constant prayer among 120 believers was followed by Peter preaching the Gospel and "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day," (NIV).

What will God do with millions of His people crying out to Him for the nations and peoples of the earth? Let your mind imagine and join us in seeking the face of God! CG

Information can be found at www.globaldayofprayer.com  or www.gdopusa.com . Contact: Dr. Robert Bakke, US Coordinator, at rbakke@GDOP-USA.com, for more information.