Global Day of Prayer: Sunday, 31 May 2009

You are invited to be part of what we pray will be the greatest prayer gathering the world has ever witnessed. Millions of Christians from nearly every nation will unite 31 May 2009 in a dedicated day of repentance and prayer, coming in humble obedience to the instruction and promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

South Africa: The Beginnings of the Prayer Movement
The events leading up to the Global Day of Prayer started in July 2000 when God captured the heart of a South African Christian businessman, Graham Power, with a vision based on 2 Chronicles 7:14. The vision had three clear instructions:

  1. To call Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of Repentance and Prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium.
  2. To challenge Christians across the rest of South Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.
  3. To challenge Christians in southern Africa to unite in a Day of Repentance and Prayer.

  
Since 2001, Christians have been gathering for an
annual Global Day of Prayer.

In March 2001, more than forty-five thousand Christians united for a Day of Repentance and Prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town. It was a day of intense intercession that transformed lives and was reflected in a changing city in the months to come.

Testimonies of transformation caused the vision to be spread into the rest of South Africa, and planning immediately started for similar prayer gatherings in eight provinces of South Africa for 2002.

In February 2002, Power had a second vision, with an even bigger challenge: the whole of Africa was to gather in a Day of Repentance and Prayer, changing Africa to become a “light to the world.” Eventually, Africa was to invite all the nations of the world to unite in this move of transformational prayer.

Three months later, in May 2002, Christians in South Africa gathered in eight different venues for a Day of Repentance and Prayer. Again, the testimonies of church unity and the healing of communities inspired leaders to expand the vision into the rest of Africa. At a September 2002 Summit, leaders of nine African countries agreed on the vision “Africa for Christ.”

At the same time, it was clear that different prayer streams from across the globe were flowing in the same direction with a similar vision of community transformation through prayer. God was raising up a Church of intercession in order to prepare communities for the revelation of his glory.


In 2008, millions of Christians from 214 nations
united in prayer.

Across the African continent millions of Christians were inspired to participate in the process of transforming Africa. Seventy-seven South African regions and twenty-seven African countries committed to a Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa on 1 May 2003.

Continuing Growth of African Prayer
One year later, 2 May 2004, history was made when Christians from all fifty-six nations of Africa participated in the first ever continental Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa. Numerous communities, villages, towns, and cities united in non-denominational prayer gatherings at different venues. In South Africa, 277 communities participated. The impact in the Body of Christ was huge. For example, in Cote d’Ivoire leaders from evangelical and charismatic backgrounds reconciled on stage and established a platform for unity in the Church that stands until today. A flame of prayer was burning in Africa!

Beyond Africa and into the World
At a meeting of the International Prayer Council in November 2004, the invitation from Africa went out to the nations of the world to participate in a Global Day of Prayer. On Pentecost Sunday, 15 May 2005, Christians from 156 of the 220 nations of the world united across denominational and cultural borders for the first Global Day of Prayer. In the months following, Christians were overwhelmed by the testimonies of God’s powerful work in answer to these prayers.

This move of prayer is still miraculously expanding. In 2008, millions of Christians from 214 nations united in prayer; we believe that ALL the nations on the face of the earth will be saturated with prayer within the next few years. Together with the ten days leading up to and the 90 Days of Blessing following the Global Day of Prayer, there is a sense that the call to unity and repentance is deepening. This will lay the foundation for God to fill the nations with his glory as his children from around the world cry out to him in unity.

In nations like Singapore and Hong Kong reconciliation between church leaders and the different generations is already impacting society on a wider scale, whilst the 90 Days of Blessing has taken the Church from the pews into the streets. Collection and distribution of blankets, food, and other necessities have made a tangible difference in places like Kenya, DRC, and India. This is prayer in action!

Calling on God in 2009
This year, we are trusting for Christians from all nations to unite in humility, repentance, and prayer, believing that God will come in his grace and mercy and intervene in these unprecedented challenging times of global turmoil and despair. Currently, 150 nations have registered.

Prayer is as vast and mighty as God, because he has committed himself to answer it. All that God is, and all that God has, is at the disposal of prayer. We invite you to take part in the following initiatives:

  1. 21 May – 30 May 2009: ten days of 24/7 day and night prayer
  2. 31 May: Global Day of Repentance and Prayer
  3. 1 June – 29 August: 90 Days of Blessing—to bless your town/community in a visible and practical way

For more information and to register your nation’s participation, visit www.globaldayofprayer.com or email info@globaldayofprayer.com.

The process to saturate the globe in prayer is continuing, and your nation is invited to participate in 2009.


Etienne Piek is international coordinator of the Global Day of Prayer and gives leadership to the prayer theme on the Call2All management team. Born in South Africa, he has served with the Jericho Walls International Prayer Network and the International Prayer Council.