Global Day of Prayer - History
Information from
http://www.globaldayofprayer.com
In
July 2000, God captured the heart of a South African Christian
businessman, Graham Power, with a vision based on 2 Chron. 7:14. The
vision had three clear instructions:
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To call Christians from all denominations in Cape Town for a Day of
Repentance and Prayer at Newlands Rugby Stadium.
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To challenge Christians across the rest of South Africa to unite in
a Day of Repentance and Prayer.
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To challenge Christians in Southern Africa to unite in a Day of
Repentance and Prayer.
In March of 2001 more than 45 000 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 8
provinces of South Africa for 2002.
In February 2002 Graham Power had a second vision. This vision had 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 globe to unite
in this move of transformational prayer. In May of 2002
Christians in South Africa gathered in 8 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 Summit in September 2002 leaders of 9 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 busy raising up a
church of intercession in order to prepare communities for the
revelation of His glory.
Across the African continent millions of Christians were inspired to
participate in the process of transforming Africa. 77 South African
regions and 27 African countries (66 cities) committed to a Day
of Repentance and Prayer for Africa on the 1st of May 2003.
On 2 May 2004
history was made when Christians from all 56 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. A flame of prayer was burning in
Africa!
At a meeting of the International Prayer Council in Malaysia in November
2004, the invitation from Africa went out to the nations of the world
to join in a five year Global Day of Prayer process up to 2010.
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 this
day, Christians were overwhelmed by the testimonies of God's powerful
work in answer to these prayers.
This move of prayer again miraculously expanded in 2006, when on
Pentecost Sunday (4 June 2006) millions of Christians from 199 of the
220 nations of the world united in prayer.
In 2007 on Pentecost Sunday, May 27th,
the nations came together again…and as we prepare for the 2008 GDOP
on May 11th , 201 nations have signed on…with more to
come.
But, this is just the beginning of a process to saturate all the nations
of the globe in prayer: "For the earth will be filled with the knowledge
of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Hab. 2:14). May
every Pentecost until 2010 see a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit!
Dates for future GDOP: May 31, 2009 May
23, 2010
Central Florida GDOP coordinating team:
Associated Websites
www.globaldayofprayer.com
www.globaldayofprayer.com/youth
www.gdopusa.com
www.visionorlando.org/prayer/gdop2008.htm
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