Ten leading up to One followed by Ninety

We can find inspiration for the Global Day of Prayer in the three parts of the birth of the Church described in the Book of Acts: ten days of constant prayer leading to Pentecost, one day of prayer witnessed by the whole city and days of blessing that followed. For these reasons, the Global Day of Prayer has three parts.

Ten days of constant prayer: On Ascension Day, millions of Christians will find ways to pray night and day throughout the ten days leading to Pentecost, following the pattern of Christ's followers before the first Pentecost.

The Global Day of Prayer: On Pentecost Sunday, Christians in almost every country will assemble to pray. Many will gather in small groups in homes. Many will assemble in large stadiums and other public venues. In some places, television, radio and internet will help to connect and align our prayers even more.

Ninety Days of Blessing: As in the first Pentecost, transformed Christians transform their communities as they offer themselves to God as instruments through which their prayers can be answered. The Global Day of Prayer anticipates the forming or furthering of local alliances among pastors, churches, missions and business leaders, to bring practical, transformational blessing to their communities.

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:

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.

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 committed to a Day of Repentance and Prayer for Africa on the 1st of May 2003.

On May 2, 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 participate in a Global Day of Prayer process.

On Pentecost Sunday, May 15, 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.

In 2008 millions of Christians from 214 nations united in prayer and on May 31, 2009 a miracle happened when this initiative miraculously expanded to 220 countries in the world. Together with the 10 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. Global Day of Prayer is therefore continuing to call His people into His presence.

May 23, 2010 was the 10-year celebration of the global Day of Prayer. Whilst Christians from around the world united in prayer on Newlands Rugby Stadium, where everything started, millions once again gathereddin their own nations. The urgent call from Joel 2 echoed throughout the nations to return to God with repentance on a level never seen before. Yes, this was a time of rendering our hearts to God for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit on all flesh.

The process to saturate all the nations of the globe in prayer is continuing in 2011 and beyond and your nation is invited to participate on June 12, 2011, Hab. 2:14.

Every local Global Day of Prayer organizer and team member should strive to live by the following core values.

The Bible and the Apostle’s Creed—These define the doctrinal foundation of our unity. Worship and Prayer—We strive to do everything we do out of a heart of worship and for our counsel and instruction to come from prayer.

Respect—We use a consultative style of leadership that expresses respect for every people and our desire to include every part of the body of Christ.

Humility and Repentance—We embrace a lifestyle of repentance, agree with adversaries quickly, and confront pride and arrogance in the opposite spirit.

Servant Leadership—We lead by serving. It is intimidating to lead leaders, even presumptuous to take on that role. It puts everything in proper perspective when we commit to serve leaders.

Quality—We are committed to serve the vision with excellence. Quality is not a financial decision.

Relationship—We are an expression of existing relationships and a growing network of people who recognize the value and significance of relationship. People are more important than the task.

Integrity—We are committed to honest communication without falsehood or exaggeration. We submit to a clear line of accountability and open financial records.

Inclusiveness—We celebrate diversity, seek inclusive leadership, and mourn the tragedy of any missing part.

Sacrificial Giving—The Global Day of Prayer is empowered by the sacrificial giving of God’s people. Each locality relies on its own resources.

International Chairman
       Graham Power, South Africa

International Coordinator
       Etienne Piek, South Africa

International Coordinating Team
       Dawie Spangenberg, Isebel Spangenberg, Nadine Arendse, South Africa

In the USA

1. Oversight: America’s National Prayer Committee is privileged to oversee the mobilization for the Global Day of Prayer in the USA. The National Prayer Committee's Executive Committee of 15 prayer leaders monitors and serves the overall effort.
   
   
2. Publications: WayMakers under the leadership of NPC member Steve Hawthorne continues to produce and distribute the Ten-Day Prayer Guide. Stephanie Tucker helps equip the local mobilization effort.
   
   
3. Local Organizers: Local GDOP gatherings are sponsored and organized by local church and business leaders.
   
   
4. Website: Harvest Prayer Ministries, under the leadership of NPC Chairman Dave Butts is handling the website and registration of local events.