International (MNN) — Pentecost Sunday brought with it a
concert of prayer as it coincided with the annual Global Day of Prayer.
This years' theme was "10-1-90"–spelled out in 10 days of
prayer leading up to Pentecost, then 1 Global Day of Prayer followed by 90
days of Christians seeking God for ways that they can bless their city.
This prayer movement has been steadily gaining speed after
having launched from South
Africa in 2001. That first prayer meeting resulted in more
than 40,000 people in attendance. The prayer meeting spread to other cities and
nations in Africa the following year. From there, the excitement spread, and more
and more countries began participating in the event.
This year, for the first time, all 54 countries in Africa participated. Many Christians spent time praying for peace and changed lives
throughout conflict-ridden areas. According to the Global Day of Prayer website, "Christ is again
calling His church to unite in prayer. We are compelled to pray because the
great troubles that shake our world have no human solution."
The mission of the celebration is to unite the global body
of Christ, to seek God for revival, intercede on behalf of our world, and
collaborate for the blessing and transformation of our cultures.
More than 200 nations participated in the event this year,
representing the most nations to participate in an organized prayer meeting in
the history of the church.
