Global Day of Prayer Participation in U.S. And Canada Exceeded All Expectations

Rhoda Tse / Teresa Neumann Reporting : May 20, 2005
The Christian Post

The Christian Post reports that the American response to the first Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) exceeded expectations. The representative American event took place in Dallas, Texas, and drew 12,000-15,000 people. It was broadcast live in at least 149 countries. Reporter Rhoda Tse says participants at each GDOP event prayed for God's mercy and forgiveness, repenting of sins and calling on the power of the Holy Spirit to dawn on this globe in a transformation and spiritual awakening.

"It was far beyond what we could ask or imagine," said Dr. Robert Bakke, producer of the American arm of GDOP.

According to organizers, the original U.S. goal was to have four large cities and two dozen small communities participate and act as models for "year one." But by Tuesday, 182 communities - spanning 38 states and 1 overseas military command - reported holding events.

Pastor Rick Warren likened the prayer movement to the Protestant Reformation in its influence on Christianity, "but this time it will unify the church," he told the Baptist Standard.

All seven provinces in Canada held events as well. One man from Ontario said that his living room - which normally only holds 35 people - was completely packed with 70 people according to Dr. Bakke. "They prayed in his house all night, and were 'filled with the Holy Spirit and the glory of God,'" he said.