Global Day of Prayer founder in Calgary
by John Syratt

As the June 24, 2006 Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) approaches there is a growing air of expectancy among Christian leaders in Calgary. Close to 200 gathered at an informational breakfast at the Dream Centre on February 16 to hear Graham Power, South African businessman and founder of GDOP; John Robb, World Vision USA Director of Prayer Ministries and Robert Bakke, North American GDOP Director.

Last year 12,000 people from many denominations filled the Saddledome on May 15, uniting in global prayer with more than 220 million Christians in 156 countries. Calgary’s event was one of the largest GDOP prayer gatherings in North America.

"We’re hoping for even bigger and better this year," Murray Dodds, Calgary Co-Director for GDOP, told the morning crowd.

"I spent the first 43 years of my life chasing after success," admitted Power, who operates 12 companies with 1,800 employees in South Africa and was voted Cape Town Businessmen of the Year in 2005.

In 1999 he prayed the "sinner’s prayer" at a breakfast meeting and gave his life to Christ. As a new believer a year later while at a Bible study, he watched the Transformations video featuring George Otis talking about God transforming the city of Cali, Columbia through the joining together of praying Christians.

Power was aware of the problems his own nation was experiencing. "We’d had 22 bombs explode in 18 months," he said, "I thought if change could happen in Cali, why can’t it happen in South Africa?"

Five months later, while on holiday, Power woke up with what he called "clear instructions from God." He was to rent the Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town and get Christians together from different denominations for a day of repentance and prayer.

"Lord, what do you mean by repentance?" the relatively new convert prayed.

"We got approved and for the first time in 102 years, the football stadium was going to be used for something other than football," Power told the Calgary leaders.

In 2001, after working with ministerial associations in the area, Power saw 45,000 believers gather to pray for their city, country and nation. The key verse that emerged was 2 Chron.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."

"From that day on not one bomb has gone off in Cape Town," Power announced, citing many changes taking place in their community and nation. "Before that time we had bomb scares every day."

In February 2002 Power received another vision. He saw a body outstretched like a cross spread over Africa (the foot of the Cross in Cape Town, and the head in Egypt). The arms reached from East to West across Africa.

"The arms of the cross became God’s arms, stretching out and out, pulling the entire globe into His stomach, holding it with love, as a mother would caress her newborn baby when crying soon after birth," Power said.

Then he sensed that Christians throughout Africa should gather for a day of repentance and prayer. This happened in 2004 where 22 million people in 56 African countries prayed together. He felt strongly about inviting the Church around the world to participate. This occurred in 2005.

"In Toronto they heard about what you’ve done in Calgary and said, ‘Wow, why weren’t we there last year?’" Power noted.

Power told the story of six Christians living in a North African country where they were not allowed to pray in public. This small group went out to the jungle to fast and pray for 11 days. After the Africa-wide day of prayer was finished they contacted Power and said, "We prayed with you."

"I’m just as excited about the six of them praying as I am about the thousands around the world," Power said, "I look forward to praying with you on the 4th of June and in the ten days leading up to it."

For more info on the GDOP events visit www.gdopcalgary.com or call 640-4091.