Thousands prayed at the Saddledome
by John Syratt
Thousands of Christians gathered at the Pengrowth Saddledome on
Sunday, June 4 for Calgary’s Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) to
repent, pray and worship alongside hundreds of millions of
believers in nearly 200 nations around the world.
Unlike Calgary’s 2005 event, this year’s GDOP leadership team
kept to a strict schedule. Things flowed along seamlessly. There
was a good balance of corporate and group prayers. The satellite
link-ups, showing huge prayer meetings taking place in Taiwan
and Chile, excited the crowd and gave a global perspective to
the day. Those who led in prayer were passionate and genuine and
the participation level among the people was very high as they
prayed along the theme of repentance.
In an email to local GDOP organizers one older gentleman wrote,
“I was impacted by the unity and dedication that came across in
the events coming up to the Global Day of Prayer, and the day of
Global Day of Prayer. I admit that I was a little hesitant at
going because generally I do not like large events; however,
when I went, I found that I was encouraged immensely in my
intercession for others and for myself by connecting with others
who have a similar heart for prayer.”
Another person wrote, “It was truly an honor to be able to pray
with the whole church of Calgary. Barriers are surely coming
down between denominations.”
Other Canadian communities participating in GDOP were Edmonton,
AB, Lloydminster, SK, Hamilton, Oshawa, Barrie, Toronto, Ottawa
and Smithville, ON, Prince George, BC and Dauphin, MB.
“From the depths of my being, I thank God for what His Spirit
accomplished through us on the Global Day of Prayer,” admitted
Bob Bakke, North American Director for GDOP. “Yesterday, I did a
Google search: over 9,000 reports of the GDOP; hundreds of pages
worth. In all, close to 200 nations had registered sites along
with over 200 North American cities and communities, multiple
international broadcasts and a remarkable meeting in the Reunion
Arena, Dallas, TX, that was aired on television and radio across
thousands of broadcast outlets across nearly 200 nations.
Hundreds of millions of people prayed filling immense stadiums,
public parks, government centres, grass fields, church
sanctuaries, as well as secret places and small quiet rooms.”
“Thousands gathered in Kuwait,” Bakke continued. “Millions
across India and Indonesia; 40 million in Africa; tens of
thousands in Hong Kong, and still more in Singapore. Nothing
like the GDOP has ever happened before but we are only
scratching the surface.”
“Between 400 and 500 million Christians from 198 nations united
in a day of repentance and prayer,” said South African
businessman Graham Power, Founder and Chairman of GDOP. “And as
the reports are streaming in we stand in absolute awe before our
God. From Fiji to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, North
America and Latin America reports testify of an amazing day of
the power of prayer. We rejoice in spiritual breakthroughs that
will manifest in the coming days and months.”
Fred Henry, Calgary’s outspoken Catholic Bishop told the crowd
about his interview with a Globe and Mail reporter that day.
“Isn’t it a bit discombobulating that you as a Catholic are a
part of the Global Day of Prayer?” he was asked. “Not if you
live in Calgary,” the Bishop replied.
“As Christians we must repent for the state of our nation,” he
added and as he led in prayer for Canada he finished with the
words, “We pray, come Holy Spirit!”
The next GDOP is planned for May 27, 2007. For more info visit
www.gdopcalgary.com.
