Christians in Canada shine their light on GDOP
by Robyn T. Braley

What happens when Christians around the world and across the nations unite in common purpose to pray for the nations? The Global Day of Prayer (GDOP) movement has caused church and lay leaders around the world to once again ask this question. They are working actively to bring Christians together to repent, to ask God to forgive their sins, to restore the church, to heal the nations, and to bless the lands.

Millions in 24 time zones around the world will again join in focused prayer on May 27, Pentecost Sunday. Celebrating the third year in North America, new cities and towns are registering, with Canada being no exception.

GDOP is truly a grass roots movement. At the dawn of the Millennium God gave a vision of Christians praying in unity to founder Graham Power. Led by Power, a small group of believers in Cape Town, South Africa, called others to pray in unity for their city and nation. The international movement spread through Africa and then the world. The complete history is at www.gdopcalgary.com.

While in Lethbridge speaking at the recent Marketplace Exploits conference sponsored by the Miracle Channel, Power noted, "GDOP is well established in many countries. What we are now seeing is a move of God in countries that have been considered closed to the Gospel. GDOP provides opportunity for Christians of all denominations to bear witness and shine their lights in the midst of darkness."

Toronto Pastor and National GDOP Chair Dexter Quinlan reports that 15 cities are currently registered with more coming alongside every week. He observed, "I feel the GDOP movement is at a critical moment in history as churches come together in our nation and around the world. GDOP has not only brought together people of different denominations in each city, but nationally as committees share ideas and resources. We expect to see God’s hand move in powerful ways!"

Calgary followed the lead of other cities by simplifying the meetings and adopting a Five Zones/Five Churches strategy. "The Executive Committee went through a process as we carefully analyzed location options that included the Saddledome," recalled Church Relations Chair Dan MacNaughton. "Last fall, several pastors floated the idea of downloading GDOP from a single gathering to local churches. The more we considered it, the more it made sense. Local churches have an opportunity to work and pray together at the community level."

Simultaneous meetings will be at Holy Spirit Church, Centre Street Church, Northwest Family Church, Downtown Full Gospel Church, and First Alliance Church beginning at 2:30pm and ending at 4:30pm. Approximately 7,000 people can be accommodated for GDOP 2007. DVDs and other resources are at www.gdopcalgary.com.

Worship leaders have been selected and have already met to begin the process of coordinating the five services. Leaders are Mark Cole, Christine Hanson, Margaret Graham, Jerry Proppe and Tracie Athanasius.

As a grass roots movement, there is no concerted effort to "recruit" new cities. Rather, local committees rise up to ask how they can bring the movement to their area. In fact, international and national organizers often do not hear of new sites until after the day. At present, 158 countries are registered. In Canada, 16 cities and towns have registered with more reporting every week.

One such recent addition was the town of Airdrie. While preparing for a joint Easter service a group of pastors decided to work together to organize their first GDOP. At press time, five churches have committed to support the ministry at a venue TBA.

Lethbridge is hosting their first GDOP at Enmax Centre. Support was spiked by the recent visit by Power. Ottawa Christians will gather at the historic Dominion-Chalmers United Church, located in the heart of our capital. This will be the second year and organizers report more churches are participating than last year. GDOP Toronto is also gathering in another historic place. Ricoh Coliseum, at Exhibition Place, can accommodate 10,000.

Edmonton has moved outdoors for its third GDOP. Hawrelak Park, home to the Edmonton Folk Festival, will host the gathering in front of the Heritage Amphitheatre. For a complete listing of sites, go to www.gdopcalgary.com, and link to the GDOP Canada site.

Something supernatural happens when people of all denominations come together in unity and faith to pray for the nations. Or, as We Come To Pray, a song recorded by Tracie Athanasius and written especially for GDOP 2007 states,

"We are united in one purpose, and united in one cause,
As we come to pray together, to acknowledge you are God,
By the power of your Spirit, heal our nation Lord we pray,
Let the world see love and unity, we ask in Jesus’ name."