Historic World Prayer Assemblies Launch Global Prayer

By Ben A. Jennings

Nearly 30 years ago, an unprecedented prayer gathering in Seoul, Korea, marked the beginning of a new era in global prayer. In 1984, leaders from 71 nations came together for an International Prayer Assembly for World Evangelization (IPAWE).

Sponsored by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and the World Evangelical Fellowship, the Prayer Assembly is remembered for the global spiritual tide that burst forth and continues today beyond human expectations. David Butts, chairman of America’s National Prayer Committee, recently commented, “Many people believe the IPAWE helped launch the modern prayer movement worldwide.”

South Korea was selected for the Assembly in order to experience the passion for prayer that had gripped that country since the 1950 North Korean invasion. This proved to be a wise location. God used the passionate prayer of South Korean believers to inspire this new world movement of prayer.

In a demonstration of the commitment to launch a global prayer movement, a map of China was given to conferees, and every province of China was prayed for. In addition, 100,000 people participated in a closing prayer rally in Dook Seom Park.

Near the end of the Assembly, a select committee was convened to draft a worldwide call to prayer for the completion of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Chaired by the late Sherman Williams, the call was adopted by the Assembly. Vonette Bright (Campus Crusade for Christ) joined me in compiling material from that Assembly into a book, titled Unleashing the Power of Prayer, published by Moody Press in 1989 (now out of print).

A dedicated team of leaders navigated uncharted waters in the first Prayer Assembly. Many of them continue as prayer leaders today. Outstanding contributions were made by J. Edwin Orr, Harold Lindsell, Joy Dawson, Richard Lovelace, Dick Eastman, Evelyn Christenson, and many other presenters including Korea’s Dr. Joon Gon Kim, host chairman; China’s Thomas Wang, program chairman; Vonette Bright, C. Peter Wagner, and Leighton Ford.

Launching International Activities

Many of the prayer initiatives around the world since the IPWEA in 1984, can be traced back to that explosive Assembly. Some of the startling developments include:

— Annual city days of prayer and national days of prayer, including the U.S. NDOP

–Numerous 30- and 40-day prayer initiatives

–Large regional prayer chains, networks, and assemblies

–Proliferating intercessory prayer organizations

–Increasing numbers of schools and “houses” of prayer

–Prayer leadership training and on-site prayer teams

–Appointments of prayer coordinators and correspondents

–Prayer seminars, books, and curricula

–College, high school, and children’s prayer movements

–On-site prayer teams for strategic events

–Prayer curricula for Christian colleges and seminaries.

God has been using these years of prayer! Church planting, national evangelistic festivals, and even persecution are bringing in unprecedented harvests of souls. Global Media Outreach alone is recording more than a million decisions a month for Christ. The full scope of the 1984 Call to Prayer, however, still awaits fulfillment. Still lacking are such factors as these:

–Adoptive prayer coverage for all unreached people groups

–A centering of Kingdom praying in churches of the world

–Prayer leadership training for international prayer coordinators.

A New World Prayer Assembly

And now, in the providence of God, a number of international Christian organizations are calling Christian leaders to Jakarta, Indonesia, for a new World Prayer Assembly, May 14-18, 2012. Conferees will evaluate the gains of the prayer movement since 1984 but will also look toward launching even more prayer toward the fulfillment of Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

God is up to something momentous! What greater momentum will He grant through national praying churches, like those of Indonesia, that are paying an enormous price today for their commitment to the Great Commission? In addition, this Prayer Assembly is anticipating the support of 20,000 children praying for the fulfillment of Christ’s commands.

The global contribution of the IPAWE revealed vast possibilities in united prayer for world evangelization. Two contributions of the coming World Prayer Assembly may well be:

1. A wider prayer penetration into all human cultures
2.  A stronger integration of prayer into all churches in the Body of Christ.

Both Assemblies, we believe, will have played a major role in “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12, nkjv). Now, may the global Body of Christ unite in the cry of the Apostle John, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20, nkjv).

Ben Jennings serves with Cru and its Great Commission Global Prayer Movement. He helped coordinate the 1984 International Prayer Assembly for World Evangelization.

The History of a Movement

An Interview with Vonette Bright, first chairperson of America’s National Day of Prayer

By John Bornschein

While many of us in the United States support and participate in the National Day of Prayer each year, few may realize how it began. And probably fewer realize how influential gatherings like the International Prayer Assembly were to the start of this prayer movement. A chronicle of the growth of prayer in the U.S. can perhaps best be told by Vonette Bright, cofounder and first chairperson of the National Day of Prayer.

Bright was also the chairperson for the 1984 International Prayer Assembly for World Evangelization (IPAWE) in Seoul, Korea—and out of this Assembly came a series of prayer milestones that touched the world. During this season of explosive global prayer momentum, Bright was instrumental in securing official recognition of the National Day of Prayer in the U.S. in 1988.

Her unshakeable passion to preserve prayer in the United States and around the world through unabated vigor and commitment has led millions to unite in prayer every year. I recently had the privilege of interviewing this strategic prayer leader.

Q: What significant events led to your heart’s relentless pursuit for prayer?

Bright: My enthusiasm for prayer and related events began shortly after graduating college and before marrying my husband, Bill Bright, cofounder of Campus Crusade for Christ International [now Cru]. At that time, during the early ‘60s, society was unraveling as the feminist movement spread through our nation. Women’s liberation was everywhere in the media and in the public consciousness. Out of that distortion, as well as the removal of prayer from public schools, grew my concern for the moral and spiritual values of our families.

Q: What happened next on the road to the National Day of Prayer? 

Bright: I received a phone call from a dear friend, Millie Dienert—affectionately [called] the first lady of prayer by Dr. Billy Graham—asking me to chair a women’s luncheon at the American Congress on Evangelism in Minneapolis, MN, sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. After the meeting, I asked four godly women to join me in an effort to organize Christian women to action through strategic prayer in one heart and mind. But how?

The answer became clear while reading Acts 4, the biblical account of the disciples Peter and John being released from prison and asking God’s mighty power to enable them in their efforts to proclaim the gospel. “The Great Commission Prayer Crusade” was formed.

Q: And, were you amazed at the effect of this humble beginning? 

Bright: Yes! The movement launched in 1972 at a prayer rally in the Los Angeles Sports Arena. More than 7,000 people came simply through recruiting volunteers—mainly in churches, neighborhoods, and during prayer workshops. Pastors and Christian leaders from around the nation were thrilled. Prayer conferences flourished in cities—with more encouraging outcomes.

Q: Then, I understand there was another pivotal moment?

Bright: The same year a group that would eventually become America’s National Prayer Committee [NPC] was formed to provide leadership to the growing prayer movement across the United States, a critical step toward the establishment of the National Day of Prayer. The executive group, including myself, began meeting at the newly purchased residence of the Christian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The NPC now serves as the governing board for the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

Q: Soon to follow was a prayer mobilization breakthrough on an international level?

Bright: I was asked to be the chairperson for the 1984 precedent-setting International Prayer Assembly for World Evangelization in Seoul, South Korea. Nearly 3,000 prayer and mission leaders gathered for the purpose of generating a vision for prayer for the completion of the Great Commission among churches throughout the Body of Christ. Since then, concerts of prayer have increased, prayerwalks have multiplied, prayer summits for pastors have occurred, and recognition has been given to prayer in local churches.

Q: And finally, through your personal efforts and influence in Washington, D.C. came recognition to the National Day of Prayer, too?

Bright: In 1988, the originally inspired words of President Dwight D. Eisenhower became reality: “Today I think prayer is just simply a necessity because by prayer I believe we mean an effort to get in touch with the Infinite.”

Bill S. 1378 passed unanimously in the Senate, and a House Committee voted for the bill one day prior to the 1988 National Day of Prayer, followed by full support in the House of Representatives. A few days later President Ronald Reagan’s action on Mother’s Day fulfilled the request when he signed into law [the bill] establishing the first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.

John Bornschein is the vice-chairman for the National Day of Prayer Task Force (nationaldayofprayer.org).

Army of Online Intercessors

By Colin C. Millar

I recently facilitated a prayer retreat with our Global Media Outreach (GMO) Team in Indianapolis. While there, I had the joy of staying with a family with three young boys (pictured at right). As we were enjoying breakfast together, the Holy Spirit prompted me to ask one of the boys: “Has God been putting any country especially on your heart this week?”

He thought and then enthusiastically said: “England!”

His parents were surprised. They expected him to answer China because they had been praying as a family for that nation. They didn’t realize their son even knew that England existed as a country.

That night we prayed with the boys before they went to bed. Later we heard the boys still talking and were amazed at what we heard: “Who shall we pray for next, Japan?” they asked each other. And then we heard them say: “Dear Lord, please will you draw the people in Japan close to You so that they will be saved, amen.”

They also prayed for their mom, dad, me, and for South Africa (my birth place) and for England (my parents’ birth place). My heart melted and tears rolled down my cheeks as I listened to these precious brothers pray with such faith and simplicity.

The next morning, I received an email from a seeker living in England who told me he was from South Africa! God spoke to me in such a personal way through these children. He assured me, “This is what I will do when you get My children to pray.”

Rising Tsunami of Prayer

Global Media Outreach is about advancing the Kingdom of God through the Internet. We search for hurting people all over the world through various Internet sites and introduce them to Jesus Christ. As the chief prayer officer for GMO, I am a part of an army of “Online Missionaries” who pray for seekers, help them begin a discipleship process, or encourage them with scriptural answers.

Serving as a “Internet Kingdom connecting point,” GMO has websites that minister to thousands of people every day, 24/7. In 2011, GMO welcomed more than 156 million visitors to its websites and recorded more than 19 million decisions to follow Christ. Online missionaries are trained to respond to people requesting follow-up.

You can also watch real-time salvation decisions throughout the nations of the earth by going to greatcommission2020.com. On a map of the world, icons pop up almost continuously; the blue icons are visitors to our sites and the yellow ones are indicated decisions for Christ.

I see a swelling global tsunami of prayer rising in and for the nations of the world. In January I was with the leadership team of The World Prayer Assembly (wpa2012.org) in Jakarta. God has moved powerfully across Indonesia, establishing more than 1,100 prayer networks with five million intercessors, even though this is the largest Muslim nation in the world.

I personally invite you to engage your heart in intercession either by visiting our Prayer Wall (http://pryr.co/now) or by praying for those entering our greatcommission2020.com website. You can also become an online missionary at globalmedia-outreach.com. Click on “Get Involved”and mention Prayer Connect as your OM finding point.

COLIN C. MILLAR is the chief prayer officer for Global Media Outreach.

Who Monitors Global Prayer?

This issue speaks to the growing prayer movement around the globe. But the question remains, who keeps tabs on what is happening? The answer: The International Prayer Council (IPC).

The mission and vision of the IPC states: “Compelled by God to seek Christ’s glory worldwide for the blessing, healing, and transforming of the nations, the International Prayer Council exists as a coalition of prayer networkers and mobilizers working together to motivate, develop, and equip national movements and local churches to fill all nations with prayer for the fulfillment of the Great Commandment and the completion of the Great Commission.”

While loosely in the works in the 1990s, the IPC was officially launched shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Prayer leaders from around the world decided to form a new organization that would connect prayer networks and ministries worldwide to focus prayer on common global concerns.

Its website, ipcprayer.org states its mission:

•  Celebrate the wonders of God together, learning from one another what the Lord is teaching the Body of Christ in the realm of prayer ministry.
• Build relationships between prayer leaders from every region in order to expand the global prayer network and motivate national prayer movements.
• Plan jointly a second World Prayer Assembly that will bring prayer leaders together (being held in Jakarta, Indonesia, May 14-18, 2012).
• Strengthen regional prayer connections through consultations and summits.
• Develop a mechanism for continued relationships and sharing of strategic prayer information and resources globally and regionally.
• Support the Global Day of Prayer every year on Pentecost Sunday and help to connect nations by satellite, Internet, and other means to enable believers in every nation to pray together for the transformation of our world.
• Spawn new international networks, where none exist, focusing on particular global issues (e.g. HIV/AIDS pandemic, terrorism, the poor and the needy and natural disasters).

Though chaired by John Robb, an American, the IPC’s leadership is extremely international, made up of major prayer ministry leaders from around the world. This year’s World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia, is an example of international leadership, as it has been largely put together by Indonesian and Korean prayer leaders.

For those who have a heart for prayer and the world, the IPC has an excellent electronic monthly newsletter IPC Connections, loaded with news of God’s movement around the world as a result of prayer, as well as prayer alerts and prayer initiatives. You can sign up at ipcprayer.org.

The IPC is also a co-sponsor of Prayer Connect magazine.