More than 300 Christians from approximately 40 nations came together in the New York City area November 18–20, 2013, to pray for the children and youth of the world and for the efforts of the United Nations to help them. The theme was “Children and Youth: Investing in the Future.”

Two unique and historic events—the Children in Prayer (CiP) Global Consultation and the United Nations prayer initiative—meeting end to end during the same week—carried that theme through all their sessions. According to John Robb of International Prayer Council, highlights of both events included:

• joining with children and youth participants in praying for the nations by using a huge inflatable globe
• recognizing an explosive spread of the Children in Prayer movement to the ends of the earth
• attending stimulating workshops and regional sessions for kids and adults, and time spent in a specially designed 24/7 prayer room
• participating in strategic planning sessions and excursions to the Empire State Building to pray over New York, and a tour of the U.N. to bless that complex, its personnel, and its efforts
• being challenged about the next generation and the possibility of a World Youth Prayer Assembly in 2015 or 2016
• hearing a testimony about one Korean church in New York that is impacting hundreds of thousands of children by inviting them to soccer games in stadiums in several nations
• eating breakfast together with other participants in the U.N. Delegates Dining Room along with ambassadors and U.N. staff to hear about the needs of children and youth
• being led by children and youth in prayer for the Millennium Development Goals
• praying in the U.N. for a whole day, in agreement for the issues of youth and children—for orphans; for those caught in trafficking; for those in need of health, education, and employment; and for children trapped in war and refugee situations, such as Syria.

Many participants commented that their lives and ministries were affected deeply by the strategic prayer. They now intend to focus much more intentionally and energetically on the next generation in their countries. One participant expressed appreciation for the representation of so many nations: “The CiP/UN Prayer initiative . . . was such a wonderful and worthwhile time of God’s people coming together from across the nations. The first evening, as we worshiped and sang ‘Worthy Is the Lamb’ together, will stand out in my memory as a holy moment.”

The U.N. Prayer Initiative was organized by the International Prayer Council, with John Robb as chairman. This report was adapted from International Prayer Connect.

From Prayer Connect magazine.