Thousands of young Christians worldwide are uniting in a 72-hour prayer chain aimed at defeating the spirit of persecution beginning Friday in New Zealand.
The seventh annual “Shockwave,” Feb. 29 - Mar. 2, will lift up prayers in more than 45 countries, including Australia, the Netherlands, India, Malaysia, France, Germany, Botswana, Japan, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, the United States and the United Kingdom.
“Prayer is the most effective weapon God has given us in standing in the gap for the over 200 million persecuted Christians around the world,” Shockwave organizers say.
The global prayer event is a youth initiative of Open Doors, an international Christian organization which supports the persecuted church.
Open Doors strengthens persecuted believers by distributing Bible and Christian literature, providing leadership training and assistance, developing Christian community, and through prayer and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers.
“Open Doors’ vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is prayed for and supported by Christians who are free to worship,” said Jane Huckaby, vice president of program services for Open Doors USA.
“Shockwave gives young people – from junior high to college-age youth – an opportunity to rise as one force in praying for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,” she said. “I encourage you, your friends or your church group to join in this exciting, powerful event.”
The prayer event will take place in Shockwave chat rooms, prayer meetings, churches, homes and other locations. Shockwave gatherings can also be organized as an all-night event, an evening or even a prayer breakfast.
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer from persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation, according to Open Doors.
Participating Christians are urged to pray specifically for Christians living in countries where extreme persecution is reported.
Top 20 worst Christian persecutors:
1. North Korea
2. Saudi Arabia
3. Iran
4. Maldives
5. Bhutan
6. Yemen
7. Afghanistan
8. Laos
9. Uzbekistan
10. China
11. Eritrea
12. Somalia
13. Turkmenistan
14. Comoros
15. Pakistan
16. Qatar
17. Vietnam
18. Chechnya
19. Egypt
20. Zanzibar Islands
On the Web: www.odshockwave.org
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seriously torus?
Dude, we have a drought in Atlanta, and the governor called for everyone to pray that God would bring rain. Two days later we had a full week of rain. God often answers prayer. Look back in history and you'll see other times when a leader called the people to pray, and God answers. Have you even tried it?
God answers my prayers all the time. Try praying to find your keys next time you lose them, or praying for peace between you and a co-worker, or praying that you get articles for your next deadline.
Obviously, from your comment, you probably don't believe in God/prayer. But, seriously, try it next time, I think you'll be surprised.
1man: We want to discuss our ideas and yours, just as you do. Is that difficult to understand? We may have no good reason to believe in your supernatural god, but nobody questions the existence of the belief, and that belief's very serious consequences. That's what we are interested in.
Why do people who do not believe in God even bother to bug others about their disbelief?
Yes, Lord Jesus answers his followers' prayers. Otherwise the followers might loose this global FIGHT. That is why His followers always pray through Him.
2 Corinthians 1: 8-11
8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Except that prayer has never been shown to have any effect on anything. Ever.