Youth Worldwide to Take Part in Shockwave 2005

In March, thousands of concerned youth from around the world will connect with members of the Persecuted Church through a global 48-hour youth prayer event.

By Kenneth Chan, Wednesday, January 12, 2005

In March, thousands of concerned youth from around the world will connect with members of the Persecuted Church through a global 48-hour youth prayer event. Shockwave, sponsored by the youth outreach of the Open Doors ministry, will take place in chat rooms as well as prayer meetings throughout the world, including the U.S.

"I think that Shockwave has the potential to be one of the single most important events in history in mobilizing people to pray for the Persecuted Church," said Dr. Carl Moeller, President of Open Doors USA. "Combining the connectivity of the internet with the power of worldwide focused prayer, potentially millions of God's people will unite on March 4 and 5 in one massive effort to ask Him to strengthen His Body."

According to Open Doors, Shockwave will start in New Zealand and work its way across the time zones, literally covering the world in prayer for the estimated 200 million members of the Persecuted Church.

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“Shockwave can be held individually or as a group,” the ministry reported. “The Shockwave message board and chat area can be accessed by going to the Open Doors USA Underground site at www.undergroundusa.org or going to www.odshockwave.org. Specific prayer requests from suffering believers will be posted on the Underground web site.”

Jeff Shreve, coordinator for Open Doors USA’s youth outreach ‘Underground’ commented, "Shockwave is a global phenomenon. There's opportunity for masses of young people from many different places, races and backgrounds to come together with one mind and a sound vision - a global one - to pray and see God act in their world and build up His church."

Shreve added that a possible focus would be on the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia.

This year’s Shockwave will be its fourth since 2001. Last year Christian youth from 15 nations participated in Shockwave, praying for Christian prisoners such as Indonesian pastor Rinaldy Daminik who recently released last November—a year earlier than his original release date. Daminik credited prayers from around the world as leading to his early release while also helping him stand strong in prison.

According to Open Doors, an estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation.

"Our goal is not only to pray, but also raise awareness about our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ,” Shreve stated. “Many people don't realize that persecution is taking place. Shockwave will inform and urge youth to take action."

To receive a Shockwave leaders' resource pack or to register your youth group and order a Shockwave CD kit, access the Underground web site. Also, youth can go to the web site and receive a free Jars of Clay Narrow Road CD when they register as Citizens of the Underground.