The start of the Global Day of Prayer International Conference in Jacksonville, FL
Thursday, June 9, 2011 at 3:25PM 
This morning we started the Global Day of Prayer international conference in Jacksonvillve, FL. Pete Sanchez, the author of the song 'I exalt thee' opened the conference in devotion and prayer. Right after that Graham Power, the founder of the Global Day of Prayer, and Isebel Spangenberg, our International Coordinator, spoke about the GDOP movement - how is spread from one stadium of believers in prayer in Cape Town on the 21st of March 2001, to over 400 million believers praying in large and small gatherings in every nation on earth in 2010 on Pentecost Sunday.
Graham has such a powerful testimony because of his courage in obedience to God. When he felt that God had called him to call Christians to pray for their city, nation and the world, and to turn from their wickedness, he simply hired a stadium and starteg gathering people! The rest is history!
Isebel spoke wonderfully about how Christians in every nation and continent have embraced this call. In 'closed countries' three or four believers gathering in homes and places of work. In other countries hundreds of thousands of Christians gather in stadiums and open air places.
Of course the intention of the Global Day of Prayer is to awaken Christians to understand that they have a role to play in the transformation of their nations. The establishment of God's grace in healing, economic wellbeing, social harmony, and God's loving power in all of creation.
The scripture that best sums up this movement is 2 Chronicles 7.14 which says:
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land.
Tomorrow we will listen to Steve Johnstone, the international coordinator for the Unashamedly Ethical movement - Steve is an incredible speaker! I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say about ethics, values and clean living.
If you're interested in reading more about Graham's testimony please see the book that I wrote on his life and ministry called 'Transform your work life: Turn your ordinary day into an extraordinary calling'.
And if you would like to read more about the wonderful movement of the Global Day of Prayer, then please see the great book written by Diane Vermooten called 'Not by Might nor by Power'.
