GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER 2006

THE DAY OF HEALING, RESTORATION & GOD'S GLORY

This is Hong Kong's second year of Global Day of Prayer. 2.5 hours before the opening, groups of enthusiastic Christians started a queue outside the gates of the largest outdoor Stadium in Hong Kong. The weather was comfortable with overcast skies, a welcome change from the preceding weeks of heavy rain. While waiting for the commencement of the program, the crowds erupted into waves of standing ovations which brought much laughter and unity.

The program began with a spectacular entrance with the majestic flag of the Lion of Judah, 7 flags of the names of Jesus, flanked by 2 processions of international flags. Amidst the dancing and the glorious voices of the 3,000 member choir, a 100-foot gold cross was ushered into the middle of the stadium by over 200 youth. The flag dances were followed by the trumpeting of 12 shofars from the 4 corners of the stadium and an opening prayer and proclamation by the organizing chairperson.

After high praise and worship, the prayers for the world were lifted up to the Lord, in unity with an estimated 400 million people around the world, all praying the same prayer on the same day.

7 pastors led prayers for churches in Hong Kong to become centers of healing and restoration. Leaders from different sectors of the city prayed for the people in authority, the government, global and currents issues. Prayers of thanks were offered to God for delivering the city from SARS in 2004. God's divine protection was pleaded to shield us from the H5N1 pandemic, and to bless the air and water in our environment.

In this year's new section "Faith with Works", we promoted 90 days of Blessings by encouraging believers to actively engage and support Christian organizations that serve the poor and needy. Steven Curtis Chapman, a six-time Grammy Award singer from the U.S., filled the stadium with love and compassion with his song "When Love Takes You In". The accompanying video of orphans, including his own adopted daughter, finding love when being placed in warm homes touched many hearts.

During the healing section, all believers were asked to stand up to pray for God's healing power to touch the particular person whose name was on each of his or her mind. Over tens of thousands of names were released into Heaven during that moment.

Many hearts were moved when all the single men, single women and youth stood up respectively to be prayed over by the whole congregation. Then each family unit was encouraged to gather together to ask for mutual forgiveness, to lay down any differences at the feet of Jesus so that the spirit of reconciliation could heal, restore and bind everyone together in love.

Towards the end, there was a call of unity as hundreds of pastoral staff were asked to come together to gather by the stage, holding hands and singing the "Unity Song" so as to show their commitment to unity in serving Hong Kong.

The GDOP program officially ended with a benediction from an Archbishop. Everyone left with joy and love in their hearts knowing that the glory of God is present in Hong Kong.

For details and photos on that day, please click here.