Calgary Global Day of Prayer announces plans for 2007
by Robyn T. Braley

On Pentecost Sunday in 2005 and again in 2006, believers in Calgary and other Alberta cities and towns joined a river of prayer that swept through the nations. People of all ages, races and denominations gathered in time zones around the world to ask for God's blessing on the nations.

Global Day of Prayer 2007 will be no different. Christians will gather between 2:30 and 4:30pm on May 27th to celebrate their faith and unite in prayer. Albertans will be a part of what has become the largest single day gathering of Christians in history.

Since the movement began in 2000, local pastor, Murray Dodds, GDOP Calgary Chair, has seen strategic alliances develop between international prayer initiatives. He notes, "GDOP has acted as a catalyst in bringing together groups around the world that have a heart for spiritual transformation."

In Calgary and area, the difference this year will be community focus. Five city churches have invited Christians to pray in five zones. "After the GDOP 2006, several pastors floated the idea of meeting in churches," recalled Dan McNaughton, Chair of the Church Relations Committee. He added, "As the Executive Committee began to pray and discuss it, God began to speak and it made sense. We can accommodate more people praying together than we did last year. Each gathering will also have a community focus."

In 2006 the gathering was limited to two hours and the 2007 meetings will keep to that time frame. There will be an even greater focus on prayer led by church and community leaders. Different traditions of worship will also be incorporated. Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Centre Street Church, North West Family Church, and the Calgary Full Gospel Church will host GDOP 2007, (fifth location to be announced).

On March 15th, city pastors, priests and lay leaders met at the Calgary Dream Centre to be challenged about prayer ministry by Dr. John Robb, Vice President of Prayer ministries for World Vision. He is also a leader and consultant in global prayer ministry and came to Calgary direct from Egypt.

Beginning 10 days before Pentecost Sunday on May 18th, Christians will be invited to pray together 24/7 at designated churches. Complete information is available at www.gdopcalgary.com.

Beginning this year, Global Day of Prayer sites across Canada are collaborating with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada's (EFC) Celebration 2007 ministry. Local churches are encouraged to bless their community through acts of love and practical service. EFC provides ideas about ways servant teams can reach out to children, youth and families who live right next door. Free DVDs and manuals are available at www.gdopcalgary.com.

Financially, the GDOP Executive Committee is actively seeking God's direction regarding funding support. As a grass roots movement, all resources must come from within the local community. With the 2007 budget being significantly reduced, the idea has been floated that if the budget can be raised before May 27th, the offerings that day would be given to the poor through established ministries.

As in previous years, GDOP will need many volunteers. Come together in faith and unity, May 27th, 2:30-4:30pm, at the Global Day of Prayer 2007 gathering in your community.