To all you good prayer people, some friends recently tuned me into the Global Day of Prayer movement that was a time of praying and intercession for 10 days leading up to the day of pentecost. At least from what I know of prayer movements, never has such a movement been so worldwide, and affected so many different parts of Christianity. This movement started about 5 years ago with an African man’s vision of all the nations of Africa uniting in a of a day of prayer, which would then spread as a call for all nations to pray for the whole body of Christ. I was amazed at the sheer variety of people who joined this: the Vatican, the coptic church of Egypt, charismatic churches, baptist, non-denominational, every nation. There is a video on their website that shows many nations who were participating: www.globaldayofprayer.com.
It is very exciting to see Christians of all varieties gather in prayer. It always seems to us that prayer is the one thing that you can get different Christians to agree is a good thing. We disagree on forms, on doctrine, we are divided by racial and denominational divisions, but when it comes to prayer, none of us can disagree. Which is why God is probably birthing all these prayer movements–prayer chains, prayer centers, more prayer meetings.
Anyhow, the same folks behind the Global Day of Prayer are giving a call out to pray for the World Cup 2006, which is being hosted in Berlin this summer. The Kick Off 2006 is a German-initiated movement to gather youth and prayer people to invest time in prayer for the World Cup. Many nations will be present; it is as significant as Olympics in its international scope. Derek and I have a special heart for Germany, but when a big nation asks the world to pray for it, this is a big deal. We think about praying for poor nations or nations in need but we do not think of what it would mean to pray for a nation every day that has as much economic, political and spiritual potential as Germany.
From a personal standpoint, I feel that Germany is often shocked when people want to be friends, and not just because they are capable, but because they are worth loving and praying for and also I feel that the Father has a special affection for them. Both spiritually, in the church, and politically, Germans often get used for their talents and economy. To pray so regularly and from a sincere heart for them during this time will be learning to love and befriend them in a way they are not used to…
From a prophetic standpoint, Germany has a very profound spiritual destiny that in some ways exceeds even my own nation in its impact on Israel and Europe, and most certainly needs to overcome centuries of devastating self-hatred to rise up in its spiritual gifts.
The 30 day prayers they have chosen for their nation are based on the Moravian prayer book. Today’s prayer comes from Isaiah 44:22:
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
Most Germans are still ashamed of their identity as Germans, due to the atrocities committed in their country during World War II. They need to hear that they are forgiven by other countries and through the blood of Christ. But God also wants to lead the German people back into the destiny He has prepared for them in His love and mercy. To accept this, Germany needs spiritual insight and courage to return to a lifestyle of humility under God’s leadership for the good of many nations.
Please pray that Germans
• recognize their need for historical and personal forgiveness.
• accept forgiveness for the past and present.
• recommit themselves and their nation to their destiny based on God’s forgiveness.
• have courage to serve the nations using all the gifts and abilities God has given them.
You can download the prayer sheet by clicking here. I think it should download directly onto your computer as a Word document. It won’t show up in your browser window.
