Four global networks

This meeting in Malaysia is called 'Global Transformational Prayer Summit', because for the first time four global networks that seek godly transformation of the church and society join forces: the International Prayer Council (IPC), the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP), the International Transformation Network (ITN) and the International Fellowship of Transformation Partners (IFTP). A fifth stream, not officially represented, is a group of emerging leaders exploring a possible Connect World liaison. Today all networks gave an inspiring status update, which later led to a time of prayer for the leaders of these networks.

Bennie Mostert and Jason Mandryk of the IPC said that there are now prayer networks and coordinated prayer efforts in almost every region of the world. Also there is an increased collaboration between intercessors, missional practitioners and researchers, as well as a commitment to long-term focused prayer for breakthrough in the islamic world.

Graham Power of the GDOP, a business man from South Africa, told the amazing story of how he met Jesus in 1999, and just one year later received a vision to throw a prayer meeting in the local rugby stadium in Capetown. The meeting exploded and multiplied into what we now know as the Global Day of Prayer, in which an estimated 200 million Christians in 199 nations participated. He challenged us with several verses from Isaiah: "The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord; in its time I will do this swiftly." (Is. 60,22) If we surrender to the will of God, He will multiply our limited capacity to do a swift work in the nations.

Dave Thompson of the ITN explained the basics of prayer evangelism Ed Silvoso-style. First we fill our cities with prayer, then we move into marketplace transformation by influencing the main areas of education, government and business with the values of the Kingdom of God. He showed an inspiring movie of the transformation process in Hawaii.

Etienne Pieck facilitated the young leaders presentation, in which I told the story of the Connect stick, and Gabi, Donny, Olgavaro and others shared stories of what God is doing among the emerging generation.

George Otis jr. shared on transformation, and together with Graham's address this was a real wake-up call. It rekindled some of the simple passion and expectation I had in the '90s that God's presence (Him showing up and sticking around) would make all the difference. Yes, we need a revival, there's no way we will see the world turned upside down with just a little church and ministry improvement here and there, not even a good church planting strategy (though church planting obviously is a key component in a transformational process). Church planting or prayer without the presence of God is as dead as any other human activity. But with the breath of his Spirit it thrives.