International (MNN) ― Beginning May 1st, Christians from around the world will be praying 10 days -- just like the disciples did. They'll be praying zealously that God would move in their hearts. It will culminate in the Global Day of Prayer on May 11th.
Joni and Friends is just one organization that's participating this year in the largest prayer gathering in the history of the world.
Joni and Friends' Dan'l Markham says they're doing something a little different. "We're taking the Global Day of Prayer prayer points that they provide, and we've sort of put our imprint on those that address the 650-million people around the world affected by disability."
This falls neatly under Joni And Friends' mission statement which is to communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability.
According to Markham, prayer is desperately needed for this segmentof the global society. "If you put them all together, they would be the third-largest nation in the world. They would be the most economically depressed; they would be the ones with the most physical needs. They would be the most abused and neglected."
He goes on to remind people that the marginalized were the ones Christ focused on. Their hope is that people will catch the vision as a result of the prayer vigil through the eyes of Joni and Friends.
The Global Days of Prayer are then followed by 90 days of Blessing. That's when their team puts feet to their prayers, through Wheels for the World, two by two medical teams, family retreats and more.
There are specific areas they're asking people to pray about. As the teams look at growth, they're seeking God's Wisdom on expanding outreaches where team members are strategically placed in administration and evangelism.
The Chair Corps is hoping to expand its work from four to ten districts which the 50 regional team leaders can oversee, along with provisions for moving equipment between restoration shops.
There is hope that the prayer effort will mobilize many to have an impact on those living with disabilities. Click here for more details on the GDOP.
