From June 27 through July 7, 1,830 congregations plus individuals from more than 80 countries prayed together for 10 days. Called Operation Global Rain, the movement had one purpose: to plead in unity for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
From 7 to 8:15 p.m., using the same theme sheets, thousands participated. Reports are raining in from around the world:
In Clovis, Calif., members met four times a day — 10 a.m. and 2, 6, and 9 p.m. They loved praying together so much that the evening sessions swelled to 100-150 people — former members and friends joined in, too. The final evening included five baptisms, testimonies and prayer for more than three hours.
In England, the power of God’s work was witnessed over and over again. One congregation included their children ages 3 to 14 with amazing results.
In Norway, members were impressed to hit the streets with free literature and found usually secular-minded residents open and receptive, a miraculous change.
In Brazil, youth readily gave up sports and fun and spent Saturday night praying and talking about Jesus’ second coming, stunning the adults.
In Argentina, members reported long prayed for sons and daughters unexpectedly walking back into churches.
In Canada, relationships were restored, past hurts and grudges forgiven.
In Massachusetts, two women walked into a church looking for a place to pray. They’d been given directions from two men in the parking lot. None of the church members knew of any such men.
In San Francisco, a young woman called the first night, joined the daily prayer meetings and baptized. (Many worldwide congregations reported similar experiences.) Four other calls resulted in Bible studies.
In Orosi, Calif., several members manned the OGR website chat room where participants and seekers from every continent except Antarctica exchanged experiences.
“A personal relationship with Jesus really, really means you are able to follow the Lamb, wherever He goes. Prayer is what breaks down the barriers and allows us to come together to work out our differences. It draws us into unity,” says Pastor Ivor Myers, an OGR organizer.
“When we get down to the last days, we will lift up Jesus, preach Jesus, preach the cross,” adds Pastor Dennis Tello, also an OGR organizer.
Grassroots Movement
OGR began in the hearts of five pastors as they shared a meal during the fall ministers’ meeting. Several had held 10-day prayer events modeled after the Acts 2 early church in their home churches.
Their members experienced revival! Animosity was laid aside and a true spirit of repentance, reconciliation, unity and mission took hold. These pastors excitedly asked, "What if all the congregations in Central California Conference would pray together, at the same time, for one hour every night, for 10 days, for the same thing — the outpouring of the latter rain?"
At the conference winter ministers’ retreat, the men shared their idea with the whole team, resulting in overwhelming agreement. Within days, it went worldwide, thanks to the Internet. “I received a draft of the first theme sheet from Ivor [Myers] on a Monday, and by Tuesday night, a friend in Finland was forwarding it to me,” explains Pastor Thom Garner, an OGR organizer.
What’s Next
Requests for ideas from congregations, families and individuals who want to keep praying together are flooding in. The OGR Team is launching two new ideas: OGR 6:15 and OGR 360.
OGR 6:15 is a daily call to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at 6:15 a.m. for individuals and families, churches and leaders, and the world. With 24 times zones around the world, you may pray at 15 minutes after any hour!
This idea is a continuation of an initiative started by a few revival leaders and called for at the 1990 General Conference session. Leaders from more than 100 countries responded and many have continued to today.
The OGR 360 idea begins in January 2008. Explained as 10/110 — 10 days of prayer and 110 days of action three times next year (each congregation follows God’s leading for actions). Participants are also asked to dedicate one hour each week to soul winning. “May OGR 360 be the largest simultaneous evangelistic series this world has ever seen!” said OGR team members, including Pastor Antonio Cano and David Dean.
“The revenue of glory has been accumulating for this closing work of the Third Angel’s Message. The prayers that have been ascending for the fulfillment of the promise, the descent of the Holy Spirit, not one has been lost. Each prayer has been accumulating, ready to overflow and pour forth a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light all over the world” (E.G. White, Letter 96a 1899, p.2).
For OGR 6:15 and OGR 360 information, resources and to register, go to operationglobalrain.com.
