Contact: Jerry Dykstra, Media Relations Director, Open Doors USA, 616-915-4117, jerryd@odusa.org
SANTA ANA, Calif., Jan. 18 /Christian Newswire/ -- On March 2-4 a powerful force will be set loose.
It will sweep across the time zones and through all man-made barriers and no-go zones.
That force is from prayers raised through the unifying efforts of SHOCKWAVE. Prayer is the most effective weapon God has given us in standing in the gap for the over 200 million persecuted Christians around the world.
SHOCKWAVE is a 72-hour youth prayer event that will take place in SHOCKWAVE chat rooms, prayer meetings, churches, homes and other places in over 20 countries worldwide, including the United States. SHOCKWAVE is a youth initiative of Open Doors, an international Christian organization which supports and strengthens persecuted Christians in over 60 countries.
SHOCKWAVE, a multi-nation collaboration, kicks off in New Zealand and works its way across the time zones. In 2006 thousands of young people prayed for persecuted Christians. Participating countries included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Netherlands and Brazil. This year the total is expected to increase. This will be the sixth annual SHOCKWAVE event.
Jane Huckaby, Vice President of Program Services for Open Doors USA, says: "Open Doors' vision is of a world in which every Christian who is persecuted is prayed for and supported by Christians who are free to worship. And what better than to start with our youth. SHOCKWAVE gives young people – from junior high to college-age youth – an opportunity to rise as one force in praying for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ. I encourage you, your friends or your church group to join in this exciting, powerful event."
SHOCKWAVE can be run as an all-night event, an evening or even a prayer breakfast. There are SHOCKWAVE resources available – including an information packet full of prayer and program ideas – to make the event easy for you to run. This year the resources are focused on praying for persecuted believers in Islam-dominated counties. For more information, go to www.opendoorsusa.org/shockwave. There is also Prayer Wall and a blog on the international web site.
An estimated 200 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ, with another 200 to 400 million facing discrimination and alienation. Open Doors supports and strengthens believers in the world's most difficult areas through Bible and Christian literature distribution, leadership training and assistance, Christian community development, prayer and presence ministry and advocacy on behalf of suffering believers. To partner with Open Doors, call toll free at 888-5-BIBLE-5 (524-2535) or go to our USA Web site at www.opendoorsusa.org.
For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.
