POLAND - EUROPE

Feedback from Poland:

At least one hundred and twelve churches from 25 cities in Poland took part in this year’s Global Day of Prayer. Perhaps that doesn’t sound like much but when one realizes that this is about 20% of all Protestant churches in Poland, it sounds like a different story. If each one of those churches could encourage another to take part next year, as the Warsaw group is planning to do, that would mean that next year, nearly 50% of those churches would be joining together to pray across the country – an unprecedented event in Polish history!
Reports are still coming in but for now here are some snapshots of the 2008 prayer day events around the country.

WARSAW

About one and a half thousand adults, officially representing thirteen churches (as well as believers from other churches), gathered in a large sports hall to worship and pray. About one hundred children celebrated separately at the event with activities planned especially for them. A great deal of planning and work went into the logistics of bringing it all together, from finding finances to cover costs, printing brochures and even decorating. (One of the highlights was a “Gate of Unity” through which people could pass.) The actual event was preceded by an unbroken prayer chain lasting for 10 days, 24 hours a day. The meeting was led by Pastor Andrzej Nedzusiak, current leader of the Evangelical Alliance of Poland. Other areas’ pastors participated in leading prayers and speaking. A spirit of unity was present and many remarked that it was hard to go home as it was so nice meeting old friends and new from other churches. Next year we won’t have to – plans are underway to hold a picnic and festival after the prayer service! The scouts are already looking for a site.

LEGNICA

For a small city, Legnica was able to host a large event, with about 700 people from the region showing up for the day of prayer service. The meeting was organized by the Anastasis Church in Legnica. Because it was held at the bandstand in a city park, a number of area residents also were able to observe the events. Prayer and worship were the main goal but also featured was a testimony by a young man who had recently given his life to Christ. Because of the location, there were opportunities for evangelism. Legnica is ahead of Warsaw – a picnic was held after the service, followed by sporting and recreational activities for the whole family. A three-fold way to build relationships and unity in Christ!

LODZ

Once again, the event in Lodz took place in at City Hall, in part thanks to a local pastor, originally from Africa, who is also on city council. It was a great privilege to pray in the seat of power, where decisions affecting 800,000 residents of this large city are made on a daily basis. Several local government leaders, as well as a senator from the national parliament, attended and were very impressed with events. The senator had attended last year’s event and expressed his desire that it would continue into the future. Prayer also took place the week before in various council offices, including that of the city President. Prayer, worship, word and testimony were the main goals of the meeting, in which about one hundred people took part. One of the highlights was praying in the main meeting room of the City Council.

GNIEW

This was probably the smallest meeting held – six people from two families in a home group. They would like to change this – to grow a church in this town of well over 10,000 people, which has no Protestant church. After a time of prayer and thanksgiving, they finished with communion and a sense of joy and peace. (As an interesting side note, the name of the town means “anger” – pray that God would make it a place of joy and peace!)

GRUDZIADZ

This was an “accidental” event. In March the pastors and leaders from the two local churches planned to have a joint outdoor service at the highest point of the city. Then they discovered the date chosen was also the Global Day of Prayer! Not only were they able to build local unity in Christ but also joined in with Christians around the world in prayer and worship – one small piece of a giant jigsaw puzzle.

USTRON

For the first time, churches from Ustron resigned from their own local morning services to meet together for a joint service of prayer and worship. One of the local pastors started the meeting with an encouraging word, “Why God Needs Our Prayers” and then led into prayer for local, regional, national and international issues, as well as spiritual, political and community needs. Ten days of prayer had preceded the service and a spark for prayer was kindled at this time – one which will hopefully continue throughout the year. As well as the local churches, there were also guests present from the Czech Republic. The region has been variously in Czech, German and Polish hands over the centuries. The organizers have great faith that one day the local participation in the Global Day of Prayer will grow into an international event hosted in their region. May it be so!

(Reports compiled by Sheri Torgrimson, DCN Mission)

SEPARATE REPORT FROM LODZ

On Sunday the 11th of May 2008, believers here in Lodz joined hundreds of millions of people who met at different places in over 200 countries, for the World Day of Prayer. Here in our city Lodz, which is the second largest city in Poland after Warsaw, over 15 pastors in Łódź State, came together to organize this programme which took place in the City Council Headquarters. This is the second time the World Day of Prayer was held at the Łódź City Council Headquarters. The Lord gave us favor before the Government officials in such a way, that some of them responded positively to our invitation for the programme.

Thank God that through the help of one of the pastors here in Lodz, John Godson who is also a member of the City council, the Lord  is giving us, open doors and good relationship with those in authority. For instance, weeks before the world day of prayer, through Pastor John Godson, all of us pastors in Łódź, had meetings and prayers for some of the key government officials like the city Mayor, the Chairman of the City Council and the Lodz State Governor, at their offices in the State government headquarters.  Among those who attended the World Day of Prayer were chairman of the Lodz city council, representative of the city mayor and representative of State governor as well as a Senator who represented the Polish Senate. Of course some members of the churches that organized the programme were also present at the occasion.

The programme which started 4pm local time and lasted till 6pm featured among other things: Holy Spirit inspired worship from a Christian musical band, a short and touching film on the World Day of Prayer showing where this programme was held in different parts of the world, a short evangelistic message from one of the pastors, short speeches from the invited government representatives followed with concrete prayers for them –for the City, state and National governments.

In their speeches these representatives expressed their happiness for the organization of such a programme here in Łódź, and how helpful prayers and such gatherings are. The senator, who was also at the programme last year even wished and desired that the world day of prayer, be organized still after the year 2010!

There were also prayers for families and youths, pastors and their wives and churches as well as prayers for one another in small groups. The programme also featured testimony of a former drug addict and how God delivered him. All these revealed the power of prayer and God’s faithfulness in answering prayers, as ‘My people who are called by my name humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…” says the Lord-2Chron.7:14. About 100 persons attended this programme.

Thank God for the freedom and open door to praise, worship Him and pray this way at the very hall where matters about this City of 800 thousand inhabitants are being discussed by the city counselors. We can sense that the invited dignitaries really enjoyed the programme as almost all of them stayed till the very end of the programme with the senator looking forward again for the next year’s World Day of Prayer. Praise God! That’s really encouraging! Also this year’s programme was more attended than that of last year and from what we heard from the participants, it was better organized than last year’s. We give all the praise and glory to God and trust Him for further improvements and much more increase in the coming years, amen!

Written by: Raymond Osuchukwu