The Better Place News

A brief history of the Global Day of Prayer: At the turn of the millennium, many believers in Cape Town, South Africa, sensed God calling them to seek God in repentance and prayer and to call people across their country to assemble in united prayer for their cities and nation. People filled halls and stadiums of every size. – Soon gatherings like it (all meeting on the same day) multiplied across Africa. Year by year, millions more sought God together from almost every stream or tradition of Christian faith in every country of the continent. – Then African Christians issued the same call for repentance and prayer to believers around the world. The result was the first Global Day of Prayer on Pentecost Sunday in 2005, drawing an estimated 200 million people. In 2006, 2007, and again in 2008, on Pentecost Sunday, even greater numbers of Christians gathered in almost every country on earth. Believers from 214 nations participated in public observances of the Global Day of Prayer in 2008.

The Global Day of Prayer is always observed on Pentecost Sunday. This year – 2009 – that will be the 31st of May.

In Jamestown, NY there will be a gathering on this day at Potter’s Terrace, 15 East 3rd Street (next to Potter’s Alley). See the Google Map for specific location. The Better Place will be facilitating this gathering from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. During this time, believers are invited to come together to worship God, to pray, to hear encouraging testimonies and inspiration from the word of God and to prayer-walk the immediate downtown area of Jamestown.

Prior to the gathering on the 31st of May, ten days are dedicated to prayer by individuals and small groups utilizing the official Prayer Guide. Copies of this guide will be available in Jamestown at the National Day of Prayer gathering (May 7th) at noon at Tracy Plaza and at 7:00 p.m. at St. Susan’s in the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street. – For more information on the Jamestown event, or to get copies of the Prayer Guide or a promotional and informational DVD, call Roy at 716/488-9918. For general information on the Global Day of Prayer go to www.gdopusa.com .

National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is observed each year on the first Thursday of May. This year, on the 7th of May there will be three observances in Chautauqua County.

The Better Place is facilitating the noon-time observance that will be held on Tracy Plaza, East 3rd Street, in downtown Jamestown. – Mayor Sam Teresi will be present to issue a declaration and County Executive, Greg Edwards, will be present to bring words of greeting. Other government leaders are invited; particularly members of the County Legislature and members of the Jamestown City Council. Several area pastors will lead in prayer.

This is a short service so participants can return to work following their noon break. – This outdoor observance goes forward rain or shine. But, then again, it has never rained during the noon hour at Tracy Plaza while the Nation Day of Prayer observance is under way.

There will be two observances in the evening: At 6:30 p.m. there will be a service at the Village Park Gazebo on Church Street in Fredonia. And, starting at 7:00 p.m. there will be a service in St. Susan’s at the Gateway Center, 31 Water Street in Jamestown.

For further information you may go to www.ndptf.org.