Prayer leaders in Australia have invited Christians around the globe to join in a “prayer relay” at sunrise on New Year’s Day.
People are invited to join in prayer at sunrise in a public location like a hill, lookout or local landmark in their community where they are asked to pray the Lord’s Prayer together aloud as the sun rises as well as make a declaration that Jesus Christ “is Lord of your life, your family, your region and your nation”.
Organisers say the sunrise prayer relay initiative has already received registrations from groups across the world – from the the US and UK to South Africa, India, Switerland, Thailand and even North Korea.
Warwick Marsh, coordinator of Australia’s National Day of Prayer & Fasting, cited the words of David in Psalm 108 in which the Israelite king said “I will wake the dawn with my song”.
“So, during this time of prayer we want to focus on giving great praise to God. We also want to pray for revival and transformation, that God will bring healing to our land as it says in II Chronicles 7:14. Let us all pray for a great harvest of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Mr Marsh said that in declaring Jesus Christ “as Lord” during the prayer relay, “we are circling the globe with prayer, praise and worship and surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ for the glory of God”.
He asked people taking part to register their location at www.sunriseprayerrelay.org and use the resources available there to help the initiative “go viral”. Photos and videos taken at the prayer relay sites can be shared on social media using the hashtag #sunriseprayerrelay.
Pat Steele, a prayer and worship leader based in Wollongong, said people were encouraged to include praise and worship and Scripture readings in the event.
“We suggest 30 minutes, but you can pray for longer. You could even take communion, shine a torch, or light a candle. What you do for your sunrise celebration is up to you.”
