The Global Day of Prayer has been an international event for two years. But it was the first time for San Antonio to join the movement which has its roots in South Africa. A newly converted businessman from South Africa had a burden in 2001 to conduct a prayer meeting in a football stadium in Capetown, South Africa. It resulted in more than 40,000 people in attendance. The prayer meeting spread to other cities and nations in Africa the following year.

When international prayer leaders gathered in South Africa for a consultation, Dr. Robert Bakke had a burden and vision to launch a Global Day of Prayer. South African leaders shared what was taking place in their country. The prayer leaders immediately recognized that God was up to something great among His people. Thus, the Global Day of Prayer was launched with Africa leading the way.

More than 200 nations participated in the event this year, representing the most nations to participate in an organized prayer meeting in the history of the church. It’s believed that more than 200 million people participated in the event world wide which was held on Monday, May 27, 2007.

Churches in San Antonio, Texas formally joined the international organized prayer gathering for the first time this year. Initially, the gathering was slated to be held at the Alamo Stadium. Due to rain, the venue had to be changed at the last minute. However, the rain and change of venue didn’t dampen more than 1,000 participants at the Alamo Convocation Center on Sunday evening. Scriptures were read in numerous languages.

Prayers were prayed by various ethnic and racial groups. Many denominations participated. Leaders of the meeting said, “San Antonio is one of the most diversified cities in America. Our program represented that diversification.” Songs were sung in Spanish as well as English. One of the highlights came at the close of the prayer time, when a Jewish believer and a Persian (Iranian) believer prayed together on the platform for unity of the Body of Christ.

Sammy Tippit spoke at the beginning of the gathering about intimacy with God. He defined prayer as having an intimate relationship with God and told the audience that “anything which keeps us from that intimacy is a hindrance to our prayer lives. We don’t need any hindrances here tonight. If there is a hindrance that would keep you from coming into the presence of God, then  I want to invite you to confess it and repent of it tonight.” It seemed that at least half the congregation responded to the San Antonio evangelist’s invitation.People left the Convocation Center saying, “We met with the Lord tonight.” Not only did they meet with the Lord, but millions around the globe met with the Lord.