One thousand four hundred seventy seven young people registered as initial members of the 100 Days of Prayer when it launched in the church's Southetn Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) on Mach 26, 2020. This is in response to the General Conference World Youth Director Pastor Gary Blanchard’s call for the young people to support the GC initiative to pray 100 days from March 27 to July 4, 2020. The number which consisted mostly of young people, 4-30 years old (70.2%) steadily increased to 1,775 as of this writing. The young adults (22-30 years old) top the prayer warrior list at 46%.
The 100 Days of Prayer is an initiative of the world Church to let its members experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, revival in mission, and for this season: protection and end to the Corona virus pandemic. “There has never been a time in the history of the world, where the world did not need the Seventh-day Adventists more than it needs them now… This world desperately needs the Seventh-day Adventists… Dear young people the world needs you badly.” Pastor Gary Blanchard, the General Conference World Youth Director, appealed during the online launching.
Pastor Rudy Baloyo, SSD Executive Secretary in his launching message appealed to all the prayer warriors “I would like to encourage everyone to participate in this 100 Days of Prayer. During this time, we hope to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our church. Second, to experience personal revival in mission. And third, to experience the saving power of God from the Coronavirus.” He also gave the biblical reason why there is a need to pray 100 days. He reminded, “God himself has a word for us in 2 Chronicles 7:14. God said, ‘If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Before he ended, he thanked all the young people and others for joining the prayer initiative.
Besides encouraging the prayer warriors to pray in 100 days, SSD Adventist Youth Ministries (AYM) department provides two special features to deepen the experience in the time spent with God in prayer. First, it persuades them to choose one from the following Bible reading goals in 100 days: 1. Read 100 chapters of the Bible, 2. Read the New Testament, 3. Read the Old Testament, 4. Read the whole Bible. Second, it features a devotional speaker every 7:00 am every day for 100 days to inspire the prayer warriors. The 10-15 minutes pre-recorded videos are being uploaded to the SSD Adventist Youth and Young Adults page (www.facebook.com/ssdyouthdept).
Herson Iday, 27 years old, testfies on how this prayer initiative is a blessing to him so far: “The 100 days of prayer is a blessing to me because it connects me to other prayer warriors praying together for a great cause in our current situation. There is no more beautiful sight than to see God's people kneeling together in prayer. I know that there are friends out there who are praying with me. Praying is a usual activity of a Christian, yet something is different when we pray together as one. I do believe that there is a tremendous power when we all come to Him in prayer. Lastly, I can feel the impact of 100 days of prayer in my spiritual life and it helps me to trust in Him more and more in these last days.”
“Being alone in my house prayers, music, and worship are my constant companions. Conversing with God keeps me on the right track of life. Every time I see troubled people in social media, I cry to God. I can't help but feel their fears and hopelessness. This 100 days of prayer helps me get focused in my prayer. 100 days of prayer is also my energy booster. My life has more reason to go on to pray for people around me. Now, I never feel alone. Gone as well is the fear triggered by this covid-19 because I know there are people out there who are lifting other people to God through prayer,” shares Mercie Joy Dipon Argana.
Teresita A. Jael, 62 years old, shares: “Having engaged in morning and evening study of God's word and prayer enables me to experience peace amidst this covid-19 pandemic. I start my devotional by singing four to five hymns, then I read a chapter or more from the Bible, and spend the rest of the time praying for the given subjects of prayer. I can attest that I now have peace like a river that only God can bestow.”
Dr. Samuel Saw, SSD President, invites all members to involve themselves in 100 Days of Prayer: “Living under uncertainties and threats from the current pandemic should compel us even more to seek God through our worshipful spirit, and unceasing prayers. We must keep refocusing our minds and attention upon His wonderful promises. Psalm 46:1 says, ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ We are certain that in any given situation of life here, God is still in control. Let us trust God through this COVID-19 storm!”
The SSD AYM has been actively promoting this prayer initiative as one of its fronts in its efforts to lead the youth to fulfill the department's Vision 2020. Vision 2020 dreams of developing “Healthy young people who are enjoying a saving relationship with Christ, loving the Scriptures as their standard of living to reflect a Christ-like Character, passionately serving the Church and Communities using their God-given spiritual gifts, and vigorously fulfilling the gospel Commission in the power of the Holy Spirit,” Pastor Petronio Genebago, SSD Youth director emphasized.