Young People Top Enrollment in the ‘100 Days of Prayer’ Initiative

A total of 1,477 young people registered as initial members of ‘100 Days of Prayer’ when it launched in the church’s Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) region on March 26, 2020. 

This was in direct response to Seventh-day Adventist youth director Gary Blanchard’s call for young people to support the initiative to pray 100 days in a row, from March 27 to July 4, 2020.

The number of people who registered for 100 Days of Prayer, mostly young people4-30 years old (70.2 percent), has steadily increased to 1,775 as of April 6, 2020. Statistics show that young adults (22-30 years old) top the prayer warrior list at 46 percent.

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 especially, protection and an end to the coronavirus pandemic.

“There has never been a time in the history of the world where the world needed Seventh-day Adventists more than it needs them now,” Blanchard said in his online appeal at the launching of the initiative. “Dear young people, the world needs you badly.”

SSD executive secretary Rudy Baloyo appealed to all the prayer warriors, telling them that during this time, church leaders and members hope to experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Second, Baloyo said, the initiative is a way to experience personal revival in mission. And third, to experience the saving power of God from the coronavirus.

Baloyo also gave a biblical reason for the need to pray for 100 days. He reminded listeners that God speaks in 2 Chronicles 7:14. “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.” Balayo thanked all the young people and others for joining the prayer initiative.

Besides encouraging prayer warriors to pray for 100 days, the SSD Adventist Youth Ministries (AYM) department provided two special features to deepen the experience in the time spent with God in prayer. First, it asked participants to choose one of several Bible reading goals. Second, it provides a devotional speaker every morning to inspire them. The 10- to 15-minute prerecorded videos are being uploaded to the SSD AYM page.

Herson Iday, 27, shared how this prayer initiative has been a blessing to him so far.

“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.” Iday added, “I know that there are friends out there who are praying with me. I can feel the impact of [the initiative] in my spiritual life, and it helps me to trust in Him more and more in these last days.”  

Mercie Joy Dipon Argana concurred.

“Being alone in my house, prayers, music, and worship are my constant companions. Conversing with God keeps me on the right track of life,” Argana said. “Every time I see troubled people in social media, I cry to God. I can’t help but feel their fears and hopelessness. 100 Days of Prayer helps me get focused on my prayer. It is also my energy booster. Now, I never feel alone.”

Teresita A. Jael, 62, said that engaging in morning and evening study of God’s Word and prayer enabled her to experience peace amidst the 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.”

SSD president Samuel Saw invited all members to take part in the initiative.

“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,” he said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division news site.