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Oct. 1 Day of Prayer and Advocacy
Join us October 1: Day of Prayer and Advocacy
Downloads: Leaders' Guide; Prayer Points; Prayer and Advocacy PledgeCheck out our video:
For the rest of the country, the New Year begins on January 1, but for the United States government, the new fiscal year starts October 1. On this day, each World Vision office around the world stops all daily operations for a day of prayer. This year, we invite you to join in this day of prayer and advocate to God on behalf of a world that needs prayer. We ask that you use this occasion to pray for a faith movement of justice on your campus, for the U.S. government leaders, and for community leaders around the world who are working to address extreme poverty and global AIDS, malaria, and hunger.
As a concrete form of commitment, we ask you to sign the Prayer and Advocacy Pledge. This will be delivered to U.S. government leaders and community leaders around the world. After signing the pledge, Acting on AIDS will also keep you informed of issues and current events, as well as prayer and action points, to mutually engage us in this commitment. Following is an outline of the objectives for the day, as well as some ideas to implement on your campus.
Unify a Movement
Strong, powerful movements are generated by passion, and, as a campus leader, you are the go-to source for such enthusiasm and direction. As the new school year falls into a rhythm, the Day of Prayer and Advocacy is a good opportunity to generate excitement and commitment for the upcoming year. This is your chance to gather together with the rest of your AoA network to recognize, strategize, mobilize, and personalize the advocacy you’re planning for the 2008-09 year.Recognize: The Day of Prayer and Advocacy is ultimately about deliberate, prioritized prayer. Set apart some time for your group to engage in prayer and meditation, both individually and corporately. Use these moments to recognize the necessity and power of prayer in advocacy, and align your campus goals with God’s heart for social justice.
Strategize: Define your priorities. Get together with others who share your passion for justice and make a plan for this year. Connect AoA on your campus with other student organizations, and even with other campuses. There’s so much potential for groups to join together in creative activism! Plot it out and let us know how we can help.
Mobilize: Engage both active AoA advocates as well as students who have not yet joined the AoA movement. Use the Day of Prayer and Advocacy as a unifying kick-off event for 2008-09. See the suggestions below for ways to commemorate the Day of Prayer and Advocacy on your campus.
Personalize: Make sure that you know where you stand. Why is justice important to you? Are you committed to advocacy on your campus? Sign the Prayer and Advocacy Pledge and make a commitment to seek justice, not just during this school year, but in your life. Publicize the Pledge and use it as an opportunity for others to join in on the movement for justice.
Ideas for Engaging Prayer and Advocacy
Leaders’ evening: Set aside a few hours to meet with other members of the AoA team on your campus. Pray about your goals and priorities for the year and then write them down! Let us know what you’re planning and what’s important to you in working together toward justice this school year.Prayer points: Included in this packet is a list of prayer points. We invite you to use these points as a guide in your prayer as we collectively concentrate upon the national and global authorities in power, the 15 focus countries of President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR, and your local campus leaders and students.
The prayer points are divided into three sections, each spotlighting one of the following areas for prayer: your campus, the U.S. Government, and the PEPFAR countries. With each section, a scripture passage has been selected for reflection. Read through the verses, and then consider their application in your life as you pray.
24-hour prayer room: Take the Day of Prayer and Advocacy to the highest level and organize an all-day, all-night prayer vigil. Use the prayer points as much as you’d like, but don’t limit yourself! Leave papers and pens for students to write out their own petitions to God.
Prayer stations/walk: Designate particular locations on campus as prayer “hot spots.” Use the prayer points as a guide and design simple themes for each location. Host a prayer walk around campus or create a list of locations, encouraging students to stop by throughout the day, making time for intentional prayer.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. – Romans 12:1
Downloads
Day of Prayer and Advcoacy Leaders' GuideDay of Prayer and Advocacy Prayer Points
Day of Prayer and Advocacy Pledge