Special / World Prayer Meeting

Prayer is Power-Dr. Cho urges patience in prayer

Assemblies of God leaders and delegations from 158 countries joined more than 900 missionaries in a Parade of Nations to open the 2000 Celebration meetings on Tuesday night. Some 30,000 people gathered in the RCA Dome for the worldwide gathering. Thomas E. Trask, general superintendent of the U.S. Assemblies of God, and David Yonggi Cho, pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea, brought the U.S. and Christian flags to the platform to begin the parade of nations. The congregation stood for half an hour welcoming the delegations, many in native costume, as they entered with their national flags. After the Parade of Nations, Dr. Cho presented an appreciation plaque to the American host, Dr. Trask and the American Assemblies of God, for inviting the World Assemblies of God Fellowship to go to America for these special events. Dr. Cho congratulated Dr. Trask on his new position as World Fellowship Chairman and said, °ÌI hope that through the WAGF many people around the world will experience the miracles of God."

The themes for the three main services on Wednesday were: Celebration of Power, speaker David Yonggi Cho; Celebration of Harvest, speakers Marion Lim, Hector Hunger, Lazarus Chakwera, and Alicia Chole; and Celebration of Restoration, speakers David Mohan, Peter Kuzmic, Dan Betzer, and Doug Clark. The themes for the main services on Thursday were: Celebration of Faith with seven people giving testimonies; and Celebration of Hope, speakers John Bueno and Thomas Trask.

When Dr. Cho spoke for the Wednesday morning world prayer meeting, he spoke about two types of prayer. He said that fellowship prayer is necessary to communicate with God in covering a variety of topics. But he focused mostly on task prayer explaining that it consisted of three elements: a clear-cut objective; focusing on the goals; and patience. He especially emphasized the need for patience in prayer.

Giving a biblical illustration of the story of the unrighteous judge and the widow (Luke 18), Dr. Cho explained that when Christians have spiritual warfare with Satan they are to have more patience than Satan. He also added, °ÌYou need to endure when demons are coming against you. Many wise people experience failure in their lives because they easily give up instead of putting up with problems and tribulation. God is very patient with Christians who make many mistakes. So as Christians we should be patient, too. The more we pray the more prayers we will have answered. Many people are converted to the Christian faith, which definitely has to do with the prayers of believers." said Dr. Cho.

During the world prayer meeting, representatives prayed for the needs of many nations and continents. For example: African leaders prayed for such human needs as the victims of religious conflicts, victims of tribal and ethnic conflicts, victims of the AIDS pandemic, and victims of oppressive governments and societies. The prayers for Europe were on church planting. Physical healing was the emphasis for South America. Southeast Asian nations prayed for evangelism efforts around the world. There was also prayer for world missions and for persecuted Christians. The RCA Dome was filled with the fervent prayers and spiritual zeal of the participants who were inspired by Dr. Cho's message anointed by the Holy Spirit.

Some local newspapers included articles on the content of Dr. Cho's message, and reported that prayer never ceases in Yoido Full Gospel Church. Furthermore, some local reporters mentioned that over three thousand people come to Osanri Choi Ja-shil Fasting and Prayer Mountain to fast or to pray daily. Around 15,000 people attend the Friday all night prayer meetings in Yoido Full Gospel Church.

After the world prayer meeting on August 9, Dr. Trask presented an accomplishment plaque to Dr. Cho for his eight years of service as chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship and for his contribution in promoting the growth of the World Fellowship.