What is the Day of Prayer for Revival in India?

The Day of Prayer for Revival in India (DPRI) is a movement dedicated to gathering people from around the world to set aside ONE DAY a year to focus on praying for revival in India. DPRI is not a group or an organization. It has no denominational or geographical boundaries. It seeks to involve the whole body of Christ in united prayer. People of any denomination can participate and organize prayer in whatever manner is familiar or convenient to them.

What is Revival?

Revival is an extraordinary outpouring of God’s Spirit on his people. God brings:

• A fresh awareness of his holiness and power
• Genuine repentance for revealed sin
• A new preoccupation with God and his word
• A new passion to share the Gospel
• Freedom from ungodly behavior
• His righteousness, peace, joy, generosity, kindness

There have been times in past revivals when entire towns or areas have been changed.

How and when does revival come?

Revival is a sovereign act of God. God prepares for revival by giving chosen believers a unique burden to pray. One of the conditions for revival is an all-consuming desire for it in those who are seeking it. In his appointed time, God answers the fervent prayers of his people and showers down the power of his Spirit.

What is the Vision of DPRI?

The vision of DPRI is to call together prayer warriors from around the world to a twenty four-hour concentrated time of fasting and prayer for revival in India, and to continue to do this on a yearly basis until God answers by pouring out revival fire on this country.

When is DPRI observed?

The Day of Prayer for Revival in India falls on the second Saturday in July, which is a different date every year. This day was thought to be the most convenient for a large number of people. The first DPRI was on 13th July 2002, followed by 12th July 2003, 10th July 2004, 9th July 2005, 8th July 2006 and 14 July 2007. The next DPRI is on 12th July 2008.

Why pray on a specific day?

The concept of a specific day for nationwide prayer was based on the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 in the Bible, coupled with the verse in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites."
- Leviticus 16:34

"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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
- 2 Chronicles 7:14

As a small group of called people reflected on what God might do if the whole nation of India turned to Him in confession, repentance and prayer on one specific day a year, the vision of a national Day of Prayer was born.

How was DPRI started?

The idea of the DPRI was born in the mind of God. He communicated his vision to one person in January, 2002 through His word, Leviticus 16, wherein God led the nation of Israel to take one day in the year to fast, pray and seek His mercy on the Day of Atonement. God used this passage to plant a thought: "What if one family took one day to pray for revival; what if one church - or one city - or one state - or one entire country took a day to pray? What might God do?" On 12 February 2002 a small group of predominantly lay people knelt down and asked God to lead them to gather people to pray on one day for revival in India. God showed them a simple plan. A letter and prayer list would be distributed to "point people" who would in turn contact more people so that many would pray on the Day of Prayer. (See also History and Vision”) As the message spread, it was adopted by many church leaders of different denominations as well as individuals, prayer groups, missionary organizations and other people in whose hearts God had already planted the burden for praying for revival in India. Many sent feedback requesting that this day be observed every year as a result of which DPRI has now become an annual event on the Christian calendar.

What do we pray about on the DPRI?

The DPRI Committee works on the prayer guide after seeking God for what specifically to focus on each year. The focus is not on leaders and issues, but on our relationship with God as it affects different aspects of our lives. Only as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, does the fire spread first to our own families, our churches, then neighborhoods, towns, cities, state and country. Only a revived people of God can make an impression on the environment in which they live. However, as the name suggests, this is only a prayer guide. Each group and area do have specific needs and these need to be prayed for, so please feel free to pray for other issues and people after you have prayed for revival.

How is this Prayer Guide circulated?

This prayer guide is circulated by sending it to the direct contacts of the committee members, both by post and email and to those on a mailing list, which has been built up over the years from the feedback received from people who prayed. These “Point People” send it on to their own contacts, who in turn do the same. This process can go on indefinitely, multiplying the number of people and groups who get to hear about the DPRI and receive the prayer guide. This way millions more can be reached than from just one mailing list. How much of India is reached depends on the commitment of each person who hears about DPRI to spread the message and to pray. The Prayer Guide is also posted on the DPRI website.

Can we send the prayer guide to people abroad?

Of course you can send the prayer guide to whoever you think will be interested in praying for revival. In fact, following the very first DPRI, we received feedback from people in different parts of the world, telling us how, as they prayed for revival in India, they were inspired to pray for revival in their own countries. Many have begun efforts to start similar movements in their own countries. Every Christian needs personal revival, whichever part of the world they live in and God is in the business of purifying and perfecting his church to prepare her to be the spotless Bride for Christ’s second coming.

We already pray for our country regularly. Why do we need to join this movement?

We praise God for the many people throughout India who pray regularly for this great country. However, we are all members of the body of Christ and no member can say to another “I don’t need you”. We all must work for the edification of the body. When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. Those who are strong need to help lift up those who are weak. Only as all parts of the body function together and in cooperation with each other can the Body of Christ on earth be strong to resist the work of the powers of darkness.

National sins require national repentance. As we all join together and cry out to God in unity of heart and mind, we believe God will not fail to hear our sincere prayers to pour out his Spirit on the church.

What is the DPRI Committee? What is its function?

The DPRI Committee consists of some of the members of the initial group as well as some who joined later. There are no specific ‘designations’ or hierarchy – all are “Committee members”. Their main job is to set the ball rolling every year at the right time and then let others who God has called carry it onwards. The Prayer Guide is compiled by this committee after much prayer, and also the brochure, which is published occasionally. The prime purpose of the DPRI Committee is to ensure that the prayers are biblical and also universally acceptable, so that people of every denomination can pray with complete harmony and agreement without getting involved in controversy because of denominational differences. When this happens, the power of the Prayer of Agreement is immensely multiplied. Members of the original Committee have been scattered over the years in different places in India and abroad, but because of the instant access and communication possible through the internet, they are still able to work together. The DPRI Committee also maintains the DPRI website. For practical purposes, the address of the DPRI Committee is in Chennai, India. This is mainly for mailing the materials to the Point People and receiving and analyzing feedback. The DPRI Committee prefers to silently work in the background, so that the glory will go to God, who alone is worthy of all praise.

What is a Point Person?

A Point Person is someone (a point of contact) who can -

1. gather anywhere from 5 and above to pray on the Day of Prayer (At home, school, workplace, church etc..)
2. contact at least 5 more people (who would also serve as point persons) and motivate them to organize prayer and to pass on the message

How do I join this movement?

You can join this movement in many ways, but the first and foremost is to commit to pray on the DPRI and motivate others to pray by passing on the message. For suggestions on the different ways to get involved, see sections on “How can I get Involved?” and “Suggestions for Individuals and Church Leaders”

Why do we need to send feedback to the DPRI Committee?

Once the ball is set rolling and the DPRI Prayer Guide is out, the DPRI Committee has no further control over the outcome of the Day of Prayer. Unless people who pray send feedback, we have no way of knowing how widely the DPRI has spread, in what ways it is being observed and by whom. Knowing who is praying, what denominations they belong to, whether they prayed alone, as families, as small or large groups, whether churches organized prayer and got their congregations involved, whether people of different denominations gathered together to pray, which parts of India the message reached, how many countries had people praying for revival in India, whether God worked in an unusual manner during their times of prayer, etc. …all the information we receive helps us to gauge in some small measure how God is working through DPRI and whether our vision is being fulfilled. The feedback also encourages us that our labor has not been in vain and helps us to plan for the future. It enables us to compile a mailing list of people who are really interested in praying for revival, so that we may be sure to send them the Prayer Guide the following year rather than leave things to chance. It puts us in touch with likeminded people who share a common burden and are willing to work towards it. Many who pray do not send feedback and we never hear about them, but their prayers are heard in heaven nevertheless, which is what is most important.

How is DPRI financed?

The work of the DPRI Committee is financed through contributions by its own members and others on whose hearts God puts the desire to contribute financially. No money is solicited and till date no fund raising efforts have been made as God has adequately provided for the needs of the committee. No public acknowledgement is made and donors are thanked privately by the member to whom they hand over the money. For the most part they remain anonymous. All the work of the DPRI Committee is voluntary and they accept no pay for their time and efforts. Some of the work is sponsored by donors. There is no bank account in the name of DPRI and so only cash can be accepted as donation. Expenses are kept low as the main work of the Committee is to develop and print the brochures and prayer guides and send them to point people by post or email and to develop and maintain the website. Every individual, prayer group, church or organization who gets involved finances their own efforts, which is primarily photocopying, posting the material to their contacts and expenses incurred in organizing prayer meetings. This way the expenses are spread out and there is no limit on how far DPRI can spread and how many people can be involved in prayer, which would not be the case if things were centrally controlled.

If you feel led to contribute to the work of the DPRI Committee, please contact us and we shall let you know how you can get the money across to us or sponsor some of our work by paying the bills directly on our behalf.