“Prayer Changes Things—and Prayer Changes People.”
God Works Powerfully Through Children and Young People
Global Young People Prayer Force (GYPPF) was born from a longstanding conviction that God can work powerfully through children and young people.
Throughout her life and ministry, Dr. Pinkins observed children expressing remarkable spiritual sensitivity and faith from very early ages. Before moving to Jamaica as a missionary pastor, she personally experienced a four-year-old prophesying to her. She also observed the young son of a friend preaching from approximately three years old.
“Children do not have to wait until adulthood for God to work in and through their lives.”
Later, while serving as a youth minister, Dr. Pinkins recognized another need: Many teenagers had not developed an effective and consistent prayer life. These observations helped shape the vision for a movement that would not merely encourage young people to pray, but would teach, train, empower, and connect them in prayer.
The vision for GYPPF existed before Dr. Pinkins later became connected to a large international prayer movement. Experiencing global prayer at that scale subsequently reinforced for her what technology and united prayer could make possible across geographical boundaries.
Instruments of Divine Love, Hope, Light & Peace
GYPPF envisions a worldwide movement of children and teenagers who know God, understand the power of prayer, and become faithful intercessors.
As young people pray:
- Lives can be transformed.
- Families can be strengthened.
- Schools and communities can be impacted.
- Nations can be changed.
10 Million Young People Praying
The long-term vision is bold: Millions of young people around the world praying. The original dream reaches toward 10 million young people praying, while recognizing that the mission remains the same whether the movement begins with one young person, one hundred, or eventually millions.
THE FOUNDATIONAL CORE BELIEF
“WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”Matthew 19:26 • Mark 9:23
Young people are taught to believe that God can work through them as they trust Him. GYPPF emphasizes identity in Christ: Young people need more than information about God; they need to know who they are in Christ and to whom they belong.
LEARN → PRAY → GROW → BECOME → IMPACT
GYPPF is not intended simply to gather young people to participate in prayer events. It seeks to develop young people who pray.
Young people learn how to pray effectively, including praying God's Word and understanding the importance of partnering with God through prayer.
They develop a consistent, vibrant prayer life and learn to intercede for others—not simply pray for their own needs.
“Never stop praying.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)
Their relationship with God deepens and their faith continues to grow as they learn His Word and experience prayer as an ongoing part of their lives.
They become powerful intercessors and vessels through whom God can work to bless and help others. Their lives increasingly reflect what they believe.
What is developing within them flows outward through prayer, character, witness, service, discipleship, positive action, and influence.
They discover:
What Is a “Prayer Force”?
The word Force represents more than large numbers of young people praying. GYPPF seeks to develop a growing body of young people who become a force for positive change. Prayer is therefore not viewed as passive or disconnected from everyday life.
They can pray for their families and contribute positively to their homes.
They can pray for their schools and become positive influences there.
They can pray for people who are hurting and demonstrate compassion.
They can pray for peace and practice being peacemakers.
They can pray for people to know Christ, demonstrate His love, share their faith, and help disciple others.
THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLE
PRAYER CHANGES THINGS AND PEOPLE.
Prayer can affect the circumstances for which young people are praying, while prayer also changes the person who prays—developing faith, compassion, character, spiritual maturity, and greater sensitivity to the needs of others.
The Prayer Ambassador
“The Prayer Force is the movement. Prayer Ambassador is the young person's identity within the movement.”
A Prayer Ambassador is a young person who learns to pray effectively according to God's Word, grows in faith and relationship with God, intercedes for others, lives out their faith, and becomes a force for positive change.
Bringing God's Love, Hope & Light into:
Families • Friendships • Schools • Communities • Nations • World
Through the Expression of:
Prayer • Character • Service • Witness • Discipleship • Positive Influence
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.”— 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)
Grow the Spirit → Impact the World
GYPPF connects naturally with the DPEA Whole-Person Development philosophy. Prayer develops the young person internally while simultaneously directing their attention toward the needs of others.
The desired result is not merely a young person who participates in GYPPF. It is a young person whose relationship with God affects how they live and how they influence others.
Empowerment & Focus Areas
- Prayer training and Scripture-based resources
- Prayer and declaration experiences
- Periodic Prayer Focus topics (families, schools, teachers, foster children, missionaries, the sick)
- Opportunities to pray with other young people globally
- Prayer Ambassador commitments to be a light and live God's Word
- Service, witness, discipleship, and positive community impact
THE CENTRAL MESSAGE
GYPPF exists to raise up a generation of children and teenagers who know God, know how to pray, and understand that God can work through their prayers to impact others.
“One young person can make a difference. Imagine millions praying together.”