The three are dedicated to the world-prayer movement, estimated to involve 50 million people in 120 countries. The movement is based on the belief that focused prayer can make a difference in the lives of the people being prayed for. Bobbye Byerly, director of prayer and intercession, says her computer is clogged every morning with some 100 e-mailed prayer requests from around the world. While the main computer network lies dormant, the center is fielding a limited number of prayer inquiries arriving by fax and e-mail. After the requests arrive, they are tossed in a basket and prayed for by intercessors and others in homey suites that look like living rooms.
Intercessors pray roughly four to eight hours a day, usually for nations or large groups of people.
Some hold full-time jobs and volunteer their time to pray in the morning, after work or on the weekend. Others are retired and secure financially. There are no special words or set structure for intercessors to follow when they pray, Kooiman said. An intercessor may spend an hour praying for two requests. Or they may spend that time praying over a long list of requests.