Thousands will gather in their churches and homes to seek God for their nations this Sunday, marking the eleventh anniversary of the Global Day of Prayer.

This year's prayer focus includes the HIV-AIDS epidemic, crime, government corruption, and the world financial crisis.

The event began in 2001 when more than 45,000 Christians gathered at Newlands Rugby Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa.

In the years following the idea spread throughout the world and now Christians from all of 220 countries in the world gather together on Pentecost Sunday.