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Report from the UPRISING in South Korea
 It has been a joy to hang out with about 1000 youth (under 35 generation) from 37 countries the last few days! We also have some older generation folks and children here to support them. The young people have run the program and there has been a lot of excitement with several contemporary worship groups and times of fervent intercession done "machine gun" style where those from a certain nation stand up and everyone bombards them for a couple minutes with prayer for everything we can think of regarding them and their country's needs. You can see some segments of the program and experience the worship and sharing of fine speakers on this link: livestream.com/uprising2016
We are going to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) between the two armies of North and South Korea, to pray for His healing of this longstanding conflict. The two nations are still technically at war with only an armistice that keeps them from all-out fighting. Please pray with us for His healing of this deep divide between these nations and that the day will come soon that the two will become one in a peaceful manner as happened with East and West Germany. God is able as His people pray!
Blessings from Seoul,
John Robb
IPC Chair |
ICIC Taiwan 2016 Raising up Praying Generations - Turn to the Father (Mal 4:6)
Date:
August 11-13, 2016
Topics:
Raising up spiritual parents, Turn to the Father (Father's Love), C-HOP prayer room, Healing in the Father's love, Restoration in the family, Praying for the nations, Special needs children...Specially welcome the participation of single parents and those who work with orphans, widows and special needs children/families
Speakers:
Pr Anton Cruz, Pr Grace Chiang, Pr Steve and Esther Chua, Pr Fred and Monica Hsu, Pr Tony Kim, Pr Paul Chuan...and more
Location:
Kaohsiung Wuchang Church: No.38, Minquan 1st Rd., Lingya Dist., Kaohsiung City 802, Taiwan
Registration method:
For international participants, please fill the registration form (excel file), and email to church@wuchang.org.tw |
How to pray specifically for Oral and Oral Bibleless People
The Workers Are Few:
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." |
Turkey is in tumult! The recent attempted coup has resulted in the arrest of thousands of people considered to be enemies of the regime there. Please pray for the nation to be kept from going the way of tyranny and that religious freedom and protection will continue to be given to the followers of Christ.
Pray too that there will be breakthrough for the Gospel in the midst of political uncertainty and that thousands upon thousands of Turks, Kurds and those from other people groups living there will turn to Jesus Christ. Pray that churches will be successfully planted in all 81 Provinces of Turkey so that they may incubate many seekers and baptize believers.
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 Pray for brothers and sisters in Christ that are inundated with the needs of refugees. Pray for His refreshing and encouragement for them as well as provision of more and more resources to do this work of love and mercy.
Pray particularly those working with displaced women, youth and children: A couple reports, that they are "meeting with over 700 women on weekly basis in 3 different locations, using a special program called "Psycho-spiritual" program, speaking through their needs of insecurity, fear, low self-esteem, trauma... Praying with them by the end of each meeting to "roll over" these feelings to Jesus.
Displaced youth: Special meetings for youth, age 18 - 35, using creative programs, like "Art Therapy", to help them express their feelings, then link the subject with a Bible passage and ask the Holy Spirit to guide these young displaced people to go through their life.
Displaced children: Playing games and giving gifts are the best way to touch the hearts of these displaced little ones with the Love of Jesus and restore their Joy and Hope in Life.
As a family, our life became an inevitable part of this "Displacement". Learning from Jesus, as He was displaced with Joseph and Mary, trying to be a source of Hope waiting for God to reveal His Plan to His church in our country.
Besides this "Face-to-Face" meetings, the Lord is helping us using radio and social media to reach tens of thousands of displaced people.
Please do pray that ALL these people will meet Jesus before going back to their homes.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19) |
Please pray for Malaysia and Indonesia as threats from the Islamic State create fear
Malaysian police confirmed that a recent (28 June) grenade attack, on a bar in Puchong, was carried out by Islamic State (IS) militants. It was the first successful terrorist attack on Malaysian soil by the group. No one was killed, but eight people were injured. The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, said, "The bar was attacked as it was deemed an un-Islamic establishment."
IS also recently released chilling videos warning about further attacks on Malaysia as well as Indonesia. In the videos they threaten to topple the governments and leaders of the archipelago in order to make way for the domination of Islam.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen our brothers and sisters in Malaysia and Indonesia. May they be assured that He is fully aware of their current fears and uncertainties. Pray too that believers will be fully persuaded that the Lord will never desert them, not even in their darkest hour.
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Children's prayer movement in Indonesia
This movement of praying children has been facilitated by a network of children's prayer coordinators across the country since 2003. This network now exists in 72 (seventy-two) regions / cities throughout Indonesia. The functions and duties of the facilitator are to teach children to pray at his or her local church and to invite Sunday school teachers each week from churches in the area and city. They gather together in a church or in other facility that is sufficient to accommodate the children from all the local churches in that region to pray together with specific prayer requests according to the situation of their city and the nation as a whole.
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Putin crosses a line - bans Russians from preaching the Gospel outside churches. Here's the latest.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has just crossed a very dangerous line. He has just signed a law making it illegal for Russian followers of Jesus Christ to share or preach the Gospel anywhere outside the walls of their church, or even email their family and friends to invite them to church. What's more, he has done so under the guise of preventing "terrorism."
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 What showing God's love can do: 200,000 Tibetans, including 62 Buddhist monks, decide to follow Jesus
Something wonderful in the Christian sense is happening in Tibet, a region in China considered as the highest in the world and the home of Mount Everest, earth's highest mountain rising more than 29,009 feet above sea level.
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Introducing 'The Power of Prayer' - a song for United Prayer Rising, 2016
 The Power of Prayer was written by Richard and Stephanie Coates from Weston-super-Mare, UK in the Summer of 2016. Rich felt prompted to write it after accepting an invitation to attend United Prayer Rising in Seoul, South Korea in July, 2016.
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n Invitation to the National Prayer Assembly, October 27-28, 2016, Washington, D.C.
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Praying about "Brexit" and its implications
BRITISH ISLES & IRELAND
How to pray for government & the Church
You may not have prayed for these areas before, but now would be a great time to start! It is important to pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:2). We have put together some prayer points on how to pray for our elected governments and also for the Church at this time, as well as other points here.
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Believing for Breakthrough in North Korea
During last week's UPRISING youth prayer assembly and especially in our visit to the DMZ separating North and South Korea, we prayed for the reunification of this divided land. Along with the many Koreans that are praying on both sides of the border, we are trusting that history is being shaped through all of this intercession. Please pray with us for this breakthrough to happen soon. Pray that the North Korean people can be liberated and especially tens of thousands suffering acute oppression in the prison camps, including many believers in Christ. Let's believe the Lord, letting Him guide our intercession.
Here is a report from Ben Torrey, a third generation missionary living in South Korea who monitors the situation in the North with monthly updates like this:
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Special Report: I've Seen America's Future and It's Filled With the Glory of Christ
by David Bryant on 7/21/16
A Special Report from Together 2016
First of all, you need to know that during this past Saturday in Washington, DC, we hit a record heat index.
Then, you need to know that the twelve-hour national gathering of young adults from coast to coast that took place at the Mall was forced to close down five hours early because heat exhaustion (and worse) was sending hundreds to first aid tents, causing the National Park Service to "pull the plug" at 4 PM for safety concerns.
Next, you need to know that with a one-hour heads-up at 3 PM, the reshuffled schedule brought us to a dramatic high note (which I'll tell you about in a moment). This could not have happened ninety minutes later, however, when a fast-moving, menacing lightening storm drenched the Mall-which would have forced an anti-climactic mass, chaotic evacuation.
Finally, you need to know that despite the bludgeoning of an oppressive July heat wave, still hundreds of thousands (some estimate as many as 500,000) stayed and stood-yes, stood-for seven intensive hours filled with praise, prayer, and proclamation focused on the central theme of Together 2016: inviting God's Son to reset for his glory the direction of our nation beginning with the direction of our lives and our churches. |
IPC Calendar
11 - 13 Aug - ICIC Taiwan 2016 Raising Up Praying Generations, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
22 - 26 Aug - Welcoming the King of Glory in Africa
19 - 23 September - Leadership Training Summit Africa, Ethiopia
30 Sep - 8 Nov - Two 40-day Prayer Challenges for the USA
4 - 7 October - Southeast Asia Prayer Consultation, Malaysia
27 - 28 October - National Prayer Assembly for the USA, Washington, DC (by invitation only for ministry leaders- contact Lisa Crump, National Day of Prayer, for more information Lisa.Crump@nationaldayofprayer.org 27 - 30 October - "Awaken the Dawn: Geneva 2016", Geneva, Switzerland
2017 19-22 January - Great Commission Prayer Summit, Thailand
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The IPC Website
The IPC website is part of a hub that aims to equip and inform the Church worldwide. We run it as a service to our partner organisations and ministries to help them to publicise their prayer alerts, news, events and resources. We would invite you to get involved.
If you have:
1. News / Events: news of international prayer-related interest such as upcoming initiatives and conferences
2. Regional Prayer Requests: strategic prayer requests and alerts for your nation or region
3. Resources: teaching articles, media or testimonies
... we can, in most cases add them to the website. Please send copy along with images and hyperlinks to any existing online content that we can point people to for further information.
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About International Prayer Connect (IPC)
OUR VISION:
"Compelled by God to seek Christ's glory worldwide for the blessing, healing, and transforming of the nations, International Prayer Connect exists as a coalition of prayer networkers and mobilizers working together to motivate, develop and equip national movements and local churches to fill all nations with prayer for the fulfillment of the Great Commandment and the completion of the Great Commission."
HOW WE OPERATE:
The IPC is not an organization as such. We are a fellowship of people involved in mobilizing prayer throughout the world. We function as an international "network of networks", connecting international, regional, and national prayer ministries and networks. We also arrange or support special prayer initiatives that bring prayer leaders together from time to time to pray for matters of regional and global concern to the Body of Christ. Regional prayer summits have been arranged or supported by the IPC in most regions of the world as well as international prayer initiatives for the United Nations, Hollywood, and other issues.
The IPC is led by an international leadership team, now called the International Prayer Council, is composed of twenty leaders who coordinate regional prayer networks or international prayer initiatives of various kinds. We seek to be catalysts and connectors within the global prayer movement towards the fulfillment of Habakkuk 2:14- that "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
We do not have an official membership but connect with individuals and networks through IPC Connections, a periodical newsletter distributed via e-mail to give prayer information to interested people. Please share this newsletter with prayer coordinators, prayer network leaders, and others who have an interest in the global prayer movement so that they can be informed about different prayer initiatives, existing prayer networks, and how to participate in them.
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Donating to IPC Through PayPal
PayPal is an online banking service that can receive donations from over 30 currencies worldwide through automatic draft and credit cards. It is safe and secure. International Prayer Connect is a non-profit ministry funded through the Transformation Prayer Foundation and relies on individual donations to keep the work going. If you are willing to provide support, please click below. Thank you for your sacrificial gift to IPC! Click Here to Donate
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Contacting the IPC Office
Email:
office@ipcprayer.org
IPC Website (free resources and information for all ages):
www.ipcprayer.org
NOTE: Constant Contact is our mass e-mail service. If you have unsubscribed from the newsletter through Constant Contact, you will not be sent other information you might be expecting from IPC. To get back on specific database mailing lists, you will need to sign up again at www.ipcprayer.org. You may choose from 3 e-mail lists (IPC Connections Newsletter, Children in Prayer, and International Prayer Alerts). You can unsubscribe at any time by contacting the office or hitting the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
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>>>KEEP SCROLLING for RELATED CONTENT & COMMENTARY, RESOURCES & REPLIES
Brian Mills - May, 2014
The website consists of the following sections, and we would appreciate it if you could assist us in the following ways:
Please send your suggestions to the IPC administrator Amazing Grace Cruz at office@ipcprayer.org
OUR VISION:
"Compelled by God to seek Christ's glory worldwide for the blessing, healing, and transforming of the nations, International Prayer Connect exists as a coalition of prayer networkers and mobilizers working together to motivate, develop and equip national movements and local churches to fill all nations with prayer for the fulfillment of the Great Commandment and the completion of the Great Commission."
HOW WE OPERATE:
The IPC is not an organization as such. We are a fellowship of people involved in mobilizing prayer throughout the world. We function as an international "network of networks", connecting international, regional, and national prayer ministries and networks. We also arrange or support special prayer initiatives that bring prayer leaders together from time to time to pray for matters of regional and global concern to the Body of Christ. Regional prayer summits have been arranged or supported by the IPC in most regions of the world as well as international prayer initiatives for the United Nations, Hollywood, and other issues.
The IPC is led by an international leadership team, now called the International Prayer Council, is composed of twenty leaders who coordinate regional prayer networks or international prayer initiatives of various kinds. We seek to be catalysts and connectors within the global prayer movement towards the fulfillment of Habakkuk 2:14- that "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Email:
office@ipcprayer.org
Amazing Grace Cruz, IPC Administrator
IPC Website (free resources and information for all ages):
www.ipcprayer.org
NOTE: Constant Contact is our mass e-mail service. If you have unsubscribed from the newsletter through Constant Contact, you will not be sent other information you might be expecting from IPC. To get back on specific database mailing lists, you will need to sign up again at www.ipcprayer.org
"Darkness covers the earth and gross darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you," says God to Isaiah (see Isaiah 60.2). At this season of the year followers of Christ around the world remember his birth. He came as the Light of the world to begin to dispel the darkness. His coming was in a blaze of heavenly light - at night - when "the glory of the Lord shone around" the shepherds. His coming was accompanied by a "bright star in the East".Thank God for Jesus. Thank God that His coming has made a difference.
And yet - the darkness has not been entirely dispersed. In fact, it seems that spiritual darkness has intensified.
As we look at the world we see the acceleration of the kingdom of God in certain places, but we also see the increase of evil and the acceleration of opposition to the Gospel. When we consider the terror and trauma being meted out on millions of innocent people in the conflicts at present occurring, or we look at the political alliances and their use of power, or the subtle ways in which ungodly policies are being imposed on nations by governments, or the corruption endemic in various economies and economic practices, or the new alliances being created as power shifts take place, we are left in no doubt that the world is going through traumatic changes.
How alert are we to these changes and the challenges they bring?
If we look at the progress of the church since its beginning, we perceive that every advance has been fiercely contested by our enemy, Satan, and all his demonic powers. Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, shared that he had been in prison frequently, been flogged severely, faced death again and again, had been beaten and stoned, and had been shipwrecked. He had been in constant danger, often going without sleep and food, and faced many deprivations (see 2 Corinthians 11.23-29).
Today it is no different. There are many situations on this planet where, in the past year, believers have been driven from their homes and churches, beheaded or shot, narrowly escaped death, have had to move home frequently to avoid detection, have been imprisoned for their faith, and live in constant danger. Consider Iraq, where ancient forms of Christianity are in danger of being wiped out, and thousands of Christians have fled for their lives. Consider Syria, where the civil war has severely affected the church. Consider Nigeria, where despite the growth of the church in the south, the activities of Boko Haram predominantly against the Christian population, has brought kidnappings, burning of churches and the slaughter of hundreds of followers of Christ. Consider North Korea, where the church that experienced widespread revival a century ago is now a beleaguered minority with many thousands of Christians have lost their lives or been confined permanently to harsh concentration camps.
Whilst the gospel undoubtedly has spread (there are now more believers in Christ on the planet than ever before in history), it is true to say that collectively the body of Christ is more at risk than it has probably ever been.
However the prevailing darkness is expressed in many other ways. Millions are being brought into or left in modern forms of enslavement. The grip on power globally that strong secret societies have is also a severe threat to religious liberty. It seems that there are dangerous spiritual factors at work. The powers behind false religions, religious fundamentalism, global terrorism, political and financial alliances and the primary sources of manipulation need to be understood and counteracted by well-targeted prayer.
In the past year or more, the IPC has begun to bring into being a global task force to focus on the dark places and dark powers. There have been consultations with a few leaders in North America and in Europe. The working group for Europe has met three times in the past year, and has explored some of both the historical and contemporary influences that have been at work in the Continent, that God first chose for the Gospel to spread, but which is in urgent need of re-evangelising. A gathering in June in Macedonia sought to address some of the issues raised by the two 20th Century world wars (recalled and commemorated Continent-wide during the past year), which made Europe the most blood-stained Continent in the world. Over 100 million people were estimated to have died in these two wars! The Europe group, who met last month in Greece, wants to tackle in on-site prayer and through teaching some of the factors that we have been up against, and to release a spirit of hope in the Continent that things can change and that revival can again be experienced.
A day conference in South East Asia last September will, it is hoped, be followed by a consultation in South Asia in the first half of 2015. Those we have brought together globally have experience of spiritual warfare and knowledge of principalities and powers on each of the Continents. We are together seeking to understand better what we are up against, how the enemy has been at work throughout history, and where his power, time and attention is focussed today, and how modern forms of communication are aiding his work.
A book, examining in more detail how our enemy Satan works in individuals, communities, nations and through Governments and other institutions of power, and how we can combat him, is being written. The church, particularly in the West, needs to be reminded of what we are up against and how we can take our stand against the devil and his schemes. Interestingly, leaders in Africa are well aware of the demonic powers they face. Many have written books on the subject. But in Westernised nations there is religious debate even about whether Satan actually exists! Fortunately Scripture is not silent about this. Satan is mentioned over 50 times in the New Testament. Jesus Himself knew that his calling was to preach, heal the sick and cast out demons (see Matthew 4. 23-24). He commissioned his disciples to do the same (see Matthew 10. 7-8).
We are looking for connections with practitioners, researchers, those with knowledge of how Satan has worked in different cultures, with a view to seeing more regional consultations taking place. We are wanting to connect with people who are active in the seven pillars of society and have understanding as to what agencies Satan is using today, and has used in history. If you are such a person, or know anyone who is, please get in touch with us, with a short bio concerning what you have been involved with, and in which country you are based. We have a name for the group, but do not wish to release it in an open context such as this!
So, at this season of the year, our call is for more intentional prayer for more of the light of God and less of the darkness of the evil one in society around us, and in the rest of the world.
Brian Mills
IPC Senior Advisor
"In 2000 the Millennium Declaration was a moment when the world made clear promises to the poor. Fifteen years later, global leaders gather to evaluate those promises, with current world crises in mind. In the heart of Manhattan, The Micah Summit opens up a unique space for visionary Christian faith to embrace our calling to the public square. We think effective Christian witness can find a road-map between fear and faith in our post 2015 world.
As the world reflects on the promises of the Millennium Development Goals and anticipates the
future beyond 2015, Christians - as people of faith - have an immense opportunity to engage. The Micah Summit will provide an opportunity for crucial reflection and strategic debate. By the end of the Summit we hope delegates will have a greater awareness and appraisal of progress and gaps in our promises to the poor. And that you will gain a better understanding of the processes of engaging with civil society and institutions such as the UN. There will also be renewed commitment to the post-2015 agenda as embodied in a new 'Micah'."
Please pray for the Micah Summit to accomplish all its goals effectively during this important gathering of those from various development and ministry organizations as they meet at the United Nations. Pray that the participants "will leave inspired to be even better and more effective servants of God who calls everyone to act justly, love mercy and walk with humility into a future filled with promises and possibilities."
www.micahchallenge.org
Please have a look at the video on the front page of this website. It is a report on the work of Poncho Murguia and others in his network in the former "murder capital of the world" that is now being transformed through united prayer. You will be encouraged by the Lord to believe Him for His breakthrough in your own city no matter how difficult the situation may be!
Website link:
www.transformourworld.org/en/blogs/14940-transformation-now-cuidad-...
"Please keep praying. More than 50 mortars fall today on the houses and streets in Damascus. God is protecting. Open a door for Christians to go out"
Let us pray for the protection and strengthening of our brothers and sisters in Syria and for the healing of this nation so devastated by ongoing civil war.
Some dear friends from Kurdistan, Iraq have written, asking prayer for the awful situation that the Islamic State terrorists have caused in the country. They write:
"Please join us as every morning we pray to God:
1.That ISIS will leave the country.
2.Families can go back to their homes.
3.Protection for believers and churches.
Last June, because of terrorist's attacks, thousands of people, from different cities, left their homes and moved to Kurdistan, seeking safety... lost everything to gain their lives! At first, because the weather was very hot, all what they needed was ONLY water Tents/shade were the next urgent need Soon food was a great need also, then mattresses, then toilets, then...We found ourselves in an endless demand draining our time and energy, and dragging us out of our goal of building spiritual movements everywhere. But, as a result of this work; 1) Some young people developed a good relationship with Jesus, and started a youth meeting, and 2) Visiting groups of families for Bible sharing and prayer.
With the humanitarian aid, we distributed Bibles, several printed materials and FM radio receivers that help people listen to our special radio programs. Tens of thousands of people join our programs via the radio Facebook page. Bibles: 1,830 - FM Radio Receivers: 1,300 - MP3: 443 - Christian Lectures: 1,190
Please pray for the Christians in Iraq to be encouraged and that God will use them greatly to reach many for Christ during this time of upheaval and uncertainty. They ask us to pray for:
- the need for prayer lead to start a Prayer Network, to stand against the spiritual powers behind the Islamic State.
- wisdom for creative strategies to reach people with the message of Jesus
Today is December 1st and for the next 31 days, I'm inviting you to join me in being part of The Syrian Circle of prayer.
The magnitude of the tragedy and the hopelessness of their situation demand an urgent response from Christ's church. Prayer is the one absolute thing we can do to release the powerful hand of God into their situation. Our prayers will alter history, as the Living God is their Hope.
As believers, we cannot wait one more day.
- They are cold as winter weather is harsh.
- They are hungry.
- They have experienced great personal loss, continued fear, and trauma.
- They are asking new questions about who they can trust and there is fresh spiritual hunger.
Now is the time to jump in with me as we together intercede on the behalf of the Syrian people!- Choose how you want to participate: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Website, Prayer Wall, or as a Circle Starter to mobilize others
- When you sign up as a "Circle Starter," you will have access to other resources to mobilize others to pray.
Let's come boldly to His Throne in behalf of the Syrian people,Carol Davis
Please see below our perspective of current situation, as well as the prayer points for Ukraine.
It is quiet peaceful situation in Kiev now, despite many alarmist news reports. As you may know, our congregation together with Jewish Voice International Ministries have been conducted an International Festival of Jewish Music and Dance 'Listen, O Israel!' in Kiev on September 26-28, 2014. Despite the difficult situation in the country, and little attempts to disrupt the event, a total of 4 concerts, the packed venue on 3500 seats were held peacefully, without any provocation of any of the parties.
So, as you see, some information statements do not reflect reality. The atmosphere is quiet also in other regions of the country that are not under control of separatists and Russian troops. The only exception is the frontier area of the country.
The former president together with his team practically deprived the Treasury of Ukraine and undermined the economy. Because of the events that occur in other regions of the country and the economic situation, our current government is in quite a difficult position.
In Crimea and the Eastern part of Ukraine, the situation is critical. These areas are controlled by various forces of separatists, who often conflict with each other. But together they all are under constant control of Russia. The major part of military forces fighting against Ukraine is the Russian army.
Evangelical churches are under great pressure in the Eastern part of Ukraine. There operates a so-called Russian Orthodox Army, which declares the only Orthodox Church policy and, moreover, it is only the Moscow Patriarchate Orthodox Church. And they not only proclaim, but also implement this policy, treating all other churches accordingly.
The prayer points:
1) For the schemes of the enemy be exposed and neutralized. For confusion and disagreement in the enemy's camp (meaning the spiritual forces of evil).
2) Against the spirit of death, the Assyrian spirit, and the spirit of Rezin (according to Isaiah chapter 7).
3) For salvation of the people of Ukraine, repentance and contrition before God.
4) For protection of believers in the Eastern part of Ukraine.
4) Also, please bless the governments of Ukraine and Russia.
We appreciate your prayer support in such difficult time for our country.
God bless you! Shalom!
Kiev Jewish Messianic CongregationLet's trust Him to do the impossible because Jesus urged us to do this- "according to your faith it will be to you". Here is a wonderful example from one IPC colleague who boldly took on a big issue in faith.
By: Grace Samson-Song, IPC Leadership Team member
I was recently in Nairobi, Kenya as one of speakers invited by the Prophetic and Intercessory group that wants to see Kenya reclaim its destiny as a nation. One of the strongholds that we are contending with in Kenya and Africa is the insurgence of extreme Islamic terrorist groups and the "oppression of women". You may be aware that recently, Kenya has been at the center of bloody attacks by the Al-shabaab, a terrorist group from Somalia which is linked to Al-qaeda and other international terrorism groups.
At this conference, I represented Southern Africa. There were other leaders from East and West Africa as well. We were all invited to speak on behalf of our continent and to help birth a new move of God in Kenya and East Africa. I was the only woman amongst the speakers, except for the local Host. I was also the youngest amongst them all. It was clear that God wanted me there for a very specific assignment so I prayed and trusted Him for a message to share with the believers in Nairobi, Kenya.
Africa is predominantly a patriarchal society. Women are usually found in subservient roles and in most cases, very oppressed. Any culture or nation that oppresses its women and children are "agreeing" or "subscribing" to the very stronghold that rules in some of these wicked terrorist organizations.
I had a sense God wanted to speak into this area, but I was also aware that it is usually a very touchy subject that may create tension if not handled well. So, I waited for the right time and for the right instruction from God on how to speak.
During one of the sessions, the Lord impressed on my heart that it was time to speak into this area of the nation. I spoke briefly about how God used the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of our faith to birth a new nation in the book of Genesis, and that if the nation of Kenya was to enter its divine destiny, men and women have to be released into their God-given destinies first. God then led me to do a prophetic act. I invited all the men to come forward, and face the women who were sitting down in the congregation. I asked the men to raise their hands towards the women and release the blessings of God upon them, and to call forth their destiny as mothers of the nation of Kenya. After the men prayed collectively, I asked if one of the men in front would pray out blessings over the women. A certain Pastor took the microphone and started to pray and asked for forgiveness on behalf of men for how women have been treated in the history of their nation. He cited rape cases, maltreatment of the older women and many more. It was so powerful. The women started weeping.
After that, I asked the women to rise where they were and raise their hands and voices towards the men and also pray for the men of Kenya to take their rightful place in God's plan. There was a senior and well-respected spiritual mother in the meeting, so I asked her to pray over for the men. She took off her shoes, fell on her knees and prayed a very potent prayer over the men.
After this, I felt God teaching me that what we did was a process of re-alignment and re-positioning. If He was going to move in a nation and birth new things, He needs the men and women working together side by side.
Here were some of the lessons I learnt through this process:
- Staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit - We need to learn to wait for the right time to release the word that God gives us during times of prayer and intercession. Sometimes we have the right message to share but the timing that we choose to deliver the message may not be appropriate.
- Sometimes we need to do things in the natural to help us shift in the spirit. This could be either a physical posture or doing prophetic acts like corporate prayer of identification and blessing.
- Boldness to share the word even if it doesn't make sense. It may make sense to someone else. This is where trusting the Lord is crucial. In order for us to be used of God on prayer assignments, we need to lay down our thoughts, imaginations and ideas for how things would or should work.
- Obedience to God - An example for me was when my husband and I felt strongly that we must travel together for this event, and initially we didn't understand why. When we got there and God started giving me the direction for what I needed to share, it was very clear that it was a picture that He wanted to portray to the nation. Without even saying much, so many people came up and told us that our marriage and standing together was a great witness. Let's trust and obey God as He guides us in small or big ways when going on prayer assignments.
We have prayed that these two nations can become united in their battle against the Taliban terrorists. Unfortunately, it took the tragic attack on the Pakistani school and the slaughter of many children to bring this cooperation about. Let's continue to agree in prayer that Pakistan and Afghanistan will work together closely and will subdue the Taliban in both countries effectively and totally this year.
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What an experience it was last week to join more than 30,000 young people who had gathered for this worship, prayer and teaching event! It was thrilling to see so many waving, jumping, on-fire teens, 20s and older folks as well who want their lives to count for Jesus and His mission in our world. Several hundred of us also took place in a leadership summit that focused on mobilizing a global prayer and worship movement with the following ambitious suggested goals by 2020-2025:
The International House of Prayer in Kansas City that put on the events hopes to convene annual gatherings of mission and prayer leaders to continue this process of prayerful deliberation so that more tributaries of the prayer and mission movements can begin to flow more closely together.
Hats off to IHOP and its leadership who are having such an enormous impact on the prayer movement within the U.S. and internationally through their focus on 24/7 prayer and mission. As they rightly teach, prayer and mission belong together and should be intimately intertwined for maximum impact on ourselves and the world. They should also be congratulated for graciously serving and collaborating with the rest of the prayer and mission movements.
While in Kansas City, several from the IPC, IHOP and other prayer networks met to do some initial planning for the two initiatives that I mentioned to you in the last Connections- an April 14, 2014 global prayer focus for children and youth and a World Youth Prayer Assembly in 2016. A Skype call with others from different parts of the world made it a very valuable international time of conferring together. Much more needs to be done, but here are some of our conclusions:
We invite you to give us your feedback and hope you will join us on this journey towards seeing the younger generation arise to the special destiny God has for them. United prayer led by them and supported by the older generation will help unleash them in their unique callings and will bring untold blessing to our world as a result!
John Robb
IPC Chairman
Please pray with us for the following:
"Islamist militants stormed police stations in several cities of Iraq's restive western province of Anbar on Wednesday, seizing weapon caches and freeing prisoners after security forces dismantled a Sunni protest camp on Monday. The attacks on police stations in Falluja, Ramadi and Tarmiya represent an escalation in the confrontation between Iraqi Sunni groups and the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. In Falluja, a police officer said gunmen first forced policemen to leave their posts without their weapons, then deployed snipers on a nearby building to prevent thesecurity forces from retaking command. In Tarmiya, at least four officers were killed when gunmen attacked a police headquarters, the police reported. Mr. Maliki had said this week that the civilian police force could resume control over Anbar's security, but that decision was changed after an appeal by the province's governor." (New York Times, Jan. 1)
Pray for the restoration of peace and stability in Iraq. Over 9000 people were killed in 2013 in suicide bombings and other attacks, largely due to the ongoing conflict between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Pray for an end to the newest violence by Islamic radicals in the restive Anbar province and that the government will be able to effectively contain and overcome it.
Here are some additional key ministry concerns for the land of Iraq from some dear friends who are Christian leaders in the northern part of the country. Especially pray for the building up of a strong prayer movement within the nation, which they are seeking to do:
- Praise the Lord for the showing of Jesus Film according to the Gospel of Luke, in a cinema in Erbil starting on the 19th December and for three weeks, and in another cinema in Baghdad. Please pray for smooth showings and many Arab & Kurdish people to see the film, also, pray please for follow up.
- Praise God for prayer training "Dark Places" that will take place in Erbil on the 6-9th Feb. Please pray for God's sovereignty & grace to be upon the speakers and for the Iraqi and international participants living in Erbil. Also, for the preparatory meeting, entitled "Reconciliation" the last week of January to start a prayer movement within the church of Iraq.
- Praise God for our weekly discipleship program "Arise & Build", which is increasing in number, Please pray for it's continuation after the holidays, and for heavenly wisdom for the next schedule, for God to water the seeds planted in the souls.
- Pray for the Radio Ministry training taking place fist week of January,
Thank you for standing with us in the gap
Mahir & Sahar
The New York Times (January 3) describes "a murky, vicious conflict" in South Sudan, the world's newest nation with "a lot of very disturbing reports about targeted killings of Nuer, as well as targeted killings of Dinka", the two main ethnic groups in South Sudan. At least 1,000 people have been killed in fighting between government and rebel forces so far, with disturbing reports of ethnically motivated atrocities by both sides. This situation, the article says, raises the "specter of mass atrocities".
Afghanistan and Pakistan Prayer Initiative
It was encouraging to hear from one of the veteran workers in Afgh anistan that there is a better atmosphere with more hope for the future being expressed by expatriate and local brothers and sister
He attributes this in part to our year-long prayer
focus on the nation. There has also been an encouraging growth in the prayer movement in both nations. Let's continue to pray for His transforming hand to bring d
own the wicked powers (both spiritual and human) that stand in oppositio
n to God's good purposes for these lands and their peoples. Here are som
e fresh prayer
concerns from our friends who know the situation:
Pakistan
1. Praise God that new believers are coming into the Kingdom, many for the first time and many in
groups. Pray for strength and protection. They are being attacked. Many are coming to faith at the cost of their lives.
2. Electricity and gas for cooking and running cars are only being supplied in major cities for 6 hours a day. Rationing is taking place in many cities now.
3. Corruption is rampant. This is leading police to demand bribes to protect Christians.
4. There is a move by radical Muslims
to demand the death penalty for "blaspheming Muhammad". This could be used against Christians so pray that it will not be passed by the government.
5. Continue to pray for the local believers to overc
ome any fear of taking on spiritual strongholds in the authority of Christ and for the prayer movement to become united, involving Christians of all the different denominations, even those that have been at odds with one another in the past.
Afghanistan
1. President Karzai has still not signed the agreement that would keep a small coalition military force in the country for the coming years to serve as a bulwark to the Afghan army and against attempts by the Taliban to overrun the nation.
2. Pray for good, moderate people who really care for their nation to gain the support of the people for the national elections in April, especially for the position of president.
3. Pray for the training and strengthening of the local believers and the building up of the prayer movement in the country.
4. Pray for more teams of prayer leaders and intercessors to visit both nations to provide support and encouragement to the locals and for great favor with the authorities for visas to be granted.
Some wicked Taliban leaders responsible for the killing of thousands of people that need to be brought to justice:
Afghanistan Taliban
Mullah Muhammad Omar (Mullah- religious leader & teacher like Rev. or Pastor. Muhammad- descriptive title- Muslim follower of Muhammad)
Pakistan Taliban (North West-Pakistan)
Mullah Fazllullah is the new leader who has taken over Hakimullah Mehsud's place who was killed. Pray for confusion and dissension. Fazllullah is the first outsider to ever take leadership for the Mehsud tribe. Many from within the tribe are not happy. He is a far more aggressive and fierce leader.
Punjab Taliban (supply much of the finances and suicide bombers for the war.)
Malik Ishaq is the main leader and organizer, connected to the Taliban and Al-Qaida. Creating trouble in Afghanistan, Punjab and a strong effort to take over the city of Karachi. Hafiz Saeed, one of Malik's main people. Used in the Afghanistan war. But with their belief that the war will be over in 2014, he is once again heading up war initiatives against India.
Pray for these wicked men to be brought
down and removed from influence in both nations.
Email:
office@ipcprayer.org
Amazing Grace, IPC Administrator
IPC Website (free resources and information for all ages):
www.ipcprayer.org
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OUR VISION:
"Compelled by God to seek Christ's glory worldwide for the blessing, healing, and transforming of the nations, International Prayer Connect exists as a coalition of prayer networkers and mobilizers working together to motivate, develop and equip national movements and local churches to fill all nations with prayer for the fulfillment of the Great Commandment and the completion of the Great Commission."
HOW WE OPERATE:
The IPC is not an organization as such. We are a fellowship of people involved in mobilizing prayer throughout the world. We function as an international "network of networks", connecting international, regional, and national prayer ministries and networks. We also arrange or support special prayer initiatives that bring prayer leaders together from time to time to pray for matters of regional and global concern to the Body of Christ. Regional prayer summits have been arranged or supported by the IPC in most regions of the world as well as international prayer initiatives for the United Nations, Hollywood, and other issues.
The IPC is led by an international leadership team, now called the International Prayer Council, is composed of twenty leaders who coordinate regional prayer networks or international prayer initiatives of various kinds. We seek to be catalysts and connectors within the global prayer movement towards the fulfillment of Habakkuk 2:14- that "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
Email:
office@ipcprayer.org
IPC Website (free resources and information for all ages):
www.ipcprayer.org
NOTE: Constant Contact is our mass e-mail service. If you have unsubscribed from the newsletter through Constant Contact, you will not be sent other information you might be expecting from IPC. To get back on specific database mailing lists, you will need to sign up again at www.ipcprayer.org. You may choose from 3 e-mail lists (IPC Connections Newsletter, Children in Prayer, and International Prayer Alerts). You can unsubscribe at any time by contacting the office or hitting the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Phil, IPC is one of the links on my home page. I've found them to be a great resource for up-to-date information to help pray for the world. Glad to see them featured here!