Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census had to be taken of the entire Roman world. Everyone had to go to his or her own town to register. So Joseph and Mary made the difficult journey to Bethlehem even though she was about to have her child.

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, the innkeeper told them there was no room in the village inn for them. However, the innkeeper noticed that Mary was about to have a child. He had the stable boy take them to the stable, a warmer place for them to spend the night rather than on the street.

As I was pondering the response of the innkeeper, I was thinking about my response to Jesus during the busyness of this Christmas season. Do I spend time in God’s presence each day, as I go about my preparations for the Christmas season? Do I make room in my life to spend time in His presence or is my life filled with the busyness of the season? He desires to stretch our time, to help us with our decorating, baking, gift buying, dinners, etc if we ask him. It is through the sacrifice of our precious time, making room in our life for God, that we will find fulfillment because He designed us to need Him.

Just as the village innkeeper missed having Jesus born in his inn, what are you missing by hanging out your “No Vacancy” sign because you are too busy to take the time to be with Jesus? Make room in your life for Jesus this Christmas.

Merry Christmas

By Lillian Penner

Joy is such a small little word, but it is an amazing word - the dictionary describes it this way: It is an emotion evoked by well-being, success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires; a state of happiness or felicity. Other words to describe joy include delight, gaiety, bliss - the word joy is derived from the Latin word gaudia which is akin to the Greek word to rejoice.

As I ponder the word joy this third week of Advent, it seems that all those definitions fit with the plans that God had when He sent Jesus to earth. The life, death and resurrection of Christ has evoked in believers a sense of well-being; God himself must have experienced great joy when Christ agreed to come and live among mankind and willingly die for the sins of the world because reconciliation was what He had desired for mankind and we have great joy and can rejoice because of the great love that God has shown us in making a way for us to inherit eternal life. 

The birth of Christ is cause for rejoicing - it should give us a sense of complete joy.

The Bible is full of joy from the beginning to the end. In the Old Testament the Israelites would often shout for joy, sing with joy and hold joyful celebrations - the angels have been known to shout for joy and bring news of great joy, even the unborn can leap for joy and the trees of the field can sing for joy.

God can fill us with joy, clothe us with joy, anoint us with the oil of joy and crown us with everlasting joy. Joy can be found within a city and entire nations can be joyful.

However, just because we have been joyful doesn't mean that we will always stay joyful - the Bible also warns us that joy can come to an end, it can be replaced with panic, it can wither away. 

Is there any hope for us when we lose our joy? Yes, because the Bible also says that joy can be restored - we can bring joy to others and other Christians can be our joy. Joy can also overtake us when we least expect it!

Even trials can produce joy within us: "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,  because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

My mom used to say that happiness was a state of mind, we could choose to be happy no matter what the circumstances in our lives and I believe that we can choose to be joyful no matter what! The Bible tells us to be joyful always - not just when things are going our way, but 24/7. We have a lot to be joyful about, sometimes we just need a reminder.

I am coming soon

Behold I am coning soon,

Behold meaning LOOK look I am coming. He was calling our attention to ...

See the things going on in this world before he comes. This behold was going to believers in Christ who will see to the harvest field and make sure that all is well before his coming.

The world is a field/farm that belongs to our father (God) and we Christians are all laborers. God will not do the harvest but wants you and I to do so for our benefit. He planted/ make the farm so that we will harvest it.

Remember God wants us to harvest what we did mot plant.God wants to bless each and every one on us if we get involve in theis harvest. He is looking for min who will get involve in his farming business, come and join us on the Lord's farm.

As we celebrate the Lord's birth day I want us to remember the coming of the Lord is near.

People are dying without Christ around the world, ith issue of gag marriage is increasing.

Lack of mission support has cause other missionaries to work for NGO,while others are dying slowly on the mission field.

Our enemy has cause people to support physical things to spiritual things.

In my country for example Muslim gave scholarship to yount boys and girls to join their region.

Merry Christmas

(En Español)

We live in unparalleled times. Not since the first century have more Scriptures been fulfilled in a single generation. Each unfolding word brings down another mountain; it lifts another valley. In truth, the way is being prepared for our King's return into this world.

The Great Revolt
The Lord forewarned that, during the End Time, "many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase" (Dan. 12:4). Contrast our time with any other in history: Not only are we traveling farther and more frequently, but we do so in a world inundated with increasing knowledge. It has been our privilege to behold the prophetic return of Israel to its land (see Jer. 16:14-15), and our misfortune to live when "the earth is . . . polluted by its inhabitants" (Isa. 24:5).

As though Jesus were reading a news summary of recent years, His prophecies of two thousand years ago clearly describe our times. Thus, we are compelled to discern accurately the significant era in which we live. Indeed, of the many prophetic fulfillments of our day, one in particular rises with undimmed candor. I am speaking of what the Bible calls the "apostasy." You will recall Paul's warning:

"Let no one in any way deceive you, for [the day of the Lord] will not come unless the apostasy comes first" (2 Thess. 2:3).

The apostasy has traditionally been described as a time of deception and massive falling away from authentic faith in Christ. Depending upon your specific view, sometime before or after the apostasy the rapture of the church will occur. However, the concept of apostasy as merely "a falling away" is incomplete. The original Greek word for apostasy, apostasia, when used in classical Greek literature, meant "a political revolt." From this we understand that the End Time apostasy is not just a time of sinfulness or large scale backsliding; it is actually a time of open defiance and warlike aggression against divine moral foundations. In other words, the apostasia is a political insurrection against the laws of God.

This interpretation of the apostasy is not an isolated view. The New International Version, Revised Standard Version, Philips Translation, and New English Bible all render apostasia as "the rebellion." The Living Bible interprets the apostasy as the "great rebellion," while the Jerusalem Bible assigns a proper name to this era: "The Great Revolt."

As we consider the fulfillment of so many other prophecies, let us carefully observe: mankind has entered an era of open revolt and outright rebellion---an apostasy---against the moral standards of God.

Today, we are witnessing a large-scale rebellion against godliness and moral values. Indeed, this brazen attitude has had a name for itself since the 1960s: the sexual revolution. And "revolution" is exactly what it is. Our moral standards have not only been challenged, they have been replaced by a nonstandard. Indeed, the great rebellion seeks to legitimize and then mainstream every perversity known to man!

There is much to say on behalf of those trapped in perversity and who hate sin's affect on their lives. We must be compassionate toward them and not strident; many are sitting in our churches afraid to even speak of their need lest they be disowned. I am not speaking with reference to the victims of this advance, but of those who are engaged in a mutiny against the sway of God in our nation. They argue the only standard Americans have is the standard of individual freedom. In their view, freedom itself is the "god" ruling America, with self-indulgence sitting as chief counsel.

Yet, the God of Heaven desires the nations of the world. Though the apostasy will certainly intensify, we must remember it is only one of many prophecies unfolding in our day. The same Divine Word that warned of the Great Rebellion also assures us that ultimately God's kingdom shall crush the demonic influences in our world (see Dan. 2:44).

Yes, evil shall mature into full rebellion, but good is also ripening into full Christlikeness! (See Matt. 13:40-43; John 17:22-23.) True, the apostasy shall reveal the nature of Satan, but the true church shall manifest the nature of Christ! Our King is not only coming in the skies, He is coming "to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed" (2 Thess. 1:10). What seems to be Satan's hour, full of darkness and rebellion, is simply the opportunity for grace to abound to the glory of God in the church!

Seated with Christ!
The Second Psalm, perhaps more then any other Bible text, accurately portrays the spirit of our time. Indeed, it also proclaims our correct response to Satan's bold advance. Although it was quoted by the early church (see Acts 4:25-26), God has set its full realization for the end of this age.

"Why are the nations in an uproar and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 'Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!'" (Ps. 2:1-3).

Although "the rebellion" reveals itself worldwide in many ways, in America many of our leaders have certainly been counseling together "against the Lord" in their decisions. We see it in the legal protection offered the gay movement and the shelter provided for satanic rock music. Again, our anti-censorship laws, like armor plating, have been established to defend sin against the Lord, shielding the perversity of our entertainment industry. The virulent cry of those in rebellion hammers relentlessly upon the fetters of moral restraint!

This railing against God has not gone unnoticed in heaven. Is the Almighty confounded? Has fear concerning recent developments gripped the Lord's heart? No. The Psalm continues,

"He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury" (Ps 2:4-5).

The Lord laughs at the foolishness of those in full revolt, as they imagine God's judgments cannot reach them. Why then, you ask, does the Lord delay His full judgment? In part, the Lord waits for us, His church. For while the world shall demand, and receive, the reign of hell, the goal of the praying church shall be for the reign of Heaven. You see, all of God's prophecies shall be fulfilled: those concerning evil and also those concerning righteousness. The Lord has purposed to have a "bride without spot or wrinkle" and a "kingdom" of wheat without tares. The transformation of the church will be fulfilled as surely as every other prophecy occurring before the Lord's return.

Thus, with great fear and holy trembling, we must review what God has promised concerning us. Let us remember, the Lord is not alone in the heavens. According to His Word, He has "seated us with Him in the heavenly places" (Eph. 2:6). It is time for our identity as Christians to shift. Our nationalities only define our ambassador status; our true citizenship is in Heaven (see Phil. 3:20). And if God is laughing at the mocking of those in the rebellion, let us also, as His subjects, share His confidence!

Thus, He commands us to sit with Him in the completeness of His purpose. He requires us not only to live without fear but to stand in prayer for these very nations that defy Him!

Listen again to this Second Psalm, for in the very context of worldwide rebellion against the Lord, it records the most remarkable discourse: "Ask of Me," the Father says to the Son, "and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession" (Ps. 2:8).

When I first came to Christ in 1970, churches in America were deeply divided and rather cold in organized prayer. Today, leaders of denominations are working together, and it is estimated that more than a quarter of a million American churches are moving toward deeper unity and increased prayer for this nation. Jesus has asked the Father for the United States, and in response, the prayer movement has been born!

As Christ's church, we do not deserve a national revival, but Jesus does! As His representatives, in His name and virtue, we ask of the Father for America! More than an expression of faith, our prayer is actually an act of obedience: We are commanded to ask God for the nations!

Therefore, while the perverse strive toward complete rejection of God, even as their mocking words fill the air, the Almighty's unchangeable promise to His Son (and by extension, His church as Christ's body) is "Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations!''

As violence, New Age religions and witchcraft flourish in our schools, ask God for this nation. While all restraint is removed from the entertainment industry, ask God for this nation! While perversity dresses in normalcy, ask God for America! While abortion remains protected by laws, ask God with confidence, with boldness, and with faith for our land! Where you see injustice in any form, ask God for His kingdom to manifest on earth!

"He who sits in the heavens laughs."

Put away fear and discouragement; repent of fretting. The more we accept our place in the divine plan, the more we shall laugh at the enemies' plans. The faith that relentlessly asks God, pleases God. Now, as the fullness of the times unfolds, as the world around us clothes itself in prophetic fulfillments, let us put away unbelief; let us repent for withdrawal. It is a time to boldly ask of God. As He has promised: He will give the nations as an inheritance to Christ!

Let's pray: Lord Jesus, how blessed we are that as evil matures into full rebellion, Your church matures into full Christlikeness. Teach me to pray for my inheritance, my nation. Use me to stand in the gap until my people become Your people.

Adapted from In Christ's Image Training

Please don’t hate me, but I’m one of those people who likes to get her Christmas shopping done early. Don’t think I’m trying to be virtuous, though—I just tend to be cranky in crowds and nobody wants to be around a Scrooge!

So, daily for a couple of weeks now, I’ve been regularly adding to and consulting a list of names of friends and family I want to give gifts to. As I think of possibilities, I write them next to the person’s name. When I actually buy the gift, I cross that entry off (with great satisfaction, I might add!)

Now in theory, we’d all say that the reason we exchange gifts is because we love our friends and family and want to show them that love in a tangible way, right? That’s certainly what I’d say. However, while I truly do love my friends and family, sometimes my annual gift-buying ritual feels more like a task to be completed than an act of genuine love.

The Lord brought all this to the surface for me Monday when I was reading a little devotional called God Calling (edited by A.J. Russell). In it the anonymous authors write that we should give to others spiritually before we give to them materially. “Give of your prayers, your time, yourselves, your love, your thought. Practice giving this first.” Then, and only then, they continue, should we venture to give material gifts.

Hmmm. I felt both the Lord’s conviction and invitation in those words. He reminded me that it’s not sacrifices and offerings that bring Him pleasure, but my love, my heart open to Him. He cares more about my friendship with Him than He does my “stuff.” Why should the people I want to share gifts with feel any different? So many of the material gifts I give get forgotten in closets, on shelves, or—gasp!—they may even be re-gifted! But my prayers, love, time, thoughts—those gifts deepen relationships. They are gifts that really last.

I looked over my gift list. There are names of people there that I willingly spend money on, but, I hate to admit, I’ve not spent much time praying for. So, that’s going to change this year. Now, my gift list has moved into my prayer corner where I talk to God each morning. As I add to and cross off that list, it will double as a prayer list so that I can also give the gift of prayer for all those people I care about. And when I think about it, that gift is more valuable than anything I can get them from the mall or Amazon!

The New World Prayer Assembly Video is Out!

Let the “New Wave” of His Glory Fill the Earth!
Your heart will be stirred to see the new World Prayer Assembly video which is called "The New Wave is Coming!" It was filmed and produced by the award-winning Media Village. Here is a direct link to the 7 minute video:

https://www.youtube.com/watchv=XnEL_NAiSR0&feature=youtu.be

Please have a look and share the link with others you think would be interested in seeing it. Many are seeing a spiritual tsunami rising up through the global prayer movement. As we meet from around the world in Jakarta this May, the waves from many nations will converge and this great tsunami of His Spirit will cascade outward from the prayer revival now happening in Indonesia to the rest of the world.

This is the theme of the new video. Please pray with us for those He is calling to join us at the WPA and for every nation to be represented in Jakarta

You can download a copy at www.ipcprayer.org!

INTERNATIONAL PRAYER CONNECTIONS

December 2011

“Globalizing Prayer, Transforming our World”

IN THIS EDITION

1. The New World Prayer Assembly Video is Out
2. International Prayer Alert with Reflection on the Role of Intercession in the Mexican Drug War
3. 15 Most Wanted Drug Cartel Leaders
4. December 9th, 2011 - Worldwide Demonstration Protesting Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity in North Korea
5. “I’m Gonna Pray for Korea”- A Prayer Song for the Unification of Korea
6. At Least 45 Christians Killed in Plateau State, Nigeria 
7. Christians in Egypt Unite in Prayer
8. European Prayer Convocation
9. Operation Capitals and Gatekeepers of Europe
10. IRAN: Pastor Nadarkhani Verdict Expected in Mid-December
11. Pray for Pakistan
12. TheCRY Hollywood, March 15, 2012
13. Continued Prayer for Sudan and South Sudan Needed
14. Global Prayer Effort for the Poor and Suffering - 12/12/11 from Jerusalem
15. PRAYER UPDATE FOR THE MESSIAH MOVIE
16. Pray for Burma
17. Mali: No Rain
18. Children Continue in Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly!
19. Call to Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), May 14-18, 2012
20. IPC Events Calendar
21. The IPC Website
22. About International Prayer Connect (IPC)
23. Donating to IPC through PayPal
24. Contacting the IPC Office

How to Spend an Hour With the Lord

Bruce Frank Nov 21, 2011

  Recently my husband and I attended a reunion in Branson, MO where we saw the awesome performance of The Miracle of Christmas at the Sight & Sound Theatre. I was impressed by how they displayed the emotions of Mary and Joseph when they were faced with the announcements of Gabriel.

While the Jewish nation was waiting for God to free them from living in Roman bondage God sent the angel Gabriel to tell Mary, “You are highly favored! The Lord is with you . . . You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus…” Since she was, a Virgin Mary was greatly troubled and questionedthe angel. Gabriel said, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. . . For nothing is impossible with God.” Mary recognized God’s voice and answered, “I am your servant, and may it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

Joseph, Mary’s fiancée was troubledwhen he learned Mary was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. He did not want to expose her to public disgrace so he had in mind to divorce her quietly. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (bondage).” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel commanded him and took Mary home as his wife but had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named the son Jesus.   

 Even though Mary and Joseph questioned the angel, they recognized the voice of God and submittedto his agenda, not knowing what it would mean for them and their people at the time.

 Pray for your grandchildren to live so close to God that when He speaks to them they will recognize his voice, listen to Him, follow Him in obedience, and trusting Him, as Mary and Joseph did. They were greatly troubled, however, they recognized the voice of God that the angel Gabriel delivered, and they obeyed. Mary had the honor of giving birth to Jesus, the long awaited Messiah fulfilling what the Lord had said through the prophet Isaiah.

May God bless you richly as you prepare for the Christmas season

as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

By Lillian Penner

National Prayer Coordinator

Christian Grandparenting Network

 Christmas Gift Suggestion

Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your grandchildren would make an excellent Christmas gift for your friends who are grandparents.

In celebration of the Christmas holiday, I would like to offer you an autographed soft cover copy for $12.00, including shipping and handling. Just go to the “Purchase Now” link and we will send your shipment. 

Until very recently I haven't been very excited about texting. But that's changed. A few weeks ago NavPress was offered the opportunity to turn prayer cards, scriptures from The Message, material from archived Pray! and Discipleship Journal articles, and other NavPress resources into inspirational Christian text message subscriptions. Even I, a Luddite (if you don't know who the Luddites were, check them out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luddite) could see the value of this incredible use of technology.

It's very simple. You go to a website, pick out the topic you'd like to receive prayers, Scriptures, or inspiration about, pay $5, say what time of day you would like your text messages to come (for instance, during your morning quiet time or commute, over you lunch hour, in the evening before bed) and the for the next 30 or 40 days an inspirational text will come directly to your phone. You can also subscribe to a set of topical text devotionals for a friend, the kids in your youth group, your grandkids, or whomever you know who enjoys texting.

Many of the prayers are taken from the popular Pray! prayer cards, such "Scriptural Prayers for the Seriously Ill." If you have a friend who is undergoing cancer treatment (for example) you might subscribe to this set of 30 texts and in that way get a daily prayer prompt to help you pray for that friend.

Or suppose you struggle with fear. You might subscribe to "30 Fear-Bashing Scriptures" (taken from The Message) and each day for the next month you will receive a daily text with biblical encouragement such as, "God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him. We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom. God-of-Angel-Armies protects us (Ps 46:1)."

Cool, huh? Cool enough that this text-avoider just signed up for a texting plan through her cell phone company. If I'm that excited about it--just imagine how it might jazz the young people you know. Check it out at www.greatertexting.com and let me know what you think.

What’s Your Passion?

What’s your passion, and where did it come from?  As a columnist I notice lots of writers feel compelled to write about lots of different things.  Sharing ideas, concerns, passions, warnings, and influence can certainly promote our learning, growth, and appreciation of others.  But all topics are not of equal importance, are they?  For example, if you had a cure for cancer, wouldn’t sharing that be more important than merely filling up a space with some casual observations.  I fully support our free press and want to encourage authors to share their thoughts and ideas.  But clearly some messages can truly help people more than others.  If your passion in writing, serving, or working can truly help people, then go all out for it!  But perhaps some more consideration is called for if it’s more about you and your agenda than about helping others.

For   example, Samuel Clemmons (aka Mark Twain) said “I’d have written you a shorter letter, but I didn’t have time.”  I think we are all better off to take that self motive-check and editing time to improve our “helping efficiency.” 

Obviously any room full of people will differ as to what is most important to them.  There is likely to be more agreement as to ways we can truly help others.  But when we are concerned enough to take time to find out what is most important to us, we and others will benefit, especially if we live in accordance with those values. 

God has given me 3 main passions: prayer, discipleship, and revival.  None of these popped up overnight; they each took years, and went through the stages of listening, taking notes, prayer, follow-up, and then practice.  Fortunately they all require strong partnership with God, with Him taking the lead, and therefore Him getting the credit.  It is humbling to affirm that although He could use rocks instead of me, He loves me so much that He lets me participate in all these passions and thereby experience Him more deeply.  Who else gives such magnificent gifts, motivations, purposes, direction, and energy, and then throws in godly contentment and satisfaction, like whip cream, on top?  Hopefully this might encourage someone else to analyze their passions and sources, and write or live them out for the benefit of others!

. . . Highway 501 is my unappreciated friend.

Our youngest daughter and her husband moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina a bunch of years ago and settled in the Carolina Forest area--a huge section of dozens of new developments and golf courses. City fathers thought of everything, except quick access to the main road that brings tourist from all over North America in their cars and vans and trucks and sightseeing buses. The access in question is state highway 501.

Making a left turn from Carolina Forest Drive onto this always busy highway can be a breeze (on the rare occurrence when your timing is impeccable) or a long day's journey into night (when, like me most of the time, you are two seconds too late!). Since Carolina Forest Boulevard has considerably less traffic than the highway leading into fun-in-the-sun Myrtle Beach, our green light time is considerably less than those high speed travelers on the 501. To miss that left turn, means a wait that seems just this side of forever. And, most of those times, I spend those minutes fuming, stewing, complaining, searching the radio dial--in other words, wasting my time.

Where is your "Oh no, I just missed the green arrow!" intersection? Somewhere on the way to work, or on the route to school, or running errands to Target or Kroger/Albertsons or WalMart? Maybe on the way to church! 

I've begun to think about my wasted time at highway 501 (and so many other unappreciated stop lights) and what could happen if I turned those moments into prayer. Prayers of praise (what's to complain about, I'm alive and well and with family), protection (travel should always remind me of God's moment-by-moment protection), provision (give thanks for something God has graciously given), petition (not a bad time to look around and pray for someone in a nearby vehicle who may have zero Christians praying for them).

Maybe the Spirit will reveal several prayer-stops like this to you. Maybe that special stop should be called "patience corner" (Lord, calm me down about being late getting to my destination), another, "yield lane" (Father, I am struggling with ____ but I yield completely to Your will and the work of Your Spirit in and through me). How about a "Stop!" (disobedience) or an "No U Turn" intersection (don't give up; be persistent).

Next time you find yourself tapping your fingers on the steering wheel counting down the seconds until you get that green light (or arrow), take those moments to commune with the Lord. Prayer leader, when was the last time you prayed for the members of your prayer team? Pastor, is there someone who never quite makes it on your prayer list (possibly your spouse)? What about members of your class or group? Your office or bowling team?

It seems to me . . . that long wait at the highway 501 stop light could become your friend too . . .

Pastor Phil

Originally published by Church Prayer Leader Network
National Pastors Prayer Network

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHj1pefzxkc is a song of prayer;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv6E2ReEbGI&feature=youtu.be is an important video.

We encourage and thank you for your steadfast prayer

I started a weekly devo for teachers and other children's workers that I know.  I decided it might help others.  Do you know anyone who needs to "Love Our Kids"?  Share it!  http://wp.me/pOdsD-3w

The November issue of "Connections" can be found at www.ipcprayer.org (http://www.ipcprayer.org/). Check it out! We thank you for your faithful prayers over the concerns mentioned in all of our Connections publications!

INTERNATIONAL PRAYER CONNECTIONS

November 2011

“Globalizing Prayer, Transforming our World”

IN THIS EDITION 

1.           Provocative Quotes

2.           World Prayer Assembly- Uniqueness  and Distinctives

3.           Thailand Battling Awful Flooding

4.           “Empowered 21” Gathering of Pentecostals in Indonesia

5.           Sierra Leone Undergoing Transformation

6.           The Asian Rise of Hizbut

7.           Southeast Asia Prayer Council Meets, November 15-19

8.           Developments in the Mexican Drug War

9.           Vision Concerning Korea by Robert Park

10.       Commonwealth Prayer Initiative Perth, Australia: 20-30th October…An Outstanding Success

11.       Transformation Happening in Surabaya, Indonesia

12.       Libya and North Africa Needs Our Prayers

13.       The Call Detroit 11.11.11

14.       A Vision from India for Reaching the Unreached – VISION 2012-15

15.       Afghanistan and Pakistan

16.       Clarion Call – Piercing the Storm 2012 January 17-20 in Colombo, Sri Lanka

17.       European Prayer Convocation, December 1-3

18.       Olympics 2012:  More than Gold Prayer Strategy

19.       Nov 2011- Nov 2012 - At a Glance

20.       International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – IDOP 2011

21.       Global Day of Worship, 11-11-11

22.       Pray for His Transformation of Egypt on 11-11-11

23.       Call to Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), May 14-18, 2012

24.       IPC Events Calendar

25.       The IPC Website

26.       About International Prayer Connect (IPC)

27.       Donating to IPC through PayPal

28.       Contacting the IPC Office

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA 
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Southern California church asked to 'Pray for the Persecuted' and also become 'Ambassadors for Peace'
ANS Founder, Dan Wooding, and Garry Ansdell, senior pastor of Hosanna Christian Fellowship, make these pleas during a special prayer service

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

BELLFLOWER, CA(ANS) -- Veteran journalist Dan Wooding, founder of the ASSIST News Service, and Garry Ansdell, senior pastor of Hosanna Christian Fellowship, Bellflower, California, joined forces on Sunday morning (November 13, 2011) to challenge Christians to get involved in helping persecuted Christians.

Garry Ansdell with Dan Wooding with a copy of From Tabloid to Truth, Wooding's autobiography

Wooding, 70, was speaking at the Bellflower church on the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) and began by saying, "Welcome to the biggest prayer meeting in the history of the world. Today, we join with millions of Christians around the world who are praying for the persecuted church."

He continued, "As we pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world on this day, I would like you to think about what it will be like for our brothers and sisters living in restricted countries as they secretly gather to worship our Lord Jesus Christ, not knowing if they will be arrested for their activities. For some, the very act of gathering in their home to pray, study the Bible and quietly singing worship hymns and choruses, could mean imprisonment and worse, if they are discovered by the authorities."

Wooding reminded the congregation that hundreds of millions of Christians today suffer serious discrimination, imprisonment, torture, kidnappings, and even death, because of their commitment to Jesus Christ.

Hosanna Christian Fellowship

He said, "And this morning, I want you to meet some of these courageous believers, such as Asia Bibi, a 45-year-old Pakistani Christian mother of five who is on death row in her country for not denying her Savior."

Wooding went on to detail the shocking story of Bibi, who is appealing her death sentence and has had several death threats on her life and is in solitary confinement.

"Her story began when in June 2009, Asia, a farm hand from the village of Ittan Wali in Sheikhupura District, was asked to fetch water. She complied, but some of her Muslim fellow workers refused to drink the water as they considered Christians to be 'unclean.' Apparently some arguments ensued. There had already been a disagreement between Asia and a neighbor about some property damage. Later some coworkers complained to a cleric that Asia made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. Apparently she told them that Jesus was still alive, but Mohammad was dead," said Wooding.

Asia Bibi

Wooding continued, "A mob came to her house, beating her and members of her family before she was rescued by the police. However, the police initiated an investigation about her remarks, resulting in her arrest and prosecution under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code. She spent more than a year in jail. In November 2010 Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, judge at the court of Sheikhupura, Punjab, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine of an equivalent of $1,100 was imposed."

Wooding said Bibi's husband, Aashiq Fauji Masih, 51, plans to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court."

He added, "As if that wasn't enough, there have since been two assassinations of Pakistani leaders who had leapt to her defense."

The first took place on Jan. 4 2011, at Kohsar Market of Islamabad, when the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer, was assassinated by a member of his security team, Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri. The killing was a result of his defense of Asia and opposition to the country's blasphemy law. Taseer was outspoken in his criticism of the law and the verdict in the Asia Bibi case.

Wooding said, "The next day, thousands turned up for Governor Salman Taseer's funeral in Lahore in spite of warnings by the Taliban and some clerics. Thousands of Muslims also rallied in support of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan after the murder."

He added, "Then Pakistan's Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan's cabinet, was also assassinated, on March 2 2011, reportedly also for his position on blasphemy laws. He was shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car near his residence in Islamabad."

Yousef Nadarkhani

Wooding then spoke about Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani who has twice refused to recant his Christian faith during two court hearings held in Rasht, Gilan Province on September 25-26 2011.

Nadarkhani was tried and found guilty of apostasy (abandoning Islam) in Sept. 2010 by the court of appeals in Rasht. The verdict was delivered verbally in court, while written confirmation of the death sentence was received nearly two months later.

Wooding said, "At the appeal in June 2011, the Supreme Court of Iran upheld Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani's sentence, but asked the court in Rasht, which issued the initial sentence, to re-examine whether or not he had been a practicing Muslim adult prior to converting to Christianity. The written verdict of the Supreme Court's decision included provision for annulment of the death sentence if Pastor Nadarkhani recanted his faith."

Wooding continued, "Following investigation, the court in Rasht has ruled that Pastor Nadarkhani was not a practicing Muslim adult before becoming a Christian. However, the court has decided that he remains guilty of apostasy because he has Muslim ancestry."

He then said that Nadarkhani's lawyer, Mohammed Ali Dadkhah, has made it clear to the court that the repeated demand for recanting is against both Iranian law and the constitution. The court's response was that the verdict of the Supreme Court must be applied, regardless of the illegality of the demand.

Wooding said, "The death sentence for apostasy is not codified in the Iranian Penal Code. However, using a loophole in Iran's constitution, the judges in Rasht based their original verdict on fatwas by Ayatollahs Khomeini, the 'father' of Iran's revolution in 1979, Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, and of Makarem Shirazi, currently the most influential religious leader in Iran. I ask you to pray for this courageous pastor and his family, that God will intervene in his case and he will be freed."

Wooding also featured stories about persecution in Egypt and also in the land of his birth, Nigeria, where he said, "Christians are being systemically slaughtered by a fanatical group called Boko Haram, who are pledged to turn the country into an Islamic state. Just days ago, 63 people, including many Christians, were murdered by this group."

He continued, "As of 2011 it is thought to be responsible for increasingly violent and sophisticated attacks, with at least 327 people killed in 2011 through November 6 according to the Associated Press. Boko Haram use the bomb attacks in Nigeria as a strategy of tension. Its aim is to create tension and division in Nigeria."

Wooding said, "Many of us think of persecution as a modern-day tragedy, but the truth is that persecution has been a reality for the body of Christ since the days of the apostles. Hebrews 13:3 states, 'Remember...those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.' We read in the book of Acts how Paul and Silas were thrown in prison because of their faith. Throughout his life, Paul was repeatedly locked behind bars, but his captors could never silence his preaching. Today's suffering church is just like that."

Wooding concluded, "There are some 100 million of our brothers and sisters in more than 60 countries that risk their very lives to live for Jesus Christ in their land. And they are crying out for OUR HELP. They need our prayer and also our support in practical ways."

Wooding encouraged the congregation to not just pray for suffering Christian brothers and sisters on this special day, but on every day of the year."

He emphasized, "We should all 'pray without ceasing.'"

The co-founders of Ambassdors for Peace, Garry Ansdell and Ameal Haddad

Before Wooding spoke, Pastor Ansdell shared about his group, Ambassadors for Peace (www.am4peace.com), which he co-founded with Ameal Haddad, another Bellflower pastor.

He urged the congregation to go to his website and sign a "Religious Freedom Resolution" which he said is an issue, "Whose time has come."

Both Ansdell and Haddad have visited many countries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Syria, Bahrain and Morocco, to share this resolution with both Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders. It has been signed by many of them.

He explained the resolution like this:

* It is motivated by the existence of religious hate crimes.

* The resolution puts in writing a declaration assented to by leaders from all walks of religious beliefs.

* The resolution puts the public statements into a form that can hold us all accountable for our words.

* The religious community of the world can no longer allow the politicization of our God given right to believe and live in peace. Therefore, it will foster religious tolerance, the right to faith, freedom of speech, and freedom from reprisal or persecution.

* We therefore hold all religious and political leaders to their words of peace.

* We agree that the answer to religious disagreements is dialogue and/or debate without violence, or violent responses.

* This resolution does not seek to be political nor ecumenical. It does not intend to convert or compare nor interpret religions. It is not racially or nationally oriented.

The resolution continues:

* We understand that there are extremes in every religion. We therefore agree that violence of any kind to exercise a religious point or to cause conversion is unacceptable.

* Representatives from religions throughout the world that are connected by our common humanity and personal belief in their creator, hereby resolve to honor, respect, and acknowledge every individual's right to their faith in the creator.

* Therefore, we resolve that the inalienable rights of all individuals shall be respected.

* We believe that each religion lived out by individuals or an organization has the right to peacefully present its view of theology, people, and the hereafter.

* All national and religious entities have the right to proclaim their religious beliefs and to debate them in any open forum without violence.

* We recognize the individual's right to believe in the religion of their choice.

* Men and women everywhere have the God given right to convert or not to convert to any religion without harm from any other religion or national politics.

* We agree that no opposing religion or nation has the right to interfere in the religious service of another.

* The individual has the right to debate the facts about his or her religion without fear of reprisal.

* Every individual has the right to hear and to be heard. A citizen of the world has the right to know the facts about their religious beliefs and have access to their holy books.

* Every person no matter what religion, race, or nationality has the right to live at peace with their neighbor no matter what their faith.

* Each individual from any religion has the right to listen to another individual.

* No one has the right to interfere or disrupt a religious service.

Every seeker has the right to enter a religious service for their own exploration of knowledge. They all want others to know what they know.

* We, therefore, assert that all people have a divine right to share what they know and to live at peace with the results.

During the service, a moving video was shown called "Shatter the Silence. It was written by Welsh-born singer, Kevin Gould, and produced with guitar great Phil Keaggy.

To view and download the video, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHhL2GIkIzw

Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter,http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City." Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available at http://www.homelessinthecity.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds atjeremyreynalds@comcast.net.

I am not interested in being Interim Football Coach at Penn. St. University. Having been Interim Pastor for churches with similar circumstances is enough. Fortunately, most of my 22 Interims have been for good churches with good circumstances, but not all. Whether a Pastor is guilty of sexual contact with children, extra-marital sexual relations, sexual harassment, mishandling of church funds for personal gain, or abuse of the position of Pastor, sin is not limited to the secular. Nor is godly character limited to the church, I might add. I’ve known some very godly football coaches, at high school, university and professional levels. I know a young Pastor whom God is using in amazing ways. He is personable, handsome, winsome, authoritative, and has a beautiful, sweet wife. Recently, I said to him, “I want you to know specifically how I am praying for you. I’m praying that God will lead you from temptation and deliver you from evil. Satan has a target on you as big as West Texas and there are females (and males) that are available for Him to use to bring you down and destroy what God is doing through you.” He looked at me like a deer caught in headlights and said, “Thanks.” Every Pastor needs someone praying a similar prayer for them. You don’t necessarily need to tell your pastor (or a fellow pastor) that you are praying that prayer, but why not voice it this week. And, oh yes, pray for football coaches also.

You can subscribe to Dr. Dan's Monday Morning Memo and receive it free via E-Mail every Monday morning - www.discipleallnations.org.

As we prepare for The Call Detroit.  Take time to listen to these timely messages below.  It is urgent.
 
It will be an amazing time.  This is not a conference but it is 24 hours of Prayer and Fasting - looking to God to return his passion, love and changing power to our cities, our communities and our Nation.
 
It is amazing what God is beginning to do in such a city as Detroit that has probably been one of the most embattled cities in our Nation. The recession has probably hit this city worse than most any city in our Nation.  Even before this recesion, Detroit has been a continual seat of poverty, violence, gangs, destruction, racial division and ethnic tensions. 
 
But as you take time to listen to this short message and as you listen to all of the needs of the ministries of that city - they all have recognized that government programs, volunteerism or any other social programs known to man - in the church or out of the church - has not yet been able to resolve or totally meet the needs of a lost generation.  Thousands upon thousands ( especially young people ) have recognized that the only solution to our Nation's woes is worship, seeking God, praying and returning to that place where we once again depend on God, so that the blessings of God might once spread throughout this Nation.
 
God is returning his church to be what it was originally intended to be -  " A House of Prayer "
 
Jesus went to the temple and he spoke as was recorded in all 3 gospels of Matthew 21:13, Luke 19:46 and in Mark 11:17   And as he ( Jesus ) taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’^[c]? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’^[d]”.   He was quoting from the Old Testament in the Book of Isaih 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11.
 
God has already brought prayer to thousands of Houses of Prayer all across every city in this Nation, but he wants it to return to the local churches.
 
S.D. Gordon quotes " Prayer strikes the winning blow; Service is simply picking up the pieces ". 
 
We realize that volunteerism may make people like us or it may suffice to meet a need temporarliy, but only God can truly go to the crux and the core of sin.  Our programs and volunteerism will have the true effect that God always intended it to have, when it originates from HIS heart and when it is birthed in Prayer from HIS Heart alone.  When that happens true revival will begin to break out in our churches and campuses and we won't be able to control the number of people who will flood to us, to come to find out of how to make their life right with God.
 
It is beginning all across this Nation in Churches and on College Campuses.
 
http://youtu.be/TigBS89WScs
 
God is marking a Young Generation for Revival in our Churches and especially in our College Campuses.
 
Take time to watch the video below.
 
 http://youtu.be/TigBS89WScs
 
God is making his house " A House of Prayer ".  Not because he wants us to just sit around a pray all day but he wants our lives and our ministries to truly be effective as he intended them to be.  He also wants us to be lovers of him MORE than lovers of service and ministry.
 
When we have our love and our priorities right, then there is nothing that is impossible for us to accomplish on this earth.
 
May God Bless.
 Ron Brumbaugh
 
RDBrumbaugh@Gmail.com
 
 
Establishing Prayer in Every City and Every University in this Nation.
Remember: It is not IF you pray - but - HOW you pray.
 
Contact us if you would like to organize prayer in your Church or your College Campus.
 
 
www.EveryDaySomethingNew.com