Gulgoze (Turkey) - Inside the sixth century church in southeastern Turkey, dozens of Assyrian Christian women, men and children in their Sunday best attend a service, one of only a few held in their ancient homeland.  They are among the nearly 4,000 Assyrians left in the region after violence and poverty forced the community to leave Turkey in the 20th century.  They are now scattered across Europe, with over 100,000 living in Germany, nearly 100,000 in Sweden and tens of thousands in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Assyrian Christians, also known as Syriacs, are part of the eastern Christian tradition and pray in Aramaic, which Jesus is believed to have spoken.  Yuhanun Akay, 40, lives in the historic region of Tur Abdin (meaning "Mountain of the servants of God" in Syriac), in the centuries-old village of Gulgoze in Mardin.

The village, known as Ain Wardo, meaning "eye of the rose" in Syriac, was once home to hundreds of Assyrian families, where they farmed, prayed and educated their children.  Now only three families remain including Akay, a farmer and father-of-eight.

"In the past there were 200 Syriac Christian families, and seven priests in the village. We had three churches, so each neighbourhood had a church," he told AFP.

"Every Sunday there would be a service in all three churches and they would be full."

There are 2,500 churches and 300 monasteries in Tur Abdin, according to Evgil Turker, head of the Federation of Syriac Associations.

Community leaders including Turker are worried over the future of the community in Turkey despite a slight recent increase in population figures.  There are around 20,000 Assyrians in Istanbul.  Like other communities, Turker said Assyrians were affected by the same economic issues and "political pressures" under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

Some left in search of a better life.

There were fears earlier this year that Assyrians were being targeted after a couple belonging to the Chaldean Catholic minority went missing in January in Sirnak, near the Iraqi border.  While Hurmuz Diril, 71, remains missing, his wife Simoni, 65, was found dead in March.

The arrest of Syriac Orthodox priest Sefer Bilecen on terrorism charges also caused concern, but Turker said he did not believe there was state-led targeting of Assyrians.

Pray for Assyrian Christians in Turkey:

Pray that the political and any other form of pressures from the government against Assyrian Christians in Turkey would stop immediately

Pray that the Turkish government would assure the livelihood of Assyrian Christians to stay in their places and to keep their traditions

Pray that God would bring a revival among these Assyrian Christians and other traditional orthodox churches in Turkey and throughout the Middle East

Gulgoze (Turkey) (AFP)

More info: http://silkwavemission.com 

US extends national emergency for Lebanon citing Hezbollah 'threat'

The order, renewed by every president since 2007, alleges that Hezbollah remains an 'extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy' of the US

US President Donald Trump has renewed a 13-year national emergency order over the political situation in Lebanon, citing Iran's "ongoing" weapons transfers to Hezbollah.

The order ensures the legal grounds for the US president to levy sanctions and "to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States" due to Hezbollah's presence in Lebanon, a statement released by the White House on Wednesday said.

The administration said "certain persons" - alluding to members of Hezbollah and its allies - were seeking to undermine the Lebanese government.

Lebanon has been dealing with several crises during the past year, from the coronavirus pandemic to a plummeting economy and recent skirmishes with the Israeli army on its southern border.

Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, is a major political party in Lebanon and consolidated its influence in the state's affairs in 2018 after winning, along with its allies, a small majority in national elections. The US designated Hezbollah a "foreign terrorist group" in 1997.

Despite Hezbollah's growing influence within the Lebanese government, the White House's order alleged "certain persons" were deliberately working to "break down" the rule of law in Lebanon "through politically motivated violence and intimidation".

"Certain ongoing activities, such as Iran's continuing arms transfers to Hizballah - which include increasingly sophisticated weapons systems - serve to undermine Lebanese sovereignty, contribute to political and economic instability in the region, and continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to [US] national security and foreign policy," the White House said. 

Washington is particularly concerned by those allegedly seeking to "reassert Syrian control or contribute to Syrian interference in Lebanon", the order said.

The annual move, entitled "Continuation of National Emergency with Respect to Lebanon", has been renewed every year since it was declared by former President George W Bush in 2007.

Bush's order said the United States would freeze the property and assets of anyone trying to undermine Lebanon’s democratically elected government. The order, renewed by every presidential administration since, was seen as a sharp warning to Hezbollah and its allies in Syria.

Wednesday's order reiterates the same concerns the Bush administration issued 13 years ago, with an increased concern over Iran, given its recent tensions with Washington. 

The US currently has 35 ongoing "national emergencies", seven of which have been declared by Trump. The orders range from sanctions against foreign entities and governments, to the White House's emergency declaration at the US southern border.  At least nine of the orders name specific countries or groups in the Middle East and North Africa.

Hezbollah says all-out war with Israel is unlikely in coming months despite rising tensions https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hezbollah-dismisses-prospect-all-out-conflict-israel-despite-increasing-tensions

More at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-extends-national-emergency-for-lebanon-citing-hezbollah-threat

We are asked to pray for the Prime Minister and all Ministers in Lebanese Government at this critical time and for the nation.  Here are some guidelines provided by our colleagues at Prayer Strategy as to what we can pray for

1. Pray for their salvation.
2. Pray for them for pure lives and good wisdom.
3. Pray that God reveals His truth and opens their eyes to run this nation with integrity and respect.
4. Pray to Break the strongholds of the Evil One in politics and in individual’s lives.
5. Pray that leaders will realise that they were appointed by God and that He gave them authority so that they will act responsibly and that they will they will have to
give account to God of everything that they do.

Many of the ministers are listed here, with brief profiles: https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/who-are-the-ministers-in-lebanons-new-government-1.69174412  

Let’s continue to be praying for and participating with the GO2020 initiative which seeks to reach 1 billion worldwide for Christ!  The global pandemic lockdown changed the shape of the initiative, but remarkable things have still happened.

We would encourage our readers to download the first GO2020 report that includes a number of encouraging stories from the GO2020 outreaches that took place around the world in May.  Also, see Jason Hubbard’s report of the hugely encouraging number of activities that took place between Passover and Pentecost this year.

Watch the GO 2020 Video  |  Download the Brochure  |  Download the August Prayer Guide

The vision and mission of GO2020 continues with the 90 Days of HOPE which runs through to August 2020.  It encourages us to continue to put our prayers into action with evangelism and sharing our faith.  Download the Flyer Here

The GO DECADE is a collaborative and co-owned effort with the goal to reach every person with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until 2030 and see by God's grace a significant growth of born again believers worldwide. Let's join hands to mobilize every believer to be a witness and working together as ministries, denominations, networks and churches to share the Gospel in the next 10 years in a massive way and work towards the completion of the great commission to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).

Have you heard the Clarion call? Or the Buzz words in this season? Collaboration, Catalysing, Community, Connections, Pivot, Urgency, Global Harvest and Global Repentance….

Today is the moment for united prayer for those, who despite 2000 years of believers witnessing to and following Jesus Christ, still have not had access to hear the Good News amongst their peoples.

The cry goes up from those who are living in darkness and Jesus commands us to GO and make Disciples of all peoples.

The Ethne Prayer team hosts MONTHLY REGIONAL ONLINE PRAYER CALLS for those who are currently unreached from the Gospel of Jesus.

You are welcome to take this opportunity to join one of our REGIONAL team calls. Perhaps God has been prompting you to make an hour’s commitment each month to pray with others in your part of the world for those who are far from Jesus?

Here are the details:

South Asia: First Wednesday 6pm IST write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

AFRICA: Last Thursday 9pm Kenya time   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (calls in French and English)

MANI : Last Wednesday 2pm Nigeria last Wednesday of each month at 2pm Nigerian time. Write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

Europe: Mondays weekly, 3-4pm UTC write to Debra at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information

Latin America Last Wednesday of the month 10:00- 11:30 EST This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  (this call is in Spanish)

North America: Third Tuesday  7 pm – 8 pm Central (UTC -5) on Zoom  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.

The Global Prayer Call for Unreached groups is every second Thursday at 3pm UK time (9am Central) https://zoom.us/j/7867380647 this call is hosted by the Ethne team with an invited guest speaker who is an expert on the unreached groups in focus.

Please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

Jenny Oliphant

Coordinator of the Ethne Prayer Team and member of the International Prayer Council.

National Day of Worship, Prayer and Fasting for an end to the Pandemic

Sunday 2 August 2020

“Jesus answered, the Scriptures says: Worship the Lord

your God and serve only Him!" Matthew 4:8

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13,14

1. Worship the Lord & pray for our nation that we will come back to the Lord in a true spirit of repentance.

2. Pray for Australia & particularly Victoria for an end to the Pandemic!

3. Pray for America, Brazil, India and the rest of the world with over 16 Million COVID-19 cases recorded.

This National Day of Worship, Prayer & Fasting has been called by the National Day of Prayer & Fasting team in consultation with Australian Prayer Leaders to support the Day of Prayer called by Bishop Philip Huggins & the National Council of Churches in Australia regarding the Pandemic for Sunday 2 August 2020.  Draft 1-26/07/20

www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au/events/pandemic-prayer

Warwick Marsh

National Day of Prayer & Fasting

www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au

PO Box 378

Unanderra NSW 2526

The call for the Church to unite as One Voice on One Day to pray for One Dream for the glory of One King (Jesus!)

Pray on MLK is a two hour, nationwide prayer and worship event on Saturday, August 8, located along every Martin Luther King Jr. street or memorial in the United States (and around the world).

We believe that the Church has the solution to the racial tension in the U.S. and across the globe. To put feet to our faith, we are forming multi-cultural human prayer chains across the world.

Imagine a day where over a thousand separate groups across the world unite with one voice, one prayer request, before one King. 

We believe the reverberations of this unified moment of supplication and worship will be felt for years to come.  

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kA0Xyn7yWo

As people of faith take their place on the walls of history, we hear the chains of injustice breaking. It’s time to turn our tears into triumph, our weeping into worship, and leap forward into a new era of righteousness in the united pursuit of God’s dream for all people.

Would you partner with us to help lead one of these gatherings in your city?  For more information and/or to register as a local director, go to www.prayonmlk.org    

Pastor Jonathan Tremaine Thomas, Founder & CEO

Civil Righteousness, Inc.

www.civilrighteousness.org

www.prayonmlk.org   

‘10 Days’ Joins ‘The Return’ in Calling Christians to Worldwide Prayer, Fasting, Repentance

Thousands To Converge on Washington Mall for ‘The Return’ on Sept. 26, Flanked by Prayer Inspired by Ancient ‘10 Days of Awe’' Sep 18-28, 2020

NEW YORK—As political discord and a pandemic threaten societies around the world, prayer movements are gaining momentum and some have united to shape a global Christian revival with Washington, D.C., at its epicenter.

Thousands of Christians and more than 100 denominations of churches have committed themselves in prayer and collaboration leading up to “The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance.”

“The Return” (TheReturn.org) is set for 40 days before the presidential election, and on the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, in the days of America’s founding and dedication to God. Surrounding the “The Day of Return” on Sept. 26 at the Washington Mall will be 10 days, known from ancient times as the Days of Awe, to be set as a special time of prayer and repentance on Sept. 18-28.

“10 Days” (10days.net), a movement of prayer, fasting, and repentance in unity based on the 10 Days of Awe, has been invited to collaborate with “The Return” as movement leaders call Americans to turn from sin and humble themselves before God.

“We are in the midst of a multi-faceted crisis right now, a crisis that no human being knows how to solve,” said “10 Days” leader Jonathan Friz. “An insoluble problem should lead us to self-reflection. What if instead of blaming one another, we took time to consider how our own actions and self-will have contributed to the current state of political division, racial strife, pestilence? What if instead of placing ourselves on a pedestal as judge, we would humble ourselves before the only Judge, and seek His mercy in a time of national and global calamity?”

Echoing Jesus’s prayer at the Last Supper that His followers would be unified, “The Return” and “10 Days” are pooling efforts to inspire Christians everywhere to call on the name of the Lord as the only source of hope for their countries.

Ramping up to the September climax, “10 Days” is leading a three-pronged prayer strategy for “The Return” that includes personal intercession for movement leaders, weekly Zoom prayer calls, and a “Consecration Challenge” aimed at mobilizing 120,000 believers in dedicated prayer and fasting.

Grant Berry and Jonathan Friz are working with “The Return” by leading the weekly global prayer intercession.

Coordinated events within “The Return” movement will also take place throughout America’s cities, towns, houses of worship and homes, as well as in multiple countries around the world, as many believe the nation has been given a critical window of opportunity to repent and return to God.

Visit “The Return” at www.TheReturn.org to register and learn more. Follow “The Return” on social media at Facebook: @ReturnEvent2020; Twitter: @2020_Return; and Instagram: @The_Return2020.

Two brief videos about The Return's reaching out to make it an international effort:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYZ-YtAHlo8&

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4bXDhLefQc&

Please contact Jonathan Friz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information on how your nation can participate.

2020 a year of evangelism across the UK

https://advance2020.org/

90 Days of HOPE -  to 31 August 2020

www.go2020.world

Global Day of HOPE – 29 August 2020
www.globalvoiceofprayer.com

Intercessors at the Summit...Soaring Like Eagles.
July 31 - Aug 1.  (Start at 9am Jamaica time)
www.nipnoj.org

Prayer Day for end to Pandemic – 2 August 2020

www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au/events/pandemic-prayer

Pray on MLK - 08-08-2020

www.prayonmlk.org      

The Return / 10 Days: 18-28 September 2020

www.thereturn.org  | www.10days.net 

National Prayer Assembly (USA), Washington, D.C., October 14-15

www.nationalprayerassembly.com

Contend! - 21 Days of Prayer for Global Mission
4-25 Nov 2020

www.globalmmi.net

Movement for African National Initiatives – Abidjan, Ivory Coast, 8-12 March 2021
https://maniafrica.com/category/prayers/

UPRising Events Calendar

UPRISING Chile – November 2020 (Date TBA)

GLOBAL UPRISING Manila, Philippines, Nov 2021
www.unitedprayerrising.com

UPRISING MINDANAO (Mindanao, Philippines)-- dates TBA
- UPRISING BUKIDNON (Northern Mindanao)
- UPRISING CARAGA (Butuan, Bislig, and Surigao)
- UPRISING DIGOS (Davao Del Sur)

- UPRISING CENTRAL MINDANAO (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos)
FB: United Prayer Rising Mindanao
FB: United Prayer Rising North Mindanao
IG: @uprisingmindanao   

Watch this compelling video from Pray for Zero... and let's be challenged and prompted to pray for zero people not to have access to God's word in their language by 2025.

Let’s Pray that nobody misses out on hearing about the redeeming message of God's saving grace.

Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtt7vKGhiL0

Download the Pray for Zero Prayer Card which lists countries with just one remaining language that needs translating.

Become a prayer partner! It's simple and easy: Text "ZERO" to 313131 or visit https://seedcompany.com/prayer  

Together, we can reach ZERO.

A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and its Aftermath

Tom Wright is one of the best Theologians of our time and gives biblical insight to the chaos of the pandemic right now.

Tom examines these reactions to the virus and finds them wanting. Instead, he invites you to consider a different way of seeing and responding – a way that draws on the teachings and examples of scripture, and above all on the way of living, thinking and praying revealed to us by Jesus.

‘This is a classic Tom Wright.  It is accessible to almost anyone asking questions, and yet it manages to be demanding for those who think they know the answers.  It is superbly written, utterly Bible based, and leaves one satisfied at having learned and yet wanting to know more.  I read it in a sitting with pleasure, provocation, and profit.  Do not hesitate!’ - Archbishop Justin Welby

Pandemic, Panic, Pangolin, Pandemonium. . .

What are we supposed to think about the coronavirus crisis?

Some people think they know: ‘This is a sign of the End,’ they say. ‘It’s all predicted in the book of Revelation.’

Others disagree but are equally clear: ‘This is a call to repent. God is judging the world and through this disease, he’s telling us to change.’

Some join in the chorus of blame and condemnation: ‘It’s the fault of the Chinese, the government, the World Health Organization. . .’

• For Christians looking to understand the coronavirus crisis
• Tom Wright offers a Bible based way to respond to events right now
• You'll find a way to live through and tackle the effects of COVID-19

Available from Amazon as paperback and Kindle / Download / Audio Book

By Tom Wright, Paperback, 88 pages.