Advanced weapons are going from Russia to Syria and then into Hezbollah's hands, according to an Israeli Defence Force reserve officer. The weapons are capable of hitting Israel's gas rigs and paralyzing the Haifa and Ashdod ports. General Yaakov Amidror, who was an adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that the sophisticated weapons reached Hezbollah as a result of the Syrian civil war. Russia sold its advanced weapons to the Syrians and the Syrians transferred them to Hezbollah. The Russians are said to be aware of what is happening. These first-class weapons, such as Kornet and surface-to-air missiles and perhaps even the very sophisticated Onyx missiles, are now in Hezbollah's possession.
Guatemala: protection for children
22 Jan 2016
The International Justice Mission (IJM) has been working alongside local authorities in Guatemala rescuing children from sexual violence and securing convictions against rapists and violent criminals by pushing individual cases through the justice system. Guatemala now has a law that defines a crime of sexual violence and has recently elected a new president, Jimmy Morales. Pray that he will make the protection of children from sexual violence a priority for his administration. Some cases were delayed in 2015 and re-scheduled for early 2016. Pray that the hearings in January and early February will see justice-system officials motivated to deal with these cases fairly. Pray that the new president will lead the country with wisdom and integrity, after a tumultuous political year in Guatemala.
The Supremacy of Christ
21 Jan 2016
The Supremacy of Christ is a key foundational issue for us in WPC. Ian Cole spoke passionately about it at both the UK and European Trumpet calls and we declared the Supremacy of Christ together reading from Colossians 1:15 – 20. What is our expectation as we pray? Imagine you are leading an army unit besieged by enemy forces and you have the option of a direct call to the SAS who will immediately send their best troops and resources – alternatively you could send an email to the Ministry of Defence and hope it will eventually reach the right committee. Sometimes we pray as if we need to send that polite memo but the reality of the supremacy of Christ is that we have authority through Jesus to see amazing things happen.
Paul starts Colossians saying he does not cease from praying that they be "filled with all spiritual knowledge and understanding, to lead a life worthy of the Lord." He then outlines his understanding of who Jesus is.
'He is the image of the invisible God' – when we see Jesus we see God, when we understand Jesus we understand the character of God. If we want to be like God we need to become more like Jesus.
'All things were created through Him and for Him' - this is a stark simple theology – He is the God of all things. There is no sacred/secular divide – Jesus is Lord of all.
'He is the head of the body, the church' - Jesus is the brains of the Church, everything is controlled through the head; the body responds to instructions from the head. He has all authority over His Church, we need to let Jesus take that authority.
'For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell' – Jesus is fully divine, and fully God. 30 years after His death Paul asserts that this Rabbi from Nazareth, this man hung on a cross is God Himself. He was so much more than a good man, or moral leader and teacher, He was, and is, God.
Jesus is the Reconciler – He has reconciled 'to Himself, all things'. He heals, redeems, releases, forgives and brings all things together under His authority. He reconciles each of us with Himself – we have relationship with Him. In Colossians 2, Paul goes on to describe the triumphant Jesus who has 'disarmed the principalities and powers'. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers and authorities, but we wrestle knowing that Jesus is victorious. He is the Lord of Hosts, the Victor on the Cross, the one who has defeated death and rules over all things.
So we see Jesus with authority and power over all things. He is the Head of the Church; He has reconciled us to Himself. Then Paul reveals one more key piece in this theological jigsaw – 'Christ is within us, the hope of glory."
Where we go Jesus goes, when we pray Jesus is with us, when we gather together Jesus is in our midst. As we proclaim the Supremacy of Christ – over our lives, homes, workplaces, communities and nation – we declare tremendous truth and we raise our faith.
As Paul says in Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." In these days of challenge and shaking let us grow in our confidence, not in ourselves but in our awesome Jesus, who is supreme over all things.
Written by Steve Botham, Director
Trypraying - The Road Ahead
19 Jan 2016
"The only impossible journey is the one you never begin."
We are on a journey. It's full of excitement and hope and, like the Israelites of old, it needs the presence of God all along the way. It's a journey to see change in our lives and the towns and cities where we live. Specifically it's to pray for 40 days and then to invite everyone else to try praying so they can meet the creator God.
Over the next 10 weeks there are three stages to the journey...
In January.
Several places are looking to book advertising. In Scotland there is a target of £80,000 to book bus adverts for ALL Scotland. Some places in England are arranging for bus advertising. During each of the last 5 years money has come mostly from individuals andchurches rather than trusts. If your city/town is interested to join in this aspect contact us immediately to see if we can make a combined booking. We would love a few large gifts, matching gifts or underwriting to help this. The figure for Scotland means that £120 buys one hour of advertising across ALL Scotland and £3000 buys a whole day.
In February.
Launching a 40 day prayer initiative from Wednesday 10th February (for Lent). With 100s (1000s?) of people praying for their big issue, for revival and for three friends to become Christians this may be the power-house of what happens this year. We hope for simultaneous prayer gatherings in several cities. We have a new 40 day prayer guide to help this called 'Catching the Wave'. Order copies for yourself, your house group or your church.
In March.
Click the image below for video. 1000 churches engaged with the 'Use it and lose it' strategy. The idea of using the trypraying booklet in this way is a simple and straightforward strategy that any church can use. We just need to start conversations. Is your church one of those that will join in? Join in.
Visit the trypraying website.
The 3:16 Mission
19 Jan 2016
Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 3:16pm, to say, pray, and share John 3:16, just one minute out of our busy day, simultaneously around the world.
There's nothing "magic" about this day or time, it's just easy to remember and realize that we are one in Christ.
The main idea is to communicate God's word back to God. If you saw the movie "War Room" you'll remember that quoting scripture is an effective part of prayer. So it's not really all about social media, it's about corporate prayer...social media is just a tool to post some of your awesome ideas, stories, photos, and video.
The mission
Tell your family, friends, youth group, life group, Bible study, missions, about sharing the love of John 3:16. #the316mission
Inspiration
Encourage one another with photos, video, and stories. How has God used John 3:16 in your life? Share the love! Stories, photos, video! :)
Visit the website and share your video.
UPRISING Global gathering in Korea
19 Jan 2016
Following the World Prayer Assembly held in Indonesia in 2012, Jerome and Abel Ocampo, a Pastor in Manilla who also heads up the Jesus Rev movement in the Philippines, supported by the International Prayer Council (IPC), felt that a call should go out to gather young people from around the world in Korea in 2016 to carry the baton of prayer and mission into their generation and generations to come.
Over recent months a youth dream team and an executive team of which Ian and Pauline Cole are members, have met together with leaders from Korea to talk and pray through the practical, logistical and spiritual requirements for such a gathering which will be held over four days 26-30 July with the final day being a worship event on the North Korean border.
This communication has a twofold purpose.
• Firstly for you to consider attending the UPRISING with young people you know who would grow and be inspired by such a global gathering, and
• Secondly if you are not able to attend, to recommend a young person who could represent your ministry. We are expecting upwards of 2500 young people to attend from many nations. We would love to see a good delegation from the UK and would be happy to appoint a UK coordinator.
For more information go to the United Prayer Rising web site where Pastor Jerome goes into the challenges facing our young people today and the opportunities the UPRISING presents.
Registration is now open, go to www.unitedprayerrising.com
The cost is $80 (US) per person until February, rising to $100 thereafter.
100 days of prayer for 100 years of history
19 Jan 2016
A movement of prophetic prayer for healing of the past, honour in the present and hope for the future.
2016 is a year of centenaries - the Battle of the Somme and the Easter Rising. In this moment, we are inviting Christians to unite and prayerfully engage in our nation's story - to grasp this unique pastoral and prophetic opportunity. From the 6th February to the 15th May, we hope to bring together individuals and churches over 100 days of continuous prayer for our nation. We would love you to be a part of this 100 days of prayer for 100 years of history, by hosting a prayer room in your church as part of the 100 days of continuous prayer or downloading the devotional app and praying along each day. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for updates!
Find out more information at www.100days100years.com.
An illegal abortion clinic in Selma, Alabama, was shut down due to the power of prayer and God at work. Last June Bound4LIFE Birmingham, along with a coalition of organisations and citizens committed to seeing an illegal abortion clinic closed, gathered for a day of intercession in a church where they heard messages from a number of speakers. The next day, they put their words into action with a public declaration. They put tape over their mouths and held placards as they marched across the town’s bridge. They then held a press conference, asking state authorities to take action to prevent Samuel Lett from continuing his illegal abortions. The protesters saw God work. On December 30, Father Terry Gensemer shared the good news that the abortion facility had been shut down and the city of Selma was abortion-free.