When the protests began in Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations, World Evangelical Alliance (WEA, http://www.worldevangelicals.org/) and Evangelical Fellowship of Egypt called on believers around the world to pray. We still need to be in prayer because the protests in Egypt, now almost three weeks old, may have reached their most critical and dangerous stage. President Mubarak has appointed a vice president—the first time to do so in 30 years of power—and his government is offering reforms that are not acceptable to the protesters, so the movement continues to grow and demands his ouster. The latest, as of February 10, is that Mubarak refuses to step down as president though he has handed over some powers to his new vice-president.
Two Egyptian prayer leaders that have been affiliated with the IPC walked around Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protests, earlier today and sensed strongly the presence of spirits of rebellion and oppression. Please pray that violence may be averted on Friday, February 11th, the Muslim prayer day, that is being called the “Day of Martyrs” and in the days to come. May there be an orderly and peaceful transition of power to those democratic reforms and government that the people are calling for. Pray that radical elements such as the Muslim Brotherhood will be stopped from subverting this process and taking power as they did in Iran.
On February 2, 2011, WEA issued a news release calling urgently for global prayer for Egypt that is still relevant:
“The WEA communicated to the Evangelical Fellowship of Egypt (EFE) its concern over the current unrest in the country and asked how the WEA community can effectively pray. The EFE confirmed that the church all over Egypt is united in prayer for the country and called on the church globally to pray with them. Since WEA’s contact with EFE, the situation has become more violent and unstable. Nobody knows what the changes in Egypt will be, but evangelicals in Egypt know that God is in control. Though they are a small minority, they are deeply committed to being good citizens and contributing positively to the future health and development of their nation.
They are asking prayer for:
• wisdom for all leaders in Egypt – both for the present government and for the future leadership of the country
• safety of the young people in Tahrir Square – some of them are Christian; some of them are Muslim. The Christians believe strongly that most Muslims and Christians are united in their common concern for the welfare of the nation.
• peaceful change
• positive outcomes that will benefit the country as a whole and will bring glory to God
• positive impact on the region and the wider world as a result of the change in Egypt”
The World Evangelical Alliance is made up of 128 national evangelical alliances located in 7 regions and 104 associate member organizations and global networks. The WEA is the world’s largest association of evangelical Christians serving a constituency of 600 million people. The WEA is a voice to governments, media, and other faith communities and holds consultative status at the United Nations.
Also, pray for the overthrow of evil that is secretive, deceptive, and subtle that will try to take advantage of the vulnerability of the government and those who are protesting their lack of justice and freedom.
In 2009, seven conferences for children in prayer were held in different parts of Egypt.
In 2010, the focus to teach the children was how “to love, know, and wait for Him through His Word”. Children showed appetite to read the Bible, and God did speak to them through dreams and visions. In March of 2010, the National Conference of Prayer saw children sharing at the assembly with many being filled with the Holy Spirit. More dreams and visions ensued with some children receiving signs regarding their churches. Also in 2010, two conferences were held to train leaders of children; 200 leaders from all around the country were present.
For 2011, God gave Isaiah 44:3-5—that there will be many children who will separate themselves for God from this generation after the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. A Praise and Prayer conference will be held in February with the theme “I am Yours”.
Please pray:
1. That 1,500 children from ages 8 to 18 will be able to attend the Praise and Prayer event in February, that they will find safe travel, and that they be protected in every way from evil harm.
2. That this recorded event will be broadcast and seen by many as a great blessing to children in Arab countries especially.
3. That God gift those who administer the Praise and Prayer event with wisdom, knowledge, organization, insight, protection, and financial support.
4. For the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to raise up many spiritual leaders from a young age who will be used to impact Egypt for advancement of the Kingdom of God.
More than 80 significant leaders within Indonesia and the international prayer movement met together in the hilltop town of Puncak on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, to pray together and make plans for the upcoming World Prayer Assembly that will occur in this nation, May 14-18, 2012. (Please see www.worldprayerassembly.com for more information.)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Your prayer support will be all-important to the planning of this event which is intended to be a “new paradigm” for an international congress—carried out Acts 13-style—incorporating listening to God, united prayer, and strategic implementation of world-impacting action that proceeds out of that encounter with the Lord and one another.
Prayer Concerns:
1. Please pray for the eight planning task forces: Program, Logistics, Mobilization (including the Media Strategy Group), Finance, Registration/Website, Youth, Children, and Prayer Support. We need to be led of the Lord, given His creative, anointed ideas, and to all do our work diligently, joyfully, and unitedly.
2. This will not be just another prayer conference. The word “world” adds a great deal of complexity and challenge to the planning process since we hope to have 5000-7000 ministry leaders from all 220 nations. Please pray for excellent organization on the part of the Indonesians and Koreans who are co-hosting the event, for the International Coordination Team, and for the right people from every nation to hear about the WPA and be able to come to Jakarta for it.
3. The WPA Concert of Prayer in Indonesia this year on May 17, 2011. This will also serve as preparation for the WPA that is one year to follow. Please pray for further guidance, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and unity.
4. Some organizers that are key to the WPA process are: the Indonesian and Korean national committees who will co-host the event and the WPA International Coordination Team (14) that provides overall oversight. Please pray for His guidance, protection, and provision for each of us. The spiritual battle, as you can imagine, is intense.
Here are the two Scripture passages that have particularly inspired us in arranging the WPA:
• The Church Becoming United—that all followers of Christ may be one so that the world may believe. (John 17:20-26)
• Our World Being Transformed—that “the earth may be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea”. (Hab.2:14)
Thanks so much for your gracious help through prayer that will mean so much, not just to those of us doing the planning and organizing, but also to our world that will be affected by the World Prayer Assembly.
Please also help us get word of the WPA out to “ministry leaders of influence” who will represent the “seven mountains” of society (Arts/Media, Business/Marketplace, Church, Development of the Poor, Education, Family, and Government) who should be part of the WPA. Again, for more information, please have them see www.worldprayerassembly.com where they can also register their interest in participating.
Yangon (the capital), Myanmar, was the location for the January 12-14 National Children in Prayer and 4/14 Window Leaders’ Summit. John Robb, Chairman of the International Prayer Council, and Jeffrey Chew, SE Asia Regional CiP Coordinator, served as the main speakers. Present were 240+ participants, pastors, leaders, and children ministry and orphanage directors from various denominations from Yangon and all over Myanmar who enthusiastically strategized and planned out starting Children in Prayer ministries in the regions from which they came. God will use these children to bring about transformation to their society.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (www.csw.org.uk) announced the Burma Day of Prayer on March 12, 2011. The gathering will be in Central London to pray for the people and nation of Burma.
Following street protests in December 2010 going into January 2011 over a repressive government, seemingly lavish government spending, levels of corruption, economic hits, and dismal employment prospects for even the educated, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi was brought into power to replace Mr. Ben Ali. Prime Minister Ghannouchi has set up an interim government until elections can be held mid-year. Many political prisoners have been freed. Demonstrators are still angered that the new cabinet is dominated by the former president Ben Ali’s party. Some protestors feel that long-barred groups such as the Islamist groups or the Tunisian Communists should be able to participate in the government. On January 26th, the interim government issued an international arrest for Mr. Ben Ali and has dismissed cabinet ministers.
Please pray:
1. That peace and stability will come over Tunisia and that God’s people in Tunisia will be an instrument of peace.
2. For an end to violence and looting—many of whom are from higher-educated backgrounds.
3. For a new government with a heart for justice and the righteousness of God and that God would perhaps raise His children to the ranks of governing and to ranks of influence to council and govern in His ways.
4. Repentance in the Church and restoration to the Land.
5. Protection of Christians from persecution as well as material needs. Food and petrol are becoming more of an issue.
6. For the interim government to act with accountability, honesty, and wisdom until the mid-year elections and that the elections be free from corruption.
7. That the Gospel of Christ Jesus advance.
8. For Tunisian Christians to use this time to share their faith and that God would grant to them deeper faith.
One of our colleagues in Mexico reports some answers to prayers for Mexico. In the last months, these events have occurred:
1. The leader of Familia Michoacana, one who has threatened us of kidnapping, fell down in a special operation by the military in Michoacan. He regarded himself as the apostle of the cartel and had 12 “disciples” under him.
2. The leader of the “Santa Muerte” cult was captured because he was laundering funds from kidnappers.
3. The son of a pastor was released within 10 hours after the military conducted a huge operation never seen before in the area where the young man had been kidnapped.
4. A pastor from Chiapas and who defends native people being rejected by their communities for professing Christ as their Lord, had been threatened by local authorities. He and others met with the Governor and close staff in the capital city of Chiapas. The Governor committed to resolving each issue presented, meeting the first Friday of each month to review progress, and to establish preventative measures against religious discrimination.
5. A meeting occurred with the Apostolic Council in Guatemala and a Mexican team to explain what has happened with the November national prayer initiative. Some 80% of Christian evangelical churches were represented. A Forgiveness and Reconciliation Act for violence Mexicans had done against Guatemalan and Central America immigrants trying to get to the USA was conducted and accepted by the Guatemalans.
6. A meeting of some 250 brothers in a metropolitan area occurred. A woman pastor from Jalisco state gave testimony that in the last night of meetings in November that the Lord healed her foot which was in a cast. She felt strength return, took her cast off, and walked immediately. It was supposed to be on for 3 months. The devil was notified that his power over Mexico had come to an end and that he could not touch the lives of the pastors and leaders of the National Prayer Network.
7. One of the kidnappers of another pastor’s son was captured.
All praises to God!
Also, Bridge Builders, Inc., (http://bridgebuilders.org) reports:
1. Flavio Mendez Santiago, a founding member of the Zetas drug cartel, was captured in mid January. He controlled the main overland drug smuggling routes from Central America. Nancy Davis, an American missionary working in Mexico, was shot and in January, 2010, more than likely for the pick-up truck she drove rather than the fact that she was a missionary. The Los Zetas cartel is suspected to be the attackers. Pray for Sam, her husband.
2. Joaquin “El Chappo” Guzman, listed by Forbes to be one of the world’s most powerful people, worth over $1 billion, and considered the most power drug trafficker in the world, has escaped a Mexican high security federal prison. Beheadings with handwritten notes are signed “El Chappo People”. He has not been found in 10 years.
Please pray:
1. Giving thanks for His moving in Mexico to expose darkness (crime, evil plans) and bring justice and for sparing the life of pastors’ sons who were kidnapped.
2. For the relationship between pastoral leaders and the Chiapas government to continue to be positive, and that the Governor will keep his word and work for religious freedom and protection. Pray that God would work through the Governor and in him to bring about inward change as well.
3. For God’s Spirit to bring about personal change, growth, and revelation of what He is doing or about to do in Mexico during this 40 days of fasting and prayer and for renewed vision for Christian Mexicans in faithful prayer support and outreach to their country.
4. For other drug cartel leaders to be captured and brought to justice and for confusion and dissolution of the networking and drug trafficking efforts. That they and others in crime would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Pray that all their evil plans be foiled and people’s lives spared.