South China Sea: fake fishing fleet
25 Mar 2021
On 22 March the Philippines demanded China withdraw its massive ‘fishing fleet’, controlled by its navy, from waters that Manila has exclusive economic rights over. These boats have been nicknamed ‘little blue men’ because their role is similar to Putin's famous ‘little green men’ (Russian soldiers without official insignia who invaded eastern Ukraine on behalf of Moscow in 2014). For the Chinese navy to masquerade as fisherfolk is nothing new. But this time the sheer scale of the flotilla, a whopping 220 vessels, totally outnumbers the ill-equipped Philippine navy, coastguards, and local fishing boats which have long complained of China chasing them out of their own waters. As China's power rises, so too has Beijing's determination to dominate the South China Sea despite American intervention in the past, and the Philippines’ attempts to prevent illegal control.
Lebanon: worsening crisis
25 Mar 2021
Lebanon has failed again to form a new government. President Michel Aoun wants help from other countries to overcome the deadlock. There is economic despair as political instability drives the currency down. As the currency dips further, the minimum wage sinks below that of third-world countries. It is unbelievable how little people are earning now. They are stuck in a vicious circle, with no end in sight. Each time the currency loses value, prices go up, and people can buy fewer daily essentials. A bottle of milk was 3,000 Lebanese lira, now it’s 8,000. But that same bottle of milk bought with US dollars is less than 50 cents. It becomes ¼ of the price for people with dollars, but the poor people pay over double the price. As the crisis worsens, people have nowhere to put their hope, so they are starting to put their hope in Christ.
Eritrea: EU announces sanctions
25 Mar 2021
On 22 March the European Union announced a number of sanctions on Eritrea’s national security office. This positive EU move should hardly be a surprise to the Eritrean government. It has faced sanctions for its human rights and religious freedom violations in the past, earning the nickname of ‘Africa’s North Korea’ for its systematic flaunting of international standards and its insular foreign policy. The recent sanctions target arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances of persons, and torture committed by its agents. Eritrea has a well-documented history of treating its prisoners inhumanely and of targeting religious minorities for particularly harsh treatment. Me’eter Prison, the customary holding place for Eritrean prisoners of conscience, is notorious for its regular use of torture, for example to induce religious recantations. Prisoners are kept in metal shipping containers placed on the open desert floor.
Ethiopia: crisis for children
25 Mar 2021
UNICEF is underscoring the need for continual aid for children amid a worsening situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Five months since the conflict began, a picture is emerging of killings and sexual violence against women and children. UNICEF reports schools and health centres looted, vandalised, and occupied by armed groups. In addition, deliberate attacks of violence and looting have left 60% of health care facilities not operational. 57% of boreholes (providing water) in 13 towns are not functional, and a quarter of the region’s schools have sustained damage. Although UNICEF and partners give humanitarian aid to the needy, there are urgent needs for children’s protection. Fighting, media blackout, and government-imposed restrictions leave humanitarian organisations unable to provide adequate aid, and they have had difficulty accurately gauging the need. Basic service outlets must be protected and the safety and security of everyone working in and accessing those services guaranteed.
China: church in chains - Pastor John
25 Mar 2021
Just one of the Christian prisoners in China is Pastor John Cao (60), serving a seven-year prison sentence for ‘organising illegal border crossings’ between China and Myanmar. He made many trips from America to his native China to establish schools and work among the poor before expanding his humanitarian work into Myanmar. He was detained in 2017 while returning to China from Myanmar and sentenced a year later. His defence lawyer and his mother asked prison authorities to deliver a Bible to him. They refused. His mother writes Bible verses in each letter she sends. Please ask God to bless Pastor John and keep his faith strong, and pray for healing from his various health problems. Pray that he will be released early. Pray for his witness to prisoners and guards, and that others would continue his ministry to the poor.
‘Beyond the Pandemic: Is there any word from the Lord?’ by Rev Dr Clifford Hill
When a pandemic is unleashed, how should Christians respond?
Beyond the Pandemic provides a Biblical view of the contemporary world situation.
It focuses upon what the Biblical prophets called “the deeds of the Lord” – the historical evidence of the activity of God in the life and times of the leaders of Israel and Judah, from Moses to Malachi. This revelation of the nature of God is set alongside contemporary events, providing a prophetic view of God’s purposes in these troubled times.
After years of warnings to our society, which has turned its back on Him, who is both Creator and Sovereign over the world in which we live, we must either repent or face yet worse afflictions; Hill points us to the only effective remedy – God’s word spoken through Isaiah 45:22, “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is no other.”
The Rev. Dr Clifford Hill MA, BD, PhD, Sociologist and Theologian, is a lecturer, preacher and broadcaster who has written over forty books. He is an ordained minister in the Congregational church, has led multi-ethnic congregation in London and continues to exercise pastoral oversight of an inner-city church.
He is editor-in-chief of Prophecy Today UK, which seeks to apply God’s word in the Bible to current affairs and, with his wife, Monica, is joint director of Issachar Ministries which supports Christians in prayer and action.
Beyond the Pandemic is published by Wilberforce Publications and is available to purchase:
CLC bookshop - https://clcbookshops.com/Products/ViewOne.aspx?ProductId=131212&sq=beyond%20the%20pandemic
Amazon - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/191612111X/
Find out more at Wilberforce Publications: https://www.wilberforcepublications.co.uk/
Replays and Resources from Recent Events
23 Mar 2021
There have been numerous significant regional and international gatherings over the last few months. We would encourage our partner networks to continue to use these wonderful replays and resources that are available on the YouTube channels listed below. They are a hugely valuable resource!
World Prayer Together on 19th September involved 10,000 people from 123 nations.
The theme of the 4-hour gathering was ‘Repentance, Reconciliation, Revival and Reaching all with His Gospel.’
Watch the 30-minute excerpts video or the replay of the whole event. See the programme guides on YouTube or the IPC Website to quickly find specific items.
10 Days / The Return - 365 City Events and 155 Locations around the world took part in 10 Days. 4000+ people registered for the 24/7 Global Zoom Prayer Room and 4600+ took the Consecration Challenge.
Watch the Facebook Live Replays of 10 Days.
100,000 attended The Return in Washington and 10's of Millions watched the simulcast on TV and Online.
See Jonathan Cahn’s prophetic word for America.
Watch the REPLAY of The Return - Download a Return Prayer Guide and More!
The National Prayer Assembly drew together huge numbers worldwide to an online gathering to pray for America.
Let's continue to pray for His deliverance and destiny for the USA during this crucial election season. May the best days for America be in the coming months and years, serving as a blessing from the Lord, not only to its own citizens but to the rest of the world as well!
View the NPA Sessions and presentations replays on YouTube
CONTEND 2020 - Global Mission Mobilization Initiative
Contend! is a 21 day prayer campaign seeking God for breakthrough in His global Church surrounding an increase of mission mobilization vision across ministry structures, moving mission from the periphery in the Church to its rightful place at the core.
One of IPC’s key partners, Seed Company, has provided a new interactive prayer resource for you!
Learn 5 prayer habits to help you pray effectively for Bible translation. This 5-day devotional will enrich your spiritual walk and impact eternity through your prayers.
In what ways has the Bible changed your life? When life hits us hard, we find direction and solace in Scripture.
But what if the Bible was not in your language? That’s the reality for over 1 billion people today.
Join this 5-day plan where you can partner your Scripture reading with simple and effective ways to pray for people without the Bible.
It’s available in the YOU Version Bible App – or HERE