Hong Kong: press freedom
24 Jun 2021
20 June was the 26th anniversary of the founding of Apple Daily newspaper. The tabloid has been critical of the Hong Kong and Chinese leadership, and on 23 June China announced its closure after raiding their offices and arresting senior staff. Their last publication stated, ‘On the eve of this newspaper’s birthday, both our newspaper and the local press suffered unprecedented blows. 500 police barged into our newsroom, ransacked news materials that have always been strictly protected, snatched over 40 computers, servers, and much news materials. This means that many sources and sensitive materials were taken away. Five of our executives, including CEO Cheung Kim-hung and editor-in-chief Ryan Law were arrested. They were charged and bail rejected, and they don’t know when they will regain freedom. The impact on them and their families are beyond imagination. Searches and arrests are sounding an alarm for the local press freedom at a volume that has never been heard before’. See
Australia: Youth Uprising 29 June - 2 July
24 Jun 2021
The Uprising prayer movement is worldwide, organised by youth but with the whole Body of Christ invited to participate. They are seeking to usher in a move of the Holy Spirit to unleash them into their prophetic destiny: uniting the young and old generations in seeking God, and believing their united fellowship, worship and intercession will usher in a prophetic move of the Holy Spirit, releasing an anointing that will cause them to be sent out and be the Jeremiahs in the nation. Smith Wigglesworth prophetically proclaimed, ‘Australia, you have been chosen by God for a great move of the Holy Spirit. This move of God will be the greatest move of God ever known in mankind’s history and will start towards the end of the 20th century and move into the 21st century. This move of God will start a great revival in Australia, spread throughout the whole world and usher in the second coming of Jesus. This will be the final revival before the coming of the Lord.’
USA: spike in violent crime
24 Jun 2021
President Joe Biden is launching a renewed effort to tackle crime in the US, as a series of major cities experience spikes in violent offences. Police departments define violent crime in slightly different ways, but the data usually includes murder, robbery, assault and rape. There were 25% more murders recorded in 2020 than the previous year. Major US cities have tended to follow the national trend in becoming safer since the 1990s, but some have recently seen a sharp rise in murders. Spikes in the biggest cities are a considerable concern to Biden's administration, with Chicago having the worst records for murders and a continuing upward trend in 2021. A rise in the number of shootings in many major cities runs parallel with the president's attempts to strengthen firearm regulations to combat gun violence. The administration hopes strong action now can stem the violence and prevent murders increasing further this summer.
Japan: Covid-wary Olympics
24 Jun 2021
A month before the Olympics opening ceremony, many Japanese people remain resolutely opposed to the Games, amid fears that the influx of athletes, sport officials and journalists could worsen the continuing Covid outbreak in Tokyo and across the country. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and organisers are steadfast in their resolve to continue with the Games as anti-virus measures remain in place; they promise stringent protocols will prevent 93,000 visitors from worsening Japan’s outbreak. But questions still outnumber answers. Doctors and healthcare workers have the strongest opposition voices – an infection surge could overwhelm healthcare systems. ‘Front-line medical workers are being treated as disposable,’ said a 27-year-old nurse in Tokyo.Another factor fuelling public opposition is the sluggish pace of Japan’s vaccine rollout. A former Olympic athlete said the safety of people is not considered the priority. Instead, the IOC’s own interests are being considered the priority.
Ethne Prayer Resources
18 Jun 2021
Ethne Prayer Team offers some valuable up to date resources and training material to grow in effective prayer for the unreached.
They champion prayer and the mobilisation of prayer for unreached peoples and places.
‘We are aware that there are billions of people who do not have a believer that is close to them to share the Good News. The Ethne Prayer team supports through prayer, mission teams and ministries that are sending workers to people with little or no access to the Gospel.’
Browse their resources in numerous languages and find out more about joining them at: https://ethneprayer.org/
IHOPKC App – Unceasing Worship
18 Jun 2021
UNCEASING WORSHIP is a monthly subscription to an exclusive, curated, growing library of spontaneous worship moments recorded live at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City as well as other Christian artists.
At IHOPKC the musicians and singers give themselves to worship and intercession on a daily basis – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For over 20 years, worship has ascended like incense before the throne of God and will continue without ceasing.
Every month they add new songs, prophetic moments, intercession and prayers, instrumental and devotional moments, and more.
The music of UNCEASING captures the heart and essence of their 24/7 prayer room.
Download the Unceasing Worship App and access an ever-growing library of 3,679,200+ minutes of worship.
More info and download links at: https://unceasingworship.com/
GO21 40 Days to Keep the Harvest - Prayer Guide
18 Jun 2021
Download the GO21 Year of the Upper Room - 40 Days Prayer Guide - with a daily focus on an unreached people group.
The year is divided into 9 seasons of 40 days Prayer, Fasting, Worship and the Word.
Praying for the lost in ‘Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria & ends of the earth’. Acts 1:8
The current Season 5 runs from 13 June – 23 July 2021. The Theme is '40 Days to Keep the Harvest' - “but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:30.
The downloadable / printable prayer guide includes space to write the names of 5 people that we can commit to pray for and seek the opportunity to share Jesus with.
We are pleased to bring you this mid-June 2021 edition of IPC Connections.
As we have transitioned from an amazing, busy month of Prayer during May for GO MONTH and several partner prayer and mission activities under the Hope of Harvest banner, we have so many reasons to be thankful! Despite the challenges that we are all facing with the pandemic, we are seeing a great move of God across the nations as huge numbers have been coming to faith in Jesus Christ. We are collating testimonies and feedback from each continent that we will share with you in our July edition, but we are sure that you will want to give thanks with us for prayers answered and souls saved.
In his Editorial article entitled: Gospel Explosion in the Nations, Dr Jason Hubbard takes us on a journey that deepens our understanding of what true biblical revival is about. He shares this point – ‘“What would it take to see a genuine move of God initiated and sustained in a geographic area?” It is not enough to just see revival, we want to see transforming revival in communities, cities and even whole nations before the return of Christ!’
We are grateful to Mike Bickle, Founder and Director of International House of Prayer, Kansas City for allowing us to share with our prayer partners his recently written article entitled ‘Five Reasons We Value Studying the End Times & Four Pastoral Challenges’ which we believe imparts some valuable truths and teaching for such a time as this.
We continue our series of introductions to the IPC Council members with a profile of our friend and colleague, Liz Adleta. Liz is based in Texas, USA and has been associated with IPC since we started. She now co-leads our ‘Praying for Unreached Peoples’ focus team. She brings a wealth of knowledge, giftings and experience to IPC.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in mobilising and informing united prayer across nations, denominations, movements, and generations for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
May we express grateful thanks to Andy Page and the IPC Editorial Team who put this email together each month.
Every blessing,
Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect
Please use this link if you would like to sow into IPC’s ministry with a donation
Disclaimer… The views and opinions expressed in IPC Connections and the articles on our website are those of individuals and our partner organisations. They do not necessarily represent the policies or views of IPC or its individual leaders.
We aim to respect the diversity within the prayer movement and yet embrace our unified calling to mobilise prayer for the nations. (2 Chron 7:14) If you wish to discuss the appropriateness of any articles, please contact us.