Mozambique: thousands displaced
08 Oct 2020
Elisa arrived home just in time to see Islamists murder her father and her husband, who was a pastor. Her uncle had already been beheaded. Grief-stricken and fearing for their lives, Elisa and 18 family members joined 200,000 others fleeing the Islamists’ advance. This year the insurgents, who have been active in northern Mozambique for three years, have pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). The thousands displaced by the repeated, devastating attacks have fled to other parts of the country where conditions are crowded and resources are stretched. Front-line workers have reported burnt and destroyed churches, schools, clinics and police stations. As Christian workers provide comfort and food to the displaced, they are also offering Bibles to give hurting people the hope of Jesus Christ. Pray for an end to the ongoing violence. Pray also that the many enduring this trauma will gain hope and eternal life through faith in Christ.
Israel: Haredi Jews flout pandemic lockdown
08 Oct 2020
Haredi Jews are more conservative and reclusive than modern orthodox Jews. Some Haredi are ignoring lockdown laws and embarrassing their peers who are socially distancing and wearing masks. Recently Rabbi Mordechai Leifer died of Covid-19 complications. Ashdod, his city, is one of the ‘red’ cities where infection is especially high. However neither the rampant virus spread that led to the nationwide lockdown, nor the fact that the virus was spreading especially quickly through Ashdod’s Haredi community prevented thousands of them from crowding together for his funeral, ignoring coronavirus restrictions and violating the law. A handful of police tried to hold the crowd at bay, but the mourners formed a tight-knit ring beyond the reach of the officers. When the funeral dispersed, some mourners resisted police efforts to scatter the crowd and even began rioting. Haredi make up 12% of the population but their morbidity rates are four times those of the general population.
USA: Donald Trump’s pandemic message
08 Oct 2020
Donald Trump took off his face mask to enter the White House after being hospitalised with coronavirus. This dismissive message - 'don't be afraid of Covid, don't let it dominate your life' - immediately met with angry statements saying he was putting Americans at risk. The American Medical Association warned that 'the only thing we have to fear is complacency'. Meanwhile the 74-year-old tweeted that he was feeling 'better than I did 20 years ago!' On 7 October Trump described his Covid-19 illness as a blessing from God. He wants all Americans to have access to the treatment he was given, even though the drug has not been approved by federal regulators and its use is known to carry a risk affecting behaviour and judgment. Coronavirus has claimed over 210,000 American lives, and many are saying his message was 'a slap in the face' to bereaved families. He has refused to take part in a TV debate with Joe Biden because it would have to take place virtually.
USA: Hurricane Delta
08 Oct 2020
On 6 October Louisiana’s governor warned, ‘It is time to prepare for Hurricane Delta as it intensifies in the Caribbean. It is common for people to experience hurricane fatigue during a busy season, but we need everyone to take this threat seriously.’ Delta is the 10th named storm in America this season. After tearing down trees and power lines across Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Delta grew in size as it approached the northern Gulf Coast on 9 October. Life-threatening storm surges and hurricane-force winds are expected in the Louisiana coast, with as much as 12 inches of rain in places. State and local officials are shoring up levees, sandbagging and taking other protection measures in areas still recovering from Hurricane Laura, which roared ashore in August. Over 6,600 Laura evacuees remain in hotels around the state, mainly in New Orleans, because their homes are too heavily damaged to return. Pray for their peace of mind.
Kyrgyzstan: days of unrest, no clear leadership
08 Oct 2020
As Kyrgyzstan slides into a political crisis Russia described the current situation, with the country lacking clear leadership, as ‘chaotic’. Border guards were given a list of people barred from leaving the country, ostensibly to ensure security amid the unrest that has toppled the government. Russia’s Tass news agency described the people in that list as ‘high-ranking’ officials. The former Soviet republic has seen thousands protest against the results of the 4 October parliamentary election which handed victory to establishment parties. The results were annulled after demonstrators seized government buildings and freed jailed ex-president Almazbek Atambayev. Rallies forced the Kyrgyz cabinet to resign, leaving the country with no clear leadership. Three opposition groups have each proposed candidates for an interim prime minister who would need to oversee a repeat vote in the coming months, local media said. Meanwhile, the outgoing parliament has split into two groups, which have been meeting separately outside the headquarters ransacked by protesters.
Greetings!
We are pleased to bring you IPC Connections for October 2020.
Last month, we reported a sudden throng of events around the globe focused on calling the church to identificational repentance, nation by nation. We shared how leaders have been led simultaneously to draw the Church together to pray concertedly in the spirit of ‘If my people…’ (2 Chron 7:14) for the healing and renewing of each of our lands. We have seen numerous online events and initiatives take place during September and spilling into October.
One of our colleagues listed just some of the larger events… Lou Engle's 40-day global Jesus fast, The Return, The Franklin Graham March, The Reset, As One Rally, 50 Days of Blessings, National Day of Prayer, 10 Days of Prayer, Sara's 50 Day Siege and One Cry. Then there have been Trumpet Call to the Nations on 911, World Prayer Together on 19th September and the forthcoming US National Prayer Assembly on October 13-15 that some of the IPC team have been involved with planning.
As this season continues, let’s be praying that our Heavenly Father hears our heart-cries from Heaven and heals our lands. There are replays of a number of these events for those who have not been able to log-on at the time. Some are listed in this email.
Our Editorial article this month, and three lead articles, are focused on prayers for America as we face perhaps the most important Presidential Elections in our history on November 3rd. Please be in prayer for ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done’ as our nation considers who they should be voting for. We sincerely thank IPC’s friend and colleague, David Kubal for contributing our October editorial article entitled ‘America Needs Your Intercession’.
The Covid-19 pandemic has now affected 33.4 million people worldwide with over a million now losing their lives. We bring you up to date information on this along with prayer points and links to various resources.
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.
Wishing you His continued blessings,
Jason Hubbard - Executive Coordinator
John D Robb – Chairman
International Prayer Connect
Please use this link if you would like to sow in to our ministry with a donation
By David Kubal, Intercessors for America President/CEO
I am deeply humbled and blessed beyond measure by the prayers of the nations for America. For 47 years, Intercessors for America has been praying for godly government.
I want you to know how very much I appreciate the prayers of people outside the United States for our nation. It lifts our spirits and encourages us in our own intercession.
In this election season, I ask for your prayers for American values, our church, and for our government.
Values
Protection of Life. Nothing is more precious to God than life. From conception to natural death, God desires life to be protected. (Ps 139:13)
Pray for the value of life to be embraced by candidates and in their platforms.
Protection of the Family. Our society and our Supreme Court have embraced tragic views that grieve the heart of God and allow a diversity of what a legal family looks like based upon individual, personal beliefs about gender, attraction, and more. Although no belief or court opinion will ever have the power to redefine that which God has defined, efforts to change what family is have nevertheless wreaked havoc on our lives. (Gen 1:27, 28)
Pray for the strengthening and upholding of the family in America. Pray for healing where there is harm and brokenness and for a true understanding of identity to flourish.
Protection of Religious Freedoms. Attack on religious freedoms is the reason many of the early immigrants to our nation came to America. They sought the freedom to be able to worship their God! We need legislators and elected officials who have a heart to protect all faiths. This protection would in turn allow the Church to be the Church and give us the opportunity to be salt and light in our nation. (Ps 19:7)
Pray for elected officials and judges at all levels to protect the free exercise of religion. Pray that laws infringing religious freedom would be overturned. Pray for our leaders to uphold and honor the fundamental right of religious freedom.
The Church
The Church is designed to foster our spiritual lives, and the government our civil lives. Even so, the Bible indicates that the Church should guide our morals as well as our civics.
Government is not the source of spiritual revival. Though we desire our elected officials to be god-fearing, trustworthy, and full of integrity, we do not look to them as spiritual leaders.
The Church should influence government indirectly through the moral training of leaders and diplomats, but it is not to seek authority or validity from governments. God established the Church. And the Church stewards the nation, not the other way around. The Church is commanded to influence government through prayer and intercession, cooperating with the will and plan of God.
Pray for the American Church to arise and shine, bringing the Gospel message to every community in America.
Pray for the American Church to have a profound and lasting impact on the United States and this election.
Government
And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (Ex 18:20-21)
Through divine wisdom, the ancient Hebrews were the first to create a representative republic based upon law. This was the blueprint for the republic we now enjoy in the United States.
This element of the divine blueprint, “Moreover you shall select from all the people,” is the most important because those who are selected have the opportunity to affect everything. Scripture is clear that those to be selected are to be able, God-fearing, truthful, and content. These are the values we are to look for in candidates. Those of us with biblical worldviews must go beyond the rhetoric and discern candidates’ hearts and values.
For months, Intercessors for America has been praying for literally millions of potential voters across the nation, by name. We are praying that Christians will vote their values-- for candidates who reflect the heart of God for the leaders of the United States.
Pray strategically for the Body of Christ to be salt and light in the civil arena.
Pray for the many Christians running for office and serving in government to be strengthened in grace and truth.
Pray for the election of leaders who will govern in fear of God, truth, and hating covetousness.
More Resources and Election Prayer Guides at: https://ifapray.org/
Seeking God's Face for the Destiny of America
Dear Praying Friends,
Ephesians 2:14-16 "He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...His purpose was to create one new man...and reconcile both of them to god through the cross."
If you have a heart to pray for America please join us via Zoom, October 13-15, 2020, for three power-packed, interactive days of hearing fast-moving, expert presentations, followed by anointed times of united prayer on the most crucial issues confronting our country.
It will be a profound season of Seeking God's Face for the Destiny of America as our theme describes.
We will also enjoy stirring worship along with quiet waiting and reflection together in His presence in order to hear His voice and pray out His heart for our nation.
Further details about the NPA along with the Zoom link will be sent to those who have registered. The registration cut-off will be October 6th so please register ASAP.
Prayer focus: Corporate sins, revival, and restoration | Government and elections | Terrorism and immorality | Children and youth | Economy and human life | The lost, truth in media, occult | Poor and unity and strength for prayer movement
Please plan to join us at this critical time in history!
Yours in Christ,
Conveners
Dave Kubal, President/CEO, Intercessors for America
Lisa Crump, Vice-President, National Day of Prayer
John Robb, Chairman, International Prayer Council