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
Why did America need The Return and a day of prayer and repentance on the National Mall, but also live-streamed throughout the land Saturday?
America is a nation that started in covenant with God 400 years ago this year to glorify Him and spread His gospel to the whole world. But the country's spiraled down to legislate immorality, call evil good and good evil, throw God and His commandments out of the schools, and kill its own unborn children.
As "The Return" organizer Jonathan Cahn put it, "We drove God out of our hearts, out of our government, out of our ways, out of laws, out of the education of our children, out of the public squares. Out of our businesses, out of our media, out of our culture, out of our lives. And as we drove Him out, we opened up a vacuum into which came a flood of other gods."
Remember Who You're Talking to
How do we stop the spiral downward? As Cahn would put it, "Repent and return." And appeal to the one true God.
"When you pray, remember that you are appealing to the highest authority there is," said Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham. "Nobody can go over His head. He is the highest authority we can appeal to. What he says, is so."
'We Deserve Judgment…But We Ask for Grace'
Prominent Christians came to the stage one after another to plead with that highest authority.
Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council asked God, "Return our love of You to us that we'll stand fearless in the face of evil."
Former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann declared, "We deserve Your judgment, Father, but we ask for Your grace. We ask for Your mercy."
President Trump Speaks of 'Our Lord & Savior'
President Trump took part in the event, sending a message from the White House to be read to The Return crowd. He stated, "On this inaugural National Day of Prayer and Return, the First Lady and I join millions of Christians here in the United States and around the world in prayer, as we turn our hearts to our Lord and Savior."
And he spoke of the nation's Christian heritage: "Following in our ancestors' footsteps we continue the 'firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence' that provides us enduring strength and reassurance in our times of need."
CBN's Gordon Robertson and his father CBN founder Pat Robertson joined in, with Pat crying out, "Lord, this is your world, this is your land. We ask that You'd come and heal our land and take charge. For, Lord, we don't know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
Many Tens of Thousands Came to Pray
At the same time, Franklin Graham led a Prayer March starting at The Lincoln Memorial and going down the entire 1.8 mile long National Mall.
Tens of thousands of prayer warriors showed up before the March began, packing every inch around the Lincoln Memorial and down each side of the Reflecting Pool.
The first thing Franklin Graham did was introduce a surprise prayer-participant - Vice President Mike Pence. He thanked the massive crowd for doing the best thing they can for their country: lifting it up to God. Then he prayed and blessed the efforts of all there.
There were prayer goals for each stop along the way — like the World War II Memorial and Washington Monument. But the throngs were so huge that there was no way for everyone to actually listen to one specific person praying.
Prayer Broke Out Everywhere
Up and down the Mall, groups broke up into small circles to pray.
That accomplished one of Franklin Graham's goals: that people wouldn't just listen to him, because, as he put it, "My prayers are no more important than yours." But that each man and woman who'd made the effort to be there would lift up their individual voice and make their particular petitions known to God.
At the World War II Memorial, where the emphasis was on praying for soldiers, police, and safety in the nation, Steve Morgan of Chesapeake, Virginia prayed out as he laid hands on a soldier marching with his group.
"We bless our military, we bless our police officers, those who secure peace, not only for our land, God, but lands far away," he said.
Morgan told CBN News, "I've been praying that the blessing will transcend the gathering here. But that really there'll be a tangible blessing, a kind of an earthquake of blessing, if I can put it that way, that'll be like tremors that the whole nation will feel as a result of the oneness and prayer that's being experienced today."
These events and efforts taking place all over the National Mall were all to the same purpose: bringing America back to its first love and repenting before a holy God.
Watch the REPLAY: https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2020/september/be-a-part-of-the-return-a-national-and-global-day-of-repentance-friday-evening-and-all-day-saturday
Resources: Click to access a Return Prayer Guide, Church Activation Kit and More! https://thereturn.org/resources/
Towards the end of August, two prayer leaders, one Indonesian and one American called me within a few days of each other, both saying they were deeply stirred by the current plight of the USA with growing lawlessness and rioting gripping many cities here.
Their calls came as a confirmation to me since I was already feeling that America was in a fight for survival as the free society we have known and appreciated her to be. Under the guise of racial justice protests, Marxist agitators working through Antifa and Black Lives Matter as well as other communist-inspired organizations have been trying to burn down U.S. cities and throw the country into revolutionary chaos as they have long planned.
The November 3 national election will be the most important one in our national history because it will determine whether the USA will become the willing tool of these oppressive forces or continue to stand for Judeo-Christian values, freedom, and human rights within this country and throughout our world.
We in the American prayer movement were so glad to hear that our Indonesian brothers and sisters in Christ wanted to rally the global Body of Christ to pray for America during this crucial time.
On September 11th, Indonesian and American prayer leaders co-hosted a global online prayer call via YouTube called “Trumpet Call to the Nations: Global 9/11 Prayer for America”. You can see the full video on this link https://youtu.be/F7pmkOXhBSs It begins with a moving video called “Praying for America”, a splendid aerial video of the country set to the lovely, worshipful music “As One We Stand” by Terry and Barbi Franklin who are both worship leaders and intercessors. (That video has since been adapted for churches and prayer groups to use as a prayer video with specific concerns for the nation now and is attached below for your use.)
Daniel Pandji, the Indonesian leader who mobilized prayer in his country and around the world for the USA, and Frank Amedia, a prophetic pastor who leads a prayer ministry for the US government, both shared their provocative visions about the extreme danger facing our country and the need for us to be midwives in securing deliverance through united prayer at this crucial time.
Rick Ridings and Succat Hallel gave us an encouraging prophetic word from Jerusalem. After David Demian with two Chinese leaders asked forgiveness for those nations that have resented and cursed America, DC prayer leaders received those confessions and blessings and then led us in prayer for the three branches of the US federal government.
From there we embarked on an extended prayer tour to a dozen American cities for a continued time of repentance and prayer with worship led by both American and Indonesian ministry leaders. What a marvellous and moving time to be in the presence of the Lord together, with such unity in spite of our cultural diversity!
We as Americans are so very grateful to the Indonesians and other brothers and sisters in Christ who took the time to be with us and lift America to His Throne of Grace. May we see His breakthroughs come as a result in the coming weeks and especially during the November 3rd election!
John D Robb – Chairman
International Prayer Connect