Global: Tearfund’s response to coronavirus
09 Apr 2020
For over fifty years Tearfund has responded to disasters, learning lessons which are helping them respond to coronavirus. From their work tackling Ebola in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they know that faith leaders play a vital role in conveying public health messages to communities. They are responding to coronavirus through their global network of local church partners helping them to promote the right messages (particularly around good hygiene and sanitation) and to correct lies and misinformation about the disease. They are giving advice on how to care for and look out for their communities; to have an answer for tough theological questions about why the coronavirus has happened; and to encourage communities to pray for an end to the outbreak. Tearfund is also in close contact with other humanitarian organisations so that everyone is drawing on the experience of others.
Israel: two prime ministers
09 Apr 2020
For the first time since Israel’s establishment in 1948, the country will soon have two prime ministers. Benjamin Netanyahu will be the active premier over the coming eighteen months, while Benjamin ‘Benny’ Gantz will be the ‘designated prime minister in rotation’ and replace Netanyahu in September or October 2021. Both Benjamins will enjoy the same government perks: an official residence underwritten by the government, a fleet of official automobiles, a Shin Bet security detail, and more. To prevent Netanyahu from reneging on the rotation agreement, an unprecedented ‘rotation law’ will codify the process and put it on automatic pilot. When voting on the government, Knesset members will authorise the process, including blocking the possibility of changing it. Netanyahu and Gantz will both be sworn in as prime minister, the only difference being that one will begin work immediately and the other one later.
Covid-19 the ‘Super Bowl of disinformation’
09 Apr 2020
Did you know that COVID-19 is caused by 5G networks, and that you can cure it with a hairdryer or with a drug that isn't FDA-approved? None of this is true. Yet millions around the world believe this as part of a vast storm of conspiracy theories, scams, and virus disinformation on the internet and social media. In this season of fear and danger there is an enormous need by the public for information that is comforting and reassuring. irrespective of whether it's true. The UN and WHO call this an ‘infodemic,’ which is spreading alongside the pandemic, complicating efforts to slow and treat COVID-19. They have even published a handy myth-buster - for example, drinking alcohol doesn't kill the virus, no matter what the President of Belarus says.
Latin America needs IMF help
09 Apr 2020
Coronavirus has soared in Latin America recently: the worst in Brazil, followed by Chile and Ecuador where bodies lie in the streets. Beyond the public health toll, the economic impact could be catastrophic. Lockdowns and social distancing risk triggering the worst recession in fifty years. Fourteen Latin American and Caribbean countries have asked the IMF for financial lifelines, totalling $4.48 billion. Even before coronavirus, many of their economies were suffering from low oil prices, with some countries almost in outright recession. 80 emerging economies have so far requested financial relief from the $1 trillion earmarked by the IMF for relief.
Afghanistan: IS attack US military base
09 Apr 2020
IS has taken credit for an attack on 8 April on the largest US military base in Afghanistan - Bagram airfield, near Kabul. The attack came as 100 Taliban prisoners were released, as a prerequisite for peace talks. More prisoners should be released near the Bagram base. The government is required to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners, with the Taliban releasing 1,000 members of the Afghan security forces. There is disagreement over the procedure, as to whether senior Taliban commanders would be covered by the deal.
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We are pleased to bring you IPC Connections for April 2020.
These are unprecedented times. All but 18 nations of the world are currently confronting the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. At the time of writing, there are over a million recorded cases and nearly 60,000 deaths. It is having massive health, social, economic and political impact. The virus does not discriminate. We are seeing some healthy younger people taken seriously ill and succumbing to the virus as well as a significant proportion of older and more vulnerable patients.
The pandemic is affecting the Christian Church globally but we are heartened to observe that it is responding positively in lots of ways. It is continuing to share the message of hope that we all have in Jesus that overcomes fear. As well as making a strong humanitarian response in many countries, the Church is adapting the way it meets - with many gathering online. Our friend and colleague, Bennie Mostert from Jericho Walls, South Africa was just this week sharing with fellow ministry leaders about organised and spontaneous prayer mushrooming across South Africa with believers of all ages coming together and meeting online. We are aware that this is happening in many other nations across Africa and the world too.
Many Christian conferences and events that had to be cancelled have moved online to great effect! The Watchmen Conference led by David Demian in South Korea met this last week with over 150,000 people from many nations clicking onto the online zoom meeting. Watch it HERE. We are invited to join a follow-up meeting entitled ‘Passover – Holy Alignment’ on 7th April. Details HERE and more info below.
We are pleased to confirm that GO 2020 is still taking place in May 2020. Many hundreds of thousands of people around the world will share Christ amid the crisis. The principle remains the same: Every Believer is a Witness! But we will focus on online and media Gospel sharing. Visit the Go2020 website for more and See the article below.
Watch the GO 2020 Video | Download the Brochure | Download the April Prayer Guide
A number of you were unable to join the IPC’s ‘GO2020 & Coronavirus’ Global Prayer Call this last week (Sun 29 March), due to a few technical hitches. It was a good gathering with intercessors of all ages praying from every continent! We have edited the video of the meeting so you can watch what happened HERE.
In this edition of IPC Connections, we are bringing a number of important and perhaps sobering articles to pray into. But we open with three editorial articles from IPC Colleagues which we trust will build you up and encourage you.
Firstly, a video from Dr Jason Hubbard, our Executive Coordinator entitled 'Our Response to the Coronavirus pandemic' in which he shares a message of hope and assurance as he encourages us to faithfully pray in agreement and unity in the Lord's name and to expect great things. May God's Kingdom be advanced amidst the challenges of this season that we are in.
Let's individually and corporately renew our commitment to repentance and 'extraordinary prayer'. Please do take time to watch and listen to this powerful twenty minute message.
Secondly, Dr Leslie Keegel, global chairman of the Foursquare Church movement and a senior leader in the IPC, shares a prophetic word for the time that we are in entitled 'Just Stay Calm'. Let's take time to reflect and be encouraged by this dramatic vision that brings a fresh perspective on our current global situation that is prophetically pointing to a time of great harvest.
The third editorial article is from our IPC colleague and West Africa Coordinator, Austen Ukachi on the theme of ‘Faith in Times of Adversity’. He writes as someone who knows the challenges of Africa intimately. Let's lock shields with our fellow believers, some of whom are facing unimaginable situations and stand against the powers of darkness and the covid-19 virus (Eph 6: 16-18). Our God is an awesome God - Amen!
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
International Prayer Connections is produced and distributed freely each month to inform God's praying people around the world. We are grateful to those who have given generously to enable this to happen and continue to need such support for this and our other transformational prayer initiatives.
If you can make a gift towards our costs by giving to our funding arm, the Transformation Prayer Foundation, we would appreciate it. Please click here.
In the first of our three special Editorial features, Dr Jason Hubbard, IPC's Executive Coordinator shares a message of hope and assurance as he encourages us to faithfully pray in agreement and unity in the Lord's name.
‘May the Lamb who was slain receive the due reward for His suffering!’
As we meditate on the Lamb of Glory, Let's individually and corporately renew our commitment to repentance and 'extraordinary prayer'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIyEidHUDK4&t=909s (20 Minutes)
I am sharing with you the Word of Encouragement the Lord gave me.
Exodus 14: 5 - 18
Just Stay Calm
The children of Israel had just experienced the great deliverance from the enslaving arm of Pharaoh. As they were about to cross the Red Sea 600 chariots of Pharaoh’s army overtook them. The Israelites panicked and complained against Moses - “why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? It's better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness." But Moses told the people, “don’t be afraid, just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."
The covid-19 we are presently fighting against is like the armies of Egypt. Pharaoh’s armies overtook the children of Israel right at the brink of them crossing the Red Sea. The Israelites response to this major attack of intimidation was complaining against the man of God.
As we face death at the hands of our enemy, we stand hopeless and absolutely incapable of providing a resistance strong enough to defeat covid-19, I hear the Lord, say to us, "Don’t be afraid, Just stand still and watch me rescue you today. I will fight for you, just stay calm”
Just as the Lord admonished Moses to pick his staff and raise his hand over the Red Sea and commanded the Israelites “to get moving". Moses exerted his authority against the Red Sea, the Lord gave victory over Pharaoh’s army. Let’s rise up in our God given authority and claim our victory over covid-19.
Along with the word the Lord gave me a vivid Vision last night; I saw a storm of locusts coming down in the skies to cripple everything which had life, human life, animal life, the fauna and the flora. The sight was very depressing, nothing refreshing remained in the air or atmosphere. These locusts were coming down in terrible devastating intention to destroy life and everything which represented life.
As I kept watching this horrible sight helplessly, breathing prayers of life and refreshing, I saw a beautiful cloud of angels surround the skies. The cloud of angels are the armies of the Lord. They began to push back the deadly locusts out of our skies and tormented atmosphere. I saw the dark sight of locusts disintegrate with great urgency. As soon as the locusts disappeared the angels covered our skies and atmosphere with a beautiful white refreshing sheet, it indeed was a huge net. The net kept the devastating locusts from entering the human domain. I saw certain parts of the net having holes, which the angels quickly patched beautifully. The present devastation will soon be gone and the fields will be prepared for the great harvest.
What we are experiencing presently are the hot winds blowing on the fields. The hot winds are preparing the harvest to ripen. The harvest will soon be gathered in.
The harvesting angels are ready to gather in the harvest.
Dr Leslie Keegel
Four Square Church | IPC Senior Advisor