Global: Kingdom vision
04 Jun 2020
We are living at a historic time, in terms of international health. Never has a pandemic had the physical, economic, and social impact of Covid-19. But we are also seeing an unprecedented moment in the history of the church. In missions today, there is a convergence of five major events that have never happened before, say the One Challenge global research team. Five major mission milestones are coming together. Every known people group in the world has been ‘adopted’ by at least one body of Christians to take the gospel to them. By 2025, a translation of the gospel should be started in every known language in the world. Churches, denominations and mission agencies are working together as never before. The technology exists to deliver the gospel to every person on earth. The nations and people of the world are being prayed for through a vast number of prayer networks of millions of people.
On 1 June Donald Trump declared himself the ‘law and order president’, vowing to use military might to remove people demonstrating against George Floyd’s murder and the persecution of black people. Tear gas, flash grenades, and rubber bullets were used against peaceful protesters. Then Trump visited a church and held up a Bible. The Bishop of Washington said the president ‘raised the most sacred text of the Judeo-Christian tradition outside a church in my diocese, without permission, as a backdrop for a message opposing the teachings of Jesus’. Jesuit James Martin tweeted, ‘This is revolting. The Bible is not a prop. A church is not a photo op. Religion is not a political tool. God is not your plaything.’ Rabbi Moline said, ‘Seeing President Trump in front of a Church holding the Bible in response to calls for racial justice - right after using military force to clear peaceful protesters - is the most flagrant misuse of religion that I have ever seen.’
On 1 June 1921, in Tulsa, the US experienced the worst race riots in its history. A prosperous African-American community, dubbed ‘Black Wall Street’, was eradicated by rioting white people. Within hours luxury shops, homes, restaurants and food stores belonging to black families disappeared. An unknown number of people died - many when planes dropped bombs, others when mobs burnt down the remaining neighbourhood. Racism’s root of division that began with killing native Indians and using black slaves is still active 99 years later. Entire groups of people accuse and hate each other over everything from government policy to religion. God never intended this. His purpose is explained in Revelation 7:9: ‘After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.’
Myanmar: pandemic threatens Rohingya
04 Jun 2020
130,000 internally displaced Rohingya trapped in detention camps in Myanmar have no future, with little access to land or livelihoods. They depend on foreign aid and die of treatable diseases due to limited healthcare. Shelters, built in 2012 to last two years, have deteriorated. Children only attend basic classes in temporary learning spaces. The authorities are using coronavirus response measures as a pretext to harass the Rohingya, who have told Human Rights Watch (HRW) that military and police forces regularly subject them to harassment and punishment at checkpoints. Police at a checkpoint made a woman do sit-ups for thirty minutes for not wearing a mask; she was then too exhausted to move. People must perform squats at checkpoints with their hands on their ears. HRW said, ‘The reality is dire. Oppressive and systemic restrictions imposed on those remaining in Myanmar may be indicative of ongoing genocide.’
Iran: 42 years in prison for peaceful protest
04 Jun 2020
Three women, charged with 'inciting prostitution' for not wearing veils, have been sentenced to 42 years in prison between them. Now, with Covid-19 cases confirmed in prisons across Iran, they are in more danger than ever. Monireh, Yasaman and Mojgan have done nothing wrong; thousands are calling on the head of the judiciary to release them immediately. As an act of peaceful protest, the unveiled women handed out flowers to female passengers on a Tehran metro train. They were filmed sharing their hopes for Iranian women on International Women’s Day. Days after the video went viral on social media, they were charged with sham offences including ‘inciting prostitution’ for promoting unveiling. Prisoners in Iran are at particular risk because they are unable to take the same social distancing and hygiene measures as those outside prison to protect themselves.
UN news
04 Jun 2020
More than five years of conflict have left Yemenis hanging on by a thread, their economy in tatters, and their institutions facing near-collapse. The UN chief told a virtual pledging conference they needed to demonstrate solidarity with some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable in Yemen. Pray for UN workers to receive the funding to meet people’s needs in this staggering humanitarian crisis. Across the globe Covid-19 has halted economic activity and threatens social wellbeing. UNESCO says it is now coping with millions in extreme poverty. Pray for the UN to make wise decisions as it addresses the pandemic and mobilises the resources needed for a proactive recovery. In Africa it is addressing the ‘appalling impact’ of Covid-19 on minorities; the virus has a ‘disproportionate impact’ on racial and ethnic minorities, including people of African descent. Pray for human rights to be at the centre of coronavirus response.
Thousands have been killed amid ‘near impunity’ for offenders in the war on illegal drugs since 2016, the UN says. Its report levelled heavy criticism at President Rodrigo Duterte's government. His crackdown has been marked by high-level rhetoric that can be seen as ‘permission to kill’. Official figures show more than 8,000 people killed since he took office: other estimates put the figure three times as high. Most victims are young poor urban males, and police, who do not need search or arrest warrants to conduct house raids, systematically force suspects to make self-incriminating statements or risk facing lethal force. Duterte described the report as ‘a travesty’. Despite the many killings he remains very popular.
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We are pleased to bring you IPC Connections for June 2020.
We are compiling this International Prayer Connections Newsletter a few days ahead of Pentecost Sunday. There is a great sense of expectancy as we approach this time when we celebrate the empowering of the Holy Spirit from on high.
Readers will be encouraged as they read this article on our website in which Dr Jason Hubbard talks us through the significance of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus, which 'bridges the Passover to Pentecost'. Jason exhorts us to meditate on the exaltation and ascension of Jesus and give him his due reward! 'Let’s return to the place of united worship-saturated prayer, around the throne, around the clock and around the globe all for the Glory of the Lamb!'
Pentecost Weekend also marks Global Outreach Day when Christians around the world will be sharing their faith. GodTV have partnered with GO2020 to present broadcasts over the weekend to train Christians in personal evangelism. Let’s continue to be praying for this initiative which seeks to reach 1 billion worldwide for Christ!
Watch the GO 2020 Video | Download the Brochure | Download the June Prayer Guide
Many of the IPC networks will be joining in the Sound from Heaven global broadcast on 31st May. See the calendar below for details of some of the many Pentecost events taking place this next few days.
The vision and mission of GO2020 continues with the 90 Days of HOPE which runs from June 1st through to August 2020, which encourages us to continue to put our prayers into action with evangelism and sharing our faith. Download the Flyer Here
In this edition of IPC Connections, we are headlining GO2020 Kids – which aims to teach children and young people how to pray and unashamedly share their faith at home, in schools and across their communities. IPC colleagues, Tom Victor and Candy Marballi have prepared several informative and encouraging articles to excite and enthuse us about what is already happening across the regions. To use Tom’s words, please only read these articles ‘if you are a kid or have been one!’. Humorous but also challenging words that remind us in the Kingdom context that we need to become like children. (Matt 18) Let’s be praying for this important area of mission and seeking God as to how we can all be more involved with it.
The covid-19 pandemic has brought massive challenges to every nation of the world. In this edition, we bring some top level updates, prayers and links to partner organisations resources. Many of us are assisting brothers and sisters who are serving the Lord as pastors and mission workers in lesser-developed countries. As well as praying, we are conscious of a massive humanitarian impact that the lockdowns are causing that demands our practical and sacrificial financial responses.
The resulting 'lockdown' has changed how the Church meets and how conferences happen with many gathering online using zoom, skype, Teams, Facebook Live, Youtube and other apps. Our colleagues at IPC have regularly been jumping between two or three events across the continents with a few clicks of a mouse. Delegates of regional events such as the Caribbean Prayer Summit this last week are excited about how technology makes such gatherings accessible and so much cheaper to attend. 'Virtual hugs and 'zoomed out' are becoming new phrases that we are all familiar with. Please pray for the IPC Exec and our regional teams as we explore how to take the utilisation of online gatherings forward.
We are keen to get to know our ‘network of networks’ better and to understand how we can best keep you connected and informed. Over the next ten days, we will be emailing all of our contacts to invite you to let us know a little more about you and your organisation. The info that you provide will only be used by IPC. We won’t be selling or sharing it with anyone else. Thank you in advance for your participation!
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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.
Thank you for continuing to partner with us in catalysing united prayer across nations, denominations, movements, and generations for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
As we approach Pentecost 2020, let’s ask the Lord for a ‘greater Pentecost,’ a wave of the tangible presence and power of the Holy Spirit coming upon us with great revelation, with great anointing, and with great provision!
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