Mozambique: pray for renewal
04 Apr 2019
Before Cyclone Idai devastated 1.7 million lives, Mozambique was known as the ‘Land of Smiles’. Now there is no electricity, no running water, homelessness, cholera and many still awaiting aid. But the greatest tragedy is that many of these souls were unprepared to face eternity that day. In fact, many in Mozambique have yet to even be reached with the Gospel of Jesus. In recent years spiritual responsiveness has increased, and many are turning to Jesus. But the urgency remains. Rampant disease, natural disasters, and widespread poverty were there before Idai. The time for people to hear about Jesus is now. Pray for true freedom for those in bondage to poverty, disease, witchcraft, and animism. Pray for the Church in Mozambique and neighbouring nations, for its leaders to grow in spiritual maturity and Biblical understanding. It is believed that 40% of the world’s unmined rubies are in this poverty-stricken country. Pray for honest investment into underdeveloped resources to strengthen the fragile economy.
Esther refused to deny her faith when she was abducted by Boko Haram as a teenager. She was forced to marry one of the militants and faced horrific abuse at his hands. Soon she became pregnant. When she finally escaped and returned to her village, her community mocked her for being a ‘Boko Haram woman’. Even her own relatives called her daughter ‘Boko’, not Rebecca. There are thousands of women like Esther, who are doubly at risk of persecution, both because of their gender and because of their faith in Jesus. We, the global church, cannot allow the persecution facing our sisters to go unseen and ignored. We can pray for an increase in resources to be available for those who are giving them support and hope for the future God has prepared for them.
Iran: disastrous floods, rising death toll
04 Apr 2019
Over sixty people have died following floods across Iran. 78 intercity roads are blocked, 2,199 rural roads and 84 bridges have been washed away. 141 rivers burst their banks, and 400 landslides were reported. Floods have damaged nearly 7,500 miles of roads (36% of the country’s network). Government and aid agencies came under severe criticism for their efforts being too small in scale and unable to cope with the acute needs of tens of thousands of flood victims. Emergency services sent four helicopters to Pol-e Dokhtar because land routes to the city are cut off. Many people are in tents. A parliament member warned President Rouhani, ‘People facing a tragedy urgently need food, drinking water, medicine and warm clothes’.The lack of order and planning is widespread. Pray for the thousands sheltering in the open with little food, clean water or warm clothes in often rainy weather.
USA offers Iran help (?)
04 Apr 2019
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo extended condolences to the victims of the floods in Iran, and said his country was prepared to help. But in a sign that the offer may have been less than serious, he did so in a statement blaming Iranian mismanagement for the flooding, and without explaining how assistance could be directed to Iran without violating US sanctions. Pompeo rejected a claim by Iran that the sanctions were preventing donations to its Red Crescent. He said the USA was ready to contribute to international charities which could then forward the money to the Red Crescent for relief.
Feedback from our national prayer conference
03 Apr 2019
We thank God for our annual prayer conference at Swanwick in March and the wonderful people who stood with us waiting on God. It was (yet another!) important historical week for the nation when a substantive vote was held in parliament and the government suffered a second significant defeat on Brexit. We prayed through the debate and decision making. The key scripture was Isaiah 61 – this great announcement of the Kingdom of God and declaration that God does remarkable things through us.
Throughout Swanwick God was aligning us with His prayer agenda and we have captured some key points below.
- Put on the garment of praise – in a time when everything seems confused we believe God’s purpose is clear – He is our good shepherd, His desire is that we turn back to Him. So, we praise and adore Him, we bring our testimonies of God’s goodness.
- Dave Landrum from the Evangelical Alliance shared very serious concerns that secularism – life without God – is shaping more of the national agenda. He tells us we should 1. Fear not; 2. Speak up; and 3. Pray for boldness and authority.
- Dave told us that globally the number of evangelicals has risen from 500 million to 1.2 billion in 17 years – with 10 million new evangelicals in Europe in the last ten years. These are momentous times - Hallelujah!
- There is a danger that we stand as British Christians with our Christianity secondary. We are seeing prophetic words circulating that are actually political words. We need to be Christians who are British with humility, and a desire to be led first by God’s agenda.
- We need to be searching for God’s Word. He is a God of justice who repeatedly tells us to defend the widow, oppressed, the orphaned and the alien. That may sit uncomfortably for some but we need to be hungry to understand God’s perspective.
- Rebuilding is not “going back to the good old days”, it is looking forward to God’s new purposes.
- God looks at us and sees Christ. Sin has been dealt with and we are in a covenant relationship with Him. He takes the broken and gives us a double portion and makes us beautiful like brides and bridegrooms.
- We need peace in our homes, workplaces, communities and the nation. It seems far away. Jesus declares “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God”
- James tells us “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
- Peacemakers walk in humility, they live in God’s shalom, at peace with themselves and prepared to take risks for peace. They diffuse conflict, address broken relationships, listen generously, encourage honesty and truth. They believe they can disagree with respect.
- We live in a time of strident voices, very public criticism and undermining, and significant falling outs. Romans 12: 18 tells us “As far as it is possible live in peace.”
Steve Botham
Director
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge" (Psalm 19:1-2).
I am always amazed when I read and study the vastness of creation! My son and I just finished studying a book called Indescribable, by Louie Giglio and Matt Redman.
We learned that astronomers now estimate there to be around 70 million millionmillion stars in the visible universe alone.
According to the best estimates of astronomers there are at least one hundred billion galaxies in the observable universe. And our solar system is tiny compared to our Milky Way galaxy. By way of comparison, scientists say the size of our solar system relative to the Milky Way would be roughly the size of a quarter in an area as big as North America! One of the largest stars in our known universe is the IRS 65. If our sun stood only 18 inches high, then in comparison IRS 65 would stand as tall as Mount Everest.
Next up we learned about Neutron stars. Talk about the wow factor. Some astronomers estimate that neutron stars may actually be ten trillion ties denser than steel. Some neutron stars spin at rates of up to six hundred times per second. Wow! Astronomers estimate that the sun is around 27 million degrees Fahrenheit at its core. It burns up around 4 million tons of its own mass every second. And it's so huge that even at that rate it would last another 5 to 6 billion years! And the sun is just an average star in the universe among billions of others!
Job says, "Stop and consider God's wonders..." (Job 37:14).
"He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." (Psalm 147:4).
"I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretches out the heavens" (Isa 44:24).
Genesis says that Godspoke these galaxies into existence with mere sentences. He upholds all things by the word of his power! Wow! And yet Job declares that these are the mere fringes of his works,
"how faint the whisper we hear of him? Who then can understand the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:14).
I believe the thunder of God's power speaks of God's person, not just what he does but who He is! He is the All-Consuming One, the All-Sufficient One, the All-Satisfying One, and the All-Deserving One!
As David Bryant writes,
"He defies all human categories; there is no language that can adequately describe Him. He is the incomparable One! He remains in a class by himself...no duplicates, no clones. His importance eclipses all others. He outranks every other being in Heaven, earth, or hell. He is the exalted One; for all eternity he holds the primary focus of our praises. He holds a position of unrivaled distinction, prestige, and majesty.
He will be the joy of all peoples, the desire of all nations. He is the Victorious One. None of his enemies will prevail, he will defeat all of his foes unconditionally-both human and demonic and will emerge forever unthreatened, unhindered, and victorious over all opposition, permanently and forever.
He is the Preeminent and Supreme One...in time and space and history he lays claim to the universe, it all belongs to Him. He is the all sufficient One. Nothing can exhaust his power or resources. He will forever prove totally adequate for all of our longings, fears, needs or heart cries. He is faithful and true!"(David Bryant, Christ is All, pg. 41-42)
He is indescribable in his beauty, unfathomable in his wisdom! He is outstanding! He is the well-spring of eternity, the fountainhead of all glory; glory that flows from him and through him and back to him! He is the dazzling one, the radiant one, the chandelier of heaven, and the Light of the World! Jesus' countenance is said to be brighter than the sun. The worth of Jesus is so stunning that the angelic host of the heavens collapse under the weight of his Glory! Literally 100 million angels catch a glimpse of Glory and fall down saying, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth, and wisdom and mighty and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
One of the most astounding verses in Scripture is found in Revelation 20:11,
"Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them."
The entire universe flees away and is no more when God turns his face towards creation at the end of the age! Wow! There are simply no words to adequately describe the awesome power, presence and glory of the uncreated God. The more we understand the Scriptures, the more majestic and magnificent and awesome Jesus Christ is. May our worship, prayer and service to Him be a direct reflection of that wonder and awe!
And to think that this God is the God who pursues us, who takes delight in us, who enjoys us even in our weakness! As Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) declares, "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he rejoices over you with gladness; he quiets you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."
I believe it is God's aim to ravish the affections of the human race with irresistible displays of his GLORY!
We were made to know and experience the Glory of God! To enjoy and treasure the Glory of God! His glory becomes our JOY! He is our great Treasure. He is our exceeding Joy! (Psalm 34).
Amen and Amen!
Dr Jason Hubbard- Executive Coordinator
IPC Connect
“Year of the Frontier” is a time to pray in agreement for the largest gaps in work among the unreached! Frontier Peoples are those unreached groups which have fewer than 1 in 1,000 believers and little work among them.
These groups represent huge gaps for the gospel. In particular, Year of the Frontier will focus on the approx. 400 Frontier people groups over 500,000 in size each for daily specific prayer May 2019-June 2020.
This steps up from The Thirty-One booklet (which covered the 31 largest Frontier Peoples).
The 400 Frontier People Groups (over 500,000 in population):
- 1 in 5 of all people live in the 400 largest FPGs.
- 1 in 3 of all who don't identify with Jesus live in the 400 largest FPGs.
- 9 of every 10 who live in Frontier People Groups live in the 400 largest FPGs.
Until Jesus-followers unite in obeying His commission, these masses have no hope of hearing about and being introduced to Jesus before they die.
The Great Injustice:
- 1 in 9,000 living in the 400 largest FPGs identifies with Jesus in any way.
- 1 in 15,000 living in the 400 largest FPGs is estimated to follow Jesus.
- 1 in 100 cross-cultural laborers is estimated to work among these 400 FPGs.
Try out these Resource Options in support of this initiative:
More information: https://www.go31.org/
Printable prayer guides & Abbreviated Calendars: https://prayerstrategists.net/about/prayer-guides/
Or https://joshuaproject.net/prayer/calendars
To get daily prayer materials via email:
https://joshuaproject.net/pray/unreachedoftheday/email
or http://www.globalprayerdigest.org Then submit your email in the top right-hand box.
For the podcast:
Go to iTunes and search for “Global Prayer Digest” or try this link: Globalprayerdigest.libsyn.com
To download the App:
For Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=umot.tw.gdp
For iPhones: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/global-prayer-digest/id1181417800?l=es&mt=8
UPG of the Day Widget to customize for your website: https://joshuaproject.net/pray/unreachedoftheday/widget
Draw close to God by embracing His urgent passion to bless these frontier People Groups.
Your prayers are vital to ending this Great Injustice.
For the joy set before us...
Liz Adleta
Global Prayer Strategist
Fellowship of Prayer Strategists, the Ethne Movement, & the 24:14 Coalition
Web: www.ethne.net/www.prayerstrategists.net&https://www.2414now.net/
As this incense of worship and prayer has begun to rise across the Middle East, an unprecedented harvest is taking place among Muslim peoples. We have heard the same testimony in multiple nations across the region,
“As soon as we started the House of Prayer, we started seeing more salvations, healings and deliverance than ever before.”
Up until last year we had been doing these 50/100 hour Prayer and Worship gatherings together in Turkey and N. Iraq. Last year, the Lord gathered multiple nations across the Middle East to join in a symphony of prayer and worship together for 50 hours.
The dates for this year are April 11-13.
LOCATIONS:
As of now, there are multiple locations that are planning on hosting a 50 hours this April.
Turkey- ISTHOP
Jordan- JHOP
- N. Iraq- MHOP
U.A.E- TASK
Egypt- The Upper Room - Alexandria (for 12 hours)
PRAYER POINTS:
We want there to be as much agreement as possible between the locations as we gather together. We will be contending together for five promises that the Lord has been speaking to us over the past few years.
We encourage you to take focused time over the 50 hours to pray through these promises as well as the numerous prophetic promises that are over your House of Prayer specifically.
- Children/youth revival across the region.
This is becoming a major focus for this 50 hours. In the vision Rick Ridings had before the first 50 hours in 2014, he saw that a youth/children's revival arising out of the ME as the altar of worship and prayer was established. We are praying for Young Leaders (Timothys) to be raised up in the region and for spiritual fathers and mothers to mentor and come alongside them. - The nation of Syria.
Once again, we are surrounding this nation in prayer and worship. We believe there is a significant transition coming to Syria, possibly even during the 50 hours. We are praying for the rebuilding of the devastates cities (Isaiah 61) and for Mercy the people suffering in the nation..This 50 hours we will be praying for power in the evangelism happening in Syria and praying all the Syrians fleeing Syria to experience salvation wherever they go. - Establishment and strengthening of the Houses of Prayer across the Isaiah 19 highway.
For a prophetic worship movement to begun to be sung and altars of prayer and worship to be established. An indigenous prophetic worship movement among every people group and tribe across the highway. We are also praying for the Church to grow in the culture of adoration and prayer. - The Church in the Middle East.
For a release of Joy, strength for Pastors and leaders, and an indigenous missions and church planting movement. We are also continuing to carry a word for stadiums filled with believers boldly worshiping and praying. - For a great harvest among unreached peoples.
We believe that today is the day of salvation, now is the time for true repentance and true conversions across the Middle East! We are praying for eyes to be opened and the spiritual blindness to be lifted off in Jesus name! We are also contending for the growing number of atheist youth in the Middle East experience the power of God, witness miracles, and encounter Jesus.
We are so grateful for your leadership in this 50-hour prayer event. There is a strong sense from the Lord that each of these locations will be like an “upper room” environment where God want to release a spirit of prayer, unto baptisms of fire, unto gospel assignments!
I would encourage you to sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is doing in the room and flow with Him. This is about hosting the presence and glory of God for two days together across the entire region!
Go for His presence above all else!
Please pray with these five points in mind that there will be breakthrough after breakthrough across the needy and challenging region.
Let's trust God together to do something truly extraordinary, chaining the atmosphere in Syria, Iraq and the region as a whole.
www.FreedomToCaptives.com