Egypt: living as a terrorist target
14 Jul 2017
An Egyptian blogger writes: ‘Lack of parking spots used to be one of the few concerns on Cairo streets, but there’s a different perspective now. Families used to go to church together to celebrate; now they separate, attending mass in twos and threes in different churches. It’s a precaution so that at least part of the family will survive in the event of a bomb attack. Now that most places of worship have closed their doors to visitors for “safety” reasons, people have lost the opportunities to make their usual summer spiritual visits to places of peace and prayer. Churches have cancelled all children’s summer camps and trips. I make fewer trips to church, and have become very selective where I go. With many warnings on social media against going to malls and public places, I am wary about my errands. Security checks and metal detectors all around me add to my fear instead of making me feel secure.’
Dr. Jason Hubbard, Director, LOWPC
The International Prayer and Mission Leaders' Consultation, May 8-12th convened together 120 of the world's top prayer and mission's leaders from 34 nations. We partnered together with the International Prayer Council, www.ipcprayer.org led by John Robb. In John's words, "Together, we transacted business with the King of Kings for His world."
John Robb and the IPC council asked us at Light of the World Prayer Center to administrate and organize the event, together with his oversight and leadership! John is an amazing leader and it was truly an honor to work together with him! Jamie Frey, one of our full-time staff members, and I started planning back in August of 2016. Over the next number of months we helped create a vision statement and set goals for the event, drafted an invitation email to key leaders, launched a website to share vision and process registrations, and put together complete color program booklets for the each of the delegates.
The impact of the Moravian community, both the intercessors and missionaries, is undoubtedly one of the greatest stories in church history! We have patterned our house of prayer and prayer strategy in the 'spirit of the Moravians.' Our vision is become a modern-day expression of this inspiring community, linking together night and day prayer, revival and mission to the remaining unreached, unengaged peoples on the earth!
It was a such a joy to travel together as a family, Kristie, Gracelyn and Joshua. It was the first international trip for Gracie and Josh! Kristie connected much with our amazing friend Sue Williams, sharing tea together and praying for one another. Sue served with us for a year at LOWPC as our staff development leader and now is one of the primary leaders at the Jesus Haus (house of prayer and retreat center where the Consultation gathered). Gracie sang with Sue on the worship team on Wednesday night, and Joshua helped Michael Lienau in capturing the Moravian story on video. We are praying for the provision to produce a full-length documentary on the history of the Moravians!
Mark Iblings, LOWPC board president, and Tim Scott, one of my prayer partners and our Education sphere leader both came to help serve the 120 leaders, carrying bags and escorting/driving many of them around during the event! They were such a huge help!
Tom Victor, director of the Great Commission Coalition, who serves as one of our advisory board members also joined us. From Tom's perspective, "The International Prayer and Mission Leaders Consultation in Herrnhut was, from my perspective, one of the most powerful mission and prayer gatherings of our day. Bringing together key leaders from the global prayer and mission movements as well as leaders of the children in prayer and youth prayer movements was so strategic, especially in light of the history and heritage of the Moravians and Herrnhut."
Paul Wemmer, author, historian, and one of our original leaders at LOWPC, was also with us and donated a copy of his book on Count Zinzendorf and the Moravians to each of the 120 delegates.
Serving together with Jamie Frey, Mark Iblings, Tim Scott, Tom Victor, Paul Wemmer, Sue Williams, and our on-site intercessors in Whatcom County...What a joy! I am so proud of our team...All for the Glory of the Lamb!
The vision for the consultation was to gather key mission and prayer leaders from around the world to ask God how the global prayer and mission movements could unite in our day - to accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission. I have personally never been in a gathering before with such humble men and women of God, young and old, who truly longed to encounter the Lord together, and grow in loving and serving one another!
Dick Eastman, the president of Every Home for Christ, was one of the 120 leaders. The ministry of Every Home for Christ sees about 20,000 decisions for Christ every day around the world, giving Dick a unique perspective. After the consultation he wrote, "I am more convinced than ever that the Moravian movement of prayer and missions was the greatest such movement in the history of missions, especially in light of the challenges they faced in that unique time in human history."
Dick shared that this gathering was "the most personally significant gatherings he had been a part of in his 5 decades of full-time ministry." Wow!
We sensed the Lord's leading to gather in historic Herrnhut, Germany to learn from the Moravian story of a canopy of 100 years of continual prayer, beginning in 1727, which launched the start of a Protestant Missions Movement across the earth! At its core, the motivation and watchword of the Moravian prayer and missions movement was this: "May the Lamb who was slain receive the due reward of his sufferings!" He is truly All-Deserving!
As we walked through the Moravian cemetery (pictured here), we were on historic ground. The graves here honor 6000 intercessors and missionaries who had fully embraced God's heart for missions. They had joyfully taken the gospel to those who had never heard, many at the cost of their lives. These radical Moravian missionaries launched over 5000 missionary settlements around the world!
The legacy of Count Nicholas Zinzendorf, the leader of the Moravian prayer and missions movement, is astounding. Zinzendorf was famous for saying, "I have but one passion, and that is Jesus, only He." The seal of the Moravian church has in its center the white Lamb of God . He holds a staff with a victory banner displaying the cross. In a circular band on the outer edge it says: "Our Lamb has conquered, let us follow Him!"
During the consultation, descendants of the Moravians shared with us about the lifestyle of prayer and missions that emerged in Herrnhut, and the powerful role that children and youth played in the movement. It was truly an honor to be with the elders and leaders of both the church and the Jesus Haus. We love them and stand with them as they continue to see day and night prayer and worship established together with the sending of missionaries to the ends of the earth to share the good news of Jesus!
A request went out to leaders of children in prayer around the world, asking them to pray as we met in Herrnhut. 1,000 Royal Kids in Chennai, India, committed to pray for 100 hours and then added another 50 hours while we met!
We were so aware of the prayers of thousands of children around the world. It was an honor to meet and learn from Anton Cruz, the leader of this amazing orphanage in Chennai, India. Here is a powerful video clip of the children praying for our gathering!
Paul Eshleman,with Campus Crusade for Christ, (CRU), founded the Jesus Film Project, the most watched movie in the world. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Finishing the Task Network and as President of the Issachar Initiative, passionately calling us to make our lives Count for Zero, that there would be Zero unreached people groups without a witness for Christ.
Paul challenged us with research showing that, with more than 2.7 unreached people, Asia is the focal point for the global mission challenge. While other regions of the world have on average one missionary for every 1,000 unreached people, Asia has only one missionary for every 46,000 unreached people! There are currently 1570 remaining unreached/unengaged people groups yet to hear the good news of Jesus, and 521 of the largest remaining unreached people groups on the world map have over 500,000! We also learned that 90 percent of the missionary force and finances today goes towards the reached world. We came away with the passionate conviction and cry, "Lord of the Harvest, send forth laborers into the remaining harvest fields of the world!" (Matt. 9:37)
A final personal highlight for me was gathering together at the Bertlesdorf church. This historic church, known as the church of reconciliation, is where the Holy Spirit was poured out among the Moravians, young and old, in a powerful way during a communion service on August 13th, 1727. We celebrated communion together there, and reconciliation took place on several fronts! I truly believe we experienced a 'baptism of love' for one another. Coming away from the gathering, we had such a sense of family and affection for one another, desiring to continue to partner together in prayer and mission across our various denominations, generations and nations! The Lord truly knit our hearts together and I believe much fruit will come in the generations to follow!
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
We only love to the degree that his love, most fully revealed at the cross, is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5). Just as Zinzendorf and the Moravians were compelled by the Glory and Love of the Lamb, to pray 24/7 and go on mission, I believe the Lord is calling forth a "Lamb's Reformation" in the church in this hour - a new reformation that will lead to a great transformation!
Prayer: "Father, I believe that the hour has come for your Son, the Lord Jesus to be honored, and treasured as the Worthy Lamb who was slain! Even as the Lamb is in the center of the throne in Heaven, we declare and decree that it's time for the Lamb to become the center of the throne on the earth! Father, we know that you are always looking at the wounds of your Son and we ask for a Lamb's Reformation in the church that would wake us up again to his cross, to bring your Son the reward he deserves for giving his life as a Lamb!"
"Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power, and wealth, and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:11-12).
For the Supremacy of Christ in all things,
Jason Hubbard
Impact of Moravian prayer and mission movement
10 Jul 2017
Here is an excellent three-minute video that describes the impact of the Moravian prayer and mission movement from Herrnhut where a number of global prayer and mission leaders met for a consultation in June 2017.
Here are the three main emphases I believe we need to keep our hearts, minds, prayers and actions wrapped around going forward:
1) Reaching the unreached with the Gospel - Pray for the effective linking and coordination of prayer and mission efforts for finishing the task, adoption of every unengaged unreached people group in prayer and mission in the coming 5-10 years. Let’s pray especially for the “Finishing the Task” event in early December that will bring together hundreds from the mission agencies along with a significant group of prayer leaders for the first time. You can find out more about specific unreached people groups needing to be adopted at https://joshuaproject.net/ Please adopting one yourself as your own assignment to cover that group in prayer until they are reached.
2) Raising up the “now generation” of youth and children to find their unique missions in life and impact generations to come for Christ and His purposes. Pray that in the coming decade, we will see children and youth prayer movements develop, be connected, and strengthened in every nation on earth (they are probably going in one-third of the nations so far). The Children in Prayer movement and the international team coordinating this effort and the UPRISING youth prayer movement with their team are both extending this crucial vision for the raising up of the Now Generation vision. Please pray for His provision, guidance, unity and wisdom for the leaders of both these movements.
3) Transformational prayer for breakthroughs in the socio-political realms (global institutions like the UN, “Seven Mountains” cultural spheres, regional summits, national initiatives, wars and human suffering, authoritative prayer efforts for territorial deliverance). Please pray for prayer leaders and ministries targeting those challenging socio-political issues and institutions affecting life in our various nations and world. Pray for clear discernment, guidance and power from on high to pull down strongholds and drive out forces of spiritual darkness in His authority for atmosphere-changing breakthroughs that open peoples to the Gospel and bring about major transformations in favor of Kingdom values.
Source: IPC Prayer
Article written by Dr. Don Colbert. Dr Colbert graduated from Oral Roberts Medical School in 1984. Dr. Colbert has practiced medicine in Central Florida and has been board certified in Family Practice for over 25 years.
Even a mere 30 seconds of prayer, acknowledging God and giving thanks for all the blessings in your life, can have a powerful effect on your body, mind, and spirit. If you have a regular practice of prayer, then you are well aware that benefits are very real and wide-ranging. Many people who engage in these activities report psychological and spiritual benefits such as a sense of greater clarity, purpose, gratitude, presence, sense of connection, and overall well-being. However, these sorts of subjective benefits can be hard to measure scientifically. Interestingly, despite the difficulty in quantifying the spiritual effects of prayer, there have been many studies looking at the physical benefits of this ancient practice. A 2013 Pew Research Poll estimated that over half of Americans pray daily.
A University of Rochester study found that over 85% of people dealing with a major illness turn to prayer. Every religion or spiritual belief system has a form of prayer or meditation as a foundational principle. This shows that prayer is not merely a cultural phenomenon but a fundamental aspect of the human experience. Yet, many people still struggle to reconcile belief in the power of prayer with a scientific worldview. Duke University's Harold G. Koenig, M.D, author of several books on faith and healing, says "studies have shown prayer can prevent people from getting sick, and when they do get sick, prayer can help them get better faster. So how does that happen? Harvard Medical School cardiovascular specialist Dr. Herbert Benson discovered what is called the "relaxation response."
This is the physiological state that occurs during prayer. It involves the autonomic (automatic) nervous system shifting over to a parasympathetic (rest and digest) dominant state, as opposed to the sympathetic (fight, flight, freeze) state that most of us spend the majority of the day in. The act of prayer has shown to increase certain helpful neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which help promote a state of relaxation, focus, motivation, and well-being. But the effects are not confined to momentary relaxation. Long-term prayer can actually rewire and rebuild the brain! With the ability to scan the brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), researchers have been able to note the physiological changes that occur in the brains of those who pray regularly.
Lisa Miller, professor and director of Clinical Psychology and director of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University conducted a study on 103 people who were at a high risk of depression. Using MRI, she found that those who prayed regularly tended to have a thicker cerebral cortex which has been associated with less depression and anxiety. Another study has shown that urban children with asthma cope better when incorporating prayer into their lives. Prayer is also good for your heart. Christians have been shown to have lower average blood-pressure than non-believers. Prayer also is correlated to less heart attacks and quicker recovery from heart surgery. There is even evidence to suggest that regular prayer will help you live longer! So with all these benefits, you should consider incorporating prayer as part of your daily regimen.
According to a study published in the journal Sociology of Religion titled "Prayer, Attachment to God, and Symptoms of Anxiety-Related Disorders among U.S. Adults," looked at the data of 1,714 volunteers. What they found is that those who pray with a loving and protective conception of God experience a more dramatic reduction in anxiety related symptoms compared to those who pray without the expectation of comfort or protection. This shows us just how important faith actually is! The publishers believe that the emotional and spiritual comfort from prayer to a loving and compassionate God offers a sense of hope and security, while those who pray with a more judgmental conception of God breeds resentment, rejection, and detachment. So understanding the character of your God is important.
The most beautiful thing about all of this research is not only that it validates the ancient wisdom behind prayer, but it also shows us how incredibly easy it can be to implement powerful healing practices into our lives. With so many benefits on the physical, psychological, and spiritual levels, there is really no reason to not pray or meditate every single day! The best times of day are first thing in the morning and right before bed. However you can pray in the car on the way to work, in line at the grocery store, sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office, or before you eat your meals. Even a mere 30 seconds of prayer, acknowledging God and giving thanks for all the blessings in your life, can have a powerful effect on your body, mind, and spirit. So what do you think? Have you been inspired to reinvigorate the prayer in your life?
Source: Breaking Christian News
Medics stunned by miracle healing
10 Jul 2017
A Sheffield man has mystified the medical profession following the miraculous healing of a huge tumor on his face.
Ken Gorman suffered excruciating pain after a small lump, discovered at the end of May 2013, grew bigger and bigger. Doctors prescribed tablets for the pain and sent him to Rotherham General Hospital for investigation, where an MRI scan found three tumors (or three broken sections of a tumor) wrapped around the central nerve in the side of his face.
Surgery was arranged for early July. Meanwhile, he heard of a healing meeting at Hull City Hall led by evangelist Nathan Morris but was told there was no chance of getting tickets.
Wife Annie put out a Twitter post about her husband's need for prayer, and they decided to go along anyway—with Annie driving as Ken was in too much pain.
And thanks to a response via Twitter, they found seats on the third row.
"There seemed to be hundreds going forward for prayer," Ken recalled. "But eventually a friend helped get me to the front.
"Within the next 10 days, the huge swelling on my face had receded, all pain was gone and I was off all medication. I rang the hospital and explained—and the operation was postponed until I saw the surgeon.
"After another scan, he found that the tumors had disappeared without trace, and the operation was cancelled! The surgeon and nurses were speechless when I told them how I was healed. I have been called back for an annual check-up since then, and there is no sign of any tumor. Hallelujah, thank you Jesus!"
Ken adds that, during the lead-up to his healing, he wasn't just relying on the evangelist's prayer, but also on his personal faith.
"I remembered a Sunday message on how Jesus told us to 'speak to the mountain' in praying for seemingly impossible situations (Mark 11.22-24) and, as this was certainly my 'mountain,' I started to immerse myself in the promises of God as I stood in front of the mirror each day speaking to my mountain in the name of Jesus."
There is another Scripture passage that speaks clearly into this situation: "My son, attend to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their body" (Prov. 4:20-22).
Toddler miraculously survives ninth-floor fall
07 Jul 2017
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, hospital doctors have found no explanation for the quick recovery of Martin Chain, a three-year-old boy who fell from the ninth floor when he was playing on the balcony of his apartment. The accident left the boy on the verge of death. However, he only took twenty days to recover and shows no signs of long-term complications. Florencia, his mother, said that in face of her son's serious condition they didn't stop praying. 'One day while I was singing him a song to the Virgin, he woke up.' From that moment, Martin began to recover. He first went to intermediate care, then they took him off the respirator, and finally he was discharged. The doctor said, 'There are times that for us professionals, there's nothing left but to put ourselves in God's hands. I'm Catholic, and I believe that miracles exist. Something happened there.'
Iraqi pastor’s miraculous escape
07 Jul 2017
In 2010, an Iraqi pastor miraculously survived a car bomb. 'Every part of my car was destroyed except for my seat. I had no scratches. The car was in flames, but I wasn't burned. I found pieces of glass in my hair and four parts of the bomb in the scarf I had around my neck. As if a scarf could stop a bomb. Nothing touched me, I lost not even a drop of blood.' The pastor knows it was God who allowed him to survive, and he believes God did so because He still had work for him to do. 'God gave me additional time. He put his stamp on my ministry, He said 'Go on.' God encouraged me that day.'Pastor Joseph now witnesses to many Muslims who are turning to Christ despite the threats they face. 'We have new blood, born-again new believers.'
Friday Focus: fruitful evangelism
07 Jul 2017
What a privilege it is to be able to pray for people in our lives, especially for those who need to begin a relationship with Jesus. We have a great example in Andrew, the disciple, who brought his brother Peter to Jesus, the Messiah. Through them, many others met with Jesus and had their lives transformed.
(written by Yioula Taliadorou, JustOne)