NATO is deploying 700 additional troops to its peacekeeping mission in Northern Kosovo after clashes with local ethnic Serbian protesters left dozens injured on both sides. Majority-Albanian Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but neither Serbia nor ethnic Serbians in Northern Kosovo recognize Kosovo’s independence. Tensions often flare over which government is legitimate. 4,000 NATO troops are keeping the peace as an agreement giving local Serbs autonomy was never implemented. Recent elections in Northern Kosovo were boycotted by the ethnic Serb majority and Kosovo won but Serb protesters prevented leaders' access to their offices until riot police and NATO dispersed them, injuring 30 peacekeepers and 50 protesters. Serbia is on alert to defend ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. Belgrade’s Moscow allies blame Kosovo and the West for the crisis. America and the EU have called for de-escalation.

Christian and other minority faith group persecution in Manipur worsens. By 26th May 70+ Christians were killed, 10,000 forced from homes, 300+ churches burned or demolished, and 1,000 Christian homes destroyed as Hindus sought Christians to kill or convert to Hinduism. The Supreme Court ordered the military to maintain peace in the region, but the Hindu nationalist government has done nothing to stop the violence. Open Doors said, ‘If the situation continues civil war is inevitable, with more lives lost, properties destroyed and further open persecution of religious minorities.’ Those who have fled don't have food or shelter and face threats of physical violence. Justin Welby is distressed to hear about these attacks on indigenous tribal Christians, saying, ‘Kailean Khongsai is training for Church ordination and is from Manipur. I join him in praying that regional authorities would protect all minority groups, including Christians and their places of worship, and that justice and peace would prevail.’ See

Libya’s religion is Islam with Sharia law, but the constitution guarantees non-Muslims freedom to practise their religion. Yet, six Libyan Christians, arrested separately, are facing a potential death sentence as apostates for converting from Islam. They are also accused of proselytising others and are charged under Article 207 of the penal code, stipulating the death penalty for promoting views that ‘alter fundamental constitutional principles or structures of the social order’ or overthrow the state. Possessing books, leaflets, drawings, slogans, or anything supporting such a cause is punishable by life imprisonment. Libya’s Internal Security Agency said it issued the arrests to ‘stop an organised gang action aiming to solicit and make people leave Islam’. One of the six Christians is a 22-year-old woman who released a video explaining her conversion to Christianity at the age of 15.

After days of wildfires, Halifax City declared a state of emergency and mandatory evacuations were ordered for 16,500 citizens. Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted ‘Nova Scotia’s wildfires are serious. We are ready to provide federal support and assistance.’ Halifax suburb citizens cannot return home until municipal authorities advise. Police are monitoring communities for thefts and suspicious activities. By May 30th, fires covered 43,095 acres, destroyed 200+ homes, and grew to the largest wildfires in Nova Scotia’s history. People who need to leave must bring pets, important documents, medication and food supplies. On June 1st, evacuations continued. People were told to have a bag packed and be ready to go at short notice. Forest technicians ask for patience from tens of thousands of residents awaiting news of their homes. 18,000+ people remain under the Halifax evacuation order. ‘We’ve got more fires than resources to support them. We are prioritising safety and human life ahead of infrastructure’. said the manager of forest protection.

In the city of Maradi, a growing number of Fulani men and women are encountering Jesus, but it’s enraging Fulani Muslims, who use different tactics to persecute Christians. In response, Open Doors local partners ran persecution survival training for 120 new believers. ‘Thanks to this training, my eyes are opened to how to respond to persecution,’ says Lydia. ‘I now understand that these are the footsteps that Jesus Christ left for all those who believe in Him. Persecution is inevitable, but we must stand strong, and we should pray for our persecutors.’ ‘I am blessed with the Word of God; I have strategies to overcome the persecution,’ adds Zeinabou. ‘I never knew anything about persecution response, but now my eyes are open - I am more than victorious, I must overcome persecution because Jesus is with me, and He will never let me down.’

2% of Palestinians are Christian, outnumbered and persecuted by their Muslim neighbours, facing marginalisation outside their Palestinian community under occupation. Yet Palestine is a top missionary-sending country, sending out roughly 3,400 missionaries per one million Christians. Jack Sara of Bethlehem Bible College says, ‘Palestinian Christians are very proud of their faith and will share it wherever they are. The situation with occupation and difficulty suffering certainly has made them resilient. This commitment to missions reveals the Gospel heart cultivated in the Palestinian Church and serves as a challenge and encouragement to other believers. The global Church would do a good thing to provide a platform for Palestinian Christians to speak, to come and share experiences and lessons learned from living the Gospel in such hard circumstances. These hard circumstances qualify Palestinian missionaries to connect with people in other countries where life is difficult and offer them the Living Hope of Jesus Christ.’

Over 90,000 people have crossed into Chad from Darfur as Sudan became gripped by war when fighting began between Sudan’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces on April 15th. Amid the chaos, fighting also reignited in the west of the country that is still haunted by 20 years of conflict between Arab militias and non-Arab groups - including the Arab Rizeigat tribe and the non-Arab Masalit - fuelled by competition for dwindling resources. At least 500 people died across Darfur in the first weeks of fighting, according to Sudan’s health ministry, while over 250,000 people in West Darfur were displaced. The figures are likely to have increased since they were reported before a total communication blackout in el-Geneina on 19 May. el-Geneina suffered two waves of violence at the end of April and in mid-May. They both started when Arab militias stormed it, exploiting the army’s non-interference.

Our vision is to see the 110 most unreached cities in the world reached with the Gospel, praying for thousands of Christ-exalting churches to be planted among them!

We believe prayer is key! To this end we are reaching out in faith to cover this outreach with the powerful prayers of 110 million believers - for breakthrough, praying around the throne, around the clock and around the globe!

WILL YOU JOIN US?!

Watch the video invitation to pray with 110 million people for 110 strategic cities! (Psalm 110:3)

Here’s 3 ways you can get involved with 110 Cities!

1. Pray once a day!                       
2. Join our 4 Days of Prayer 
3. Pray the interactive Map   

The 110cities.com website is chock full of resources to use in whatever way suits you... browse the 110 Cities and their prayer points along with the 24-7 worship and prayers of our Global Family 24-7 Prayer Room or stream the International House of Prayer Kansas City worship and intercessions.

Join us now at: https://www.110cities.com/

Come to the Table is a collaboration of worldwide prayer & missions networks & movements, uniting in global prayer, communion & mission in 2023.

The 40+ leaders gather monthly to hear from the Lord and each other, and to pray.  We are excited to be experiencing a growing unity that is bound by our common vision to see all peoples reached with the message of the Gospel. (Luke 10:2) 

We agree that prayer and mission together is the key!

The listing on the website contains just some of the many joint worldwide events that are taking place this year.

We invite you to bookmark the page and to visit us regularly for updates!

www.cometothetable.world

Ian Cole, Senior Advisor to IPC and founder of the World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, UK has written an Easter to Pentecost Declaration to declare the truths of God from Easter through to Pentecost.  Read / pray it below!

Download and Print

AN EASTER TO PENTECOST DECLARATION 2023

I declare today the greatness and love of God the Father.

The supremacy of His Son Jesus the Christ, and the power and eternal work of the Holy Spirit.

FATHER GOD. I declare You are perfect in all your ways; in love, justice, goodness, wisdom mercy and grace.

Your love for the world You created and all its people never ends.

Father God, I declare you are my Rock, my Deliverer and my Sustainer.

I declare your love for me, my family, my friends and my community, never ends.

JESUS. Today I declare that you lived, died, rose and ascended to the right hand of your Father, there to intercede for me.

By the grace of God, I declare you are my Saviour, Redeemer, Healer and coming King.

I declare that through your blood Jesus, I am ransomed, healed, restored and forgiven.

I am a child of God!

Today, I declare that in your name Jesus, through your victory at the cross,

I will silence the lies of satan and nullify his schemes.

HOLY SPIRIT. Thank you Holy Spirit for inspiring people to write my bible reading today.

I declare that this same Holy Spirit, who raised Christ from the dead, is dwelling in me.

Holy Spirit, “It is your breath that enables me to live, serve, worship,

praise and represent Jesus to those I meet today.”

I declare that the same courage and boldness you gave the early Christians

at Pentecost is available for me to use every day.

My prayer today

Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I live every moment with your presence, promises and power surrounding me, because you promised never to leave or forsake me. Hallelujah!

Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that your answers far outweigh

the problems and challenges I am facing. Hallelujah!

Thank you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the plans You have for me,

supersede satan’s schemes and attacks. Hallelujah!

Thank you, Father Son and Holy Spirit that I can join with all of heaven and with millions of brothers and sisters around the world in praise, thanksgiving and worship this Easter to Pentecost season.

CHRIST IS RISEN HALLELUJAH!

2023 © World Prayer Centre. The declaration can be copied and distributed freely acknowledging World Prayer Centre

www.worldprayer.org.uk

Ian has also written “A Gift of Hope”.   The new e-book contains the Trilogy of Hope articles written by Ian Cole and the Daily Declaration.  

May the Gift of Hope bring you joy at Christmas! If you would like to purchase the Gift of Hope e-book, you can purchase and download here.

He has also written a Daily Declaration. Let us declare faith, hope, and truth for us and our families.
Download a PDF of the declaration