Join in prayer for Sudan wherever you are or at the prayer meeting of the Sudan Support Network (SSNet) in Pretoria, South Africa, Sunday, 6 March, 2011. Right now, Sudan is in MASSIVE transition. God is revealing amazing insights into what is happening now in the north of Sudan and how SSNet partners there are experiencing developments. Specific prayer information on Sudan is available at www.sudanpartners.org. The Sudan Prayer Focus has gone international with the creation of a Facebook group.
A grateful “thank you” to Eleanor North from Viva who pointed out an error in last month’s newsletter. The World Weekend of Prayer is an opportunity for people all over the world to put on their OWN events over the weekend and to spent time praying for children at risk. This is not an event held in just one place. Viva provides the resources (hence the translation of booklets into different languages) to enable people to do this. Viva also promotes the weekend and tries to encourage people worldwide to get involved and put on their own events—whether this is a prayer meeting, a church service dedicated to children at risk, or a children’s praise party. (www.viva.org)
Please pray:
1. That the resources Viva has and the promotion of the World Weekend of Prayer (June 4 and 5, 2011) would get out to a great number of people around the world.
2. For many churches and home groups to spend time praying for children at risk.
3. For the financial and organizational needs Viva faces in creating the resources for Christians worldwide to use this June.
May 2 through 4, the All Peoples Prayer Assembly (APPA), a gathering of peoples from the Pacific region, will be hosted by the Indigenous People of Taiwan. Please e-mail Jill Wu to inquire at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The APPA is still following the Deep Sea Canoe Vision from the ends of the earth back to Jerusalem for the launching of God’s glory to the whole world.
“He will give you the desires of your heart” Psalm 37:4. A friend of IPC reports…“It was in my heart to go to Sri Lanka and China to open the Bible College. Now I know that my desire is a dream for God.” While traveling in Taiwan in February, God told our friend to visit Sri Lanka, the country of his birth. He went to India to open a Bible College and then went on to Colombo, Sri Lanka. War had ended, but foreigners were forbidden. Special permission from the Army Chief was required and would take a week for approval. Most applications are rejected. Our friend prayed for a miracle, and it came! Permission was granted within a day to travel by air and land.
The journey started with a heavy burden (like Nehemiah). The land was beautiful but now is like a graveyard with dry bones. God spoke to our brother… “’The wall is broken…the gates are burnt with fire. You are my Nehemiah. What are you doing? Cry out for your own people…your own city…I have blessed you. Now you bless your people. Don’t forget your land where you were born.’ I was watching through the window of the helicopter, and my heart began to weep because now the land is empty with the cry of innocent children.” Hundreds of children used to be in the Children House of Prayer (CHOP) programme in Jaffna and a few villages, but almost every village was empty. In a small church, 12 children were found praying and worshipping, crying out for mercy on the land, healing of the people, and saving the nation. Our friend visited a refugee camp where 50 children gathered for free tuition—children who had lost both or one parent. Now 400 children are in the support programme of our friend’s ministry.
From Jaffna, he traveled 10 hours observing that nearly all homes he passed had no doors, windows, or roofs. Most had bullet holes on the walls. He stopped in Vanni to worship in a small church with broken walls and an altar filled with bullet holes. People had lost arms and legs. Almost every child had lost someone in his/her family. The two villages used to have 250,000 but now have 20,000. People began to tell their stories; none could keep quiet, crying aloud in anguish and pain.
No media or foreigners are allowed, and there were so many untold stories. “Lord, no more war…we need peace…bless Sri Lanka…children…come out from your empty tombs…our God is alive”—this was our friend’s prayer until he reached Colombo. Having met a pastor and asking if he had any needs, the pastor said, “I had only one old bicycle, and I lost it during the war. If I get one bicycle, I can travel a hundred miles and pray for people and win souls.” Our friend took him to a shop and bought a new bicycle for him. The pastor took our friend’s hand and started blessing him. He said, “This one cycle is enough to bring 1,000 people to Jesus.” When our friend was in Colombo, he prayed with pastors and ministers until 2:30 a.m. … There is now a commitment to raise 2,000 children intercessors in Sri Lanka!
Our brother is now going to China with a burden to build a “Wall of Fire” through children’s prayers. He asks for our prayers. He writes: “It is Time to see the Revival. Let us cry to our Heavenly Father. Please pray that He will raise up an army of children intercessors in Sri Lanka and open Children’s House Of Prayer in every city and rebuild the churches. Pray that these children will be healed by the Father’s Love and have proper food and shelter. Pray that he and others may be able to start and support orphanages that lost their dear ones in the war. “I was hungry, you gave me food; I was thirsty, you gave me to drink; I was naked, you clothed me; I was sick, you looked after me…Whatever you have done to these little ones, you have done to me,” says Jesus. Please pray for his trip to China. As he wrote, “MY DESIRE IS HIS DREAM.”
For the past couple of years, there has been much discussion among prayer leaders about the use of Internet technology for prayer mobilization. Many ministries want to develop web-based tools that will leverage the broad outreach and interactive communication that Internet technology can provide. Prototypes like Global Prayer Connection www.globalprayerconnection.com have been created, but more collaboration is needed to further explore possibilities.
Global Prayer Connection was first commissioned by IPC in partnership with two technology companies, Simon Solutions and Liquidus Tech. The purpose for developing this prototype was to help intercessors catch a glimpse of the capabilities of Internet technology for local, national, and global prayer mobilization. Our overall purpose is to bring together experts in Internet technology, mobile communications, and prayer strategies with the goal of developing a sophisticated prayer networking tool that will help intercessors connect and mobilize for targeted intercession in real-time.
We already have in place web developers who are experts in hardware/software design and Internet security. These experts have the capability of building whatever is needed. We also have a small group of prayer leaders who want to see this project become a reality. What we are lacking is the proper amount of resources to build and maintain the global network, which intercessors around the world could use free of charge. For several months we have also been part of conference calls orchestrated by Phil Miglioratti of Mission America. Representatives from different technology companies have been discussing the challenges associated with developing prayer networking tools. We all agree that our greatest challenge is not technology development, but consensus among prayer leaders as to how technology can benefit all prayer ministries. If all things could come together in a timely fashion, a powerful global prayer network with the following features could be up and running in a matter of months:
• Keeps intercessors well-connected, informed, and engaged in a safe and secure environment.
• Enables intercessors with like-passions to easily connect in small groups and work together.
• Makes it easy to orchestrate 24/7 prayer and mobilize intercessors for specific assignments.
• Instantly send private messages and broadcast prayer bulletins to large groups.
Now is the time for prayer leaders and ministries to come together and discover new ways to partner together. The reality of millions of intercessors united in global intercession in real-time can happen if people are willing to work together. For more information on how to get involved or to contribute financially, please contact Mike Simon This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
'No place' in the law for Christianity, High Court rules
There is no place in British law for Christian beliefs, despite this country’s long history of religious observance and the traditions of the established Church, two High Court judges said on Monday. Lord Justice Munby and Mr Justice Beatson made the remarks when ruling on the case of a Christian couple who were told that they could not be foster carers because of their view that homosexuality is wrong. The judges underlined that, in the case of fostering arrangements at least, the right of homosexuals to equality ‘should take precedence’ over the right of Christians to manifest their beliefs and moral values. Eunice and Owen Johns went to court after a social worker expressed concerns when they said they could not tell a child a ‘homosexual lifestyle’ was acceptable. They asked judges to rule that their faith should not be a bar to them becoming carers, and that the law should protect their Christian values. The Johns said ‘the judges have suggested that our views might harm children’. Pray: for the Johns and all those who have to defend their faith's beliefs in an increasingly secular society. (Lk.21:13-15)
Archbishop tells MPs: ‘Govt should not dictate to us’
The Church of England will not permit its buildings to be used for same-sex civil partnerships, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury. And it will not allow itself to be dictated to by the Government. Dr Rowan Williams made the comments at a recent private meeting with influential MPs. His remarks come following the Coalition Government’s controversial plans to allow religious buildings to be used to conduct civil partnership ceremonies. Dr Williams told the MPs that the Church held a clear position that marriage is between a man and a woman and would not consider changing this stance. (See Prayer Alert 08-2011) Pray: for the Holy Spirit to give all believers a greater boldness to stand up for our faith. (Ac.4:29)
Churches and chapels in Wales facing uncertain future
Rising repair bills, and dwindling heritage grants are threatening many listed churches and chapels, across Wales. The gap between community donations and the total bill used to be narrowed by grants from bodies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund and Welsh heritage agency Cadw, as well as with support from bespoke funds such as the Listed Places of Worship scheme. But in recent years these funds have become more difficult to obtain or their terms made more restrictive. Pray: that congregations in Wales will be able to find innovative ways of keeping their places of worship. (Mt.16:18)
Concerns for homeless
Housing Justice, a Christian homelessness charity has spoken out against plans by Westminster Council to introduce restrictions to rough sleeping and food distribution for the homeless in the area. The Council has just opened a four-week consultation on a new bylaw that will fine people in the area around Victoria Station if they ‘lie down or sleep in any public place’, ‘deposit bedding’ or distribute free food and drink. This includes charity soup runs and food distribution schemes which have come up against strong opposition from Westminster Council. The Council tried in 2007 to ban soup runs in central London on the grounds that they put local residents at risk by attracting large numbers of homeless people to the area. It was forced to back-track on its plans, however, after they were met with public outcry. Alison Gelder, director of Housing Justice, believes the proposals are unnecessary. Pray: for the many charities that reach out to the homeless that their work will not be interrupted and the council make wise decisions. (Jas.3:13) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/concerns.for.homeless.as.westminster.moots.restrictions/27590.htm
Cannabis use 'raises psychosis risk'
Using cannabis as a teenager or young adult increases the risk of psychosis, a report suggests. The study published in the British Medical Journal involved tracking 1,900 people over a period of 10 years. Although the link between cannabis and psychosis is well established, it had been unclear whether cannabis triggers the disorder. The participants in the study, aged between 14 and 24, were assessed for cannabis use and psychotic symptoms at three points over a 10-year period. It was found that cannabis use ‘significantly’ increased the risk of psychotic symptoms. Sir Robin Murray, professor of psychiatric research at the Institute of Psychiatry, said the study added ‘a further brick to the wall of evidence’ showing that use of traditional cannabis is a contributory cause of psychoses like schizophrenia. He said it was one of 10 prospective studies all pointing in this same direction. Pray: that this report will strengthen the argument against cannabis-use and lead to new legislation against it. (Pr.5:1)