Eighty-seven adult and youth leaders from the international prayer movement gathered in Hong Kong to consider the way forward after the World Prayer Assembly, especially the ongoing relationship of the three generations, youth, children and adults. A team of younger people helped to draft the program for the consultation. They also led all the worship segments, co-facilitated the event with the older generation and did a great job! It was a super time together of prayer, deliberation and just enjoying one another’s company in the presence of the Lord. We also met in the lovely Noah’s Ark Resort (the only one built to the actual biblical dimensions), perched next to the Hong Kong harbor with the hills of the city in the distance.
We also met on October 23 with mainland and Hong Kong Chinese for a WPA reunion that was a special time of prayer and sharing what has happened since the WPA. It was also a chance for the Children in Prayer international team to give some input to the Chinese about starting CiP in China. China could well become the home for the most significant CiP movement on the planet!
Here in brief summary are some of the thrilling reports and conclusions of the consultation. Please pray with us for God’s leading as we move forward, keeping the three generations relating effectively together as a new wineskin or wineskins for the movement develop.
Some of the encouraging highlights and reports presented at the WPA reunion and the “New Wave” Consultation:
1) We heard the Chinese joyfully worship and sing the WPA theme song “New Wave of Glory”! They also thanked the WPA leadership and said they would use their lives to have an impact for Christ in their land. (More than 300 came to the WPA from China.) They want to become more united as they observed the Indonesians are, connecting the prayer networks and efforts into a spiritual force. They hope to one day have a large prayer assembly at Tien An Men, Beijing’s enormous central square! They also plan to emphasize the raising up of youth and children. A woman pastor who died during the WPA and was prayed back to life said she saw Jesus holding her hand, and He said, “China will enter my glory”.
2) We prayed at the Peak overlooking Hong Kong (Hong Kong’s meaning in Chinese is “Fragrant Harbor”) that it would no longer burn incense to false gods but would become a sweet-smelling fragrance to the Lord and would fulfill its spiritual destiny, connecting China to the nations.
3) Two of our elder statesmen in the prayer movement had clear visions to share. Brian Mills saw the three generations as one going through the door with Jesus but also suggested the image of a three-legged race because of the need to flex with each generation’s culture and communication style. Michael Maeliau said that the new wine that we experienced at the WPA and in Hong Kong is the glory of God which is the manifest presence of His person among us, and that the new wineskin is our total response to it, laying aside other things that may compete.
4) Daniel Pandji and the Indonesian team reported huge impacts from the WPA going on in their country:
- A number of those who are leaders in the majority religion received the same dream at the same time and were baptized.
- Many others are coming to Christ, and 4000 new believers were added this month to church near Jakarta.
- Almost every city of the 378 cities that took part in the WPA had overflowing participation by the churches, and they continue to pray together in many parts of the nation.
- They prayed, and Lady Gaga had to cancel her performance there.
- Youth leaders were given a 5-room apartment for a prayer tower and mission center for five years.
- Christians have been elected to political office following the WPA.
- December 1, they will launch the “My Home” effort to pray, love and care for unsaved friends and neighbors. This is also a fruit of the WPA as well as the new marketplace network, which brings together pastors, business people and government officials once per month.
- They are proceeding to send out 1000 “global prayer ambassadors” to various parts of the world.
- He also reported his discovery that millions in Korea were also impacted by seeing the WPA on TV there.
5) Those from China testified that the WPA put a burning fire of vision in the hearts of the Chinese to build 24/7 prayer efforts in various areas. They also carried out a 40-day fast for China to enter into her destiny. They are developing a strategic prayer movement and are sending prayer concerns around the country to one another. God has put the nations on their hearts, especially the Arabs and Israel.
6) The Children in Prayer team testified about the “tsunami of prayer” within Indonesia in which children are playing an important role as well as other nations that have developing movements of CiP going on. They plan an international CiP consultation next year in May in Hong Kong.
7) Brazilian leaders shared the impact of the transformational prayer efforts in their nation which has resulted in:
- 38 corrupt politicians being convicted
- One city known as the “capital of witchcraft” with a church now full of former witches and wizards that grew from 100 to 1200
-Many Christians have become mayors (18 districts) or members of the city councils
-Large unified worship gatherings such as in Sao Paulo where 2 million took part
-New wave of salvation and economic growth
-Several youth and prayer movements in universities
-Prayer movement within the police force and departments
-They want more unity and to activate all three generations in prayer together as well as mobilize the church for mission
-They plan to bring 500 leaders together for a regional prayer gathering next year
8) The Indian delegation shared about the growth of the Children in Prayer efforts there. The Royal Kids now have 32,000 praying kids and will focus on raising up 100,000 since children can be used of God to bring revival to churches and nations. A medical missionary deeply impacted by the WPA is mobilizing churches and educational institutes around her hospital and is also working among the Buddhists and Muslims. Thousands of Catholic charismatics in India have been set on fire with prayer and their leader was with us to excite us with his pictures of immense gatherings for prayer and spiritual renewal. Youth leaders are mobilizing churches and colleges having been challenged to do 24/7 prayer at the WPA.
During our deliberations, some of the questions we considered were:
1. What are we already doing that we should continue with more intentionality?
2. What are we not doing together that we could start doing?
3. What initiatives or events should we undertake together to facilitate the “New Wave”?
Here are some conclusions and suggested future directions from our deliberations and prayer times:
1. An all-nations school of prayer for children/youth is needed
2. Connect youth in prayer
3. Create a regional structure with a means of monitoring progress
4. Encourage continuous prayer (24-7/365) for all generations
5. Focused prayer on global priorities. Intentionally target our prayers to global issues. For weapons to be used mightily against the enemy.
6. Form a global prophetic council. A “three-generational global prophetic something” is a way to continue to relate. Possibly regionally or like the UN. Come together regularly to seek God together. We are in a cosmic conflict.
7. Come to a common understanding of the new wave and new wine and learn to live, act and behave in light of the new revelation/manifestation
8. Find ways to build cross-generational relationships using new media and develop a media strategy. Set up a communications hub (website, social media). One young man sparked the Arab Spring through Facebook – urgency; it’s not just a time of planning but someone needs to step up; God’s people, especially the next generation should come to the forefront.
9. Arrange global children’s and youth prayer consultations
10. Getting together, building relationships. Accountability to one another - to stay connected – circulate email contacts.
11. World Youth Prayer Assembly. But with the tri-generational spirit
12. Global conference in HK in 2013 with children leading
13. Regional leaders in various areas (ME, N. America, SEA, India etc.)
14. Raising funds for the prayer movement
15. Informing the network of local events so others can participate
16. The urgency is not just about time, but that God is very serious. Call to arms. Urgency. Picture of the arrow (children and youth as the tip, adults the shaft and older folks the feathers) and how it comes together. The arrow is to be used in the hand of Christ. We must be watchful and prayerful to bring the world to Christ.
17. CIP task force senses urgency of China and HK. Next Global Children in Prayer Consultation will be in May 2013 in Hong Kong. Plans to strengthen CIP network through website – compiling resources, transferable to many more nations.
18. Mobilize the new wave in a deeper and more practical way in our regions.
19. Revival is always connected to the presence of God. There has been an acceleration since the WPA. We will see also an acceleration of evil and must be ready. Radical holiness is the next step we must pursue individually.
20. The list is so long. Where do we begin? We need to work in our local areas. Break down the lists and do it in little ways in our areas. We need to start doing the little things. Having a prayer revolution that will affect the whole world.
21. Tremendous potential in the Google generation. Encourage the younger generation. God is going to do great things through them!
If you have anything you think is important to add to this necessarily partial, summarized list, please send your suggestion to the IPC office. Please pray with us for the development of this three-generational prayer movement throughout the world.
Barclays & Coutts tell Stonewall to drop 'Bigot' award
Barclays and Coutts have announced that they will withdraw their support for Stonewall's Awards event unless the homosexual campaign group drops the 'Bigot of the Year' category. Coutts and Co stated: ‘We have advised Stonewall that we will be withdrawing our support of the awards unless they remove this category.’ Barclays' Head of Global Diversity and Inclusion stated: ‘Barclays does not support that award category either financially or in principle and have informed Stonewall that should they decide to continue with this category Barclays will not support this event in the future.’ However, according to a newspaper report today (Wed), http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/30/stonewall-bigot-award-banks-sponsorship?newsfeed=true Stonewall has indicated that it will not scrap the Award, even if that means losing sponsorship for the event. We give thanks to God for the many taking action by contacting these banks leading to these developments. Meanwhile, we still don't know where PwC and Google, two other big-name supporters of the event, stand on the issue.
Pray: that following the actions by the banks other sponsors will take a stand on this issue. (Pr.12:7)
Cameron’s EU budget veto is a powerful tool for change
A motion will be debated on Wednesday 7th November in the British Parliament calling for a cut in the EU budget. The EU’s next long-term budget running between 2014 and 2020, will be discussed at an PEU summit on 22 and 23 November. David Cameron wants a ‘real terms freeze’ (based on the cash that was paid out from the 2011 EU budget). Wednesday’s Parliamentary debate is not binding, but if Labour MPs side with Tory backbenchers it could be embarrassing for the Government. The discussion is generally confused. The Times reported Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls and Shadow Foreign Secretary Douglas Alexander, stating ‘Labour would argue against any proposed increase in EU spending and instead support a budget cut. We believe these goals are difficult but achievable with the right approach from the UK.’ (see http://openeuropeblog.blogspot.co.uk/ )
Pray: for the UK and other countries, with rebate or budget corrections due to expire in 2013, to experience a just and honest resolution to their disputes. (Pr.3:9-10)
Christians join in anti-austerity protests
A network of Christians working against government cuts have urged ministers to not ‘punish the poor for the sins of the rich’. Christianity Uncut http://christianityuncut.wordpress.com/ marched with thousands of people of many religions or none in London, Belfast and Glasgow on Sunday for ‘A Future That Works’. The group said that many churches are witnessing the effects of growing poverty, unemployment and homelessness in their own communities. They urge Christians to be at the forefront of campaigns looking for alternatives, such as a crackdown on corporate tax dodging, the cancellation of the Trident nuclear weapons system and a cap on private sector rents. Sally Rush, from Milton Keynes, joined the march in London and said: ‘As a Christian, as well as part of the wider society, I believe I have a responsibility to campaign against the causes of poverty as well as working to minimise the effects’
Pray: that as Christians we make it our responsibility to stand up for our Christian principles and ideals. (Ro.8:38a)
More: http://religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/?p=28869
Scots Council removes prayer from agenda after threatsof legal action
Highland Council has removed prayer from its formal meeting agenda after secularists threatened legal action. The decades-old tradition will now be held prior to the formal meeting, in a move criticised by one Councillor as a ‘manifestation of political correctness’. The National Secular Society (NSS) wrote to the Council in the summer calling for the saying of prayers to be dropped or face legal action. A note was then written to all 80 Councillors in the Highlands stating that,‘Time for Prayer and Reflection will be undertaken at 10.30am in the chamber in future for those who wish to attend. This will be preceded by the bell to signal commencement. A second bell will ring to inform Councillors the meeting is about to start, five minutes later than normal, at 10.35am’. But Inverness Councillor Roddy Balfour criticised the move although he said the authority’s hand had been forced. (See Prayer Alert 28-2012)
Pray: that despite the move by the Highland Council these developments will be reversed in answer to our prayers. (Ps.119:169-170)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/scots-council-removes-prayer-from-agenda-after-legal-threats/
NHS kills 130,000 elderly patients every year
Assisted suicide is illegal in the UK, but on the 10th anniversary of the first British citizen visiting Dignitas a senior NHS consultant claimed doctors are prematurely ending the lives of thousands of elderly patients because they are difficult to manage or to free up beds. Professor Patrick Pullicino said hospitals use a controversial ‘death pathway’ (equivalent to euthanasia) when there was no clear evidence for initiating a method of care designed for use when death is imminent. ‘Far too often elderly patients who could live longer are placed on the pathway and it had now become an assisted death pathway rather than a care pathway.’ The professor revealed he had personally intervened to take a patient off the pathway to be successfully treated and then live a further 14 months.
Pray: that this issue will continue to be highlighted in the media until action is taken to implement more appropriate techniques of care for those terminally ill in NHS hospitals. (Mat.25:36)
Germany: Euro-gathering
Last weekend 300 people from 23 nations gathered on the banks of the river Maine in Frankfurt, Germany for Euro-gathering. In amongst the exciting times of prayer, worship and community were sessions of amazing teaching from members of the 24-7 family from around the world. The title of the prayer gathering this year was Aufstehen: (German Vb) Auf+ste.hen. To stand up. To rise (arise). To get up. Ian Nicholson the European Director of 24-7 Prayer said, ‘Our confidence is not in banks, governments or the job market but in the Father who shaped Europe; what He did in the past He can do again. We are a people of faith and hope. 'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro.15:13) There was a sense of ' Hope is on the rise! Stand up and fix your eyes on Him. The vision is Jesus!’
Pray: for more European countries to experience God’s power as the Holy Spirit flows through God’s people interceding. (2 Ch.7:14)
Germany: Euro-gathering
Last weekend 300 people from 23 nations gathered on the banks of the river Maine in Frankfurt, Germany for Euro-gathering. In amongst the exciting times of prayer, worship and community were sessions of amazing teaching from members of the 24-7 family from around the world. The title of the prayer gathering this year was Aufstehen: (German Vb) Auf+ste.hen. To stand up. To rise (arise). To get up. Ian Nicholson the European Director of 24-7 Prayer said, ‘Our confidence is not in banks, governments or the job market but in the Father who shaped Europe; what He did in the past He can do again. We are a people of faith and hope. 'May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro.15:13) There was a sense of ' Hope is on the rise! Stand up and fix your eyes on Him. The vision is Jesus!’
Pray: for more European countries to experience God’s power as the Holy Spirit flows through God’s people interceding. (2 Ch.7:14)
French National Assembly votes for full funding of abortion
Even as the nation’s Social Security budget is being ground down, the French National Assembly has voted to offer full taxpayer-funding for abortion and contraception, reports LifeSiteNews.com. As of 2013, public coverage of abortion expenses will be pushed up from 70 per-cent for chemical abortions or 80 per-cent for surgical abortions to a full 100 percent, within the limit fixed annually by the public health insurance system. In the same session, the Assembly voted to make contraception 100 per-cent free to all girls aged between 15 and 18. This includes all forms of contraception that are eligible for Social Security coverage: most hormonal pills, patches, implants, intra-uterine devices, and vaginal rings.
Pray: for the National Assembly to look very carefully at its decisions over abortion and consider how it can lead to promiscuity. (Ps.130:1-4)
French National Assembly votes for full funding of abortion
Even as the nation’s Social Security budget is being ground down, the French National Assembly has voted to offer full taxpayer-funding for abortion and contraception, reports LifeSiteNews.com. As of 2013, public coverage of abortion expenses will be pushed up from 70 per-cent for chemical abortions or 80 per-cent for surgical abortions to a full 100 percent, within the limit fixed annually by the public health insurance system. In the same session, the Assembly voted to make contraception 100 per-cent free to all girls aged between 15 and 18. This includes all forms of contraception that are eligible for Social Security coverage: most hormonal pills, patches, implants, intra-uterine devices, and vaginal rings.
Pray: for the National Assembly to look very carefully at its decisions over abortion and consider how it can lead to promiscuity. (Ps.130:1-4)
