We have already sent hundreds of invites, commitment forms to churches and ministries across 50 cities in all the provinces. Thousands of posters, handbills, and printed prayer points have already reached people who took part in the last year’s campaign. About 70 coordinators/facilitators and volunteers will be motivating new churches and ministries to be a part of this campaign. We hope to register 2000 churches/ groups/ ministries and individuals across the country to pray targeted strategic prayers for the Pakistani Church and Country during these 40 days.
Therefore we urge you to kind pray for this campaign and its success and for the core team in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, 70 plus facilitators and coordinators (around the country) and for hundreds of churches, groups, ministries and families taking part in this campaign.
There is a major arms buildup going on as Gulf states respond to the rising threat of Iran in the region that could threaten their security. They are buying billions of dollars of weapons from U.S. defense firms. Iran continues to flex its muscles within Iraq and elsewhere, and some American intelligence officials have warned that it may try to strike the United States with a terror attack.
Potential Dangers with Iran
“Iran is striking back at countries that have imposed sanctions with military and economic threats and may soon be willing to launch attacks on its enemies in the West. European countries are likely to be the first targets of economic reprisals given the announcement by Tehran that it may immediately cut off oil exports to Europe ahead of the EU embargo taking effect. Several large multinational corporations, including British/Dutch oil company Royal Dutch Shell (London: RDSA) as well as Japanese and South Korean companies such as Mazda, Kia, and Samsung do significant business in Iran and could be expelled because of support of sanctions by their home countries.
This week, the seriousness of Iranian defiance of international pressure over its nuclear weapons program was brought into sharper focus. On Sunday, an Iranian parliament member said his country may respond to the EU oil embargo – scheduled to be gradually implemented over the next five months – by banning oil sales to Europe for five to 15 years. Iran reportedly will cut off of sales of oil to Europe next week. On Tuesday, the U.S. intelligence community warned in its annual worldwide threat report to Congress that Iranian leaders are now willing to launch attacks inside the United States, basing this assessment on the uncovered Iranian plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to the United States in a restaurant in Georgetown, in Washington, D.C.”
February 2, LIGNET.com
Please pray for the economic sanctions to have their desired impact so that Iran is dissuaded from continuing its nuclear program that could destabilize and threaten many other nations in the region and elsewhere. Pray for His peace in the Middle East to be restored and maintained and for His protection over the USA and other Western countries from terrorist attacks.
Pakistan was created in 1947, in a terrible blood bath, as the only nation created to be a Muslim republic:
• 6th most populous nation in the world
• 96% Muslim
• 1.5 % Christian
• 1.5 % Hindu
• 0.5-1 % Buddhist, Jain, etc.
Economy
• Four years ago, under President Musharraf’s government, Pakistan had the one of the fastest growing economies in Western Asia. Today, it is right at the bottom.
• In the 2010 floods, the UN proclaimed it the worst human disaster (twice as many people affected as the Indian tsunami, the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, and Haiti earthquake, combined). One-fifth of the country was under water - crops, fields, and the infrastructure of electricity, canals, roads were destroyed. Most of this still has not been repaired. Summer of 2011 another major flood covered much of the southern part of Pakistan. Crops, homes, livestock were destroyed. Today many places are still under 10 feet of water.
• Much of the county is without electricity and/or gas 10-18 hours a day.
• Food prices for basic staples of vegetables and flour have almost tripled in the last 2 years.
Government
People are fed up with the present government of Zardari. Corruption is listed as some of the worst in the world. In the midst of this economic collapse and the inability of the present government to govern, five other political parties are fighting for leadership. Taliban/Militants are growing in popularity as they use Satan’s weapon of FEAR.
”For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Eph 6:12
Pakistan has a definite hierarchy of SPIRITUAL FORCES/LEADERS. Both religious and government leaders are in submission to them…They are Satan’s agents to “steal, kill and destroy.” Under the influence of these spiritual powers, hardcore Islam is growing rapidly and spreading across the country and the world. The Taliban and Al-Qadea are quickly expanding their influence. They claim they can save Pakistan from corruption, claiming that democracy has not worked, and Pakistan must return to Allah’s laws of sharia.
• Pray against these evil spiritual leaders and agents of Satan. May their strongholds fall and people be freed.
• Pray for fear to be removed and prayer leaders to be raised up.
• Pray for yourselves that God will increase your burden for Pakistan.
Christians in Pakistan
Christians live under the constant oppression of Islam. It is difficult for them to get an education or jobs. Attacks by militants against Christians and churches are increasing.
PRAY:
• May Pakistani Christians quickly realize that their only hope of survival is to turn to God in prayer. 2 Ch 7:14
• Pray that eyes may be quickly opened. We are learning that most Christians are
• completely blind to these evil SPIRITUAL FORCES/LEADERS and their strongholds that surround and entrap them.
• Pray for Christians to be bold.
• Pray they may learn to pray and know the authority they have in Christ and to use that authority to pray and tear down the evil ones strongholds.
• Pray that they will see answers to their prayers as one by one these strongholds that cover the country are pulled down.
GOD, RAISE UP A REMNANT OF PRAYER INSIDE AND OUTSIDE PAKISTAN.
“Suicide attacks by the Taliban against government targets over the last two days demonstrate the near futility of trying to negotiate with the group. Despite talks between the US and the Taliban over the last year and indications that the Obama administration is considering releasing Taliban prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay facility as part of a peace settlement, the Taliban thus far has shown no indications of agreeing to a cease-fire.” January 12, Newsmax.com
In addition, a BBC News report from January 6 states that the Taliban in Afghanistan are being “directly assisted by Pakistani security services, according to a secret Nato report.” This report, the result of thousands of interrogations, claims the Taliban “remain defiant and have wide support among the Afghan people.” The report also alleges that Pakistan knows the locations of senior Taliban leaders and has not divulged that information. After 10 years of war and the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars, this is very discouraging reading for Nato and the Afghan government.
A Pakistani foreign ministry spokesman denied these allegations calling them "ridiculous" and saying "we are committed to non-interference in Afghanistan and expect all other states to strictly adhere to this principle."
US Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby commented: "We have long been concerned about ties between elements of the ISI [Pakistan's intelligence service] and some extremist networks," said US Pentagon spokesman Captain John Kirby, adding that the US Defence Department had not yet seen the report.
Please pray for the peace and healing of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and for the cutting off of ties between Pakistan’s intelligence services and government with the Taliban. This is such a strategic part of the world and we need to keep covering it in our prayers of intercession with faith for breakthrough.
What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
What people experienced in Church
The Barna Group recently surveyed Americans who attended church and reported on their worship experiences. Barna is a private, non-partisan, for-profit organization that conducts research, produces media resources about spiritual development and facilitates the spiritual growth of Christian ministries The survey found that connecting with God was the most important outcome facilitated by churches; most (66%) felt they had ‘a real and personal connection’ with God while attending church, yet one-third of church attendees never experienced God’s presence. Overall, one-quarter of Americans said their life had been profoundly changed by attending church, while one-fourth described church attendance as ‘somewhat’ influential. Nearly half said their life had not changed at all. The study revealed that nearly seven out of 10 respondents said they felt ‘part of a group of people who are united in their beliefs and who take care of each other in practical ways.’
Praise: God for the way that so many are gaining so much from being part of His Church. (Ac.2:17-21)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11196-what-people-experienced-in-church
Burkina Faso: Blind see, deaf hear at Bonnke meeting
The Holy Spirit swept across Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, last week. Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring. ‘The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel,’ Kolenda wrote in an update to partners. ‘An old mama who was totally blind for two years received her sight. A woman with a lump in each of her breasts, said that during the prayer both lumps vanished. A totally deaf woman was also completely healed along with another blind girl.’ Saturday morning marked the grand finale of the Fire Conference. Peter van den Berg preached with Kolenda following. Before he could take the microphone, Kolenda says the Holy Spirit was already falling.
Praise: God for this evidence that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in action in this day. (Lk.7:21-22))
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/32738-blind-see-deaf-hear-at-bonnke-meeting-in-africa
Burkina Faso: Blind see, deaf hear at Bonnke meeting
The Holy Spirit swept across Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, last week. Evangelists Reinhard Bonnke and Daniel Kolenda wrapped up the fourth night of Christ for All Nations' Gospel Campaign there and are reporting an outpouring. ‘The Holy Spirit was poured out on the multitude in a mass baptism of fire! Dramatic signs and wonders accompanied the preaching of the gospel,’ Kolenda wrote in an update to partners. ‘An old mama who was totally blind for two years received her sight. A woman with a lump in each of her breasts, said that during the prayer both lumps vanished. A totally deaf woman was also completely healed along with another blind girl.’ Saturday morning marked the grand finale of the Fire Conference. Peter van den Berg preached with Kolenda following. Before he could take the microphone, Kolenda says the Holy Spirit was already falling.
Praise: God for this evidence that we can see the work of the Holy Spirit in action in this day. (Lk.7:21-22))
More: http://www.charismanews.com/world/32738-blind-see-deaf-hear-at-bonnke-meeting-in-africa
Churches Together hail ‘year of celebration’
The Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE) have heralded 2012 as a ‘year of celebration’. With the Olympic Games and torch relays, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee all on the horizon, they say the four month period from May to September will provide opportunities for people to gather and celebrate together ‘in ways which will both enhance and deepen community life’. The CTE Presidents are the Moderator of the United Reformed Churches, the Rev Michael Heaney, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, and the head of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Rt Rev Jana Jeruma-Grinberga. In a joint statement, the Church leaders spoke
of the ‘unprecedented’ collaboration between the denominations ahead of the Olympics. ‘More Christian communities from different traditions than ever before are coming together to plan practical ways of serving the project of the Olympic Games, which can bring many and diverse benefits,’ they said.
Pray: for all those involved in the preparations for the celebrations and especially for the successful collaboration between the denominations. (Ps.145:7)
Philosopher warns of threat to religious freedom
Leading philosopher Roger Trigg, a Professor at Kellogg College, Oxford, has warned of an increasing tendency in UK courts to prioritise equality above religion, thereby undermining religious freedom. Professor Trigg, who is the founding President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, stated that: ‘Religious freedom and the right to manifest religious belief is a central part of every charter of human rights.’ Yet he believes that the courts are now ‘limiting human freedom itself’. Professor Trigg is launching a new book, ‘Equality, Freedom and Religion’, which cites numerous cases where religious freedom has been denied by the courts. There have been many concerns that, within judicial interpretations of equality law, a hierarchy of rights has developed, with some rights now being seen as more important than others. Recent court decisions have suggested that the freedom to manifest sexual orientation now trumps the freedom to manifest one’s religious beliefs.
Pray: for an understanding that mankind can never place human laws above those of God. (Ro.7:22)