How often have you heard sexual progressives claim that those of us who hold to traditional sexual morality and marriage are “on the wrong side of history?” But as one new book points out, it’s the proponents of the sexual revolution who are embracing a sexual morality that history left behind millennia ago—in the dusty ruins of the Roman Forum.
Yes, today Western civilization is undergoing a dramatic cultural shift. In just a few short years our society has fundamentally altered the meaning of marriage, embraced the notion that men can become women, and is now promoting the idea that grown men should be welcome to share a bathroom with women and young girls. Not unexpectedly, we’re also seeing movement toward the normalization of polygamy, pedophilia, and incest.
It’s precisely in times like this that we need some historical perspective. Which is why Lutheran pastor Matthew Rueger’s new book, “Sexual Morality in a Christless World,” is a timely godsend. In it, Rueger shows how Christian sexual morality rocked the pagan world of ancient Rome. The notions of self-giving love, sexual chastity, and marital fidelity were foreign, even shocking to the people of that time.
Citing existing scholarship, Rueger details the Roman sexual worldview that prevailed for hundreds of years. Women and children were viewed as sexual objects; slaves—male and female--could expect to be raped; there was widespread prostitution; and predatory homosexuality was common. Christian sexual morality might have been seen as repressive by the licentious, but it was a gift from God for their victims.
Rueger writes that “Claims in our day of being progressive and moving forward by accepting the ‘new prevailing views on sexuality and same-sex marriage' are horribly misinformed … Contemporary views about sexuality are simply a revival of an older and much less loving view of the world.”
But they are also a revival of an older and impoverished view of human beings. Imagine the reaction of a pagan Roman slave girl who learned for the first time that she had value—not monetary value as a piece of goods to be enjoyed or discarded by her owner—but eternal value because she was made in the very image of God.
Or imagine the pang of conscience felt by an unfaithful Roman husband when he learned that God became incarnate, and took on human flesh, and that how he treated his own body and the bodies of others mattered to God. Mattered immensely.
Folks, we can’t look away and ignore this unholy revival of pagan sexuality and its cheapened view of human beings. But we also can’t wring our hands in fear or throw them up in defeat. As Rueger points out, Christ and His Church radically transformed a far more sexually cruel and chaotic world than ours.
Look to those ancient believers who went before us: Rather than succumbing to or accommodating the spirit of the age, new converts in the early Church came to understand, as Rueger writes, that “Christian morality is based on Christ’s all-encompassing purity and self-emptying love…Christians could no longer live as the Greeks or Romans. Their worldview and self-view was distinctly different. They were now one with Christ in heart and soul.”
Now, their distinctiveness, as Rueger writes, “would not spare them from suffering; it would invite suffering.” It’s pretty clear now that the same holds true for us. Will we bend the knee to this revived pagan sexuality, or will we hold out to a needy world the freedom of God’s plan for human sexuality?
From BreakPoint.org. Let’s pray for a revolution away from such degraded and destructive sexual “progressivism” , especially for the younger generation. As has happened in earlier human history, such pagan immorality threatens to take our nation and many other nations over the brink and into the sure judgment of God.
With everything from the fear of deadly snakes to alleged executions by anti-aircraft gun, it’s understandable why many North Koreans desire to flee the Hermit Kingdom. What’s interesting to note, however, is the economic class of defectors that have found their way out of North Korea. According to a survey from the Korean Unification Ministry, the percentage of defectors from the “middle-class” rose from 19% in 2001 to 55.9% after 2014. The increase stems from the fact that more defectors from higher statuses in the North possess the resources to escape, said the Unification Ministry.
So far this year, 894 North Koreans have escaped the country, compared to the 777 in the previous year during the same period. The Unification Ministry claims that this 15% increase is on track to bring the total amount of defectors to 30,000 by the end of the year.
Although the reasons to cross the border, or in some exceptional cases remain away from, are numerous, it’s noteworthy that one of their highly publicized punishments in North Korea seems to have decreased: North Korea leader Kim Jong Un is estimated to have executed about 130 officials in the 5 years he’s been in power, while Kim Jong Il, his father, had put to death over 2,000 officials in a 6 year span.
The latest high-profile defection comes from Thae Yong-Ho, North Korea’s deputy ambassador to London, who has since been accused by his former country of leaking state secrets, embezzlement, and child rape. As one of the highest-ranking North Korean officials to have defected, it wouldn’t be far fetched to believe that others will eventually follow suit.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/north-koreans-defecting-country-droves-204847404.html
Praying for the liberation of North Korea at the DMZ in July
United in one voice of prayer, hundreds of delegates from over 30 nations across the globe lighted up candles, as a symbol of the light of Jesus within each and every soul surrendered, to intercede even for the darkest corners of the world.
With the numerous pressing issues, chaos, and calamities that are happening around the world, darkness seems to prevail. We are the Davids that has slain the giant of darkness, division, and despair. We are the light of which the darkness is afraid of. We are to let this light shine on the darkest valleys.
Bound in Christ's love and united in spirit, our light shines brighter and brighter day by day.
#UnitedPrayerRising #UPRISING2016KOREA
Let’s continue to pray for His light to flow into North Korea. Ask for regime change and that the oppression of the North Korean people will come to an end. Pray for the protection of those there seeking to bring revolution and reform and that they will be successful.
Pope Francis has decried the bombing of Aleppo in Syria, saying those responsible for killing civilians will have to answer to God.
Speaking at a public audience in St Peter's Square in Rome, he called it "an already martyred city, where everybody is dying".
Russian-backed Syrian government forces have launched a fierce campaign to take control of rebel-held eastern areas.
Air strikes continued to hit the besieged districts overnight.
Pope Francis urged all sides to "commit themselves with all their strength to protect civilians".
"This is an imperative and urgent obligation. I appeal to the consciences of those responsible for the bombings, who will one day will have to account to God," he said.
(Links for moreinformation)
- Why are so many children dying in Aleppo?
- Why Assad wants to take Aleppo
- Attacks on Syria's aid workers are 'unconscionable'
- Children suffer horrors of Syria's war
Reports citing medical workers say that two major hospitals in rebel-held eastern Aleppo were put out of service by air raids overnight.
But one activist in the city tells the BBC that the hospitals still appear to be operational.
In the past few days, pro-government forces have begun ground operations to try to recapture more territory from rebel forces. They have made advances in the city centre, reports say.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad and its Russian backers have been accused of war crimes and "barbarism" by the US and its Western allies, who back the rebels.
Moscow has vigorously denied the allegations and criticised their "unacceptable" rhetoric.
Separately, fresh allegations of chemical weapons use on the part of Syrian government have been made by the New York-based group Human Rights Watch.
It said that Syrian government helicopters appeared to have used chemical weapons in two incidents in Aleppo on 10 August and 6 September that killed five people, including two children.
"After each attack, dozens of people suffering from a shortage of breath, coughing, reddened skin and eyes, and excessive tearing sought medical treatment in hospitals," the group said.
Syrian rebels have been supplied with a new type of surface-to-surface Grad rocket by their foreign backers to help defend against the current offensive, a rebel commander told the Reuters news agency.
The rockets, supplied "in excellent quantities", will be used in Aleppo, Hama and the Mediterranean coastal region, Fares al-Baoush said.
It was not clear which foreign states supplied the rockets.
Aleppo, once Syria's largest city and the country's commercial and industrial hub, has been divided roughly in two since 2012, with President Bashar al-Assad's forces controlling the west and rebel factions the east.
In the past year, government troops have gradually broken the deadlock with the help of Iranian-backed militias and Russian air strikes. Earlier this month, they severed the rebels' last route into the east and placed its 250,000 residents under siege.
Children in Aleppo have made up a large proportion of casualties from air strikes, according to aid groups. At least 100,000 children remain trapped in the eastern part of the city. (italics ours)
In the government-held west, 49 children were killed by rebel shelling in July alone, the New York Times reports, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
On Tuesday, the US pledged to provide an extra $364m (£276m) in humanitarian aid to people affected by the Syrian war.
The World Health Organization meanwhile called for the "immediate establishment of humanitarian routes" into Aleppo, where hospitals are running out of supplies and rubble-strewn streets are preventing ambulances from getting through.
BBC.com, September 28, 2016
Syria needs God’s breakthrough. Through the IPC and other efforts over the last 20 plus years, we have seen eight wars stopped, often suddenly, by the united prayer of God’s people. Let's pray with all our hearts in faith for the shattered ceasefire to be reenacted and to lead to a real peace agreement. Pray that President Assad and leaders of the various rebel factions will agree to end this endlessly destructive conflict for Aleppo and other war-torn areas in order to bring healing and restoration to their suffering people and land. Pray that the flow of urgently needed humanitarian supplies would not be impeded by either side in the conflict. Many civilians and children have died needlessly, pray for their protection and escape from war zones and the fighting. Pray also for those who follow Jesus in the midst of it all that they will be strengthened and know how to "stand in the gap" from the inside. With God, "all things are possible" so let’s pray that peace will break through soon!
Last weekend here in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 140 ministry leaders and a few public officials were electrified to hear the testimony of Pastor Poncho Murguia. We also took him to Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the USA to speak on the plaza for the Fall Gathering of Churches where he also spoke. Poncho after leading a large and successful mega church for years was instructed by the Lord to “leave everything” and to go a city park in his native Juarez, Mexico in order to fast and pray for three weeks over the city. During that process, he learned from the first time to really love and understand his city and then to “adopt” the city. Eventually 4000 other believers in Jesus joined him in a movement of transformational prayer and action that has changed Juarez from “the murder capital of the world” with violence 25 times as much as any on other city on earth to one of the safest of Mexico’s cities.
At the height of the violence that swept the city which had become the site of a prolonged turf battle between drug cartels, 20-30 people were being assassinated by “sicarios”, hit men paid an average of $50 to kill anyone. They killed a young man just as he was being married to his fiancée in a church and freely machine-gunned peace-loving people who were having dinner in restaurants. There were also an average of 10-15 kidnappings per day and if loved ones did not pay the ransom that was demanded, their family member would have his ears or fingers amputated first and if there was still no payment, he or she would be killed and buried under the floor of the “safehouse” that served as their prison.
Twenty percent or 300,000 people left the city; 30% of the businesses closed. The cartels made lists of police officers and systematically assassinated them one by one to terrorize and exact concessions. The smell of blood filled the streets. Such overwhelming violence that the police and even the army could not control finally drove the pastors of the city’s churches together in prayer. They humbled themselves before the Lord, taking responsibility for the situation since they had been occupying themselves with their own congregations and “building their own kingdoms” without a real love and concern for the whole city. As they underwent this process together, God demonstrated His presence and the crime rate fell by 93% within 18 months. Even the United Nations cannot understand how this happened! Other wonderful transformations happened and as they “adopted” the “sicarios”, many of these vicious hit men came to Christ and were discipled to serve Him back in their own towns across Mexico. Gloria a Dios!
Poncho challenged us concerning our own state of New Mexico, which has a spike in violent crime and other social problems that the government and police are not being effective in fixing. How much do we ministry leaders really love the world? The church he said is just the instrument of God’s love for the world (John 3:16), not an end in itself. He told us that we spend too much time studying the Bible when God wants us to “be the Bible” to our needy city.
I think that all of us were impacted deeply by Poncho’s testimony and want to apply what we learned here in New Mexico. We as a group came up with several good follow-on steps that we plan to implement, reaching out to other ministry leaders and churches as we go to see such a transformational movement happen here. It will start with prayer, getting on God’s wavelength together, and then obeying Him to adopt not only the public officials and police but also other people groups and institutions of our society. The example of Juarez and the efforts of Poncho and the other believers there demonstrate vividly and dramatically that the Lord can transform even the most hopeless of situations, whether in cities or nations.
The attached video about the transformation of Juarez should encourage us all to begin a similar process where we live. The TransformOurWorld.org website has other videos and resources that can practically help us. Above all, get together with a few other brothers and sisters in Christ to begin adopting your hometown in ongoing prayer and those appropriate, loving actions God leads you to undertake together. You will be amazed at what happens!
Video link to Juarez transformation video:
https://transformourworld.org/2016/07/29/the-miracle-of-ciudad-juarez/
John Robb
IPC Chairman
Dear Prayer and Ministry Leader,
You are invited to an assembly of national prayer, denominational, and kingdom network leaders from across the nation. America is at a historic crossroads with growing threats within and without. It is a tumultuous election year and an absolutely pivotal time in our history. A dysfunctional and divided government has become increasingly ineffectual in dealing with our growing national problems, including a $19 trillion debt hanging over our heads. In addition, our society is becoming progressively more apathetic and cold to the things of God. Surely, we need a new Great Awakening to turn America around.
A critical component in this pursuit of awakening is the coming together of both America’s prayer and denominational movements to seek His face. We need to join forces, praying with one heart and mind for a fresh, massive outpouring of His Spirit that will bring revival and transformation to the United States of America.
It is time to gather ministry leaders for two days of concentrated intercession, listening, and sharing what God is saying to us. As in the National Prayer Assembly of October 2014, we will have brief reports from experts on the critical issues facing the nation. Our approach will be to pray at least twice as much as we talk. Earlier assembly participants felt this was the right balance, so we will endeavor once again to let the Spirit of the Lord reveal, inspire, and pray out His heart concerns through us for our nation.
Listed below are some of the issues for our prayer focus at the NPA.
Please note that the NPA is by invitation only, so please only forward this invitation to others who serve as leaders or coordinators of prayer ministries, national or denominational ministries, or kingdom networks.
We look forward to your being with us for this crucial time of encountering the Lord together on behalf of our beloved country.
Every blessing in Christ,
Dave Butts (National Prayer Committee)
Rickie Bradshaw (Pray Houston)
Pierre Bynum (Family Research Council)
Paul Cedar (Mission America Coalition)
Lisa Crump (National Day of Prayer)
Kay Horner (Awakening America Alliance)
Dave Kubal (Intercessors for America)
Daniel Lim and Doug Conder (International House of Prayer)
John Robb (International Prayer Connect)
Prayer Assembly Participant Details:
Schedule:
- 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, October 28, 2016
Registration fee: $120 per person. You must register each person individually. The fee will include beverage service throughout, lunch on Friday, and our meeting space overlooking Washington, D.C. We are encouraging both prayer and fasting as part of the Assembly if you are able to do that for the first day of this gathering. In addition, a 40-day call to prayer with fasting up to the election will be in progress having begun on September 30.
To Register: https://intre.org/?297
Venue: Sheraton Pentagon City, Arlington, VA
- Reagan National Airport (DCA) is nearest airport.
- Shuttle service is provided to hotel.
- Special conference rate is $179/night per room (for twin sharing if desired)
To reserve your hotel accommodations please click here:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1603180291&key=101F35BB
For other questions about logistics, please contact Lisa Crump with the National Day of Prayer Task Force via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Preliminary Prayer Emphases for the NPA:
- Repentance for-
Corporate sins of America
Sins within the Church and Society
- Reconciliation and healing of-
Leadership division
Racial division
Restorative justice
- Restoration of-
Spiritual revival and morality within the church
Truth in media
Morality in arts and entertainment
Integrity and blessing in marketplace
Protection for marriage and the family–an institution under assault
Truth and protection in educational institutions
Sanctity of human life and protection of the unborn
- Reaching and evangelizing the lost
Prayer-care-share lifestyles among Jesus followers
Provision and mobilization of missionaries
- Government and the national election
Religious freedom
Court decisions
Legislative actions
- Prayer movement
Unity
Strength
Mobilization
Engagement
- Next generation
Children
Youth
Emerging Leaders
- False religion and the occult invasion
- National security issues
Military forces
Law enforcement
Homeland security
Radical Islam and ISIS threats
By Dan Cummins, Associate Pastor of Skyline Church in San Diego and convening pastor of "The Jefferson Gathering" worship services in the US Capitol.
“Do I believe America is in a period of judgement? Yes! Most definitely. God has given us over to our selfish desires. Yet the biblical pattern for national revival is almost always preceded by a time of judgment. "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."
Psalm 72:16 and Micah 4:1-3, clearly state that in "the last days" God will take a remnant of believers (wheat) and plant them in the tops of world governments (tops of the mountains) and build "the house of the Lord," beginning in the top levels of the world's governments. The resulting consequences of God's moving in world governments would then shake the earth with revival. "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the house of the Lord."
I can confirm that this is beginning to happen in Washington, D.C., London, Ukraine, Poland, Moscow and several nations in Africa.
Add to this, when the "last trumpet" in Revelation sounds, "the kingdoms of this world" (governments) become the governments of the Lord Jesus Christ and He will rule them forever with His glorious church (Rev. 11:15-19). So much for "separation of church and state."
Almost always, following these periods of captivity and judgment were times of transition to revival. These times of transitions were times of national repentance followed by "times of refreshing" or the latter rain.
So could America be in one of these transitional times of repentance where our national sins are being exposed? Are the wheat and tares being exposed before a time to shine like the sun in righteousness?
How can a nation, which for years has been praying for revival, actually "turn from your wicked ways" until those wicked ways are openly exposed for all to see? Could this be what we are witnessing now in America—unprecedented exposure of corruption at every level of society and government—so God can heal us? So we know what to repent of?
If so, now is the time for the prophets to come forth and prophesy to the nation. Now is the time for the preachers to preach repentance and godly holiness to the church—to make herself ready to enter the kingdom.
Is God through with America yet? I don't believe so. I think America's greatest days may be just around the corner. I believe we're in the first dawning hours of another Great Awakening.
In fact, I believe God has been silently, behind the scenes, answering our 2 Chronicles 7:14 prayers for some time now, not at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House) but at First Street and East Capitol Street, in the heart of the U.S. Capitol with the 114th Congress.
Did you know, for the past two years, weekly Christian worship services for members of Congress and staff, called the Jefferson Gathering, are being held in the Capitol building after an absence of 144 years? More than 150 members have attend in two years and many now attend on a regular basis. Several people have given their lives to Christ.
Did you know there are more "passionate followers of Jesus Christ" (I prefer this to the overused sometime meaningless term, "Christian") in the 114th Congress than at any time since President Calvin Coolidge? There are. We are working with close to 200 sincere followers of the Lord in the House and Senate.
Did you know, on occasions, as many as 90 pastors will be praying together in the Capitol Rotunda while the House of Representatives is debating controversial freedom of religion amendments on the House floor? Did you know that, on most Wednesday evenings, prayer for America is happening in the Rotunda? It is!
Have you heard? Beginning on Sunday, Sept. 4, three Christian worship services will begin in the Ways and Means Room in the Capitol building for all federal employees and Capitol Police. It's been 150 years since regular Sunday church services were held in the U.S. Capitol. This is big news!
How did this all begin to happen? America has been praying, that's how! And God is right now in the process of answering those prayers by raising up godly men and women in Congress, the most important branch of government…
This is unprecedented and historic! This is God answering our prayers.
In September, we'll be hosting four worship services weekly in the U.S. Capitol with Ryan's permission and blessing…
Let me ask you this question: Which is more important for America: Repealing the TPP, building a wall at our border, balancing the budget, restoring jobs or experiencing a third Great Awakening? Without a spiritual awakening, America will still go to hell in a handbasket. We must have revival!..
I'm thankful that the top four leaders of the Republican Party in Congress (Speaker Paul Ryan, Leader Kevin McCarthy, Whip Steve Scalise and Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers) know this and are doing what they can to see it happen. They know that, without it, America has no hope. These are the leaders America needs now.
America's political revivals have always followed spiritual awakenings. I am convinced the underpinnings for a third spiritual awakening are happening now, and the foundations for political renewal could be just ahead.
Keep praying, and keep voting. God is not finished with America yet.”
From “What CNN and Fox Won't Tell You About the Move of God”
Charismanews.com
Let’s keep these leaders of the Congress in prayer and above all ask the Lord for a new Great Awakening as has happened in U.S. history. Why can’t it happen again now?
The International Prayer Council, a team of 25 leaders of major regional and international prayer initiatives and movements and who together lead International Prayer Connect, has decided to call those who lead prayer networks and ministries at the national, regional and international level together for a unique time in the presence of the Lord for united prayer, learning from one another, and planning strategies for the future of the international prayer movement. The Light of the World Prayer Center in Bellingham, Washington led by Jason Hubbard has close ties with the Jesus Haus in Hernnhut and has graciously agreed to help us organize this gathering.
This will be the first time we have met in this way since the launch of the IPC, a network of prayer networks that was conceived just after 9/11 in 2001 and formally launched by international prayer leadership in 2002. It was called “Globalizing Prayer, Transforming our World”. Almost 300 prayer network and ministry leaders gathered near Cape Town, South Africa, to connect with the Lord and one another across the nations. It was a magnificent time of establishing relationships and regional networks that continue to be used by God to bring transformation to our world. This is the link to the video if you have not seen it. IPC Prayer Globalizing Prayer Transforming Our World https://youtu.be/5ZYVFLML1sU
May 8-12, 2017, we will regather at Herrnhut, the Moravian center for prayer and mission that was the site of revival in the 1700s and the beginning of a 24/7 prayer chain that was used of God to send out the first Protestant missionaries to the unreached peoples around the world.
For this reason, we plan to include some key mission leaders who can share the status of mission to the unreached peoples of our day along with up to date information and research so that we can see a closer, more integrated linking of the prayer and mission movements. That is so crucial to bring back the King. Jesus said that He would not return until all the nations (ethne= ethnic groups) have had the gospel of the Kingdom proclaimed as a witness to them (Matthew 24:14). It is therefore critical that these movements connect more deeply and purposefully.
A related emphasis will be on strategic-level prayer for the breaking of strongholds that hinder people from seeing the light of the glory of Christ and that represent barriers both to the spread of the Gospel and social and political transformation.
We will also give a major focus to the Next Generation, the raising up of youth and children through prayer for their unique missions in life and featuring those initiatives that specialize in this kind of ministry.
There will be times of waiting on the Lord together with a prophetic sensitivity to what He is saying to the prayer movement of our day and how we can move forward together into that desired future He has for us as brothers and sisters in Christ. We will learn about various models of prayer ministry that He is blessing around the world and will have time to develop strategic plans together in His presence, much as we did at the launch of the IPC in 2002 when international prayer network leaders representing so many nations and regions of the world gathered near Cape Town, South Africa for the first time.
We are also working on an additional possible gathering on our final day together, May 12, at the famous Bethlehem Chapel in Prague. That is where the great reformer, Jan Hus, taught the Bible and started a movement of spiritual renewal costing his being burned at the stake. Eventually the Moravian movement of prayer and mission was born out of the sacrificial service of that great saint. We are thinking of having a special prayer gathering there with Czech ministry leaders to pray for a new Reformation for Europe and beyond.
If you lead a prayer or mission network at the national, regional or international level, please do pray about coming to Herrnhut, May 8-12, and mark your calendar for next year at that time. We will fly into Prague, the Czech Republic, and have buses arranged to take us all to SE Germany where Herrnhut is located.
You can find out more information about registering to participate by writing to Jamie Frey, our administrator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The website will be up and running in the next two weeks.
Rev Gloria Au Yeung
(HK China/ NE Asia Coordinator, IPC)
“Of whom the world was not worthy…And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:38-40).
After 2000+ years of the Gospel, as the clicking of the end-time clock is counting down, I believe Asia will be playing an increasing pivotal role for the fulfillment of the Great Commission and preparation for the King of Glory’s return. The strong corporate vision of the Back to Jerusalem movement that began in mainland China to take the gospel to the Muslims and other peoples across Central Asia, the Middle East, and finally back to Jerusalem is now going even more strongly and rapidly.
Asia is the largest and most populous continent
Asia comprises a full 30% of the world's land area with 60% of the world's current population. It also has the highest growth rate, and its population almost quadrupled during the 20th century. The estimated population for Asia in 2016 is now 4.4 billion, with the median age of 30.7 years.
Asia was the birthplace of the world’s major religions
Asia was the site of many of the first civilizations and has the greatest diversity of ethnic groups, cultures, environments, economics, historical ties and government systems. Many of the world's major religions have their origins there, including the five most practiced in the world-- Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Chinese folk religion (classified as Confucianism and Taoism), and Buddhism respectively. Asia was the birthplace of also many other religions such as: Jainism, Sikhism, and Zoroastrianism (once the state religion of the Persian Empire, now a minority mostly found in India and Iran.)
Asian countries with large Christian populations are China (believed to be over 100 million), Philippines (84 million), India (24 million), Indonesia (23 million officially but probably at least three times that now unofficially), Kazakhstan (16.5 million), South Korea (15 million), Vietnam (7 million), Georgia (4.6 million), Armenia (3.2 million), Malaysia (2.6 million), Japan (2.5 million), Pakistan (2.5 million), Uzbekistan (2.5 million), Syria (1.8 million), Sri Lanka (1.5 million) and Taiwan (one million).
As the Lord is preparing His Bride, there are specific assignments for this generation, to “ finish well” so that the previous generations according to Hebrews chapter 11 would receive their promise. Please pray that we Asians who have received the last baton of the race of faith will also get “something better” in the perfection of all the generations as we seek to answer His call.
- CALL TO ALL – time to FINISH!
There’s never been a more important time in church history. The worldwide Christian movement has been exploding tremendously around the globe. Pray that the Church, its leaders and organizations, will network together to finish the Great Commission. Asia needs our special priority since it has the vast majority of unreached peoples, comprising the majority of the world's Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists and also huge numbers in desperate poverty - over 80% of the world’s poorest people.
As China’s churches are believed to have the biggest population of Christians and are still growing, China is rapidly changing from a “mission field” to a great “mission force”. Pray that China’s church movement will continue to grow strong, not only in evangelism for the end-time harvest, but also for bringing transformation and revival through united prayer on both national and global levels.
- CALL TO FALL – time to march forward ON OUR KNEES!
The world, especially Asia, desperately needs change. Yet the change we need does not come from world politics or growing economies. It comes from God. He calls on us to fall to our knees before Him and take responsibility for the state of our nation by confessing our corporate and individual sins. Asian Christians have been especially well prepared for decades in prayer because of strong persecution and their need to be long-suffering. Please pray that a strong bridal Army with the vision of Jesus’ coming back will continuously be raised up to transform nations and change the course of history for this continent.
- CALL TO WALL – Time to be UNITED IN PRAYER!
Since the historic first worldwide prayer gathering of International Prayer Assembly in the year of 1984 in Seoul, Korea and then the continuous effort of global mobilization of united prayers by the IPC (International Prayer Council) since 2001, along with many other prayer networks, the Body of Christ has now been more awakened to the significance of connectivity and cooperation. That is what the Lord has been praying for us as His Body 2000+ years ago to be united – to cross all denominational and cultural barriers, laying down our own agendas and “kingdoms” to embrace the Father’s instead.
After the World Prayer Assembly of 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia, and its on-going 'New Wave' movement, a new greater global level of awareness has been raised for the importance of united prayers along with massive mobilization and equipping for the blessing, healing and transformation of the nations. The biggest end-time armies of united prayer seem to be coming out from Asian countries: Korea, Indonesia and China! These 3 countries that all had strong participation in the WPA-2012 are certainly the biggest groups of watchmen for the nations today. Also, since the largest Christian population/ biggest church of the world nowadays is in China (the size of it is still a mystery out of God’s wisdom), the potential capacity to continuously build the “Great Wall of Prayer” cannot be under-estimated. This correlates with the preparation of the coming biggest harvest among the nations and its warfare involved. Like the Great Wall of China in olden days, this is a strategic massive construction to get ready for war. This is the time to rebuild the “Wall” as in Nehemiah’s experience in order to strategically re-establish spiritual oneness so that the Body of Christ will no longer be in disgrace (Neh 2:17. Pray that we can do this by sharing the same vision of “preparing the way” cross- generationally with the children and youth as well as internationally with many other different networks.
4. CALL to Rise Up IN MISSION!
Asian Churches have been truly blessed by the western Churches in the past. However, due to the previous history of mission movements, Asian Churches are generally also at the same time, much influenced by the down side of the western Churches! The time has come to corporately discern, be set free and cleansed from all kind of religious bondages, especially those coming from western theology and human philosophies such as denominationalism, false teachings (eg. Replacement Theology”), “syncretism” and false “ unity” between different religions, deceptions and compromise like “Chrislam”. In addition, the Body of Christ needs to face the biggest ever spiritual giants, namely Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism in our own region. Please pray that the Lord will greatly protect, purify and rescue us from all kinds of deception and the three common phenomena of the end-time churches in general, namely, Godlessness, Prayerlessness and Lawlessness (2 Tim 3:1-9).
If combining only Korea and China together, it will already become the largest mission force for both evangelization and prayer for the whole world. Both these two nations have been well prepared for spiritual battles …… and we believe that One Korea will be coming soon too. It is definitely strategic for the nations of NE Asia to come together so please pray that we can work together trans-nationally!
Our desperate prayer request is for the coming together of the “ three chopsticks nations”- China, Korea and also Japan - for the revival of NE Asia and the whole of Asia! It will take a miracle to bring real reconciliation and unity due to the deep-rooted historical wounds and trauma! Nevertheless, if Christians in these three countries come together, they will become a huge blessing and a great testimony to the world! Let’s join hands and believe this - from the Far East to the Middle East, the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isa 40:5). Arise, Asia, prepare the way. Something Better is coming for you! Amen.
Up to 400,000 may have been killed in the ongoing Syrian civil war. Iraq also continues to be in chaos because of the war against ISIS there. Please pray for an end to the awful war going on in these countries and that all parties to the conflict within the region and outside of it will come together to make peace. Pray especially that Russia and the USA will come to agreement about securing a cease-fire. Pray for those in the war zones, especially families and their children that they will be protected from being used as fighters and suicide bombers.
Russia-U.S. officials to meet over Syria deal.
Militarytimes.com reports the U.S. and Russia will try to reach a deal that stops the Syrian civil war and forge a new counterterrorism partnership… Officials hope to secure a cease-fire between Syria’s government and rebels and a new U.S.-Russian agreement could allow for sharing intelligence and coordinating military operations to defeat ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates. The Geneva meeting comes as fierce fighting continues in Aleppo, Syria’s largest city and as Russian bombers continue to operate from an Iranian air base.
U.S.-Russia still don’t agree on Syria. Defense News reports the U.S. and Russia have yet to finalize an agreement on coordinated efforts in Syria, said the Pentagon spokesman. “Contrary to recent claims, we have not finalized plans with Russia on potential coordinated efforts. Serious issues must first be resolved before we can implement the steps discussed in Moscow last month,” the spokesman said.
ISIS turns more to children to kill.
The Washington Post reports there is growing evidence ISIS is turning to children to kill. The Post begins its report with the apprehension of a young boy in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk found to be wearing a suicide belt. That apprehension was broadcast Monday on Kurdish television stations showing the dramatic moments as security officials stripped the boy of his explosives-laden belt, the latest in a series of alarming reports about the use of children as suicide bombers. Most notably late Saturday in southeastern Turkey at least 50 people were killed when a child suicide bomber blew up himself and others at a wedding. Earlier this year in March a suicide bomber no older than 16 struck at a youth soccer match in the Iraqi village of Asriya, killing 43 people. Evidently as the numbers of ISIS fighters diminish the extremist group turns more to what it calls “cubs of the caliphate,” as ISIS labels its child fighters, to fill the gap. “This is a product of ISIS’s investment in children,” said Hassan Hassan, the co-author of ISIS: Inside the Army of Terror, and resident fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. “The second generation of ISIS is already happening. When they need them, they can call on them.”
Robert Maginnis
From some pastors in the country
A very hot summer in Turkey
The Turkish seasides and coasts are very beautiful. If you were to visit you would fall in love with them. Generally, in Turkey, the weather is very hot in summer, especially on the coasts where some of our churches are. However, this year we have been "feeling the heat" of the political situation and not just the weather. As you may know, on July 15th there was a coup attempt in Turkey. This attempt caused the death of at least 294 people and 15.000-20.000 people have been arrested so far.
It has been a complicated season for Turkey. The group that is apparently responsible for this attempt is an influential religious sect that has members within the military. If they had succeeded, the country could have been in real trouble, but the coup attempt failed. Shortly after the failed coup attempt, the president instituted a three-month state of emergency for the purpose of tracking down the other members of this sect within Turkey. Both foreign and local believers were concerned about how the state of emergency would affect the church, but it seems that the danger has passed for now.
This is an internal issue in the political and religious life of Turkey. So far the only real impact it has had in our ministries is in the new temporary rules regarding international travel for Turkish people. We have to bring extra documentation and undergo more thorough questioning at the border. We expect that all of this will return to normal within one or two months and life will continue as always. In the meantime, there are 3 important commandments to remember:
- Rejoice all the time.
- Give thanks all the time
- Pray all the time
Could you join us in prayer:
- against the fear among believers
- for wisdom and safety
- peace
- for people to draw nearer to God
Other friends who work in the country report on what life looks like after July 15. As a result of the coup, we have seen a greater openness to the Gospel.
- Pray for many to come to Christ through this
- Pray God's will to come to place here
- Pray for truth and justice to rule
Praise God for the news that of growing Christian communities and opportunities to share Jesus with the Turkish, Kurdish and other people groups. We are thankful to the Lord for the news that more people are listening to Radio Shema’s broadcast after the failed coup.
Other prayer topics
For Pastors
That pastors, their families and churches would be protected from possible threats by the local mafia, and that the authorities are able to sort things out without anyone being hurt
For the Revival of the Churches
That authorities will recognize the right of Christians to meet in a legally recognized place of worship, and provide suitable property for that purpose
For Deliverance of Middle East Refugees
That God will break into the lives of Middle East refugees with the brilliance of His love and mercy, and that with each step God will turn this dark road into the pathway to provision, with a growing sense of His loving presence
- Pray that God will give wisdom and discernment to church leaders to establish helpful relations with local authorities
- Pray that legislation will be adopted that will grant equality before the law and protection against discrimination on the grounds of religion
- Pray that the Republic of Turkey would be resettled as soon as possible, and that it will recover an air of peace and reconciliation, in which the Gospel can be proclaimed again all over the land
Pray that Christians workers, their families, and their ministries would be protected with divine supernatural power, even in the turbulent situation after the failed coup.