Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” (Isaiah 49:15)
In December 2001, close to the time of the first IPC gathering near Ground Zero in New York, I was arriving with a team of prayer facilitators for a national prayer initiative in Monrovia, Liberia. As I entered the hotel entrance, a man selling mahogany wood carvings of all kinds, mostly of various African animals, excitedly handed me a different-looking one. “This one’s for you,” he proclaimed, no doubt anticipating he would make yet another sale to a foreign tourist.
The beautifully sculpted reddish wood depicted the large hand of God reaching protectively over the head of a small child and as I looked at it, I sensed the Lord was speaking to me again. On the same trip, I had become convinced that He was calling us in the international prayer movement to give special place to children and youth in the various initiatives that my colleagues and I were organizing around the world. This seemingly accidental reach for one of hundreds of different wood sculptures became one of many subsequent confirmations to me that the Lord was serious about this new focus.
After that time, both in World Vision International, the organization I served during those years, and in the wider Children in Prayer movement that I discovered had begun some years before, we began to prioritize the involvement of children and youth in various initiatives, both internationally and in nationally. Each time, we wondered at how God used the kids as His “secret weapon” in so many ways. They prayed for nations in conflict and suffering, with ambassadors at the United Nations, as well as for political leaders when we got that opportunity. Always, the Lord showed up in moving experiences so that we have been increasingly learning that tri-generational prayer is the way to go for the future-- adults, youth and children praying together for their nations and our world.
This became the guiding philosophy that led us during the World Prayer Assembly in 2012, in which tens of thousands of young people participated. Now, in the IPC and under the leadership of Pastor Jerome Ocampo from the Philippines, we are working with a team of international youth leaders to plan the World Youth Prayer Assembly. Supported by the prayers of children and the advice of the older generation, the WYPA will be called “UPrising” (United Prayer Rising) and will be held in Seoul, South Korea, July 26-30, 2016. Please see http://www.unitedprayerrising.com for more information.
Getting back to that 14 year-old Liberian wood carving. A couple weeks ago, it was my joy to present it to Father Anton Cruz and the Royal Kids, a wonderful ministry to thousands of orphans and children from poorer families in India and now other nations. As I was preparing to make the presentation that evening in honor of their 25th anniversary, I reflected again on the verse that was so roughly imprinted on the bottom of the statue- Isaiah 49:15. God’s reassuring words to His ancient people Israel in the midst of their great hardships that His love for them would go beyond the strongest of all human affection, that of a mother for her nursing babe, hit me powerfully. However, this time, I was especially struck by the next verse that I had hardly noticed before—“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” Suddenly, I realized that the hands of God Isaiah was describing were those stretched out for all of us on the cross of Calvary. The engraving was carried out with sharp iron nails in the sensitive palms of God the Son. Our faces and very lives were then and are now still engraved on His hands. You and I whether as a child or older adult will never be forgotten no matter what hard times we endure. When the Lord looks at His hands, He sees each of us in them- His exceedingly precious and beloved children. Whether we are cognizant of it or not and no matter what befalls us, we are always encompassed by those nail-engraved yet all-powerful hands, guiding us through life and into eternity.
John Robb
Invitation to pray with WPC for five nations
We would invite our readers to join the rhythm of prayer at the World Prayer Centre this coming week, by praying for the countries listed below on the allotted weekdays:
Thursday 20 August: Persecuted church in Afghanistan More 1: | More 2:
Friday 21 August: Benin More 1: | More 2:
Monday 24 August: Persecuted church in Sudan More 1: | More 2:
Tuesday 25 August: Bermuda More 1:
Wednesday 26 August: Persecuted church in Iran More 1: | More 2:
China - Tianjin explosions: 112 Dead, 95 missing
The number of people confirmed killed in Wednesday's blasts in Tianjin, China has risen to 112. Ninety-five people, 85 of them firefighters, are still missing (at the time of writing), and hundreds have been hospitalised. The explosions, in a warehouse containing hazardous chemicals, were so powerful that few of the recovered bodies have been identified. At a news conference on Sunday morning, officials said they had identified 24 of the dead. Experts are carrying out DNA tests to help identify the rest of the victims. At least 21 firefighters are among the dead. Of the 721 people injured, 25 are in critical condition and 33 are serious. Dozens of relatives of the missing and local residents have held a number of angry protests at a hotel used for official news conferences. They say they have not received enough information from the government about what chemicals are at the site. Homeowners are also demanding compensation for damage to their properties. Also on Sunday a senior military officer, Gen Shi Luze, became the first named official to confirm the presence of the toxic chemical sodium cyanide at the site, saying that ‘several hundred tons’ had been identified at two locations in the blast zone. Residents within a 3km radius of the blast site were evacuated on Saturday, amid fears of chemical contamination. However, Greenpeace said that surface water tests carried out at the site had not found high levels of the chemical.
Burundi update: 500 take part in Christian mission
Following a request for prayer for Burundi in last week's Prayer Alert, readers will be encouraged to hear there were only a few deaths after the assassination of Burundi's second most powerful man. Locals feared many more. Our contact in Burundi reports that most days in the capital there is gunfire and great fear, and the economy is totally decimated. Burundi is one of the world's poorest countries. It has one of the lowest GDP per capita of any country and has faced terrible genocides rooted in tribal tensions, like Rwanda but far less publicised. Over 300,000 people died between 1994-2005 in ethnic conflict. The country faces an ongoing battle with corruption, poor access to education and the effects of HIV/AIDS. We are asked to pray for the Great Lakes Outreach as they are sending out 500 Christian evangelists this week, into all but two of the provinces. Among the activities organised will be 75 outreach events, film showings and hospital/prison visits.
European Trumpet Call, Romania
Intercessors and people of prayer from across Europe and beyond are planning to gather together in Timisoara, Romania, from 31 August to 4 September to sound the trumpet and to pray for the continent of Europe.
The invitation is to you, your church, your prayer ministry, your mission agency to come together and stand united on one great promise. ‘When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the LORD your God and rescued from your enemies.’ (Numbers 10:9)
A great shift is happening and many are aware of it.
It is time.
It is time to gather, to move forward together, to lift our voices and rejoice together in prayer.
God is calling His people to come together to blow the trumpets for the whole continent of Europe for:
PRAYER. There’s nothing more powerful than when saints pray and seek the Kingdom, standing in the gap for the lost. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
RECONCILIATION. We are ambassadors of Christ, coming in His name, calling out the lost to come into His marvellous Kingdom of light.
UNITY. In the mighty name of Jesus we will speak unity among brothers from different nations. 'Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brothers to dwell together.. there God commands a blessing.' (Psalm 133)
ANTISEMITISM. We are not led by the world’s standards and thoughts but by the Bible that teaches us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. So our focus will be to bless the nation of Israel.
THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP. Our leaders need wisdom and support from Heaven. “Prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings should be made for kings and all in high positions. It is pleasing in the sight of God, our Saviour.” (1 Tim. 2:1-3)
The Mill Gathering Statement
Back in January 2015, a number of leaders within the movement for prayer met together at the invitation of the World Prayer Centre - asking the question 'What is God saying to us in England at this time?' and 'what is our response?'.
We are reproducing the full text of the statement that came out of that gathering below:
We believe that God is preparing us for an unparalleled spiritual harvest. We also believe that there is going to be a great increase in turbulence and uncertainty as the Lord continues to shake the nations. He is calling us to mobilise prayer and be ready for action.
This is a time of awakening: a time when many will come to know Jesus and a time when many will come back to the church. This is not like anything we have experienced in our nations before. We know harvests don't just happen. They are preceded by long periods of preparation of the ground, the seed and the workers. Each of us will have a different role.
This is a time of great opportunity. Are we ready? Can we gather it in? Do we have enough capacity to cope with what is produced? Jesus warned that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9: 36-38).
Therefore, we believe we must
Purify and humble ourselves - we are called to be a holy priesthood, spending time in God’s presence, listening attentively to Him. God is calling us into greater intimacy with Him – a worshipping, holy, dedicated people.
Prepare ourselves – for a new time – standing as a united army that is equipped to stand firm in faith and trust in God, faithful in prayer and ready to work for the harvest.
Proclaim Jesus - far and wide with great boldness, praying for His Kingdom to come.
It is time to pray - believing that our God really 'is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine' in our nations in these challenging times. We have identified five key prayer themes. We encourage persistent, regular prayer for many people and situations with each of these themes:
1. It is time to pray for God’s mercy to triumph over His judgment on us His church and on our nations. We have turned away from God and His values and guidelines. Lord, have mercy and help us to turn fully back to you (2 Chronicles 7.14; Luke 3:8).
2. It is time to pray for the whole church to awaken - for all of God’s people in every expression of church (Isaiah 60:1-4; Ephesians 5:14-16).
3. It is time to pray for the unity of all God’s people - so that the world may see Jesus in His church, as we love one another irrespective of creed, colour, culture and class (John 17:21; John 13:34-35).
4. It is time to pray for the release of God’s Word and Spirit - for a bold proclamation of the Word of God and a powerful move of His Spirit - in every believer, church, village, town and city (Luke 4:18-19).
5. It is time to pray for a revival generation - with a mighty move of God amongst our children and young people running together with the older generations (Joel 2:28; Luke 1:16-17).
We believe that God’s trumpet is being sounded in our lands - to mobilise His army, to call His people to pray, proclaiming the cross of Christ and that salvation is found in no other name but the name of Jesus.
Syria: 22 Assyrian Christians released by IS
22 Assyrian Christians who were captured by the self-proclaimed Islamic State in February have been released, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has been told by what it claims is a 'reliable source'. The release was mediated by tribal leaders, they say. This group of Christians were taken captive in several villages on the banks of the Khabur river not far from Hassaka. The released Christians came from Tal Shamiram and Tal Jazirah. 14 of them are women, and all are elderly, reports claim. The BBC reported that 19 Christians from this group were released in February, all over the age of 50. However, Islamic State militants abducted dozens of Christians from the city of al-Qaryatain last week.
Child Sexual Exploitation
A key spiritual battleground
Moses commands Israel – "You shall not give any of your children to devote them by fire to Moloch" Lev 18:21. Moloch demanded child sacrifices – and parents and relatives gave them to this evil demon. It was an abomination. The Centre for Social Justice recently reported on "A growing group of children and young people whose family lives have broken down or who are in deep crisis." Violence, abuse, trauma, bullying, uncertainty, hopelessness – many of our teenagers are in a battle ground. The devil wants to destroy children, just as he did in Moses day. Jesus wants to rescue them and call them to himself. We are at war.
Alisha's story
Today twelve year old Alisha will have sex for the first time – she is nervous but she is eager to please her older boyfriend Dan who buys her drinks and gives her the attention she misses at home. Dan gradually introduces her to more of his friends and to drink and drugs and parties. He encourages her to have sex with his friends. When she refuses she is raped but she still loves Dan and he still loves her doesn't he? Alisha's story is mirrored across this land. Like many thousands of children she is a victim of sexual exploitation.
What is child sexual exploitation (CSE)?
Barnardos describe it as 'Where a young person is encouraged or forced to take part in a sexual act in exchange for something' (presents, money, attention). The most vulnerable are aged between 13 and 15 and may be boys or girls across all races and backgrounds. They may be from broken homes but they can be from loving, supporting homes. They may be from this country, or have been trafficked into the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Trafficked children are kept as virtual prisoners. The NSPCC describes the story of a 14 year old from Central Africa trafficked into the UK on a passport for a 21 year old, repeatedly raped, badly beaten up, bewildered in a strange country. When she escaped she was imprisoned by the British Police for her fraudulent passport. She now suffers significant mental health problems.
How can we pray?
Pray for protection
Here are some key areas where CSE is most likely:
- Children with learning disabilities are targeted.
- Young people who go missing from home are picked up on the streets.
- On the internet young people are persuaded to send sexually explicit photographs of themselves.
- Children in care homes – 1% of children are in care but 24% of the adult prison population and 70% of our sex workers were in care homes. Care homes are targeted and children are manipulated and abused.
- Children in gangs – there is huge pressure on girls in gangs to have sex with a wide range of boys some as young as ten as part of initiating boys into the gang. Rape is a common weapon to intimidate rival gangs.
- Broken homes – abusers are manipulators – they convince victims that their families and friends don't love them and the abuser is the person that truly cares about them.
Patrick Regan of XLP reports on an increasing number of girls dragged into the appalling world of exploitation, criminality and hopelessness.
Pray for healing and release
Children caught up in sexual exploitation suffer. They become isolated from their families and friends, they get pregnant, they fail exams, are less likely to get jobs. They lose their confidence and sense of identity and suffer mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress, addiction, aggression and suicide. Lord have mercy.
Who can we pray for?
Most areas are forming multi-agency teams of Police, voluntary sector, social workers, mental health professionals to work together. Pray for unity, wisdom and peace – these are stressful positions. Pray for Christian agencies like Hope for Justice and Unseen who help trafficked children. Pray for youth workers and Christian teachers and parents to have discernment and wisdom – Lord brings these terrible works of darkness into the light
This is spiritual warfare
Satan is hateful, destructive, manipulative, violent, and a liar. Sexual exploitation starts with deception – pray and keep praying against the father of lies manipulating children. It moves on to sexual abuse, violence, addiction. Pray for this to be brought into the light and for children to be rescued.
This really is warfare – we need to see strongholds brought down, lives changed, and the chains broken. Warfare needs persistent, informed and determined prayer. Can you be a watchman for children in your neighbourhood, your local school or park? Prayer walk and listen to God that the children to come to Jesus.
What lies ahead?
The Professionals involved in this field are convinced we have only seen part of the picture. The numbers will grow and the knock on effect in terms of broken families, court cases, shocking tales in the press and more mental health issues will accelerate. We need to pray:
- Pray in your area for God's protection on children in abusive relationships where you live and work – have mercy Lord
- Pray that the enemy will not succeed in manipulating children – may his lies be exposed, the traffickers and abusers be imprisoned
- Blessing on the Police, social services, teachers, children's workers – make them protectors and rescuers.
Source: World Prayer Centre
Back to School with God
Back to School with God Sunday is a church service which is aimed at encouraging congregations to support their young people and school staff as they return to school after the summer break. It is a service which encourages prayer for local schools and those who attend them, and helps young people understand that God is not confined to church, but goes with them into the classroom.
Back to School with God Sunday resources are free to download, and easy for church leaders to use. An all-age service outline and accompanying PowerPoint slides are available, along with publicity materials so the service can be advertised to the local community. A 10-minute children's talk provides a short alternative for churches unable to commit to a whole Sunday service.
The theme of the 2015 Back to School with God Sunday service is the life of Peter, exploring how Peter took his first steps in following Jesus, fell out of step, then by receiving Jesus' amazing forgiveness, got back in step and kept following. Each point is related to the wider church family as well as the school context. Children and young people are invited to take part in the service by reading the Bible, leading prayers, sharing a testimony.
The hope is that churches will not just pray for and support children, young people, and those involved in education on one Sunday in the year, but will commit to ongoing, faithful prayer for their local school communities, registering such prayer with Pray for Schools.
Source: SU Scotland
Praying for our nation
In this time of shaking in every area of our society, of high security alerts and financial uncertainty, let's be bold and declare the Supremacy of Christ in and over:
- Our police, security forces and COBRA.
- All who make decisions regarding our governance – local and nation; for the wisdom of Christ to guide those entrusted with financial decision-making.
- Our education system as the new school year begins.
- Every political party conference.
- All the discussions regarding the European Union. Use this declaration to pray over every area of the life of our nations.
We declare that Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, He is the Saviour of the world, He is the Head of the church, He is the Lord of our lives, He is the Hope for the world and He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah.
Featured in WPC 'The Heartbeat' August 2015