South-East Asia Prayer Gathering
26th-28th November 2013
You are cordially invited to be part of this Gathering together with other brothers and sisters from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Myanmar and supporting nations.
For South-East Asia will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14
Venue: Excel Treasure Hotel
No. 520, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Shwe Gone Dine, Bahan Tsp. Yangon, MYANMAR
Please direct all inquiries to Adeline Teh This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
At the prayer gatherings of our team, we regularly pray for different needs. During one of those gatherings we felt urged by the Holy Spirit to share and encourage you with the events that took place on May 31st, 2009, Global Day of Prayer, at Alexander Battenberg Square. Probably most of you, who saw the stage, the cameras, the advertisement, the media, and everything else, ask yourselves the question, “How do you organize such an event and how much does it cost?” To speak the truth, we had only 10 euros to deal with the expenses of the whole event!
THE SQUARE:
At the end of 2008 we researched the prices of all services that we had to use in order for us to organize the Global Day of Prayer 2009 in Bulgaria. So, at the end of 2008 we calculated the budget and it seemed like we would be able to collect the money needed until the end of March next year. However, when the end of March came, we had only 10 euros in the ministry bank account!
The month of May was filled with different public events because of the election campaigns at that time, and we could not find a hall for the Global Day of Prayer. However, we did not cease praying and seeking God. At one of the prayer gatherings, God directed us to the Alexander Battenberg Square. The square where used by the former communist leaders for their speeches. Unfortunately, when we called the City Hall and explained to them why we needed it, the first responses were very negative. We gathered again and devoted time to pray about this problem. We felt the Holy Spirit said to us that this square would be needed not for us, but for the Lord. We went to the City Hall to talk to them again and boldly said the square was needed for God. After looking into some folders, they gave us permission to use the square! And that is not all! It was ordered that all incoming and outgoing streets were to be closed.
SECURITY:
The next step was to provide security. We made an appointment with the main police department where we described the size of the event. According to the inspectors, we needed 50 policemen. But, we didn’t know that they would have to be paid by the hour. When we calculated the sum for all of them, it amounted to 1,500 euros. One of the inspectors asked us if we had included such expenses in our budget. Having in mind our 10 euros in the bank account, to answer with a “Yes” would be a lie. We said we did not have it right now, but believed we would. He warned us that if we did not pay on time, we would be prosecuted. We signed the contract and the policemen were assigned to show up at the square from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the 31st of May 2009.
STAGE:
Now, we needed a stage for the event. After meeting the owner of a music company, the offer amounted to 5,000 euros for a stage, illumination, and so on. After asking believers in this field of business, they assured us this was a very good offer. However, the amount looked too impossible compared to our 10 euros. We appointed a second meeting with this owner and made it clear why exactly we needed it. The man immediately reduced the amount to 1,500 euros. Of course, we accepted the offer right there. Our agreement was to provide half of the money in 5 days (until Thursday, 5 p.m.) and the other half was due after the event.
It is important to note here that we, the Global Day of Prayer in Bulgaria, or our juridical representative – the Restoration Mission foundation – are not sponsored neither by the main office of the Global Day of Prayer, nor we receive any assured money every month. All local events are paid by the local churches and what we get as a donation from friends of the ministry.
Since we would never expect, such an amount, we brought the case to God in prayer. On the fifth day, Thursday, we still had only those 10 euros and had no idea where we would find the stipulated money before 5 p.m.
Later that day the owner of the company called us to confirm the appointment. Of course, we confirmed. At 12:00 p.m. one Bulgarian church from Spain donated 400 euros without knowing our need, or its amount. At about 4:30 p.m. a friend of ours came to the office and told us God led him to donate 350 euros! So, the day and the time for paying the stipulated half of the price were kept with our paying the 750 euros.
MEDIA:
In the meantime we made advertising posters and flyers that we handed out and posted all over Sofia. The Christian website, www.bibliata.tv, offered us to broadcast the event live. In order for this to happen, they needed cameras and a fast Internet connection, which we arranged with the Christian “865” Studio in Bulgaria. After this offer we started thinking about ways to broadcast on the television as well. To broadcast a non-Orthodox event during prime viewing time, Sunday evening, was quite a challenge, even if we had the means to. We were informed that in order for us to do that we needed about 20,000 euros. Standing in faith, that God was leading us to this action, we set up a meeting with the representatives of a TV channel and after long negotiations the price was brought down to 500 euros…
So, on the 31st of May, 2009, the Global Day of Prayer in Sofia, Alexander Battenberg Square, was broadcasted full-length.
TIME:
Talking about the time I’m not talking about the weather, although several days before the event and several after were very rainy. As a matter of fact the weather broadcast for the 31st of May, 2009 was also very dark, but we had very sunny day.
Right before the beginning of the event, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., one of the policemen came and informed us we had to finish no later than 7:30 p.m. That, of course, was impossible, having in mind our contract for the square included the whole day until 12:00 a.m. and the negotiated time with the police was until 9 p.m. Again, after negotiating for some time, they agreed to stay until 8 p.m. The presenter and I made a quick decision to shorten the program by 30 minutes. However, shortened as it was, things were going slower than the scheduled time. At 7:50 p.m. I looked at my watch to see how we were doing with time. One of the speakers had to go out and invite the people to take part in the Lord’s Prayer before the final song. The leading man asked me what we should do. I made a sign to continue. The speaker went out on the stage, shared a few words and led those present through the Lord’s Prayer, then left the stage. When he left, I looked at my watch to check the time again. It was 7:50, again! Astonished, I took a look at the leading man and met his bewildered gaze about what time it was. At the same time the worship leader, who had his work scheduled down to every last minute, asked me what time it really was. We definitely understood God had stopped the time, so that everything we had in the program could be fulfilled. After this great moment of realization, the band started singing the song “God Save Bulgaria”. During that song we saw the policemen take off their hats, and one of them even came to me and asked how he could be informed about our events and when the next one would take place.
Two days after the Global Day of Prayer, we received two donations, which completely leveled the negative numbers in our account and we managed to cover all of the expenses on the contracts. To cite a man, who heard this testimony, “The contract is always different when God is on the stage, rather than backstage.”
May the glory be to Him alone. Amen!
Philip Rashey and the BG GDOP team.
The political situation continues to be tense as the United Front (insurgents from the Nuba Mountains, Darfur and the Blue Nile states) has taken control of towns about 400 km from Khartoum and they are planning an attack on the capital in the near future. The Islamic government is loosing support and are facing internal devisions. The government attacks by aerial bombardment continues on civilians in the Blue Nile, Nuba Mountains and Darfur. They also continue to arrest political activist opposing the government in Khartoum.
Please pray for a change as many have suffered under this regime and for peace, security and justice in the country and real religious freedom. Pray also for the church for unity, grace, wisdom and courage during these difficult times.
From: Sten Johansson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
As summer is coming soon, many people are preparing for special events and outreaches in North Africa as well as North Africans in Europe. We value your prayers for these plans and preparations. Ask God to open doors. Ask God to bring people to visit the nations of North Africa this summer. Pray that word will get out of the opportunities. Pray protection on those who are leading these events. Pray that the Word of God will go forth this summer in unprecedented ways.
A number of specific prayer requests were revealed from workers asking you to pray this coming month:
- An NGO would like to set up its operation in Libya. Please pray that they will be able to start their work soon. They need permissions to be granted and the right personnel to start/carry on the work.
- People seeking to establish a language centre in Libya asks prayer for open doors, favour with business applications and staff to join as teachers.
- An existing English and Spanish language centre is desperately seeking new teaching staff in a North African country. Please ask God to send them the staff they need.
- Please pray that the Algerian Church will take very practical steps over the next six months to create a national board of missions and hear the Holy Spirit’s appointment of people to be released into mission.
- There are a number of opportunities to join a prayer team in North Africa in the coming 6 months. If you are interested, please send us an email, and we can put you in touch.
Underground Water
Recently, a group of workers praying in Morocco felt the Lord encouraged them with a picture of a dry wilderness place. In that wilderness, a crop of wheat was coming to harvest. There seemed to be no water with which the plants could be nourished, but they were growing never the less. They felt the Lord was saying that even when the circumstances seem to indicate a dry place, God has a source of Living Water underground that is used to nourish the plants to bring them to the point of flower, fruit or harvest. Can you take this image and pray into it for North Africa? As you try to imagine this dry picture, how does the Lord lead you to pray or to bless the nations?
From: Pray North Africa (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
A “by invitation only” gathering of ministry leaders from the nations of the Middle East region along with leaders of other prayer movements to pray for His transformation of this historic and important region. If you lead a ministry in this region and are interested to take part or want to recommend others to do so, please contact the IPC office at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:21)
Larnaca, Cyprus, October 1-4, 2013
Sponsored by International Prayer Council and World Prayer Assembly
Invitees: Church and prayer leaders from across the Middle East region with some additional prayer leaders from other nations coming to support the gathering.
A Call to Pray for the Middle East Together:
From times of the Bible till now, God has used the united prayer of His people to change the history of nations. He has delegated immense authority to believers to make a difference. Jesus said that we are to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. One theologian wrote, “History belongs to the intercessors, who believe the future into being.”
The current status of conflict, war and suffering in the Middle East region is not God’s purpose, but the result of human and demonically-inspired antagonisms that pit nations, ethnic and religious groups against one another for the misery and destruction of all. The Lord wants His peace, healing, love, justice and goodness to cover the region. Our united prayers supported by many others around the world will facilitate a new day for this important area of our world!
Objectives:
- To gather Christian leaders from across the region to meet under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and to pray with unity, faith and the authority He has given us for the healing and transformation of the nations of the Middle East.
- To enlist the support of the international prayer movement for this initiative throughout 2013, informing them about the needs of this strategic and spiritually needy region of our world.
- To build stronger, deeper relationships among ministry leaders from all three Christian traditions (Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant) for greater cooperation in prayer and action.
- To enhance the unity of the Body of Christ by connecting and strengthening the prayer movement in the region.
Program:
Each national group will be able to present the current situation and needs in their nation (political, economic, cultural and spiritual), after which we will go to the Lord together for in-depth sessions of prayer, listening and interceding as He leads us. We want to get on His wavelength to hear what His heart is for each nation and how we should pray for His mercy and deliverance (Isaiah 55:8-9, Jeremiah 23:18).
Planning Team:
An international and regional planning team with representatives from the nations and Christian traditions of the Middle East along with leaders from the International Prayer Council will be arranging the program. We welcome your suggestions and prayers for the planning process.
Please pray with us for this crucial and historic gathering that the people of God’s choice from many diverse cultural and ecclesiastical backgrounds will be able to come together for this reconciliation prayer event.
W.H.O. warns against 'threat to the entire world'
A new Sars-like virus discovered in humans could pose “a threat to the entire world”, the World Health Organisation warned this week. The organisation believes the virus is “emerging faster than our understanding” after cases were reported in eight countries - including two in Britain. During an address to delegates gathered at the World Health Assembly in Geneva, director general Dr Margaret Chan said that this virus was now “her greatest concern”. Dr Chan advised the world to pull together all of its resources to tackle the virus, warning that “alarm bells” must be responded to. The coronavirus has infected 44 people worldwide and experts are unsure as to what causes the virus or how it spreads. It has a similar molecular structure to the Sars virus that killed 774 people in 2003. Like Sars, it causes respiratory problems in the patient, but unlike Sars, it can also induce life threatening kidney failure.
Pray: for scientists around the world to work together to understand and manage this new virus. (Ex.15:26)
More: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/world-health-organisation-warns-against-threat-to-the-entire-world-from-new-sarslike-virus-8638434.html
Legal aid cuts 'put a generation of children in danger'
A generation of children risks being traumatised by the Government's swingeing legal aid cuts, and youngsters caught in violent homes are already being placed in acute danger, family law experts have revealed. Two months after free legal services were abolished in most divorce and custody cases, lawyers warn it is just a matter of time before they are dealing with the murder of an abused mother or her children. In the most damning assessment yet, barristers, solicitors and charities strongly condemned the civil legal aid cuts as an attack on the country's most vulnerable children from its poorest communities. Experts predict a spike in angry too poor to afford private legal help, simply taking the law into their own hands. They warn a generation of youngsters from impoverished communities will be emotionally damaged by parental battles or simply lose access to their fathers and paternal relatives.
Pray: for government, the courts and children's services to work together to ensure the protections of children at risk of family violence. (Ps.9:9-10)
More: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/legal-aid-cuts-put-a-generation-of-children-in-danger-8640801.html
Charities want parliamentary inquiry into UK food poverty
Church Action on Poverty and Oxfam have called for a parliamentary inquiry into the rise of food poverty in the UK. The two charities say that more than half a million people in the UK are hungry and reliant on food aid, with many turning to food banks. Changes to welfare and delays, errors or sanctions regarding the payment of benefits are two areas they want the inquiry to look into. In a joint report, Walking the Breadline, the two charities say the most common reason for people approaching food banks is the changes to crisis loan eligibility rules, delays in payments, Jobseeker's Allowance sanctions, and sickness benefit reassessments. Other contributing factors identified in the report are unemployment, the rising cost of food and fuel, and low and falling incomes. Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring said: "The shocking reality is that hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are also now reliant on food aid.
Pray: for all those who face food poverty and for the organisations that support them. Pray also for the government to agree to a parliamentary inquiry. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/charities.want.parliamentary.inquiry.into.uk.food.poverty/32616.htm
Archbishop of York has prostate cancer surgery
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, has undergone an operation for prostate cancer and is expected to take a lengthy break from his duties. The Most Rev Dr John Sentamu issued a statement after his operation on Thursday in which he thanked Bill Cross his surgical team at St James’ Hospital Leeds, who performed the operation on Thursday, and the nursing staff who are currently caring or him. “I will be out of action for some time, and will continue to value your prayers,” he said. “I look forward to resuming my ministry as soon as possible.” Doctors had found his cancer to be “locally advanced”, which means that it had begun to spread to the area surrounding the prostate. The Archbishop of Canterbury led well wishers from across the Church of England in sending messages of support and prayer to the 63 year-old.
Pray: for a speedy recovery for Dr John Sentamu and for the team that continues his work in York. (Ps.103:2-3)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10090249/Archbishop-of-York-has-prostate-cancer-surgery.html
For UN Officials, Diplomats, Christian Ministry Leaders, Youth and Children
Theme: "Children and Youth - Investing in the Future: A Time to Pray and Partner for Action at the United Nations"
Since its inception, the United Nations has been on a mission to ensure that all people have hope for the future. Whether in peacemaking, food production efforts or education, the goal has always been a better world for future generations.
The children and youth of the world represent our future. Actually, children are the future. When the U.N. established the eight Millennium Development Goals, in 2000, the central idea was a safer, more secure future for our children. Many organizations and churches are also deeply involved in sharing Christ's love through helping to improve the lives of children worldwide.
As the end of the 15-year MDG window approaches, and as governments, agencies and civil society assess and report, one thing will be clear: There is still so much more to be done!
In recognition of the need for global partnerships and in support of the work of the United Nations' efforts to serve the children and youth of the world, a global consortium of Christian organizations will convene in New York City on November 18-20, 2013.
In conjunction with Universal Children's Day, November 20, the goals of this gathering are:
- To engage partners from Christian NGOs around the world in a more focused effort to better the lives of children.
- To seek God together in prayer for His help, guidance and transformation for the youth and children of our world.
- To express support for the work of the United Nations and member states in their endeavors to create a more hopeful future for the children of the world.
- To connect U.N. personnel and diplomats with leaders from Christian non-governmental organizations and other ministries for mutual benefit and greater collaborative action on behalf of children and youth.
We hope you will be able to take part in this strategic and crucial initiative in New York City. We will hear heart-gripping presentations by various organizations on the situation of youth and children and respond with times of concerted prayer and deliberation. Through setting up a booth and/or personal interaction, you will also be able to share your organization's work on behalf of children with ambassadors, UN officials, other Christian NGOs as well as with hundreds of ministry leaders, youth and children from around the world.
You are warmly welcomed to register at www.arrowheadregistration.org/?117 as soon as possible or at the latest by October 1 if there is still room by then. Space will be limited at the UN so please respond soon. International or out of town participants are urged to arrive by November 18 afternoon and stay together at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, New Jersey (about 25 minutes from the UN) for which we have negotiated the best possible rate. You can make your booking for the best rate through this website.
Our program will begin on November 18 with dinner together at 6 pm followed by an introductory session of worship, prayer, briefing and sharing. The initiative will conclude on the 20th after the evening session at the hotel at 9 pm. Please book your flights to depart on November 21.
For more information, please contact the International Prayer Council office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our administrator, Cheryl Sharps at 1 505 4007437.
Looking forward to seeing you in November,
Warm regards in Christ,
John Robb
Chairman, International Prayer Council
On behalf of the planning team-
Geoff Tunnicliffe and Deborah Fikes, World Evangelical Alliance
John Austin, Christian Embassy
Joel Edwards, Micah Challenge
Roberta Hromas and Mark Pritchett, American Christian Trust
Ian Cole, World Prayer Centre
Jody Wood, New York Intercessors