Please continue to pray for these two very strategic and needy lands that are so vital for the security of the rest of the world. There are some key prayer efforts going on within Pakistan this month with teams from outside joining in. Pray for their protection, discernment and empowering and that the local prayer movements in both countries will be strengthened and grow widely.
Pray for the unity and vitality of local believers in both countries as well as for the expatriate community, especially in Afghanistan. It is not always a safe place to serve and they need His protection and encouragement.
Pray for the governments of both nations to turn from corruption and serve the people with honesty and integrity of purpose. The tribal elders (community leaders) of each locality need to shut out violent men from their midst and welcome development efforts.
Pray for the Taliban and Al Qaeda groups to splinter and dissolve and for their members to have encounters with Jesus Christ and His truth through dreams, visions and the bold sharing of the Gospel by locals.
Pray for the success of the coalition military forces in protecting and restoring Afghanistan’s peace and development as a nation.
They came from Britain, the America's, Africa, Asia and from around Australia to attend the recent Commonwealth Christian Assembly in Perth held in conjunction with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). CHOGM national leaders, presidents and prime ministers, represent 1/3 of the world’s population.
The colourful opening night was attended by some 2000 delegates, including Church and Governmental leaders from many nations gathered for CHOGM. The sessions of the Assembly were vibrant, challenging and filled with worship and prayer as well as exciting stories of all that God is doing across the world. Powerful testimonies and wonderful fellowship as the different world cultures blended together in expressing their commitment to the things of God, were features of the Assembly. A feature of the first weekend's activities was the holding of Church Together attended by some 8,000 people from across the Church in Perth and the delegates to the Commonwealth Christian Assembly.
The Converge Week of 24/7 prayer ran from the Monday to the following Sunday of the CHOGM week. Brilliantly organized, the week was a smorgasbord of prayer, worship and powerful presentations by different cultural groups including our own Indigenous brothers and sisters. Over 1000 delegates took part in the week of prayer with many varying styles of prayer and worship from the vibrancy of the African delegates to the quite soaking and contemplative prayer enjoyed by others.
It was exciting to see the venue almost filled each day, sometimes with those attending having to settle for seats in the upper balcony in order to be part of this spiritually powerful event. The Premier of Western Australia, alerted as to what was happening by colleagues who attended the opening night, was briefed each day on what was happening in the prayer room and some delegates from CHOGM itself found time to attend and join in the prayers and presentations.
Not for many years has Australia seen so many people gather in the one place for such a prolonged period of corporate prayer, the impact of which was clearly seen in the CHOGM meetings themselves and on the streets of the city…
Not only was the city of Perth blessed but so to was the nation of Australia as we played host to this significant international event.
Mexican President Felipe Calderon said in his state of the nation address that he will fight to the last day of his term to defeat the drug cartels that have taken over towns, police forces and institutions in parts of Mexico. Calderon also promised to clean up corruption among police and federal attorneys by the time he leaves office in December 2012.
In May, BridgeBuilders and other partnering national ministries concluded a 21-day prayer initiative, “Two Nations – One Prayer”, which resulted in many answers to prayer regarding the cartels and their violence. This caught the attention of President Calderon who directly gave us more specific prayer targets.
It is time to renew our commitment to join forces with our brothers and sisters across the border in a bold stand against the cartels and corruption. As Felipe Calderon enters his final year as president, let us join in prayer that his declaration of clean cops and fallen drug cartels will come to pass.
Corcoran, Katherine. “President: Mexico Will Have Clean Cops.” Borderland Beat. BorderlandBeat, 03 Sept. 2011. Web. 03 Nov. 2011. http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2011/09/president-mexico-will-have-clean-cops.html.
PRAY:
For what is hidden to be revealed - pray for full exposure of all individuals who are involved in illicit activities while serving in the police force, military, government or other places of authority. Pray for accountability and that all corrupt activities will cease. (1 Cor. 4:5)
For President Calderon – Pray for safety for his family, cabinet and staff. Ask the Lord to give him spiritual eyes to see anything that needs to be exposed and wisdom in how to deal with it. (Eph. 1:18) Pray that his last year in office will bear much fruit and that any seeds planted during his presidency will mature and not be destroyed. (Matt. 13:23-25)
For the Cartels – We will not grow weary in praying that all the cartels will be dismantled. (Gal. 6:9) Pray not only that justice will be served and righteousness will prevail, but also that those involved in evil will turn from their wicked ways and come to a saving, reforming relationship in Jesus Christ.
From Bridgebuilders This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
On July 27th, 2009, “The Global Day of Repentance and Prayer for a Unified Korea”, God gave a vision and instruction concerning the necessity for mass, united demonstrations to arise for North Korean Liberation and Human Rights. He revealed in the days which followed that through a constant, united, mass demonstrative movement:
1. There would be Liberation and Redemption for the North Korean People (including An International Movement of Compensation and Re-imbursement for immeasurable Loss and Suffering)
2. Korea would be Unified (with Worldwide Support)
3. The Unified Korea will become truly Emancipated (freed from the influence/control of other nations)
4. There will be Profound Reconciliation between North and South Koreans (as a result of South Koreans demonstrating sacrificially and unitedly for their North Korean brothers and sisters)
Let’s pray in accord with this vision that it will happen soon!
Veronica Wisdom Conteh, a member of the IPC leadership team, reports that God is bringing transformation to her nation, one of the world’s poorest, through a succession of three 90-day prayer and fasting efforts from 2009-2011. President Earnest Bai Koroma has given strong support to this effort.
Based on Hosea 6:1-3, this prayer and repentance effort resulted in 80% of the paramount tribal chiefs, mayors and leaders responding to Christ’s call and convincing their people to participate. At the end of each 90-day effort, they have gathered at the national stadium and other stadiums to dedicate their nation to God. The President, Ministers, Parliamentarians and other national leaders have taken part, and God is answering with tangible effects in the realms of improved health, road construction, electricity, education, agricultural development, economic stability and the prosecution of corruption. For a detailed report, contact Veronica Conteh at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Praise the Lord for this wonderful testimony about the power of prayer and repentance to bring His help for holistic transformation of nations!
You are invited to join representatives from the 11 nations of SE Asia as they come together for the eighth time to seek the Lord for the transformation of their region. They will meet in Subic Bay, Philippines, one of the cleanest and most beautiful cities of the nation. Because of God’s grace and earnest intercession, it has been transformed from an area that was once both devastated by a volcanic eruption and also by its reputation as red-light district servicing the biggest military installation in the region. You can register now at http://seapc.net/registration.
According to an October 2 article from the Star newspaper in Malaysia, a global Islamic group that is now active in 45 countries is raising concerns around the world. Hizbut, which is now expanding in Asia, wants to unite all Muslim countries in a global bloc ruled by strict sharia law. It focuses its efforts on university students and professionals, trying to persuade them to overthrow their governments. The U.S. State Department says that the group “may indirectly generate support for terrorism”. Please pray for the dissolution of this network and that its members may encounter Jesus Christ and be set free from this harmful ideology.
Christmas snubbed by Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has come under fire for completely failing to mention Christmas in its ‘Winter Festivals’ programme. In an official news release the Government mentions St Andrew’s Day eleven times, Hogmanay five times and Burns Night several times. But Christmas is not mentioned at all. Bashir Mann, a prominent figure in Glasgow’s Muslim community, has criticised the omission of Christmas, saying: ‘This is political correctness gone mad. Why should we be offended? Scotland’s religious population is 98 per cent Christian. Why should they not be allowed to celebrate their biggest religious festival? If my neighbour is celebrating Christmas, then I should join him. That’s what my religion tells me.’ And John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, described the omission as ‘disappointing and hurtful’.
Pray: that the protests by the Church and others would lead to the reinstatement of Christmas as central to the nations beliefs. (Job11.4:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christmas-snubbed-by-scottish-government/
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put. Anti-capitalist protesters forced the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time in 72 years. St Paul’s Cathedral is considering taking out an injunction to remove hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters occupying the churchyard. The cathedral has been in talks about legal action with the City of London Corporation. Around 300 protesters have gathered outside the cathedral in the last 10 days since the Occupy Wall Street demonstration went global. They continue to defy requests by St Paul’s to leave voluntarily, despite their presence forcing the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time since World War II. The cathedral, situated in London's financial district, is estimated to be losing around £16,000 every day in lost tourism income – revenue that is vital to the upkeep of the building. The cathedral reportedly turned away worshippers from services on Sunday. Only a scheduled wedding has taken place. The canon chancellor of St Paul's Dr Giles Fraser who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside which has led to the cathedral's closure has resigned from his post.
Pray: that a just solution to these protests would be found. Pray that the Church would take this opportunity to witness to the protesters. (Mic.1:2)
Demoted for expressing views on marriage
A public sector employee in Manchester has been demoted after he posted comments on his private facebook page questioning the idea of homosexual ‘marriages’ taking place on religious premises. Adrian Smith, an employee of tax-payer
funded Trafford Housing Trust, posted a comment in response to a BBC news headline about civil partnerships taking place on religious premises, saying that this was an ‘equality too far.' The comment, written outside of working hours, appeared on his private page and could only be seen by Mr Smith’s friends. A work colleague posted a comment in reply, asking if Mr Smith disagreed with the government’s proposal. He responded, saying: ‘No, not really. I don’t understand why people who have no faith and don’t believe in Christ would want to get hitched in church. The Bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women.'
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they would continue to speak out boldly for our Christian beliefs. (Ac.4:29)