Prayer Hub News

In early November, it was my honor and privilege to take part for the second time in an ongoing joint prayer/action initiative between Mexico and the USA called Dos Naciones, Un Proyecto (Two Nations, One Project) aimed at bringing an end to three awful scourges afflicting both nation - drugs, violence and human trafficking. Both times, groups of American Christian leaders have ventured down to Mexico City to meet with President Calderon and other public figures as well as with local Christian leaders and intercessors in an effort to bring God’s deliverance to this critical and tragic situation affecting both sides of our border.

It has been a great blessing and honor to meet with President Calderon and Alexander Poire who provides leadership to the government in the areas of national security and intelligence. We have been helpfully briefed and also encouraged to do all we can on our side of the border to end the flow of illegal weapons, especially assault weapons like the AK-47, that since 2004 have been freely available through U.S. gun shops and shows to drug criminals from Mexico who use them to assassinate public officials, military and police as well as those from competing cartels and many innocent people caught in the crossfire.

70% of such destructive weapons have been traced to the USA. Consequently, over 45,000 people have lost their lives over the last 5 years in this mindless violence that we as Americans bear a great responsibility for since our government lifted the ban on assault weapons and has allowed the flow of such destructive weapons into Mexico. Local police are simply outgunned by the much better equipped criminal cartel members who seek to take over whole communities and subject them to their rule of organized crime.

President Calderon is a very admirable, intelligent and committed Christian who seeks the Lord through daily Bible reading and prayer. He has also asked us to pray for God’s solution, realizing that without His help through prayer, there can be no real transformation of the horror that is the current drug war, including the related phenomenon of human trafficking, that his nation is battling.

Each time we have gone down to Mexico, we have also engaged in an all-out prayer gathering with several thousand on-fire believers the final evening of our stay. These have been powerful, moving times of united intercession that we believe God has used to bring about the arrest of 21 of the most wanted 37 drug lords. Of course, He works through the public authorities, military and police efforts which have been enormously beefed up by the Calderon government; however, it is clear from both Scripture and history that the Lord requires prayer by human partners for His intervention into human affairs. This is the awesome privilege and responsibility we have as those who stand between heaven and earth as His intercessors.

John Wesley, the great revivalist/reformer of 18th century England, based on his experience of seeing his nation saved from the bloody revolution that engulfed France at about the same time, affirmed from his experience that “God does nothing on earth apart from believing prayer.” He saw that we as God’s children are also His regents on earth, expected to pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. Much as He turned Israel’s enemies into confused fighting against one another, so, I believe, He is causing these wicked, ruthless cartels to fight it out among themselves, so that they are weakened and defeated.

Transformation is a process that is dependent on our ongoing, specific prayer about particular issues. God loves us to be specific, united and continual in our focus (see for example Isaiah 62:1-8, Luke 18:1-). Praise God that we are now seeing signs of His deliverance and shalom coming upon Mexico! The economy is growing at over 5% per year in the midst of worldwide recession. Almost all Mexicans are now covered with universal health care, and all will be very soon. Thousands of schools and open spaces have been made safe for children, with recreational programs to prevent them from being lured into the cartels’ grip.

We were so impressed to hear how the Calderon administration has worked perseveringly in many sectors of society to bring sustainable development as well as doing all they can to build up the federal police and military to interdict drug shipments. New laws have been passed and the constitution reformed to prosecute those who engage in human trafficking. Young women and children who have been kidnapped, raped and trafficked around Mexico and across the border into the USA are being rescued and given new hope through the efforts of Rosi Orozco, an outstanding Christian congresswoman and leader of these anti-human trafficking efforts. She and her husband Alejandro Orozco also lead the Dos Naciones project.

Please pray for the following:
1)    For President Calderon and his administration (including Orozcos) and others), during this final year of his administration that they will see God’s peace and healing will come fully upon Mexico through their efforts.
2)    That they will see full deliverance from the scourge of drugs, arms and human trafficking.
3)    That God will give them wise and effective strategies to prevail against the criminal cartels and that these cartels will collapse, dissolve and their leaders will be brought to swift justice. (See attached list of remaining cartel leaders that we need to focus our prayers on.)
4)    Pray also that the U.S. Congress and other public officials will be sensitized to our responsibility as good neighbors to do all we can to effectively work with the Mexican government and specifically to re-implement the ban on assault weapons and ensure their flow to Mexico is cut off.
5)    That the Lord’s hand will be upon the current presidential election campaign, preventing corrupt and wicked people from coming to power and raising up someone of integrity and honesty to carry on the excellent work of the Calderon administration.

Thanks so much for continuing with us on this journey of prayer for the deliverance of Mexico.

Please pray:

•    “By Name” for the exposure and removal of these remaining “most wanted” cartel leaders.
•    Strategic success and protection of the Mexican and US military and law enforcement.
•    Disruption and dismantling of all drug trafficking routes and seizure of all illegal drugs.
•    For God to capture the hearts of these cartel leaders and turn their live around.
(We agree in prayer with the many family members who are interceding for these cartel leaders to come to salvation in Christ Jesus.)

Thanks to the Bridgebuilders Leadership Network This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for supplying this information.

This is an international call to protest on December 9th, 2011, 63rd anniversary of the United Nations Genocide Convention which North Korea is violating in every possible way (For more information, please see “North Korea and the Genocide Convention”:
http://hir.harvard.edu/north-korea-and-the-genocide-movement).
 
Please organize protests and hunger strikes in front of DPRK/PRC/UN offices (or other location), and let us know about your demonstration at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

A starving North Korean refugee.
http://www.northkoreanrefugees.com/refugee-pix.html

Confirmed Protests So Far:

New York City, United States
12:00 pm: Grand Army Plaza in Manhattan, silent march to DPRK Mission to the UN
1:00pm: Demonstration at DPRK Mission to the UN
Speech by North Korean Defector Activist Ji Seong Ho (President of NAUH)
Event Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For Interviews, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Seoul, Republic of Korea
3:00pm ~ 4:00pm: Demonstration at Seoul Station Plaza
4:00pm ~ 5:00pm: March to UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees)
7:30pm ~ 8:30pm: Candlelight rally in Seoul Plaza
Event Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Berlin, Germany
3:00pm ~ 6:00pm: Demonstration at the Brandenburg Gate
Event Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Tokyo, Japan
12:00pm ~ 12:50pm Demonstration at Hachiko Square in Shibuya, Tokyo
1:30pm: Demonstration at Chongryon
Event Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
London, UK
1:00pm ~ 3:00pm Demonstration at North Korea Embassy
Event Coordinator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There are three main objectives of these international protests on December 9, 2011:
1)    To bring unprecedented pressure upon not only the NK regime but the international community to meaningfully address the horrific crimes being perpetuated systematically.
2)    To influence and awaken global public opinion to the real, genocidal nature of the NK regime.
3)    To create a watershed movement for the liberation of NK itself.

LETTER OF DEMANDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
(to be read at the protests):

To the Leaders of Korea, America, China, Russia, Japan, the United Nations and the Entire International Community,

We Refuse to Allow the North Korean Genocide to Continue Any Longer. Over 4,000,000 Innocent North Koreans have been Murdered by Kim Jong-Il’s regime since 1995, and an estimated 1,000,000 North Koreans have been Murdered as a result of Slave Labor, Rape, Torture, Starvation and Execution in North Korea’s Political Concentration Camps. The Very Existence of these Concentration Camps makes the North Korean State Illegal, Illegitimate, and Criminal, and Demands The Immediate Intervention of the International Community.

Our Demands, based upon the foundation of International Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are as follows:
1)    The Immediate and Total Liberation of All North Korean Political Concentration Camps
2)    Compensation and Re-imbursement to All North Korean Victims of Slavery, Starvation, Torture, All Concentration Camp Survivors and Their Families for Immeasurable Loss and Suffering
3)    The Immediate Stepping Down from Power of Kim Jong-Il and North Korea’s Leaders
4)    Prosecution of Kim Jong-il, Kim Yong-nam, Chang Sung-taek and All Individuals Responsible for Commissioning or Carrying Out Acts of Genocide and Crimes Against Humanity
5)    Through the Guidance and Oversight of a Coalition of North Korean Refugee Leaders and Human Rights Activists, in Partnership with President Lee Myung Bak and the International Community, WE DEMAND THE LIBERATION AND REBUILDING OF NORTH KOREA BASED UPON THE FOUNDATION OF ENSURING AND GUARANTEEING WITHOUT FAIL THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF EVERY NORTH KOREAN INDIVIDUAL ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW, WHICH WAS COMPOSED TO PREVENT THE ATROCITIES OF NAZI GERMANY FROM EVER OCCURRING AGAIN. WE, THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, HAVE ALL FAILED TO KEEP OUR PROMISE AND UPHOLD INTERNATIONAL LAW, AND MOST MISERABLY IN THE CASE OF NORTH KOREA.

From This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please pray for the success of these public demonstrations for North Korea and its suffering people.

Lord God,
I pray that you bless all of the protestors in Seoul, New York, Berlin, Tokyo and London and all other regions. We ask that December 9th you will do a great miracle to liberate the North Korean people. Please heal all those who have suffered so much because of Kim Jong-il’s evil regime. We ask that you open North Korea now. Please heal Mr. Park and all of the North Koreans who have suffered torture and lost everything. We ask that you will do a miracle. Thank you for this incredible work and miracle in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Prayer submitted by Rita Vasquez

Global Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) was heard ‘louder than ever’ across Asia Monday, November 21, after inaugurating two transmitters it hopes will help to reach ‘millions more people’ including ‘persecuted’ Christians in countries such as China. TWR President Lauren Libby hosted what he called ‘a live dedication’ of the network's two new 250,000-watt shortwave transmitters on the pacific island of Guam. The transmitters replace the older 100,000-watt facilities giving ‘TWR the opportunity to touch even more lives with the good news of Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘We thank God for the privilege of increasing our spiritual footprint in Asia via the 15.4 megahertz in the 19 meter band, the official added’.

Praise: God for the spread of His Word through the work of TWR and others across the airwaves. (Ps.135:1)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19172-christian-broadcaster-twr-with-new-transmitters-in-asia

Global Christian broadcaster Trans World Radio (TWR) was heard ‘louder than ever’ across Asia Monday, November 21, after inaugurating two transmitters it hopes will help to reach ‘millions more people’ including ‘persecuted’ Christians in countries such as China. TWR President Lauren Libby hosted what he called ‘a live dedication’ of the network's two new 250,000-watt shortwave transmitters on the pacific island of Guam. The transmitters replace the older 100,000-watt facilities giving ‘TWR the opportunity to touch even more lives with the good news of Jesus Christ,’ he said. ‘We thank God for the privilege of increasing our spiritual footprint in Asia via the 15.4 megahertz in the 19 meter band, the official added’.

Praise: God for the spread of His Word through the work of TWR and others across the airwaves. (Ps.135:1)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/19172-christian-broadcaster-twr-with-new-transmitters-in-asia

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 13:37

Awards recognise unsung Christian heroes

Unsung Christian heroes from across the UK were recognised for their community work at the Inspire Awards last week. More than 120 nominations were whittled down to just three winners who were awarded during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament attended by Christian MPs. The award for the Inspiring Individual went to Christine Deponio, who runs Emmanuel House in Gateshead, a free service to those suffering with terminal cancer. Lifeline Church, in Essex, was presented with the Inspiring Church award for its Open Doors project. The project has been running for 10 years and offers friendship and care to vulnerable and isolated women. Green Pastures, which provides accommodation for 200 formerly homeless people in Southport, received the award for Inspiring Project. The annual Inspire Awards are hosted jointly by Inspire magazine and the Evangelical Alliance.

Praise: God for all those recognised for their gifts as they reach out to those in need. (Ac.10:4b)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/awards.recognise.unsung.christian.heroes/28920.htm

 

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 13:37

Awards recognise unsung Christian heroes

Unsung Christian heroes from across the UK were recognised for their community work at the Inspire Awards last week. More than 120 nominations were whittled down to just three winners who were awarded during a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament attended by Christian MPs. The award for the Inspiring Individual went to Christine Deponio, who runs Emmanuel House in Gateshead, a free service to those suffering with terminal cancer. Lifeline Church, in Essex, was presented with the Inspiring Church award for its Open Doors project. The project has been running for 10 years and offers friendship and care to vulnerable and isolated women. Green Pastures, which provides accommodation for 200 formerly homeless people in Southport, received the award for Inspiring Project. The annual Inspire Awards are hosted jointly by Inspire magazine and the Evangelical Alliance.

Praise: God for all those recognised for their gifts as they reach out to those in need. (Ac.10:4b)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/awards.recognise.unsung.christian.heroes/28920.htm

 

Monday, 28 November 2011 22:07

USA: Corruption in politics exposé

Author Peter Schweizer has researched financial and political records of deals and stock trades, done by US politicians including the timing of briefings, votes on bills, and every other point of leverage in Washington to produce a book described as 'a manifesto for revolution'. It reveals how politicians get rich at the expense of ordinary Americans. Insider trading is illegal on Wall Street, but American politicians are exempt from that law and it is routinely practiced among members of Congress. Normal individuals cannot get in on IPOs at the asking price, but politicians can and have been funnelling hundreds of millions of dollars to their supporters, ensuring more campaign donations. An entire class of investors now make all their profits based on influence and access in Washington. Schweizer's research shows top politicians exit office with millions more than credible based on their salaries and perhaps some patient investing.

Pray: that the partnership between congress and Wall Street would be fully explored, with the research honestly investigated and questions answered clearly. (Mt.23:23)

More: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message1707199/pg1

 

Monday, 28 November 2011 22:05

Middle East: Prayer needed

Bahrain: Government protesters were tear gassed when clashes erupted during a procession marking the death of a 16-year-old killed by a police vehicle. The teen's death heightened tensions ahead of the release of a much-awaited report on the sectarian strife in the kingdom. Egypt: 38 protesters have died this week - Monday the cabinet resigned amid clashes between police and protesters demanding political change; Wednesday tens of thousands of protesters rejected efforts to speed up a presidential election, demanding Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi step down immediately in favour of an interim civilian council. Israel/Syria/Libya:use of landmines in 2011 has been the highest for seven years. Hezbollah and its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement led by Speaker Nabih Berri, vowed Monday to stand by Syria and Iran against U.S. and Israeli threats to attack the two countries.

Pray: for God in His mercy to enable peace, justice and hope to flow through communities in the face of fear and injustice. (Ps.35:22)

More: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/default.aspx#axzz1eWLzw72u

 

Monday, 28 November 2011 22:04

Pakistan: Evangelist killed

Evangelist Jameel Saawan was shot dead in Karachi on Nov. 16th by an unidentified gunman in a radical Muslim group's targeting of a Christian. As he opened the doors of his cosmetics shop a young man appeared and shot him in the neck and face, then fled on a motorcycle with two others. Saawan was a widely respected member of the Christian community who visited several families every day to share the Bible. He received death threats two years ago after voicing his desire to start a welfare organization for poor Christians but had not been threatened recently. Saawan's son said, ‘We firmly believe my father was killed because of his preaching of the Bible, there is no other reason. It wasn't a robbery, the assassin walked towards my father and shot at him.’

Pray: that Jameel’s family would know God's comfort, and for the Christian community to know His peace and protection. (Ps.120)

More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/article_123411.html

 

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