A friend in Afghanistan asks us to pray:
“This is another article on the Haqqani group. It is interesting that Admiral Mike Mullen, the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said recently before the US Senate Armed Services Committee that Pakistan military’s spy agency, ISI, was closely tied to the Haqqani network, the most violent and effective faction allied with the Taliban in Afghanistan and that they have very credible evidence about this. This is probable while they are so effective and absolutely dangerous. “
Much prayer is needed that the Gov. of Pakistan would stop that and that this Haqqani network would be stopped or destroyed.
Also, the continued serious deterioration of the relationship between Pakistan and the US is of great concern and effects Afghanistan, also.
The Global Day of Worship (GDW) is a call for a unified, global worship movement to see the name of Jesus Christ lifted up throughout the earth. It will be a day that will unify many denominations within the body of Christ while embracing and celebrating the differences in our expressions of love for Jesus Christ. Through a unified celebration and adoration of the name of Jesus, the world will see that we are His disciples. Join us on November 11, 2011 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in each time zone – for a wave of worship and adoration that will span the globe and unite all believers as one body. Utilizing 24 time zones, we will agree with and join the 24 elders, spoken of in Revelation 4, who are already worshiping Jesus around the throne. It is when the worship of heaven meets the worship of earth that spiritual climates of nations will shift as we serve faithfully here and now in preparation for His return.
In recent weeks, the city of Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria has experienced a dramatic upsurge in seemingly un-ending sectarian violence. Scripture encourages us to don our spiritual armour, “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6)
This is why CSW is calling for a day of prayer and fasting for Jos on Thursday, 22 November. Please stand with everyone in the CSW family as we ask for peace in Jos.
The Vertical Call Prayer Festival is continuing in great enthusiasm. Prayer Warriors across India and the globe have sacrificially given time to pray and fast and seek the Lord to bring a great transformation in India.
Prayer requests for 40 days (English) are attached: PDF for India Veritcal call
Vertical Call India video is available on YouTube.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au38Oecryp4&feature=player_detailpage).
For National Prayer Network,
Ps.Bhalchandra Kamble
National week of prayer for our streets
From 24th to 31st October 2011 Christians across the British Isles will set aside time to pray for the Nation based on the extensive network of Street Pastor projects. The focus for the week is asking God’s blessing on our nation and ‘Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. Praying locally for a change nationally. Asking God what he wants his church to do in their area and then involving as many people as possible from other churches and ministries to join Street Pastor groups. Participating churches are being encouraged to do as much or as little during the week as they ask God to bless our towns and nation. Churches can ask their Council if there is something they can do to help. As this falls in half-term week in many areas it will be a good opportunity to involve the children and young people in prayer events.
Pray: for many churches to catch this vision of corporate prayer for our nation. (Ps.20:4)
More: http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/WeekofPrayer/tabid/781/Default.aspx
PM says faith has role to play in restoring morality
The latest edition of ‘Keep The Faith’, a magazine for Britain's black Christian community, is focusing on the riots that swept through English cities during the summer. Writing in the latest edition David Cameron said faith had a role to play in mending the breakdown of responsibility in Britain. ‘For too long in our society we have been unwilling to talk about behaviour and morality. I believe faith leaders have a key role to play in instilling this greater sense of right and wrong – and it is up to us to help in this mission to build a fairer, stronger and more responsible society.’ Offering his take on the cause of the unrest, the Rev Ade Amooba of Christian Concern for the Nation wrote that a united black Christian community could have prevented the riots. Rev David Shosanya called churches to give financial support to organisations working with disenfranchised and vulnerable youths whilst Rev Rose Hudson Wilkins said that liberal society had left a void which churches will have to address.
Pray: for a united church, demonstrating and speaking out something new that addresses economic and ethical issues.(Ps.133:1 & Jn.17:23)
Rise in food handouts for poverty-stricken families
An NHS report covering the Highlands, Argyll and Bute said poverty was the biggest issue with 53,000 people in poverty last year, see:- http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-15153821 Elsewhere, across the British Isles poverty-stricken families are joining lengthening queues for food handouts from charities and voluntary groups and alarm bells are ringing at the number of people going hungry. Food charity FareShare distributes donated food across the country to church halls, homeless projects and other charities struggling to help families hit by unemployment, price rises and benefit changes. They have reported a 20% rise in demand for food handouts from families unable to make ends meet. FareShare is a marker for chronic hunger as the economic forecasts worsen. This weekend the Conservative party meets in Manchester to discuss what can be done about it.
Pray: that the Lord will lead all those in authority to address the causes of poverty wisely as well as the symptoms. (Job.5:16)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/01/families-queue-for-food-handouts.
Christians in Parliament
Recent weeks have seen political party conferences debate environment, climate change, international development and the economy, the Olympics, Paralympics and the NHS. Within our Government God has placed many Christian MPs who consider it a duty and a privilege to serve the nation. It can be a lonely place. The Christian Conservative party’s website requests prayer for their MPs in positions of responsibility, naming David Burrowes, Caroline Spelman, Gary Streeter, Nicky Morgan, Jeremy Lefroy, Margaret McVeigh, Alexandra Wilkinson, Colin Bloom, Kofo Sanusi and the many other Christian MPs, that they may have clarity, vision and a Christ-like witness to the Party and all whom they meet. Prayer is also requested for The Big Society initiative saying, ‘Christians do not need a definitive answer to the question 'What does Big Society mean?' For many Christians this is easy to embrace, as those who follow Jesus have been preaching the importance of giving for centuries and many churches are experienced in promoting social justice. See:http://www.ccfwebsite.com/home.shtml
Pray: for Christians in local and national government to be led by God to be an influence in policy making and strategies. (Ps.23:3)
Prayers in Local Councils and Parliament
The Christian Peoples Alliance is opposing attempts to ban prayers at local council meetings. Two councils in East Sussex have been warned that Christian prayers are ‘not part of their duties’. The warnings come despite Christian prayer being part of the English constitution since Saxon times and said daily in the House of Commons since 1558. Mayfield Parish Council was issued the advice by the Sussex Association of Local Councils after voting to include a prayer session in its meetings. Councillors were told it was not appropriate and should be taken off the agenda. Former Newham Councillor, Alan Craig, said, ‘This demand is part of the secular-isation of our society. The most important thing is to get Christian values and Christian prayers back into our society and not take them away. Having Christian prayers is saying Christian values are good values for public life and a council meeting is a part of public life.’
Pray: for more, not less time to be spent in prayer each week in every borough and government meeting. (2Ch.7:14)
DDuncan Smith asks for tax break for married couples
The Work and Pensions secretary, Iain Duncan Smith, urged the Prime Minister on Wednesday to recognise marriage in the tax system in an effort to encourage ‘couple formation’ and stable families, reports Christian Concern for our Nation. The Prime Minister had pledged to introduce a tax incentive for married couples before the last election but has not, as yet implemented the policy. Mr Duncan Smith sees the family as a foundational element to a stable society and he highlighted the need to address the ‘bias’ against married couples. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said, ‘The family is indeed the bedrock of a stable and successful society. It is high time the Government implemented policies which promote marriage and the family.’
Pray: that the PM will recognise and implement reforms that build stable families. (Is.30:20,21)