Germany: transition - with divine guidance
Germany’s last three nuclear power plants were closed on 15 April. Its car industry has been the market leader for decades. Now production of diesel and petrol engines will end, and gas and oil heating systems will not be installed in homes. Current prosperity, welfare, and economy are being run down and replaced with higher-grade technologies for which technical and personnel replacements are not readily available. Increasing chaos on the railways illustrates the incompatibility of political demands with the current state of infrastructure and the available staffing levels. The political agenda also fuels disruptive actions by climate activists and strikes in the public sector and in state-owned companies. Germany has been entrusted with much historically: the gospel of Jesus Christ, a country of poets and philosophers, a nation with economic stability. Pray for God’s purposes for Germany, not based on history's materialism but on #its God-given identity as a nation.
Serbia: 13-year-old kills nine
There is an awful silence hanging over the steep hill on which Vladislav Ribnikar elementary school sits. On 3 May, a 13-year-old entered the school, armed with two guns, and shot dead eight fellow students and a security guard. Six other children remain in hospital. The school is at the heart of this central Belgrade community, where streams of mourners are arriving, bearing flowers and soft toys. 24 hours after the worst school shooting in Serbian history, pupils from the next-door college stand along the street to stand in silence and remember those killed. ‘I am crushed’, says final-year school student Alex Oborina, 19, beside some of the handwritten notes left on the pavement. ‘We have failed as a society because this is something that should not happen to a 13-year-old. He should not be grabbing a gun and going into his school and shooting his friends.’ Alex seems to echo the sentiment everyone here feels. ‘This is probably the worst thing that has ever happened in my life. We need to use this as a stepping stone to rebuild.’
Global: violence against Christian women and girls
Violence against Christian women and girls continues to rise everywhere. Christian women are abducted and used as sex slaves. The 'honour' culture is used to shame and stigmatise victims of sexual or physical abuse, so victims are silent. Men attack with impunity because victims keep quiet for fear of dishonour to their family or community, so wrongdoing often goes punished. This, in turn, makes women and girls increasingly vulnerable to psychological violence. Rape victims are often viewed as sexually impure, making them vulnerable to rejection and limiting their future prospects. In many cultures, women do not hold the same value as men. This undergirds much of the persecution faced by our sisters. And in many cases, being a Christian means they are regarded as having even less worth. Open Doors’ vision is that every woman who is persecuted for her faith and gender is seen, valued, and empowered to reach her God-given potential.
Israel: ‘One Million March’
Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Jerusalem in a show of support for the controversial judicial overhaul plan by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Local media estimated that the event, which organisers had dubbed ‘The One Million March’, drew only about 80,000 people. It was sponsored by the Premier’s conservative Likud Party and its far-right coalition ally Otzma Yehudit faction. Among many who chanted ‘The people want judicial reform’ was justice minister Yariv Levin, who spearheaded the push for the overhaul. The nation has been gripped by unprecedented nationwide demonstrations against the deeply divisive plan since its unveiling 16 weeks ago. Mr Levin told demonstrators that ‘more and more people understand the need for the legislation. We are in an unusual situation. There is an atmosphere where people try to paint a picture of the elected government not representing the people. Today we are protesting to show that it does.’
Micronesia: tug of war
The Pacific nation of Micronesia, with 100,000 people in 607 islands, is currently caught in a political tug of war. Its location makes it a key vantage point for foreign policy. Beijing hopes to gain influence in an area of strategic importance. Yet more important than its earthly political state is the eternal state of Micronesian souls. They largely identify as Christian but cultural influences appear in their religious practice, including animism, magic, narcotics, materialism, and ancestor worship. Nominalism is high among the protestant churches and there is much cronyism among the leadership. One estimate states that 99% of the pastors in Micronesia were appointed with no theological training. The Micronesian church has many challenges, including consumerism influences from America, high delinquency and suicide among the youth, Mormon missionary activity, and the low availability of Bible translations.
Sudan: prayer needs
Sudanese passports are locked inside European embassies. Spain's foreign ministry urged people to obtain travel documents from the Sudanese authorities. Mohamed was waiting for his visa for a Spanish holiday when war erupted. He phoned the Spanish embassy to retrieve his passport. The receptionist asked, ‘Are you Sudanese or Spanish?' He said he was Sudanese, she immediately hung up. Mr Badawi works for a French company. His passport was at the French embassy and they refused to return it. There are many more trapped. 15.8 million people already needed humanitarian assistance before the conflict. Now the situation is dire. Water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are scarce. The UN and partners are working to reboot the humanitarian response. Also the toll on children and young people’s mental health is profound. Additionally, the cost of transportation out of the worst-hit areas has risen exponentially, leaving the most vulnerable unable to move to safer areas.
Afghanistan: nothing can be done as babies die
Baby Tayabullah is motionless. His mother moves the oxygen pipe and puts a finger under his nose to check his breathing. She realises he is fading and cries. The hospital's ventilators are broken and small oxygen masks are not available, so mothers hold oxygen tubes near their babies' noses, trying to do what staff or medical equipment should be doing. About 167 Afghan children die daily from preventable diseases that could be cured with the right medication. If you go inside paediatric wards you will wonder if that estimate is too low. Rooms full of sick children, two or more in each bed, ravaged by pneumonia. Just two nurses looking after sixty children, in a room full of babies in a serious condition. A nurse said, ‘We don't have equipment or enough staff, which child should we check first? We can do nothing but watch babies die.’ When the Taliban seized power, foreign funding stopped and hospitals failed.
USA: migrant surge expected
An additional 1,500 active-duty troops will join the 2,500 National Guards on the US-Mexico border in anticipation of an influx of migrants when the Covid-era restrictions expire on 11 May. Their assistance will free up resources so that US Customs and Border Protection can operate freely while soldiers fill gaps in ground-based detection, monitoring, data entry, and warehouse support. They will not be doing any law enforcement. Many believe further militarisation of the border is unacceptable in the middle of a humanitarian crisis in the Western Hemisphere. Deploying military personnel signals that migrants are a threat. Nothing could be further from the truth. More encounters at the Mexico border are expected as smugglers take advantage of the changes. They are already hard at work spreading disinformation that the border will be open, placing strains on the entire system. There were 7,000 daily encounters on the US southern border recently. Numbers are expected to rise in the coming weeks.
Peru: stop press! ?
Criminals in Peru have wrong-footed themselves during a robbery at a shoe store. Three people broke into a shop in Huancayo and made off with more than 200 trainers - but they were all for the right foot. The lame attempt at a lucrative robbery was captured by security cameras. Offloading 200 right shoes may not be an easy task.
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You [intercessors] who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth [at Jesus’ return]. (Isa. 62:6-7, NAS)
We are pleased to bring you this May 2023 edition of IPC Connections!
I trust that you will be blessed and encouraged as you read the articles, news and resource info that follows! So many answers to prayer and glimmers of amazing, God-filled breakthrough!
This edition brings the launch of Come to the Table – a collaboration of prayer & missions networks & movements around the world, uniting in global prayer, communion & mission in 2023. Do visit the website which details numerous events and initiatives taking place this next several months. Lots of amazing things happening!
Over the last couple of months, we have met with leaders from across Africa and formed IPC’s Africa Regional Prayer Council under the Directorship of Bishop Austen Ukachi. Our South East Asia Prayer Council ‘ring of fire’ nations met, led by IPC’s Senior Advisor – Tom Victor, and blessed the Church and people of Vietnam. Many of you took part in the Exalting Jesus series, written by David Bryant which due to its popularity is just beginning a re-run in the lead up to Ascension Day!
Reports and testimonies are still coming in of huge numbers who were praying during the recent One Miracle Night - Global Day of Prayer for 24 key Muslim cities. We are thankful for the thousands of Christians across many of these cities who were sharing Jesus with their friends and neighbours, many using the Jesus Film!
SAVE THE DATE! - Please save the date of our next Global Day of Prayer – Pentecost 2023, on Pentecost Sunday – May 28th, when we will be praying for the peace of Jerusalem, for Israel and Jewish people worldwide. See the Prayer Guide. There will be a 26-hour streamed broadcast including 2 hours live – from the Southern Steps in Jerusalem! Our friends at 10 Days will be holding 24-7 prayer for the 10 days leading up to Pentecost, do join them.
ISAIAH 62 FAST - This month, IPC are partnering with Mike Bickle, IHOPKC and numerous worldwide networks in a 21 day Isaiah 62 Fast in the lead up to Pentecost Sunday, during which over 1 million believers are expected to engage in prayer for Israel - daily for an hour. Join us as we pray for the increase of God’s salvation promises and plans for Jerusalem and Israel!
WPA2023AU - We are pleased to announce that registrations are OPEN for the World Prayer Assembly 2023 in Perth Australia!! “Blessing all nations, peoples and cities with the transforming love and goodness of our God!”. Join thousands of Christians of all ages from the worldwide Church and Prayer and Missions Movements for this unique gathering in unity – to repent, to worship, and to contend for the fulfilment of the Great Commission! More info follows below.
ASBURY+ - All our eyes have been on the Asbury revival in recent months! We are bringing you an insightful and thought-provoking article from IPC Council Member and friend, Jason Mandryk that explores several other awakenings that have taken place, but that are not so much in the public eye. Grateful thanks to Jason for this insightful piece.
THANKFUL MEMORIES - This last few weeks, two more giants of the faith, George Verwer (OM) and Pastor Charles Stanley (In Touch Ministries) went to be with the Lord. We honour and recognise these two men for their faithful and biblical teaching and mission work which has birthed truly global impacts. We are running one of Charles’s articles once more below, which I know you will find inspiring
CORONATION - Our thoughts are with our UK and commonwealth friends this month, as King Charles III is crowned amidst much celebration and a national holiday. Praying with you that the Gospel message will come through the sermon that is delivered to a huge global audience during the Coronation. Also praying that King Charles will be a true defender and ambassador for the Christian faith through his role as Governor of the Church of England. See this blessing from the Church over King Charles
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Thank you for continuing to partner with us in mobilising and informing united prayer across nations, denominations, movements, and generations for the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
May we express grateful thanks to Andy Page and the IPC Editorial Team who put this email together each month.
Every blessing,
Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect