30 April – 3 May 2018

For the sixth year in a row, Australia is calling the nations of the world to join with them to pray and fast for four days for the United States of America, from 30 April – 3 May 2018.

May 3 is America’s National Day of Prayer. The theme is “Pray for America - UNITY” Ephesians 4:3. http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org

April 30 is America’s National Day of Repentance. http://www.dayofrepentance1.org

Promo YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B5nFcDBMOA

Facebook Video: https://www.facebook.com/CanberraDeclaration/videos/2081577435200931/UzpfSTM1MTc4OTk3NDg5NjY1MDoxNjg5NDAyMjExMTM1NDEz/

Commissioner James Condon, a member of the National Day of Prayer & Fasting team, said, “God has done remarkable things in America since we began to pray and fast, but God can do greater things yet! We in Australia believe it is our turn to stand in the gap for the nation of America and pray for revival and transformation for the USA through prayer and fasting according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. Whilst America has a new administration, the need for a new National Awakening has never been more apparent.

Commissioner Condon from Salvation Army continued, “We in Australia are grateful for the protection that America gave Australia and the nations of the free world during World War II. The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought by USA in 1942, was the turning point in the Second World War for Australia. America continues to be a blessing to the world. Even to this day the USA is the largest contributor of foreign aid among all the countries of the world. Thank God for America!”

President Reagan renewed the call for a National Day of Prayer in 1982 and said, “National prayer is deeply rooted in our American heritage… The first National Day of Prayer was proclaimed in 1775 by the Second Continental Congress. As thousands gathered in prayer in places of worship and encampments throughout the new land, the dispersed colonists found a new spirit of UNITY and resolve in this remarkable expression of public faith.”

Sue Tinworth, a member of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting team, talking about the history of prayer in the USA said, “President Abraham Lincoln, on 30 April 1863 called for a Day of ‘Humiliation, Prayer and Fasting’ at a time of great national crisis by Governmental decree which said, “We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God… It behooves us then, to humble ourselves… to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness”. Unfortunately, today America is again in a dangerous predicament because it has forgotten God. Sadly the situation in Australia is very similar. We in our nation have forgotten God and we are in danger of paying the price for our sin.”

Ps Warwick Marsh, also from the National Day of Prayer and Fasting team said, “We are thankful for America’s strong Christian heritage, but this will not save America, only the blood of Christ can. America and Australia need revival and reformation, as does the whole world. We all need more of God. We invite you and the nations of the world to join with us in four days of prayer and fasting for the USA.”

National Day of Prayer & Fasting. www.nationaldayofprayer.org.au

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationaldayofprayerandfasting

By John D Robb

1. God desires and requires intercessory prayer for the accomplishment of His salvific purpose for the peoples of the earth.

Jesus told us to pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven." Abraham interceded for Lot in Sodom, Moses prayed that God would turn from His wrath against Israel, Daniel for the return of Israel from Babylon. Ezekiel was told by God, "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it but I found none" (Ez. 22:30}

Why does God desire and require His people's intercession? Most likely because God originally gave dominion of the earth to humankind. That dominion has never been revoked by God. Satan's dominion achieved through rebellion against the Creator is a false, illegitimate, usurped dominion. Redeemed through Christ, we can exercise our God-given right to influence the affairs of this world through the exercise of intercessory prayer. Like Kuwait's request for the multi-national force to come against the illegitimate dominion of Iraq, so we in prayer as God's redeemed children, pray that His will be done, His kingdom come on earth. Prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit breaks through the false dominion of the enemy, and clears the way for His deliverance and shalom to come to all peoples. Linked through prayer with the risen Christ, sitting at His side (Eph. 2) far above all authority and dominion, we share in the accomplishment of His redemptive purposes.

Dick Eastman, president of World Literature Crusade, recently shared with our staff at World Vision how early in 1988, God had led him to take a team of intercessors throughout Eastern Europe. Their mission was "to confront the strongholds of Communism." In obedience to God's leading, they carried out a "prayer walk" around the Politbureau building in Bucharest where less than two years later, Ceaucescu made his last stand after pridefully announcing his regime would last for a thousand years. While in Berlin, God led Dick to go out with a German friend in the middle of the night to face that still forbidding wall. Moved in intercessory prayer, they both laid their hands on the wall and prayed, "In the name of Jesus, come down!"

In the dramatic events of the last year in Eastern Europe God has used the prayers of His people to shake the nations. He can do the same thing in the unevangelized world. He is seeking those who will stand before him in the gap for the 2,000 major unreached peoples, the 1,000 unevangelized cities, and the 30 unevangelized countries.

2. Victory in the spiritual realm is primary, and it is won by prayer.

Remember Moses' intercession as he held up his hands before God while Joshua and the army of Israel fought the Amalekites in the valley below? Each time Moses' arms grew tired and faltered, Israel's army was pushed back. But as he sustained his stance in prayer with uplifted arms, the Israelites were victorious.

Later in Israel's history. King Jehoshaphat relied on the weapons of united fasting and prayer, public worship and praise which brought God's intervention against the invading armies of Israel's enemies. Bible teacher, Derek Prince, writes: "These weapons, scripturally employed by Christians today, will gain victories as powerful and dramatic as they gained for the people of Judah in the days of Jehoshaphat.... Victory in the spiritual realm is primary. It is to be obtained by spiritual weapons. Thereafter its outcome will be manifested in every area of the natural and material realm."

These two Biblical episodes vividly portray intercessory prayer as being the winning factor. Why should this be any different in today's battle for world evangelization?

3. Prayer has always undergirded and extended the missionary outreach of the church.

Prayer is mentioned over 30 times in the Book of Acts alone, and generally it is mentioned as occurring just before major breakthroughs in the outward expansion of the early Christian movement. For the Apostles extended times of united prayer and waiting on God together were pivotal in their mission to the unreached. Before the first great outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost and Peter's mighty sermon that brought 3,000 into the church, it is recorded that the Apostles "all joined together constantly in prayer" (Acts 1:14). Then, as the Apostles and their new converts "devoted themselves to prayer," signs and wonders occurred, the city was filled with awe, and people were added to the church daily (2:42-44). It was "after they had prayed" that the place where they were meeting was shaken, all were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God with boldness (4:31).

The Apostles early on let it be known what their priority in mission was- "We will devote ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word" (6:4). The result of the Apostles determined adherence to this priority was that "The word of God spread and the number of disciples increased rapidly, and a large number of the priests became obedient to the faith" (6:7).

Peter's prayer resulted in signs and wonders such as the raising of Tabitha. Later it was a time of prayer that opened his eyes to the revelation that the gospel was also for the Gentiles, making him willing to go and preach to Cornelius. It was also the church's prayer that brought the release of Peter from prison.

A period of prayer and fasting by five leaders of the Antioch church led to the setting apart of Paul and Barnabus for their frontier mission to the Gentiles. Afterwards they were sent out with more fasting and prayer (13:1-3). It was through prayer that Paul was not allowed by the Spirit of Jesus to enter Bithynia, but redirected into Macedonia. And it was through the prayer and praise of God by the imprisoned Paul and Silas that an earthquake helped to originate the church at Philippi!

The whole European side of the modern Protestant missionary enterprise grew out of Pietism, a revival movement that was steeped in earnest prayer. From its influence the Danish-Halle Mission to India went forth and the Moravian movement under Count Zinzendorf emerged. One author writing about the Moravians said that "the glorious movement of the Spirit... among the Moravians at Herrnhut in 1727 [which] transformed them into what has been the mightiest evangelizing force in the world for the past two centuries, was borne in prayer."

The prayer meeting which the Moravians began in 1727 went on 100 years! By relays they offered unceasing prayer for the church and needs all around the world. This prayer effort kindled their desire to proclaim Christ to the unreached and led to the beginning of modem missions. And from this one small village, over 100 missionaries went out in 25 years.

Decades later, William Carey, while still employed as a humble shoe repairman to support his part-time preaching, drew a homemade map of the world, entering all information he could find about its regions and countries. As he mused over the world's appalling needs and problems, he turned the information gathered into heartfelt intercession. His biographer reveals: "Often in the silence of the night... by the dim rush light, he would scan that map and then kneeling before it, pour out his soul to God." Prayer for the world was a definite motive force in the call and service of the one who came to be known as "the father of modern Protestant missions."

In 1806, a few college students from William's College took refuge from a sudden rainstorm beneath a haystack. Sitting in the midst of hay, they used the time to pray for the world and its needs. Out of that unlikely venue for a prayer meeting, the American mission movement was born.

Robert Glover sums up the role of prayer in the history of missions:

"From Pentecost and the Apostle Paul, right down through the centuries to the present day, the story of missions has been the story of answered prayer. Every fresh outbreak of missionary energy has been the result of believing prayer. Every new missionary undertaking that has been owned and blessed of God has been the germinating of seed planted by the divine spirit in the hearts of praying saints."

John Robb, IPC Chairman

(Excerpted and adapted from the article by John Robb “Prayer as a Strategic Weapon in Frontier Mission” Published in the International Journal of Frontier Missiology in 1991)

Evangelical Call to Prayer for Peace on the Korean Peninsula March27, 2018

As American Christians with diverse approaches to force and nonviolence and yet all committed to pursuing peaceful relations among people and nations, we unite in prayer for permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. We do this mindful of the millions of lives, including more than 230,000 Americans, that would be threatened by an escalation of conflict there.

We are heartened by proposals for dialogue between our national leaders at a time when increasing tensions seemed to be marching our countries perilously in the direction of greater conflict, if not war. We call on all Christians everywhere to join us in praying for a just and peaceful resolution.

We pray for wisdom for our political, diplomatic and military leaders as they work across differences toward a goal of peace, security and freedom. We pray that God will bless the efforts of citizens who seek to bridge the vast differences between our countries.

Decades of people-to-people contact between North Korea and the United States- through business, educational and other humanitarian exchanges - have put a human face on those who are sometimes characterized by one another as enemies. So, we pray with empathy and in a spirit of friendship, noting the image of God in every human being. However profound the differences between our governments, we do not view the North Korean people as our enemies. On the contrary, we desire only the best for the people of North Korea.

Most of the nearly two million Korean-Americans are Christians, and many belong to evangelical churches. This community too has contact with North Koreans through humanitarian and family
ties. South Korea is also home to many evangelical churches, including some of the world’slargest. Many of these Korean brothers and sisters have been praying for North Korea for years and we humbly join them. These connections with Koreans in North Korea, South Korea and the United States strengthen our resolve to seek God for mercy and, so far as it depends on us, to pursue peace between our respective countries.

Sincerely,

Leith Anderson – President -National Association of Evangelicals
HyepinIm
President/CEO & Founder
Faith and Community Empowerment
Dr. John P Hartley Chair
Evangelicals for Peace
Rev. Johnnie Moore Founder
The Kairos Company
Nikki Toyama-Szeto Executive Director Evangelicals for Social Action

More info at:http://www.evangelicalsforpeace.org/northkorea


PRAY: Let us continue to pray that the expected upcoming meeting between President Trump with Kim Jong Un will be used of the Lord to end the conflict, denuclearize the Korean peninsula and even to make possible the reunification of the two Koreas.

(Image:Route of AI139 passenger flight from New Delhi to Tel Aviv 22 March 2018)

From the evening of her re-birth 70 years ago, Israel, has been always keenly aware and wary of the vast desert kingdom spreading southeastward from her western neighbor Jordan.

Six months previous, Saudi Arabia had cast their vote against the UN Partition Plan paving the way for the birth of the Jewish State.  Now, hours after Israel’s Declaration of Independence, as five Arab armies began their invasion to stamp out the new state, allied under the Egyptian army was a mass of soldiers sent from the Arabian Peninsula. 

Twenty-five years later, the Saudis would again send troops to support Egypt in the 1973 War. Afterwards, although there have been no further military overtures, Saudi Arabia has continued to be seen as an enemy nation, one with a hatred for Israel and Jews (By law, no Jew is allowed to live in the Kingdom).  They have never opened diplomatic relations with Israel. It was with uneasiness that Israel witnessed in 2010 the US sale of $60 billion worth of F-15 fighters, attack helicopters and advanced munitions to this unfriendly nation, some of whose borders lie only minutes by air from our capital. 

For 70 years no Israeli passenger planes have been allowed over Saudi airspace (When, some years ago, the authors travelled to Thailand, our plane was forced to fly southwards along the Arava through the Gulf of Aqaba, then down the length of the Red Sea—with enemy state Sudan to the west, Saudi Arabia to the East— on southward to just before the Horn of Africa, where we finally made a sharp left turn eastwards out over the Arabian Sea towards India—

In recent years, there have been signs that this official stance of hostility may be, at some levels anyway, beginning cautiously to change. The Saudis came out with a “peace plan” related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. More recently, rumors began to surface of secret communications between the two countries.  When the newly-elected President Trump made his maiden trip abroad last May, his first stop was to Saudi Arabia—from there his plane made one of the few flights ever allowed from Arabia to Israel. 

With the remarkable reforms which appear to be attending the rise of Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Al Saud, an unprecedented warming of relations with Israel has begun to be spoken of as a legitimate possibility (PM Netanyahu recently spoke of Israeli relations with the Arab world—obviously including Saudi Arabia—as “best ever.”  As of this week, the flights from India over the Arabian peninsula will continue three times a week.

Then this past Thursday night, history was made.  For the first time in Israel’s 70 year history, a passenger plane from another country was allowed to travel the length of the Arabian Peninsula (see map above) en-route to Tel Aviv.  The Air India Boeing 787 from New Delhi touched down at Ben Gurion Airport at 10:15 p.m.  Israeli Transport Minister Yisrael Katz described the occasion as “the first time that there is an official connection between the state of Israel and Saudi Arabia.”  Of its enormous significance, one Israeli analyst observed that even in the absence of an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty (considered for years a prerequisite for relations between Israel and the Arab world), “this shows you can have small gestures that are of real meaning.”

The most generally held explanation for this thaw in relations is that the Sunni Saudi government is eyeing the expansion of its Shi’ite arch-enemy Iran and its nearness to acquisition of nuclear weapons, and is therefore open to (at least temporarily) making an alliance with the Israelis, whom the Iranian Ayatolla’s have repeatedly vowed to annihilate.  While not discounting this as a factor, we sense it is essential that we seek the Lord as to what He—Lord of the Nations—is doing.  Of course there is war in the heavenlies, with evil powers and principalities over nations at war against the decrees of the Elyon—the Most High—on behalf of His redemptive purposes on the earth.

We believe that through the present year a season of grace is being extended in which nations are being granted opportunity for making choices as related to their alignments with God’s purposes in His covenant land and people Israel.  How they choose will significantly determine their pathway in the season ahead—whether for blessing and awakening or for darkness and great deception and delusion.  During this year, there will be nations whose past histories would have indicated them to be last in embracing Israel, which will turn towards here—others with reputations as friendly will turn away.

During this window of opportunity, the determined efforts of intercessors, though small in number, may have great influence in swaying the stance of their leaders towards that which is good.  It is remarkable that we see the leadership of Egypt, with whom Arabia allied strongly in both the 1948 and 1973 wars against Israel, slowly but steadily engaging in more friendly relations with her.  We believe this is being surely facilitated through the prayers of millions of Christian believers and the many houses of prayer in that land who love and are praying fervently towards the fulfillment of the Isaiah 19 “Highway” which God says will connect “Egypt My people” with “Israel My inheritance.” 

If God has such plans for Egypt, where His people suffered bondage for 400 years, might He not also have redemptive plans for the Arabian Peninsula, where it is appears that these same Children of Israel may have wandered for 40 years in the desert? (In fact, in the opinion of a growing number of Biblical scholars, many factors point towards the very Mountain where the LORD came down and spoke with Moses as lying, not in the “Sinai Peninsula,” but in that area of Midian on the “back side” (i.e. the Arabian side) of the Gulf of Aqaba). 

Might not this area of the world in which the delusion of Islam arose—a delusion which holds vast throngs of people throughout the nations in a bondage not unlike that typified by Egypt before the Exodus—might not this area where His manifest presence once moved among His people Israel be one in which the God of Salvation longs to begin releasing freedom to captivities from evil—even from its very source?  Perhaps this itself sounds delusional.  But God, whose greatness will dwell in Jerusalem, is beginning to shake things—“Let the peoples tremble…let the earth shake, YHWH is great in Zion, He is exalted above ALL peoples…They SHALL praise Your great and awesome name: Holy is He!” (Psalm 99:1-3).  This includes those in captivity to darkness in Saudi Arabia! 

Some of the Body of Messiah in Israel is using the shifts we sense occurring to stir us to pray for His life and blessing to spread over this great enemy from our past.  After all, a part of our call, from the beginning, has been that through the seed of Abraham, every family and nation will find blessing!  (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). 

Will you join with us!

PLEASE PRAY:

* That the Spirit which is drawing a new generation in Saudi Arabia towards regarding Israel with favor, will increase - that the leaders there would respond positively to this Spirit.

* That the “true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every human being” (John 1:9), will illumine hearts of Muslims throughout the Arabian Peninsula to the truth that Issa-Yasuah-Yeshua-Jesus who was born in Bethlehem is the divine Son of God and saviour of the World (We personally have heard testimonies of former Muslims who were illumined by this Light while on the Haj in Mecca itself!).

* For Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman Al Saud, that He will be protected in mind and body; that the Power which has already been at work in him towards releasing freedoms towards women, and other areas of his society which have for centuries lain in unjust bondage and oppression, that this Power will reveal itself in a personal way.

* For Israel’s leaders, to regard the initiatives in Saudi Arabia with wisdom, discernment and grace.  That God will work His alliances between the two countries out in His way and timing.

* That the grace and favor which is presently linking India and Israel will be released over the Arabian peninsula over which their flights are now free to take place!

“In world first, Air India crosses Saudi airspace to Israel”: AFP (Reprinted in The Times of Israel: 22 March 2018).

Martin & Norma Sarvis

Jerusalem

In 2207, 2009 and 2013, it was both a great challenge and privilege of the IPC to arrange international prayer initiatives with hundreds of prayer leaders and intercessor children from around the world to pray with ambassadors of the U.N. The Lord graciously worked in answer to the prayers of many and here is an encouraging report of recent developments there, thanks be to God!

“A brief testimony about what God is doing at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. So often we watch and pray for years and do the things we believe God has asked us to do. Then, all of a sudden, it’s as if the prayers that have been stored up in the bowls of heaven are poured out, and doors open that no man can shut.

For more then 25 years, there have been weekly prayer gatherings at the United Nations sponsored by Christian staff members, plus a weekly service with worship and a guest speaker. There are also many other organizations that have specific outreaches to the Ambassadors and monthly Bible Studies, all working hard to bring the presence and word of God into this global community.

In the fall of 2017, several of us who have been praying at the United Nations were invited by Pastor Jim Garlow of Skyline Church in San Diego, CA to come to San Diego for several days of prayer and conversation about a new ministry they wanted to launch to the United Nations. So we went and had the opportunity at the time to meet and pray with former Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, who had recently joined the Skyline Church staff as the Executive Director of “SkylineUN,” So, since early in January, several of us have been meeting weekly with her for a time of worship and prayer within the United Nations, asking God to open doors and visit this global community with an outpouring of His Spirit. So, fast-forward to March 2018.

The testimony I want to share is of what God did during the 62^nd Commission on the Status of Women’s conference at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.  This year’s theme was “Empowering Rural Women and Girls.” Individuals from around the world attend this 2-week conference, and many of the Member States host side events to address issues affecting women and children around the world. We approached the Mission of Guatemala about hosting an event. Their response was that you have to apply for a conference room months in advance because the available spaces fill up quickly. But God….,! We asked just 2 weeks prior to the opening of the conference, and there was nothing available, so we just kept praying and then we heard on a Thursday afternoon that there was one room available on the following Tuesday. So, in just four days we had to get speakers, pick the theme, and make a flyer to get approved to go up on the UN’s Digital Messaging board.

When God opens a doo, He makes a way where there seems to be no way! We put together a panel of five amazing women, a multi-ethnic and multi-generational representation, with the theme, “Personal Stories of Women’s Journey’s in Leadership”. Honestly our expectation was that we would be happy if 25 people showed up for our event since our flyer went up on the messaging board the day before our event and most organization’s events had been advertised for weeks. So, we gathered early that morning before our event and prayed fervently that God would use the testimonies of each one’s journey and how instrumental God and Faith were in those journeys. God did not disappoint. He showed up in a big way. The room was packed with such a diverse group of young and old and many different nations represented, with standing room only!  Women in the audience had tears in their eyes, as each of our speakers shared how they found their identity through their faith. Not one person left, even when each one spoke of Jesus and how He brought them through trials and testing on their journeys! At the end of our session we had many attendees follow us out into the hall to ask questions and to speak to us. Many come up to thank us afterward for the event. We were blessed to pray with several women who are leading in their nations. One woman remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this at the United Nations before!”

The Spirit of God was truly at work. We praise God for what He did and is doing at the United Nations!

1. Please join us in praying for those who heard our session. We are praying the seeds that were planted during would take root in the hearts of all and that they would each come to know the love and saving grace of our Heavenly Father. 
2. Praythat Guatemala will be able to reserve a conference room on a weekly basis so we can gather for Worship and the Word within the Secretariat.

Jody Wood,

New York City Intercessors

Pray: In addition, let us continue to pray for God’s working in the hearts of the ambassadors and staff at the U.N. that they will come to know the Lord of the Nations Himself, Jesus Christ. May they hunger to know Him and to become His vehicle for bringing peace and development to the poor and the suffering around our world. Satan would like the U.N. to serve his purpose as a preparer of the way for the Antichrist and the global oppressive control he will represent. Pray that instead God’s good and loving intentions will prevail as never before in that influential body of diplomats.

A Reason We Need to Pray for the U.N.: “Sex Education” Standards Push LGBT Agenda on 5-Year-Olds

In yet another bid by the United Nations to sexualize and indoctrinate your children at younger and younger ages, the UN Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) just unveiled a new set of “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” standards for humanity. Among other controversies, the UN's planetary sex-ed scheme advocates masturbation, abortion, gender confusion, homosexuality, homosexual parenting, contraception, fornication, and more. The document, which cites abortion giant Planned Parenthood almost 20 times, represents a full-blown assault on parental rights and traditional morality that critics say could devastate a generation of young people. But the UN wants it to be mandatory for every child on the planet, starting at age five.

The UN document, dubbed “International technical guidance on sexuality education,” purports to provide an “evidence-based approach” to teaching young children all about sex, homosexuality, gender confusion, and more. But as the document itself makes clear, much of the “evidence” comes from extremist organizations that promote abortion, sexual “liberation,” fornication, and more. Planned Parenthood, for instance, provided much of the alleged “research” and “evidence.” That is despite the fact that the tax-subsidized abortion behemoth and the UN have been exposed in the U.S. Congress helping the Communist Chinese regime with its coercive population-control schemes, including forced abortions. Another outfit involved in the UN scheme was the rabid LGBT advocacy group OutRight Action International.

While self-styled, scandal-plagued UN education ministry UNESCO played a lead role in developing the controversial new sex-ed scheme, it was hardly alone. In fact, the new global “Comprehensive Sexuality Education” guidelines are also being publicly supported by UNICEF, the UN agency ostensibly in charge of “protecting” the world’s children; UNAIDS, which supposedly exists to protect humanity from sexually transmitted diseases; UN Women, the radical pro-abortion outfit supposedly leading the global fight for “women's rights;” and even the World Health Organization, an extreme organization whose leaders are so out of touch that they recently tried to name a genocidal Marxist dictator as “goodwill ambassador” due to his alleged success in providing “universal healthcare” to the victims of his barbarous tyranny.

The document itself would be considered shocking to anyone who adheres to traditional notions of family or morality, whether they be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or virtually any other religion. For instance, the document promotes “sexual pleasure” for children, beginning before they even turn 10. At age nine, for instance, the UNESCO guidelines call for children to “describe male and female responses to sexual stimulation.” Also at age nine, children are taught that masturbation is fine but should be done in private. The standards brazenly encourage fornication (sexual relations outside of marriage) among children, too, painting traditional morality as old-fashioned and wrong. By age nine, the standards say children should “demonstrate respect for diverse practices related to sexuality.” And by 12, the children are expected to believe that various forms of sodomy are “pleasurable” and less likely to result in infection. They are also to be taught about condom use.

Indeed, the UN document, which distorts abstinence education, is filled with the sexual-revolution ideology that has helped devastate families across the Western world. By age 12, the UN “learning objectives” demand that children “support the right for everyone” to “express their sexual feelings.” And by “sexual feelings,” the UN refers to complete hedonism, with sex being totally divorced from morality. Throughout the manual, which UNESCO hopes will be used to indoctrinate every child on the planet, it is clear that the UN wants everyone to support the so-called “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex” (LGBTQI) agenda. In fact, the document is filled with references to waging war on “homophobia” and “transphobia,” terms that are routinely applied to describe opposition to the redefinition — or undefinition — of marriage that began in recent years and culminated with a rogue Supreme Court lawlessly pretending to create a “right” to something called a homosexual “marriage.”

The document gets worse. When children are nine, for instance, they should be able to “explain how someone's gender identity may not match their biological sex.” At that same age, they must also “demonstrate respect for the gender identity of others.” In other words, even before they reach age 10, they must not only accept, but “respect,” gender confusion that is strongly correlated with mental distress, suicide, and more. At age five, the children are expected to be able to “define gender and biological sex and describe how they are different.” They are also expected to “express respect” for homosexual parenting. “All people should be able to love who they want,” the UNESCO document explains, a clear reference to normalizing and promoting homosexual relations…

In a response to the UN's latest CSE guidelines, Family Watch International President Sharon Slater did not hold back. “We have repeatedly warned governments, parents and other stakeholders that comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a radical, graphic, sexual-rights, pleasure-based approach to sex education that promotes promiscuity, abortion, and diverse sexual practices and identities to young children,” Slater said in an e-mailed statement. “With this new UNESCO technical guidance publication, we now have additional, conclusive evidence to prove it.”

The recently released UNESCO publication, she continued, “clearly reveals the UN’s stealth global agenda to manipulate and sexualize children through comprehensive sexuality education…

“Parents should be outraged by the content of the UNESCO publication, and UN Member States should demand that the sponsoring UN agencies withdraw their support immediately,” added Slater, whose organization works to defend life, marriage, and the family around the world. Noting the vast array of UN agencies pushing the scheme, Slater highlighted the danger. “This is an all-out frontal assault on the health and innocence of the world’s children from some of the most powerful and well-funded institutions that set the health standards for women and children across the world,” she said.

The CSE mantra is a crucial weapon in the war on the family, Slater concluded. “Comprehensive sexuality education is the primary tool used to advance the global abortion and sexual rights agenda and is designed to change the traditional sexual and gender norms of society by changing the worldviews of children,” she explained. For more information on the dangerous agenda, Slater recommended a short documentary video on CSE by Family Watch International posted at WarOnChildren.org.

The Trump administration's publicly announced plans to withdraw from UNESCO represent a good start. After all, the organization, which has long been dominated by communists, globalists, and other extremists, has been waging war on America, freedom, morality, and more for generations. As this magazine has documented repeatedly, the UN agency is literally trying to standardize indoctrination under the guise of “education” all across the world — not just on sex, but on everything. Indeed, UNESCO leaders have been openly demanding that government-controlled education force drastic changes in the views, behavior, values, and ethics of children worldwide.

However, UNESCO is only part of the problem. As The New American reported last year, the UN appointed an LGBT czar who said that when it comes to brainwashing children to support the agenda, “the younger the better.”…

https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/faith-and-morals/item/28269-un-sex-education-standards-push-lgbt-agenda-on-5-year-olds

Pray: Let us pray strongly and persistently that this assault on the world’s children will be exposed and overthrown by those governments that work with the U.N. and its agencies.

Pray: for a great groundswell of opposition to arise in order to protect the innocence of kids who cannot defend themselves from these perverse institutions and the adults that so misguidedly run them.

Pray: that those who are responsible for the introduction of these outrageously wicked policies and programs will repent or be removed from being able to cause such corruption and harm to children.

You may have heard about the release of the very significant new movie about the great Apostle Paul that is hitting movie theaters here in the USA this weekend. It is a movie that covers the awful persecution of the followers of Christ in the first century, especially in Rome under the Emperor Nero. You can see a preview of the film and the 31 nations in which it will be shown on the attached links below. Hopefully many of you will be able to see it. 

According to the director with whom some of us prayed the other night, even the non-Christian actors and film crew were all weeping as they filmed this historic retelling of Paul's imprisonment and execution along with many other followers of Jesus that also bravely met their deaths during that horrendous time of suffering for the church in Rome.

Pray: Would you please pray for the movie to impact and transform the lives of those who see it? May it also be powerfully used by the Lord to encourage the estimated 215 million of His followers who live in nations of high or extreme persecution.

Pray: that it can be translated and circulated all across the globe so as especially to be made available to this part of the Body of Christ. 

Pray: also for Mel Gibson and his team who are said to be working on a new movie about the Resurrection that could be used by the Lord to bring many millions to the Lord around the world. It will be a powerful sequel to his amazing film, The Passion of the Christ. Obviously, these kinds of movies are strongly contested by our spiritual foe, the "the prince of this world". Therefore, pray accordingly that those working on this project will be protected and shielded by the presence of the Lord throughout this whole process. Pray: for a marvelous degree of creativity while being faithful to the Biblical text.
Pray: that the immense amount of finance needed will be released freely and fully.

Thanks so much for your vital support in prayer,

Click here to watch Paul, Apostle of Christ Preview: Starring Jim Caviezel (Luke), Oliver Martinez, James Faulkner (Paul)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFFAPPepjV8: A “must see” video of Jim Caviezel who played Luke and compellingly challenges us to live like the great Apostle Paul 

For list of international nations and opening dates, go to www.paulmovie.com/site/international

ABOUT THE FILM

"PAUL, APOSTLE OF CHRIST is the story of two men. Luke, as a friend and physician, risks his life when he ventures into the city of Rome to visit Paul, who is held captive in Nero’s darkest, bleakest prison cell. But Nero is determined to rid Rome of Christians, and does not flinch from executing them in the grisliest ways possible. Before Paul’s death sentence can be enacted, Luke resolves to write another book, one that details the beginnings of “The Way” and the birth of what will come to be known as the church.

Bound in chains, Paul’s struggle is internal. He has survived so much—floggings, shipwreck, starvation, stoning, hunger and thirst, cold and exposure—yet as he waits for his appointment with death, he is haunted by the shadows of his past misdeeds. Alone in the dark, he wonders if he has been forgotten . . . and if he has the strength to finish well.

Two men struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit in order to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and spread their message to the world."

The Top 50 Countries Where It’s Hardest to Be a Christian;Islamic extremism now has a rival, according to the 2017 World Watch List

For the third year in a row, the modern persecution of Christians worldwide has hit another record high.

But the primary cause, Islamic extremism, now has a rival: ethnic nationalism.

Thus, Asia increasingly merits concern alongside the Middle East, according to the 2017 World Watch List (WWL) released today by Open Doors.This being the list’s 25th anniversary, Open Doors also released an analysis of persecution trends over the past quarter-century.The annual list examines the pressures faced by Christians in five spheres of life (private, family, community, national, and church), plus levels of religiously motivated violence, in order to rank the top 50 countries where "Christians face the most persecution." [Full list below.]

Christianity Today’s coverage of recent WWL rankings noted how North Korea was getting competition, as well as how the annual list aims for effective anger and shows persecuted believers that they are not forgotten.

In 25 years of “chronicling and ranking” the political and societal restrictions on religious freedom experienced by Christians worldwide, Open Doors researchers identified 2016 as the “worst year yet.”

“Persecution rose globally again for the third year in a row, indicating how volatile the situation has become,” stated Open Doors. “Countries in South and Southeast Asia rapidly rose to unprecedented levels and now rank among such violent areas as the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.”

The findings and trends noted by Open Doors are stark:

• Approximately 215 million Christians experience high, very high, or extreme persecution.
• North Korea remains the most dangerous place to be a Christian (for 14 straight years).
• Islamic extremism remains the global dominant driver of persecution, responsible for initiating oppression and conflict in 35 out of the 50 countries on the 2017 list.
• Ethnic nationalism is fast becoming a major driver of persecution. “While this took an anti-establishment form in the West, in Asia it took an anti-minorities form, fueled by dramatic religious nationalism and government insecurity. It is common—and easy—for tottering governments to gain quick support by scapegoating Christians.”
• The total number of persecution incidents in the top 50 most dangerous countries increased, revealing the persecution of Christians worldwide as a rising trend.
• The most violent: Pakistan, which rose to No. 4 on the list for a level of violence “exceeding even northern Nigeria.”
• The killings of Christians in Nigeria saw an increase of more than 62 percent.
• The killings of Christians were more geographically dispersed than in most time periods studied. “Hitting closer to home, 23 Christian leaders in Mexico and four in Colombia were killed specifically for their faith,” said Open Doors of the “rare” event.
• The worst increase: Mali, which moved up the most places on the list from No. 44 to No. 32.

Asia is a new center of concern, with persecution rising sharply in Bangladesh, Laos, and Bhutan, and Sri Lanka joining the list for the first time.

Open Doors noted that India rose to its highest rank ever, No. 15, amid the continued rise of Hindu nationalism. “An average of 40 incidents were reported per month, including pastors beaten, churches burned and Christians harassed,” stated Open Doors. “Of the 64 million Christians in India, approximately 39 million experience direct persecution.”

In Central Asia, persecution spread due to both Islamic extremism and government attempts to restrict it. “In many countries, governmental raids of suspected Christian households increased, certain Christian books have been banned,” stated Open Doors, “and the membership requirement to remain a legal church doubled, resulting in many churches to be deemed illegal overnight.”

The top 10 nations where it is most dangerous and difficult to practice the Christian faith are:

• North Korea
• Somalia
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• Sudan
• Syria
• Iraq
• Iran
• Yemen

10 Eritrea

Yemen was the only new country in the top 10, replacing Libya.

Over the past 25 years, only three countries have topped the list: North Korea (2002 – 2017), Saudi Arabia (1993 – 1995; 1998 – 2001), and Somalia (1996 – 1997).

The top 10 nations over the 25-year span are:

• North Korea
• Saudi Arabia
• Iran
• Somalia
• Afghanistan
• Maldives
• Yemen
• Sudan
• Vietnam

10.China

Six countries appear on both lists—a sign of the concerning stability of persecution, noted Open Doors.The WWL data is compiled from reports spanning November 1, 2015, to October 31, 2016. The annual list is audited by the International Institute for Religious Freedom.Open Doors defines persecution as “any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ.” “Christians remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world,” it stated. “Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, beheadings, rape and even death as a result of their faith.”

“The Open Doors World Watch List is the most accurate, thorough and intensive research available on the persecution of Christians,” said David Curry, president and CEO of Open Doors USA. “It calculates not only deaths reported in the news, but also persecution at a grassroots level, where family-to-family persecution is tracked. The 25-year research shows where the most unstable areas for Christians have historically been and, in many countries, remain.”

Christianity Today previously reported the WWL rankings for 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012, including a spotlight on where it's hardest to believe. CT also recently compiled 2016’s 12 most-read stories of the persecuted church.

https://twitter.com/CTMagazine

Pray: Please remember to keep the over 200 million fellow believers living in areas of high or extreme persecution in your regular prayers that they will be encouraged in their faith and victorious.
Pray: that the Gospel will powerfully flow through their lives and words to those around them, resulting in the conversion of even their harshest persecutors.

George Soros. Who are we dealing with? By some he is described as a wealthy philanthropist and others say he is “the most evil man in the world” and that Satan is using him around the world.

Numerous people from India, Europe, South America and North America say, “This is one of the worst men being used by the evil one to bring down our countries.”

We know his history. He was born a Jew in Hungary. His family survived World War II by changing their name. He ended up in England going to school and then working in banks; then moving on to the United States.

His life continued to change as he was influenced by many demonic influences, some of them world religions.

He is a well-known supporter of the American Progressive movement, American liberal politicians, and liberal politicians worldwide.His clear purpose is to bring down Christian America (and other countries around the world) and turn them in to Liberal Communist / “Progressive” societies. Consider some of the consequences of Progressive political activism over the past eight years:

These were summarized by those who have studied this in depth. They pertain to both the United States and the world.   Watch a video

1. A growth industry trafficking in human baby organs and body parts – funded and defended by the Democratic

Party.

2. The abandonment of a biblical view of marriage that protected and liberated children and adults from centuries of pagan slavery, poverty, polygamy and non-life-giving sexuality.
3. The Transgender agenda imposed by Obama-government edict, including gender re-education to be forced onour citizens, businesses, schools, military and churches.
4. Doubling of our national debt, economic stagnation and increased welfare dependency.
5. Increased minority unemployment, poverty and violent inner city lawlessness, with an accompanying loss of opportunity, self-determination and family stability.
6. Heightened racial division and tension, and the growing phenomenon of paid demonstrators being recruited and dispatched to instigate protests that often become riots.
7. Open borders and ‘sanctuary’ cities increasing drugs, disease, crime, gangs and terrorism.
8. Forced refugee resettlement in hundreds of American cities without citizen consent, mandated by the federal government in collusion with the United Nations. “Refugees” are primarily non-assimilating Muslims, while authorities reject persecuted Christians.
9. Hostility towards Judeo-Christian religious liberty in our courts, media and universities including the suppression of conservative speakers, free thought and moral education.
10. The widespread, political use of the IRS to intimidate conservative, patriotic and Christian groups that disagree with the current political establishment.

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATION

His work is carried on through the Open Society Foundation and Aspen Institute. OSF is his own creation; he did not create Aspen, but he has pretty well dominated it in recent years. Each is used in a different way. These are not only in United States but spread out around the world. (See Open Society around the world) If the two institutions are in the same city, like New York City or Washington D.C., they will often be adjacent to each other. He disperses a lot of his donations through his foundation Open Society Foundations . A look at some of these gives you a quick idea of some of the evil that he supports. I have listed just a few from the website.

He is involved in funding 206 organizations in the United States. 

One of the best critiques of Soros is a video explaining him and what he does. I would suggest you watch this. 

To accomplish the downfall of America he has said, (from the video)

THE KEY A well-organized minority to overwhelm the unorganized majority

..... hostile to society and the Church.....

“How do arrogant global elite control a free people?”

Destroy the foundations:

1. Christianity and the value of the human person
2. The family, children and education
3. Private property and national sovereignty”

End goal - Demoralize the once strong America.

OVERTHROW AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND TRUMP

To overthrow our American government and Trump we are seeing demonstrations on the streets, destruction of property, university rioting and the list goes on. To some of us it seems more like what we have seen overseas than a “democracy.” Millions of dollars are given towards this to support this destructive activity. A video of a man who once had a good job and is now being paid by a Soros group describes how this happens. Each day he gets up in the morning, reads his email of where he is to go to lead demonstrations or carry out some other activities. Ask around and you will see this repeatedly. Detailed directions are sent out for each demonstration on where to meet, what and how to carry out activities, a buddy system, even down to where to get medical help if needed. “A well-organized minority overwhelms the unorganized majority.”

For example, in March Soros gave $246 million to groups participating in a Day Without Women protest. Paid workers to bring down society and the government, and bring in their own socialist progressivism.

Another thing he is using is “Indivisible – A Practical Guide for Resisting the Trump Agenda.” This is one of the scariest, most well-written documents that I have seen. Written by congressmen, staffers, etc. who understand how the government works. It is a manual on how to defeat President Trump on every move he makes. And how to pressure your congressmen and senators to change their minds and vote for something they may not even want to do. It is masterfully written and organized. They state, “Together, we have the power to resist—and we have the power to win.” No wonder we cannot get agreement in Congress.

As the “watchman on the wall,” prayer leaders, intercessors and Christians, the time for bickering is gone. We have to come together in UNITY under God’s leadership, or in the “blink of an eye” our nation will be taken from us and we will lose everything. This means revival, or for us to be put on the persecution list. I do not say this rashly but out of experience of living in two countries where this has happened.

As God’s watchman we have the authority to overcome and see God have the victory through UNITED prayer. (Mt 28:18)

Please Pray:

1 We must pray that George Soros is changed and brought to Christ or brought down.

2  He has two sons, Robert and Alex. His son Alex is expected to take his place. Both need to be prayed for that they be changed or brought down.

3 Pray against demonstrations he organizes and particularly those who are paid demonstrators.

4  Pray against “Indivisible” and the work that it does to destroy the American Government.

5  Pray down his financial supply lines.

6 Pray into the 206 organizations he supports. 

Written by a concerned prayer leader

The Ethne Strategic Prayer Group together with the Fellowship of Prayer Strategists gathered as a small group of prayer strategist/intercessors, 5-9^th November 2017 at SIL Centre Dallas.

We had the ambitious project to collate and revise existing material on prayer training with additional new material to produce simple, replicable prayer training material for the profile groups listed below.

The aim was to multiply and mobilize the body of Christ to pray effectively for the remaining unreached groups and those with little access to the Gospel. During the initial listening prayer time together we were aware that the material needed to be simple, without jargon, as easy as possible to translate into other languages and to be used across the world with the diversity of learning styles and contexts that this brings.
We would like to share with you some of the outcomes of our week together.

Identified Types of Prayer Training Needed:

1. General Prayer Training for Strategic prayer for the unreached: 
This would be for new believers, those on the journey to faith, some church contexts, small groups and one on one discipleship groups.The key concepts for this material are that it is simple and easy to replicate and teach to others. We also felt that the training package needed to be relational at the core: to encourage both listening to God and listening to others.

Our delivery for this training is through the Discovery Bible Study (DBS) format. We have produced a one side sheet with over 50 DBS studies in series sets which reflect basic principles of strategic prayer, principles of disciple-making movements and replication. We have a short postcard-sized “cheat sheet” with the “How to lead a DBS”. The key component that has been added to the DBS format is 2 extra questions; “What does this passage say about prayer for those with little access to the Gospel?” and in the sharing section, “Who would it be hard to share this passage with?”

2. Prayer training for new prayer coordinators and/or those wanting to sharpen their skills to serve in organizations, networks and partnerships;
We started basing this training on previous material on the FPS website (https://prayerstrategists.net/) for training in prayer for prayer strategists in an organisation or network. The final paper is still in the writing stage but will have components from the DBS material for prayer mobilisation that has been written for field strategy teams (see below point 5)

3. Prayer training for a Pairing Project which would be matching communities of prayer with frontline field workers representing specific unreached people groups (UPGs)/teams. 
 
We called Jonathan Fritz who birthed the idea of “Inherit the Nations” on which this concept of Pairing is based. Jonathan was in agreement with the Ethne Prayergroups to take the concept forward and also to involve the newly formed coalition 24:14 with this material (https://www.2414now.net/). The orientation material is for both the frontline worker representatives as well as the prayer communities’ leaders.
 
The training component included the General Prayer Training DBS sheet, in addition, the Prayer Strategy teams material (see section 5) and adapted introduction letters to field workers and the praying communities. We worked on a security document to facilitate trust and secure communication between the two groups.
 
At the heart of the Pairing Project is the development of a trusting friendship between field workers who share real-time needs to see breakthroughs amongst the UPG that they are reaching, and the sharing of revelation and input from a prayerteam who are committed to praying every week for one hour. Both sides of the pair would record what God is saying and share it with the other for the mutual encouragement to see breakthrough amongst the least reached.
 
4. Training for Children learning about and praying for UPGs;

The impetus for the Ethne Prayer Training event was largely inspired from a previous meeting in London in June 2017 when God broke into our group listening time and brought to our attention the urgency to focus on training in prayer for children. We recommend you take a look at this youtube clip Aim lower, think smaller, give up and have a cup of coffee.

The children’s prayer training material will be aimed at 3 age groups; 3-6 years, 7-10 years, and 11-14 years old. The children will climb aboard an imaginary ship that will travel across the world to visit different UPGs in each of the 12 Ethne regions. When they reach their destination, the children will hear a real story of a child who is from a UPG and who have encountered Jesus. They will be able to hear how Jesus met the child and will also hear a memory verse from the Bible with a moral about trusting Jesus. The younger children will then colour in a picture of the outline of the child from the UPG, the older children will also see a map of where the UPG child lives, and have the General Prayer Training DBS questions printed on the reverse side of the take-home colouring sheet. There will also be a card with the UPG profile and 3 prayer points to take home.

5. Prayer strategists with field strategy teams involved in discipleship making movements amongst UPGs.

This training material was largely prepared by the Fellowship of Prayer Strategy team (FPS). The training is divided into 4 modules based on the acronym P R A Y. The first module is close to being ready for release. It is composed of a diagnostic tool for field teams to access their prayer culture and depth of understanding of what strategic prayer looks like in their team. Prayer is the strategy for field teams to see a breakthrough into UPGs. There is also a set of DBS studies teaching on aspects of the first module P- Prepare the Way for the Coming of His Kingdom together with a bibliography and additional articles.

Introduction – Prayer as Strategy – Envisioning the God-sized reality from His heart and co-labouring to pray it into being under His direction

Strategy 1– Prayer as Conversation with God—The role of intimacy with God in igniting movements to Christ
Strategy 2 – Prayer Training & Mobilization-- Sharpening our Prayers and Partnering in Prayer
Strategy 3 -- Prayer Shield Teams—Identifying and relating to personal/corporate intercessory teams to strengthen effectiveness and fruitfulness
Strategy 4 – Prayer Research—Spirit-guided research into the supernatural underpinnings of reality to help produce more informed, effective intercession and outreach.
 
God blessed us with grace and unity to tackle this ambitious project. He also led us to explore how we could multiply the prayer training using the general training (1, above,) to sow and multiple prayer strategists through our personal networks, organisations and friendships. This training workshop represents 600 man-hours of effort from team members representing 5 continents. (Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia)

If you would like more information please write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Every Blessing,

Liz Adleta and Jenny Oliphant