“The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out.”
- Leviticus 6:13

We are pleased to bring you the April 2025 edition of IPC Connections!

I trust that you will be blessed and encouraged as you read the articles, news and resources info this month!

Will you become an IPC Prayer Flame Partner?…

This past year, your prayers have truly encouraged us—and for that, we are deeply thankful. Normally, we place financial support requests at the end of our updates, but as we move forward in faith, we sense the Lord prompting us to bring this need to the forefront.

The opportunities before us in 2025 are vast and exciting, and to seize them fully, we need a committed family of monthly supporters who will fuel this growing global movement of prayer. That’s why we’re inviting you to become one of our Prayer Flame Partners!

Your regular giving—however small—will help keep the fire of prayer burning across the nations.

We’ve made it simple and secure to give monthly online using PayPal. Every gift makes a difference. Every prayer fuels the mission. Will you stand with us in this way?

Click Here to support IPC monthly using PayPal, or visit www.ipcprayer.org/donate

Together, let’s ignite prayer and see the world transformed!

Snapshot from the IPC Regions…

I am heartened to report much encouraging progress across our 15 developing IPC Regional Prayer Councils already this year!  Here's just a few snippets... I was honored to meet with our South Asia Director, Onassis Jeevaraj, IPC Senior Adviser, Tom Victor (pictured) and other leaders from India and neighboring nations in February.  During our time together we prayer walked during the Maha Kumbh Mela, which had 120 million Hindus participating there that day.

Our East Asia Regional Prayer Council Summit later in February drew together leaders from the region in a powerful time of sharing, worship, prayer and relationship building.

This coming month, leaders from many South-East Asian nations will be joining us in Batam, Indonesia for a convocation.

Following on from the World Prayer Assembly 2023 in Perth, we are so encouraged to hear of 20+ new school prayer initiatives around Perth, and the Churches revitalized through prayer!  Read below about the upcoming United City Harvest Outreach in Perth.  Also, in Australia – Pentecost 25 – Sydney Alive!

We were hugely encouraged that many thousands of believers rallied to join a Global Day of Prayer for Africa a few weeks ago.  Our regional leaders across Africa are meeting online regularly where they are sharing news, prayer needs, praise and prophetic directions.

Our 4 Global Days of Prayer continue to attract offline and online support engaging 100 million+ believers each time, for which I continue to be astounded and grateful! The Buddhist and Muslim world focused days of prayer have taken place, and we are looking forward to the Pentecost gatherings early June! – See below…

And so much more is happening, praise God! 

Pentecost Global Day of Prayer – 8-9 June 2025 from  20:00HRS Jerusalem (UTC+3)

We invite you and your families, contacts and networks to join us for a Global Day of Prayer starting on June 8^th 2025 at !

Across 24 hours, we will worship and pray where we are, together and online – however we are able.

Our aim is to dedicate time around the throne and around the clock for worship-saturated prayers for personal, local and global breakthrough! – with a special focus on the Jewish world.

This is the third of 4 worldwide days of prayer for 2025!

Editorial – Discover the Power of Unrelenting Prayer

In a world aching for justice, revival, and hope, Dr. Jason Hubbard calls believers to a life of persistent, faith-filled intercession. Learn how night-and-day prayer, rooted in God’s Word and overflowing with hope, can shift cities, release justice, and welcome Christ’s return. This inspiring editorial will stir your spirit and awaken fresh vision for your prayer life. Don’t miss this timely and prophetic message!

Myanmar Earthquake – Prayers and Support

I know that we are all praying, checking in with people we know and sending love and donations to the people affected by the recent earthquake in Myanmar.  Truly devastating - and it will take decades for homes, livelihoods and towns to be fully restored.  Our prayers go out to all of those affected.  Please see the article below for some prayer pointers and donation options.

Thank you…

And finally, a thank you! - so much for standing with us in the recent 72 hours of prayer for breakthrough across the Muslim world. I was deeply moved by your heart and participation - from children in Indonesia crying out for Uzbekistan, to passionate intercession over Gaza and revival prayers in Kano, Nigeria.

Together, over 100 million believers prayed from Latin America to China, in homes, churches, and prayer rooms - 120 houses of prayer hosted 24/7 prayer!

We believe God is answering every Christ-exalting, Bible-based cry for our Muslim neighbors.

Would you continue the journey with us?

You can now sign up for daily prayer fuel - short updates with videos, city insights, and focused prayer points from on-the-ground missionaries, church planters, and Bible translators.

More info and Sign Up HERE

Let’s keep praying until Jesus receives the full reward for His suffering!

Wishing you all a blessed and Happy Easter!

Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect

Unrelenting Prayer

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ² He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. ³ And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ⁴ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, ⁵ yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’ ” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. ⁷ And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? ^zWill he delay long over them? ⁸ I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:1-8).

Jesus said men should always pray and not lose heart!

Prayer is the conversational part of the Most important love relationship in our lives. In prayer we learn to keep company with him in the everyday stuff of life. We develop spiritual friendship with him.  Prayer is not only a real relationship with the kindest person in the universe, but Jesus also invites us to partner with him in shifting history through our prayer and intercession, releasing justice, bringing forth awakening and revival in the nations and preparing the planet for his return.   God releases his power, his truth and his love in response to the prayers of his people!

When we pray according to God’s will and for his renown his activity always increases. He always responds. As Hudson Taylor said, “When we work we work but when we pray, God works”

How many of you want to take your place in history in your generation?  I want to encourage you to first become a person of prayer  – no matter what job you have, family you have – whatever you story looks like -everyone can be an intercessor. You can see massive impact in your generation as you learn to pray! He calls us to Always pray – just as he always prays for us –

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb 7:25).

Men should always pray and not lose heart. At the end of the parable Jesus writes,

 “When the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth”

His point is that a lifestyle of unrelenting prayer is evidence of a person’s faith and we know that faith is the only thing that pleases God. We know that faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1).  As Jesus says, men should always pray and not loose heart, or in other words don’t loose HOPE! 

Hope is future orientated. It is the joyful expectation of something good from God coming our way!  It is a vision of God’s good future before us, meaning where you are going is better than where you are and where you are coming from. 

Our ultimate hope is discovered in seeing and savoring, prizing and praising, recognizing and relishing the glory of God in the face of Christ.  Christ is our HOPE! He is the summation of all the promises of God, the source of all the riches of God, now and forevermore.  In Christ we have been given an inheritance of HOPE.

Fostering a culture of Hope is critical to effective and sustainable intercession! 

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” 

As Paul declares to us in 1 Cor 13:13,

“Now these three remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.” 

The greatest of these three is love, however I believe hope comes first. Hebrews tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for. And of course we know that faith needs to work itself out in love (Gal. 5:6). 

So we could look at this way:  our hope is in hearing the music of the future, our faith is dancing to that music NOW!  And our love is brining others into the dance with you!  The song being sung is the beauty, majesty, and supremacy of Jesus Christ. 

I want to encourage us to create a culture of Hope!

When our prayers are shaped by the Word, we are building on solid ground. We are responding to who God is and what he is doing. When we are claiming his promises, and obeying his commands, there is no better way to pray! The Scriptures declare to us that God is much better than we think he is, and is doing much more than we think he is doing in response to our prayers.  As Paul prays in Ephesians 3:20-21,

“Now to him wo is able to do far more abundantly that all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”

As we pray the Word, we are pleading the good promises of God!  Promises predict the answers by foretelling what to expect!  They are the molds into which we pour our prayers.  Promises like these, “call unto me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know” (Jer. 33:3). Promises like, “whatever things you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matt. 21:22). Promises like, “if you ask me anything in my name I will do it” (John 14:14). This next year 2025, let’s pray BIG Prayers of HOPE in the glorious promise of God’s Word that the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14).

When we pray God’s word we pray from the answer … with the answer in mind! When we plead God’s promises we are praying from the answer to the answer!  In intercession we are asking him what he asks us to ask him!  As we ask according to his will and for his renown, his activity always increases, releasing his power, his love, and his truth on the earth!

Together let’s Ignite Hope in our generation as we pray God’s word in 2025! 

This parable gives us HOPE.  It points to persistent, on-going night and day prayer as the vehicle for releasing justice.

During the past several decades, the Holy Spirit has taken the realities of intercessory prayer and branded them on the hearts of his people in every culture, tribe, tongue and nation. I believe a new day has dawned in the ministry of intercessory prayer and the Holy Spirit is intent on spreading the news. Our God is a God of deep love and desire. His passion is for his people to know his goodness and to come to seek him based on the confidence that he has heard and will act on the prayers He himself has birthed in our hearts!

This parable starts in the context of a city, ‘in a certain city.’ How many of our cities today need justice?  

Often a common interpretation of the parable is a misperception of Jesus’s objective. It concerns a widow who had a problem for which she needed Justice to be invoked by someone with the authority to do so.  She was desperate  and hopelessness for her situation and her inability to bring about Justice in any other way and her only recourse was to go to the judge.

Now in the Middle Eastern culture of that day it was difficult at best to be a widow.  If she had no living son she could only survive by begging or prostitution, redeemed by a Kinsman, or becoming a slave of the Temple.

The widow in the story was alone with no Defender and to make matters worse she was stuck with a judge who in the chilling words of Jesus ‘did not fear God nor regard man.’

Jesus is building tension to focus our awareness on the critical nature of the plight of widow. Her only hope was for the intervention from the one who was supposed to be a representative of righteousness and yet was anything but that. In the Roman dominated society of the day many government officials obtained their positions by fraud, deception or treachery with the aim of gaining wealth and power. This widow meant nothing to him.

She chooses the only weapon she had left at her disposal – tenacious, unrelenting appeal day after day…

The text states that ‘she came to him’ but the verb tense in the original language indicates a repeated action that she ‘kept’ coming to the judge, relentlessly asking for her needs to be met, for justice against her adversary. The judge used the phrase ‘ she troubles me with her continual coming.’

She was a thorn in his flesh. She would not be denied until he finally relented and avenged her simply because she was wearing him out. He finally caves in and gives her what she wants.

The reality of the story in Luke 18 is that Jesus was building tension for the purpose of contrast - his intent was not to say, I want you to pray like this widow. He was saying, “if that kind of appeal by one widow with no rights or standing is effective … even before an unjust judge …  how much more will the prayers of God’s beloved bride be effective with him whose heart is ravished with love for her?  Will he not hear the cry of his elect ones and answer quickly when they call out to him night and day?

Jesus was speaking about a widow because the people of God in that day were living as widows – and yet the bridegroom was standing in their midst unrecognized and ignored.  They were living like the widow – abandoned, lonely and without hope. 

And yet God himself was proclaiming through the presence of his glorious Son, that the day of restoration had  arrived. The bridegroom had come – and the abandonment and isolation of the people could end if only they would turn and hear the good news!

“Did you hear what the unjust judge says?  And will not God bring out justice for his elect who cry out to him night and day?  (Luke 18:7).

He is saying, ‘did you get the gist of it?’ If an unrighteous reluctant judge who hates the lady and doesn’t like people says yes, how much more will God grant justice to those whom he loves!

The contrast is this - Our judge is a righteous judge and as the elect, we are not widowed but ‘betrothed to this Judge as our Bridegroom King!

And the principle is this – effective prayer is not just about persistence – it’s about persistence with intimacy that moves the heart of God to grant to us justice against our adversary!

Justice in simple terms is making wrong things right!

What wrong things need to be made right in your city?

When justice comes to sickness there is healing, when Justice comes to torn relationships there is reconciliation, when Justice comes to loss there is restoration, when Justice comes to rejection there is acceptance, when justice comes to oppression there is liberty, when justice comes to weariness there is rest, when justice comes to fear there is peace, when justice comes to barrenness, there is fruitfulness, when justice comes to loneliness, there is companionship, when justice comes to depression there is JOY, and when Justice comes to Sin there is forgiveness, when justice comes to the lost and broken of your city or your nation there is REVIVAL! 

However, the condition is night and day prayer!

What would a canopy of night and day prayer motivated in the love of God look like in your city? 

Here is our story and some of the results of justice that we experienced firsthand to the Glory of God! City Wide Transformation Story

Conclusion

Beloved you are the elect of God! You are his favored ones, his chosen people, meaning you have been hand-picked. It’s like Jesus looking to and fro across the earth and saying I want you and you and you! His affections run so strong, and deep for you that words fail to describe it. His love for you is beyond your wildest dreams, more than you could think or imagine, in fact you are his Dream come true! 

Given his profound affection for you and given your unrelenting prayer, there can be no mistaking the outcome!  God will answer prayer!  But it takes both intimacy, and persistence! 

The fact of the matter is we do have an adversary, and his name is the devil. The devil wants you to give up. He wants to convince you that God has ignored your prayer and is refusing to act on your behalf.

I truly believe the greatest warfare in our lives revolves around our prayer life. Nothing threatens hell more than the praying saint. The devil knows that if you become a person engaged in unrelenting prayer, bathed in the love of God, you are a dangerous weapon in the hand of your God and your adversary the devil is enraged.

If you can learn to kneel before God in prayer, then you can stand before anything in your life…

When you are abiding in His presence, clinging to his love, living in His Word, holding to his Promise, remaining fervent in spirit and believing for His visitation, you’re an explosion waiting to happen! As you pray you are standing on the platform that rewrites human history, the very hinge of history … little keys open big doors called awakening and revival!  He will match your weak prayer with His Power, for His Glory, and for your joy!

Until He comes,

Dr. Jason Hubbard – Director
International Prayer Connect

As Myanmar reels from one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent memory, its junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has arrived in Thailand to attend a regional summit—his presence turning heads, given the international sanctions levied against him.

Last Friday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, killing at least 3,085 people and injuring over 4,700. With hundreds still missing, the true toll is feared to be far higher. Cities lie in ruins, and vast areas remain inaccessible due to shattered infrastructure and the country’s ongoing civil war.

Despite this catastrophe, the military regime has been slow to allow unfettered aid access. While some foreign rescue teams have arrived, efforts are hampered by active conflict zones, destroyed roads, and deep mistrust of the junta. A temporary ceasefire was announced Wednesday, but it came only after the regime rejected proposals for coordinated relief efforts from rebel forces.

Shockingly, even after the ceasefire, Myanmar troops opened fire on a Chinese Red Cross convoy delivering aid. The military claimed it was a response to the convoy refusing to stop when signalled. The attack has drawn international condemnation and further clouds the junta’s credibility.

Meanwhile, Min Aung Hlaing’s presence in Bangkok at the Bay of Bengal summit is drawing scrutiny. Thailand - where 21 people were also killed by the quake - has proposed a joint statement on the disaster. But while regional cooperation is welcome, critics warn that such appearances risk legitimizing a regime responsible for the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Myanmar has been in a state of civil war since the military coup of 2021. Ethnic militias and a growing resistance movement have been fighting the junta's brutal grip. With the economy in freefall and inflation rampant, the earthquake has poured gasoline on an already raging fire.

International humanitarian organizations are now calling on the junta to permanently lift aid restrictions and allow unimpeded access to all affected regions. The UN has urged rapid action before the monsoon season arrives within weeks.

Prayer Pointers

1. Pray: for swift and unblocked humanitarian aid to reach the earthquake’s victims before the monsoon season brings further disaster.
   “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.” - Psalm 146:7
2. Pray: for peace and unity to emerge in Myanmar, ending years of war and bloodshed under oppressive rule.
   “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” - Psalm 34:14
3. Pray: for the Church in Myanmar to rise with boldness, offering the hope of Christ amid devastation and fear.
   “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” - Matthew 5:14

Prayer – Praying for those in the middle of this disaster

Lord, bring healing to Myanmar. Let aid flow freely, peace take root, and Your Church shine brightly amid suffering. Strengthen the weary, silence violence, and stir hearts toward mercy, justice, and the eternal hope found in Christ alone.

More: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5rl9x6zqgo

Africa at a Crossroads: Strengthening Health Sovereignty in Changing Times

The African proverb “when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers” echoes with truth in today’s shifting global landscape. Changes in international policies - especially regarding overseas aid - are being felt across the world, and Africa is among the regions most deeply affected.

Recent reductions in humanitarian support from the United States, including funding through USAID and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), are placing added pressure on public health systems across the continent. For countries like South Africa, which carries nearly a quarter of the world’s HIV burden, PEPFAR has been a crucial partner in the fight against HIV/AIDS for nearly two decades. Thanks to this support, infection and death rates have dropped dramatically. But now, uncertainty around future aid raises concerns about potential gaps in care, access to life-saving medicine, and the stability of prevention programs.

While the impact is real and immediate, this challenge is also prompting courageous conversations. Can Africa continue to rely on funding models vulnerable to change? Or is it time to forge a new path - toward long-term, home-grown solutions?

A growing number of African health experts and leaders believe the time has come to strengthen the continent’s capacity to produce its own medicines. Building a robust pharmaceutical sector would reduce dependence on external donors and offer greater resilience in times of global uncertainty. South Africa, with its strong scientific base and manufacturing capacity, is uniquely positioned to lead this shift and become a catalyst for regional transformation.

This is not about turning away from partnership but about building healthier foundations for collaboration - ones rooted in mutual respect, dignity, and shared responsibility.

Africa’s strength has always been found in its people - in their ingenuity, perseverance, and hope. Now is the time to invest in that strength, and to shape a future where every life matters, and no one is left behind.

Prayer Pointers

1. Pray: for protection over vulnerable communities affected by changes in global aid, that God would bring provision and peace.
   “He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.” Psalm 146:7
2. Pray: for African nations to build sustainable, locally-led health systems, anchored in courage and wisdom.
   “The Lord will make you the head, not the tail.” Deuteronomy 28:13
3. Pray: for righteous and visionary leadership across Africa - leaders who will uphold justice, protect the weak, and act with compassion.
   “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:4

Prayer – Praying for Africa’s Health Future

Lord, bless the nations of Africa with boldness and wisdom. Raise up leaders with vision, compassion, and faith to build resilient health systems. Protect the most vulnerable, and inspire unity and innovation across the continent. Let Africa rise—healed, empowered, and led by Your Spirit.

More: https://mg.co.za/thought-leader/2025-03-31-us-aid-cuts-africa-must-make-its-own-medicine/

Russia has launched its largest military conscription effort in years, aiming to enlist 160,000 men between 18 and 30—a significant increase from previous years. This move comes amid critical developments in the Ukraine war. Despite ongoing peace discussions with the United States, Russian forces continue to press forward in eastern Ukraine, relying on North Korean soldiers in the Kursk region to counter Kyiv’s advances. Air assaults on Ukrainian cities have also persisted.

In an unexpected diplomatic twist, senior Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev is set to visit Washington, DC, to meet with Trump administration official Steve Witkoff. This will be the first high-level Russian visit to the US since the 2022 invasion. It signals a potential shift in US-Russia relations since President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year.

However, tension remains as Russian President Vladimir Putin recently dismissed Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire, demanding the lifting of US sanctions as a condition for halting fighting in the Black Sea. Trump acknowledged that Russia might be deliberately slowing down negotiations, highlighting the ongoing complexity and fragility of the peace efforts.

Prayer Pointers  (Watch Sergey Shidlovskiy’s Prayer video HERE)

1. Pray: for the safety and protection of innocent civilians caught in the conflict, especially those facing violence and displacement. "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalm 9:9

2. Pray: for leaders on both sides to seek peace with integrity, prioritizing human life and stability over political gain. "The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." Proverbs 21:1
3. Pray: for the Church in Russia and Ukraine to be steadfast in faith, offering hope and support amidst the turmoil. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Prayer – Praying for Peace in Ukraine
God of mercy, we pray for peace in Ukraine. Strengthen its people, guide its leaders with wisdom, heal the wounded, and soften the hearts of those causing harm. Bring comfort, hope, and restoration to all. Amen.

More: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/02/europe/putin-russia-spring-conscription-ukraine-intl/index.html

Ongoing violence in North and South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is leaving a trail of death, destruction, and displacement. The sound of gunfire has become all too familiar for families in towns like Masisi Centre, where intense clashes erupted again this week between M23 rebels and local militias.

The toll is rising. At least two civilians were killed, many more injured, and families remain trapped in their homes, paralyzed by fear and unable to access necessities. Fighting has made accurate assessments nearly impossible, but the suffering is undeniable. Amid the chaos, courageous workers and local volunteers are pressing on where they can. In Sake, over 500 displaced households have received emergency hygiene and household supplies, and water points are being repaired—offering a sliver of relief in a sea of hardship.

But relief is hard to come by. In South Kivu’s Fizi Territory, the violence has surged again. Villages already sheltering thousands of displaced people—Mulima and Lusuku—are now emptying once more as new waves of fighting force families to flee. To make matters worse, the southern province of Tanganyika is now facing a rapidly growing cholera outbreak. Nine out of eleven health zones are affected. Over 1,450 people have been infected this year and 27 have died—a six-fold increase from the same period last year. With clean water nearly non-existent in many communities and health centres struggling to keep up, the crisis is intensifying.

The M23, claiming to defend the interests of Congolese Tutsis, has advanced with alarming speed—reportedly with the support of Rwandan forces. Other groups like the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) also remain active, fuelling instability that local communities have endured for far too long.

The people of eastern Congo are weary. Displaced from homes, cut off from clean water, and gripped by fear, they are facing one of the region’s darkest seasons in recent memory. For many, it feels as though the world has looked away. But their voices rise. And so must ours—in prayer, in advocacy, and in hope that justice and peace will one day take root where violence has reigned for too long.

Prayer Pointers

1. Pray: for protection, provision, and peace for civilians caught in crossfire and forced to flee their homes. “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” - Psalm 9:9

2. Pray: for an end to armed conflict and for justice to restrain those who exploit violence to maintain power. “When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15

1. Pray: for healing, clean water, and resources to contain the cholera outbreak and strengthen overwhelmed health workers. “I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and let them enjoy abundant peace.” Jeremiah 33:6

Prayer – Praying for the weary people of Congo

Lord, have mercy on the people of Congo. Shelter the displaced, heal the wounded, stop the violence, and purge disease. Raise up justice, restore families, and stir the global Church to act with compassion, boldness, and enduring faith. Amen

More: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1161861

In the Shadows of the Israel - Gaza War: Lives Lost, Hope Fading

A fresh wave of airstrikes has left Gaza reeling, with the latest blow landing on a shelter in Jabalia — a former UN clinic now crowded with hundreds of displaced people seeking refuge. Nineteen lives were lost, including nine children. Among them, heartbreakingly, a two-week-old baby.

The building had already been damaged earlier in the war, yet more than 700 people were still sheltering there. “They had nowhere else to go,” said Philippe Lazzarini of UNRWA, echoing the desperation of thousands who are simply trying to survive. Across Gaza, families are mourning. Entire homes have been flattened in Khan Younis, Rafah, and Gaza City. First responders report pulling the bodies of women, infants, and elderly from rubble. With aid blockaded and medical centres overwhelmed, each new strike brings another layer of grief — another reminder of the growing humanitarian abyss.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a new military corridor, saying operations had “switched gears.” This strategy, described as increasing pressure on Hamas by seizing territory and dividing the Gaza Strip, aims to force the release of 59 remaining hostages. But for civilians, it has meant intensified bombardment, more displacement, and the erosion of any semblance of safety.

More than 140,000 people have been ordered to evacuate Rafah in recent days — a place many had already fled to, only to be uprooted again. Behind every policy shift, behind each new military objective, are families. Children who no longer sleep. Mothers clinging to memories. A population shrinking under the weight of war.

Even in the heart of sorrow, voices are rising — some calling for ceasefires, others for humanitarian corridors, and all for life over politics. As the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged, “There is an obligation to pursue every possible channel for the release of hostages.” But there is also an obligation — moral, ancient, unshakable — to preserve the dignity and life of all human beings caught in this terrible storm.

Prayer Pointers

1. Pray: for Protection of the Innocent. Ask God to shield civilians—especially children and the displaced—from violence and fear. Pray that homes, hospitals, and shelters would be spared and preserved. “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men." Psalm 140:1

2. Pray: for Just and Compassionate Leadership
   Intercede for leaders on all sides to reject political gain and prioritize peace. Pray for wise, humble decisions that honour human dignity. "Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute." Psalm 82

3. Pray: for Peace and Hostage Release
   Pray for the swift and safe release of hostages. Ask the Lord to move hearts toward negotiation and ceasefire, breaking cycles of revenge. "He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives…" Isaiah 61:1

Prayer – Praying for human life amidst the war

Lord, we cry out for the people of Gaza and Israel. Still the hands of violence. Shelter the innocent. Stir courage in leaders to seek peace, not power. Restore justice and dignity where it has been trampled. May mercy prevail over vengeance. Amen.

More: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8qnxwv08do

Open Doors focus - Under Watchful Eyes: Eritrea’s Silent Church Stands Strong

‘Faith that whispers yet refuses to break’

In Eritrea, faith must be practiced in hushed tones. The government recognizes only four religious groups: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Catholicism, Lutheranism, and Islam. Any believer who dares to step beyond these lines — particularly those who embrace Protestant Christianity — is seen not as a seeker of truth, but as a threat.

House-to-house raids are common. Worship behind closed doors can mean arrest. Detention without trial. Years in shipping containers, exposed to searing heat and freezing nights. And still, they gather.

Christians like Paulos live under the constant shadow of surveillance. “We live in fear of who will be arrested next,” he says quietly. “Will it be another brother in Christ? Will it be me?” Yet even as fear stalks their steps, they walk on. “We must continue to walk with God.”

For many Eritrean believers, persecution isn’t a headline — it’s daily bread. Phones tapped. Internet watched. Church buildings closed or bulldozed. Pastors vanished. The government’s grip is tight, and its silence loud. Eritrea has been called the North Korea of Africa — and for good reason. Military conscription lasts indefinitely, and Christians are among the first to be punished for their convictions. Refusing to take up arms, many believers are sentenced to years of hard labour with no end in sight.

Yet the underground Church survives. Not because the pressure eases, but because the gospel compels them to endure. Faith flourishes in prisons and secret gatherings, in whispered hymns and memorized Scriptures.

Eritrea’s persecuted Church doesn’t ask for sympathy. It asks for prayer.

Prayer Pointers:

1. Pray: for courage and endurance for Eritrean believers meeting in secret — that they may be strengthened in the face of fear. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you…” Deuteronomy 31:6

2. Pray: Lift up imprisoned Christians, especially pastors and those held without trial — that God would protect them, encourage them, and bring miraculous release. "The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.” Psalm 69:33

3. Pray: Ask for transformation within Eritrea’s government — that hearts would soften, religious freedom would be recognized, and justice would rise like the dawn. “He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” Luke 4:18

Prayer for Eritrea

Lord, we pray for Eritrea — for courage among believers, freedom for the imprisoned, and comfort for those suffering in silence. Let Your Church endure with hope, and may truth break through fear like morning light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More: https://www.opendoors.org.za/christian-persecution/world-watch-list/eritrea/

As the U.S. imposes 20% tariffs on European goods, the immediate impact in Europe could be a reduction in prices, but at what cost? While lower prices on certain products like Italian wine may boost purchasing power in the short term, the broader economic consequences could be severe.

How the Tariffs Affect the Market: One of the primary reasons prices could drop in Europe is an increase in supply. As the U.S. raises its tariffs, products initially destined for American consumers, such as Italian wine, may stay within the European market, creating oversupply. Simultaneously, products from China are redirected to Europe, further contributing to an increase in supply. While this may seem like a boon for consumers, experts warn that it could lead to deflation—a dangerous economic scenario.

The Danger of Deflation: Deflation, a drop in the overall price level of goods and services, may seem good in the short term as it encourages consumers to spend, but it has far-reaching negative effects. As consumers wait for prices to fall even further, demand slows, leading to decreased production, which in turn causes wages to stagnate or even fall. This sets off a dangerous cycle of rising unemployment, ultimately hurting the broader economy.

Uncertainty and the Long-Term Consequences: Tobias Gehrke, a researcher at the European Council on Foreign Relations, emphasizes that the greatest threat posed by these tariffs is uncertainty. With all European exports now facing increased duties, companies in Europe—especially those reliant on exporting goods like machinery, chemicals, and cars—could experience significant losses. If this uncertainty persists, companies may hold back investments, which could harm employment and future economic growth in the region.

China's Role and the EU's Response: The economic implications hinge heavily on how China and the EU respond. If China retaliates, or if the EU can negotiate its way around these tariffs, the situation could shift. The U.S. may also leverage these tariffs as bargaining chips in larger negotiations, further complicating the landscape.

While it remains unclear what long-term effects these tariffs will have on Europe, the situation calls for caution. Economic stability is key, and much will depend on how the various players in this complex trade web react.

Prayer Pointers: Pray for Europe Amidst Trade Uncertainty

1. Pray: for Economic Stability: Pray for wisdom and discernment for European leaders as they navigate the uncertainty caused by tariffs, seeking solutions that protect the livelihoods of their people and promote long-term economic stability. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:22

2. Pray: for Global Cooperation: Pray for unity among global powers, asking God to foster dialogue and cooperation that can lead to peaceful, mutually beneficial agreements, and to soften hearts towards fair trade practices. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
3. Pray: for the Well-being of the People: Pray for the ordinary people of Europe who are affected by economic challenges, that God would provide for their needs, bring relief, and protect them from the negative effects of rising unemployment and instability. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Prayer:

Lord, we lift Europe in this time of economic uncertainty. Grant wisdom to leaders, protection for the people, and guidance in international relations. May Your peace reign, bringing stability, cooperation, and provision to all who are affected. Amen.

More: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/04/what-impact-will-new-us-tariffs-have-on-the-wallets-of-people-in-europe

Pentecost 2025 - Global Day of Prayer - June 8-9

Starts 20:00 HRS Jerusalem Time (UTC+3)

24hrs United Prayers for Revival!

Join millions of Christians around the world in Worship and 24-hours of Prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the Gospel to reach the ends of the earth!

At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit - igniting and empowering the Church!

We invite you to be praying for revival across Jerusalem, Israel, and the Jewish world, that the same Spirit will bring revival, bridge divides, and fulfil God's promises to His chosen people.

This will be an opportunity to pray together, exalting Jesus Christ as King throughout the Jewish world, asking the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers to every unreached people group in key cities and nations!

This is the third of four worldwide days of prayer for 2025! – we also pray for the Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist peoples during significant times in their calendars.

Pray where you are, in groups, or join us online!

Do join us for an hour (or more) of these 24 hours, to pray for revival throughout the Jewish world - led by prayer leaders from across the nations!

Join us on Zoom for 24 Hours Prayer, Worship & Testimonies

June 8th 20:00 - June 9th 20:00 Jerusalem Time (UTC+3)

Join us ONLINE HERE (Code 32223)
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