There was a time not long ago when uprisings and wars in the Arab world topped the agenda at the U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York.

With most of those conflicts in a stalemate, the world’s focus has shifted to more daunting global challenges such as the still raging coronavirus pandemic and climate change, as well as new crises in Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

But the situation in the Middle East has deteriorated significantly in more countries and in more ways in the last two years. Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen are teetering on the brink of humanitarian catastrophe, with skyrocketing poverty and an economic implosion that threatens to throw the region into even deeper turmoil.

“The region’s been crowded out by other global crises, but there’s also a sense of Western hopelessness after so many years of crisis,” said Julien Barnes-Dacey, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

After more than a decade of bloodshed and turmoil sparked by Arab Spring uprisings and an Islamic State group onslaught, most of the region’s Arab countries have settled into a military stalemate or frozen conflict, accompanied by worsening economies, rising poverty rates and heavier repression.

In Yemen, an ongoing six-year-war has spawned the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving the country on the brink of famine. The head of the U.N. food agency warned Wednesday that 16 million people there “are marching towards starvation.” Libya, torn apart for years by rival militias backed by foreign governments, is struggling to find unity. From its shores, more and more desperate people risk their lives trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.

Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, once countries that made up the cultural heart of the Middle East, are all witnessing a significant economic unravelling, spurred among other things by corruption and political leaders focused on preserving their own interests rather than meeting their people’s basic needs.

The most shocking fall in the past two years has been Lebanon, a tiny, multi-religious nation on the eastern Mediterranean with the highest per capita proportion of refugees in the world. The country has been in freefall since a financial crisis began in late 2019, plunging about three quarters of the population into poverty in the past months and triggering a brain drain not seen since the 1975-90 civil war days. That has been accelerated by the massive explosion at the port of Beirut in August 2020 that killed more than 200 people and destroyed parts of the city.

While many U.N. General Assembly gatherings in the past 10 years were characterized by a flurry of diplomatic activity to find a political solution for crises in Mideast countries, none of them are expected to feature prominently, if at all, in this year’s meetings in New York.

“Western actors feel out of ideas and energy in terms of focusing high-level attention on putting the region on a better track, particularly given wider global challenges,” Barnes-Dacey said.

A combination of war weariness, donor fatigue and a long list of other world problems has forced Syria, Yemen and other Mideast conflicts into a back seat, with world leaders seemingly resigned to live with wrecked and divided nations for the foreseeable future.

Source / More: AP News

Pray: That the world will not lose sight of those in the greatest need in the Middle East.
Pray: For the nation of Lebanon, for economic recovery and provision those in poverty (Luke 14: 12-14)
Pray: For peace in Yemen and the end to famine.

North Korea have test-fired what appears to be a short-range ballistic missile, marking the third round of such tests in September in direct violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions as the arms race in the Korean peninsula continues to escalate.

Earlier in September, North Korea conducted two ballistic missile tests including one that was launched from a train that is part of its “railway-borne missile regiment.”

In retaliation, South Korea successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, making it only the seventh country in the world to possess this advanced capability. The string of missile tests across the Korean peninsula this month are being seen as part of an escalating arms race between Seoul and Pyongyang as nuclear disarmament talks between North Korea and the United States remain stalled.

Washington and the Kim Jong-Un regime have not engaged in any formal talks since a summit between the North Korean leader and former U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019.

Experts say the missiles launched over the weekend resemble in appearance U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles, and are likely designed to overwhelm the missile defences of North Korea's neighbours.

The North said the missiles it described as “new type long-range cruise missiles” were a “strategic weapon of great significance” that met leader Kim Jong Un’s call to strengthen the country’s military might — implying that they were being developed with an intent to carry nuclear weapons.

Pyongyang’s official Korean Central News Agency said Monday that the missiles travelled for 126 minutes along “oval and pattern-8 flight orbits” above land and water, demonstrating an ability to hit targets 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) away.

While data from the tests are so far limited, it’s clear the new missiles represent “another significant milestone for North Korea’s nuclear program,” said Melissa Hanham, an affiliate at Stanford University’s Center for International Security and Cooperation.

At the same time, there are fears that the spread of Covid-19 in the country will encourage further belligerent moves from  Kim Jong Un.  Although no one knows the true extent of Covid in North Korea - officially there have been no infections - recent videos of soldiers goose-stepping through Pyongyang in hazmat suits seems an ominous indicator.

Fuse that together with weakening growth both inside North Korea and out—and Covid-19 risks—and you have all the ingredients of an eventful several months as Kim vies for attention and financial aid. Without imported goods, or the ability to bring in hard currency through exporting goods, markets have suffered shortages and volatility, says Justin Hastings, professor at University of Sydney.

It follows, he adds, that any further “spread of Covid-19 in North Korea will prove disastrous. Its healthcare system is unable to cope. Medicine and medical equipment are difficult to import due to sanctions, the border closure, the departure of humanitarian agencies and the lack of foreign currency.”

As the world is learning the hard way over the last decade, its troubles have a way of influencing—and drawing out—Kim’s worst impulses. These include provocative threats and increased missile tests.

“The key insight from North Korea’s crisis over the past 18 months is that it is not actually economically isolated from the rest of the world,” Hastings notes. “Despite North Korea’s reputation as a hermit kingdom, the country is heavily reliant on imported goods to supply its markets. Clearly, the regime knows this.”

And so will the rest of the globe, increasingly, as Covid-19 does its worst.

Sources / More: Forbes, Independent

Pray: That economic and social insecurities will not drive the North Korean leadership to more extreme and provocative policies.

Pray: For the people of North Korea who suffer due to the misplaced priorities of their government (Isaiah 1:23)

Pray: For ‘One Korea’.

A friend of IPC’s recently sent this report;

Here in Myanmar, the situation is getting worse and worse each day. Just the other day, 9 houses of my relatives were burned to the ground in upper Myanmar. 

My brother and his family members including other families are hiding in the forest since two weeks ago for fear of the armed forces.

Unfortunately, they don't have a proper place to cook or water to drink and without proper shelter to sleep in the night.

When the armed forces occupied their village, houses are burnt and they are unable to return. They have nowhere to return as all roads are now blocked by soldiers. They have nowhere to run to.

There are the sounds of bomb blastings, fighting, killing, and cruel arrests taking place in different villages, towns, and cities across Myanmar.

Brutal repression and massive atrocities committed by the military, known as the Tatmadaw, have underscored its reputation as the nation’s most loathed institution at a time when it has seized absolute power and appointed a new, non-elected government.

Meanwhile, a Baptist pastor was shot dead in Chin state in Myanmar/Burma on 18 September amid continued attacks by the Myanmar military on civilians in the state.  Pastor Cung Biak Hum, 31, was shot by soldiers as he tried to help extinguish a blaze caused by artillery fire, which destroyed 19 homes in the Thantlang township. The Chin Human Rights Organization reported that soldiers proceeded to remove the pastor’s finger and steal his wedding ring.

In response to the killing, Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar tweeted: “The murder of a Baptist minister and bombing of homes in Thantlang, Chin State are the latest examples of the living hell being delivered daily by junta forces against the people of Myanmar. The world needs to pay closer attention. More importantly, the world needs to act.”

At the same time, the country is being ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic and a faltering economy the World Bank this month predicted will contract by at least 18% in 2021. The percentage of the population living in poverty is expected to rise to 48.2% by 2022, nearly double the 24.8% recorded in 2017.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Thursday warned of a "human rights catastrophe" in Myanmar, and called on international leaders to do more to prevent the conflict from becoming worse.  Her warning came in a new report issued by the UN Human Rights Office, detailing widespread violations made by the military, the Tatmadaw, against the people in Myanmar.

The report said Myanmar was facing a "human rights catastrophe that shows no sign of abating.  The national consequences are terrible and tragic —the regional consequences could also be profound," Bachelet said in a statement. "The international community must redouble its efforts to restore democracy and prevent wider conflict before it is too late."

Sources / More: DW.com, CSW, Asia Times

Pray:

The Association of South East Asia Nations [ASEAN] consists of 10 nations in which Myanmar is a member. Although it has a 'non-inference policy' of each nation, yet as an association there is direct dialogue with Myanmar military leaders. Pray that they would be able to listen and address the issues with the military leaders, accept NUG leaders, and not treating them as 'terrorists'.  A willingness to compromise to peace for the sake of the innocent people.

The normalcy of the common Myanmar people - peace, hope, and possible future will return as soon as possible.

Civil war would subside, curfew is lifted, imprisoned be released and people can rebuild their homes again. There will be peace and order.

Many Christian mission leaders, pastors had become casualties of Covid-19 with the urgent need to appoint new, committed and passionate young leaders

The covid situation will be controlled and improved with countries donating the vaccines and slowing down the rate of inflections especially among the vulnerable of older ones, the teenagers and young ones. More people can trust the vaccines and be vaccinated.

From a different source…

Pray:

That the National Unity Government and “people’s defense forces” will prevail in their resistance to the brutal military regime that overturned the will of the people and kicked out the civilian government in February.

For strong international pressure and the cutting off support to the regime from China and Russia that are significant weapons suppliers to Myanmar’s armed forces.

May His peace and restoration come to this long-suffering country!

Intensifying volcanic explosions have forced the airport on the Spanish island of La Palma to be closed.

The Cumbre Vieja volcano started erupting last Sunday with thousands evacuated and more than 350 homes destroyed.  A thick plume of smoke now extends four kilometres (2.4 miles) into the air.

Clouds of thick ash have made flights out of the airport impossible, authorities said on Saturday.

The closure has prevented some leaving the island's airport, which mostly handles many tourist flights and connections to other islands in the Canaries.

Long queues formed at the terminal as flights were cancelled, and some travellers tried to get ferries off the island.

The volcano is entering a fresh explosive phase, spewing lava from a newly opened vent, officials say.

Airport operators say ash accumulation has made the airport "inoperative", but that a clean-up operation is underway. Workers are sweeping volcanic ash from the runway.

On Friday, firefighters said they were withdrawing from the area "due to the intensification of explosive phenomena".  No fatalities have been reported.  Some 1,000 people in Tajuya, Tacande de Abajo and Tacande de Arriba were told to evacuate on Friday due to the intensifying volcanic activity.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Friday that the cabinet would next week declare the island a "catastrophe zone".  The Canary Islands government has already announced a first round of financial aid for people who have lost their homes.  The volcano lies in the south of La Palma island, which is home to around 80,000 people.

It last erupted 50 years ago, in 1971. Scientists are unsure how long this eruption will last.

Sources/More: BBC

Pray: For people to rest in God’s mercy and protection until the eruptions and devastation pass. Psalm 57:1-2
Pray: For the safe evacuation of those affected and for protection for those who are staying to deal with the fires and destruction.
Pray: For sufficient resources to be released to rebuild the homes and infrastructure that is being destroyed.

From the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA)

Let us pray and work that we will be found as the ones who have cared for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the prisoner (Matthew 25).

2021. It is six years on from the launch of the European Evangelical Alliance’s Refugee Campaign.

2021. This year, European Union member states are supposed to have agreed a new migration and asylum pact to             enable better, fairer, more efficient collaboration to handle the migrants, asylum seekers and refugees who come to the EU.  The migration pact is a long way from being concluded.

2021. Already, more than a 1000 people have drowned in their attempt to cross the Mediterranean with the hope of building a new life in Europe.

2021. The political, social and economic catastrophe in Afghanistan is likely to lead to hundreds of thousands of Afghans fleeing the nation.

In 2015, Europe was confronted with a massive influx of migrants and refugees. This was first and foremost a humanitarian crisis but also a political crisis. Thousands lost their lives in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, while politicians were having endless meetings over responsibility and the right response. Several years later, the numbers of people arriving irregularly in Europe have gone down significantly but the political debate on responsibilities and right action is far from over. This raises questions about what drives us and our decisions: fear, avoidance, love, compassion, justice and/or perspective for a good future of all?

All human beings are created in the image of God and, therefore, are of inherent value and worth regardless the place they were born and the religion or belief they adhere to. Therefore, all migrants and refugees should be treated with compassion, dignity and grace, regardless whether they will be allowed to stay or eventually will be returned to their country of origin.

EEA is deeply worried about what some of Europe’s response to refugees says about the societies that we have become and where we, as well as the refugees themselves, could end up. It is often said that we must uphold European values and not allow foreigners to change us. But what has happened to our European values of hospitality, solidarity and compassion? Every human life is sacred. We cannot allow this belief to be downgraded in importance. We cannot allow the suffering of people to become the accepted norm and for the refugee situation only to be featured in the news when yet another big tragedy happens or our nations perceive a new threat.

The EEA has decided to issue a new Call to Action on migration.

• Urging governments to remember humanitarian values (most based on the bible),
• Calling Christians to pray and to speak up,
• Thanking its members for all their efforts to care for migrants and refugees and to persevere.

More: Link to the full Call to Action can be found here.

‘UNITED, SIMPLE, POWERFUL’  |  1st Friday – GO PRAY

Join us 1st October at 6am (Pacific) as we unite in a simple but powerful prayer time on this first Friday of the month.

We want to pray in unity with many believers, prayer networks and church denominations worldwide, for revival and for the harvest according to Luke 10:2-3.

Each month, we are inviting people with insight on the topics we are praying for - to guide us.

The format will be informal. We meet with simplicity and humbleness of heart as we wait on the Lord and pray in unity.

JOIN US ONLINE: FRIDAY OCTOBER 1ST at 6AM PACIFIC TIME

When we will focus on:

• PRAYERS FOR THE HARVEST
• PRAYERS FOR Myanmar & Afghanistan
• Prayers for the Africa Last Quarter Evangelism (LQE)

With prayer guidelines from Candy Marballi from the Childrens Prayer Covenant who is directing the Africa LQE.

More Info and Link to Join us at https://www.gopray.world/

Joining some of our partner networks for a Global Day of Prayer for Church Planting Movements on October 9^th 2021

John 10:9-10  Jesus said, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  He will come in and go out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” 

What: A focused time of prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom in our world and your nation or region

When: Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 9AM your local time

Where: Your zoom room or together with others where possible in small groups

Who: Christians with a heart to pray for spiritual breakthrough and church planting

Why: To join Christians around the world in prayer for the glory of God!

We will pray for God to be glorified globally:

1. COVID 19 Relief — for the healing of the nations
2. Churches to be planted and disciples raised up
   Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20
3. 3. Political/Governments — for the Kingdom of God to come to earth and justice to prevail.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

We will pray for God to be glorified locally in your region:

More info at www.ipcprayer.org/october9at9

Last Quarter Evangelism Launches October 1st on the African Continent!

Last Quarter Evangelism (LQE) 2021, which will run from October 1st through December 31st, is ready to launch on the African continent and we need your prayers.

This is Year 2 of a children/youth designed and led evangelistic campaign across 37 nations on the African continent. Executive AABYF national level leadership from East, West, Central and Southern Africa have been meeting regularly to pray, plan and mobilize their youth to prepare for even greater impact than last year.

15,000 Baptist churches are targeted to participate in LQE with the goal of inviting 15,000 churches from other denominations to join them for a total of 30,000 churches engaging their kids to be on mission.

There are 5,000 evangelistic campaigns planned for LQE 2021!

There will be three specific strategies:

1. Operation “Jesus Loves You”
2. Online evangelism
3. Systematic door-to-door evangelism in the villages and cities.

How You Can Help:

1. Pray!
2. Give!

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray the Lord will release and pour out the power of the Holy Spirit upon the “Jesus Loves You” initiative so that every ear that will hear those words during LQE will be saved.
2. Pray that God will unite the denominations in an unprecedented way to be part of LQE.
3. Despite Covid 19 restrictions in certain locations, that participants will be fully committed and able to faithfully serve in their various contexts.

We are grateful for your partnership in the gospel and look forward to sharing our impact report in January of 2022.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6

More at: https://theprayercovenant.org

The annual Hindu World Prayer Focus is calling Christians and churches worldwide to take 15 days to learn about and pray for our world’s over one billion Hindu friends. That period also encompasses the significant Hindu Festival of Light (Diwali).

The informative prayer guide booklets will help Christians to know how to pray for the people(s) growing up within this major and very diverse world religion. Diwali (or Deepawali) is known as the Festival of Lights, and is one of the most important annual celebrations for Hindus, lasting about 4-5 days.

While (similar to Christmas celebrations in the Christian world) it has historical and religious roots, Hindus celebrate it by lighting and displaying rows of small oil lamps, participating in family gatherings, consuming special sweets and watching fireworks. It is not our intention with this prayer focus to disparage India or the Hindu religion in any way.

We recognize that both are far too complex and too full of great traditions to simply or easily condense, explain or take lightly within a mere booklet. At the same time, as Christians, we long that all the world’s people(s) will have an opportunity to freely see, hear and understand the grace of God incarnated in Jesus Christ. To this end we inform ourselves, pray for and want to support opportunities to make that grace known also within the world’s Indian and Hindu communities. Get your copy of the 15 Days Hindu Prayer Guide now and join with us!

More Details:    https://pray15days.org/#guide