Displaying items by tag: IPC

Martyrdoms by Boko Haram splinter group occur as US finally adds West African nation to religious freedom watch list.

In another filmed massacre, 11 Nigerian Christians were executed by the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) over the Christmas holiday.

Wearing the orange jumpsuits made familiar by similar executions of Egyptian and Ethiopian Christians in Libya, the first Nigerian victim was shot in the head by the black-clad terrorists who then slit the throats of the remaining ten. It is understood to be the largest group killed by ISWAP, a Boko Haram splinter group, so far.

“This message is to the Christians in the world,” stated the 56-second propaganda video, released December 26, in both Arabic and Hausa, according to The New York Times. “Those who you see in front of us are Christians, and we will shed their blood as revenge for the two dignified sheikhs.”

The reference is to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former ISIS caliph killed by US troops in an October raid in Syria, and Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir, his purported successor, who was killed the next day.

The video offered no information about the victims, other than that they were recently seized in Nigeria’s northwest Borno state. But an earlier video was released by ISWAP in which captured aid workers appealed to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The International Crisis Group estimates the jihadist group consists of between 3,500 and 5,000 fighters.

“These agents of darkness are enemies of our common humanity, and they don’t spare any victim, whether they are Muslims or Christians,” stated Buhari, according to al-Jazeera.

Nigeria’s population of 200 million is evenly divided between Muslims and Christians.

Muslim victims have been many, agreed CAN in an earlier statement. But it stated the widespread killing in Nigeria’s north has predominately targeted Christians, who make up 95 percent of those currently detained by jihadists.

“The government has been paying lip service towards securing their freedom,” stated CAN, mentioning in particular the case of Sharibu.

The Christian Association of Nigeria disagreed with the Nigerian government’s position, and commended the US State Department for “standing with the oppressed and the truth.”

The association also criticized Buhari for creating an imbalance in the religious composition of the security council, through recent appointments. “The bitter truth,” CAN stated, “is that Christians are yet to be given any sense of belonging since this government came on board.”

Report by JAYSON CASPER

Full article at: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/december/isis-nigeria-executes-christians-iswap-christmas-boko-haram.html

Pray: for these brutal terrorists to be brought to justice and for ISWAP to be defeated by the Nigerian authorities.
Pray: for the families of the 11 victims, that they will know divine comfort and the assurance of the Gospel amidst their grief.
Pray: for the Christian Church in Northern Nigeria, who have suffered persecution and terrorist attacks for many years. May it remain strong and practice biblical forgiveness in the face of adversity.
Pray: that the rights and freedoms of Christians in Nigeria will not be marginalised by changes to the law and constitution.

The French government and a key trade union on Sunday exchanged bitter accusations over who was to blame for France’s over three-week transport strike against pension reforms, as the stalemate showed little sign of relenting.

Deputy Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari accused the hardline CGT union of a “systematic opposition to any reform” while the union’s chief Philippe Martinez charged the government with strewing “chaos” in the conflict.

The strike—now longer than the notorious 22-day strike of winter 1995 -- has lasted 25 days and is on course to surpass the longest transport strike in France, which lasted for 28 days in 1986 and early 1987.

Aside from two driverless lines, the Paris metro was again almost completely shut down on Sunday while only a fraction of high-speed TGV trains were running.

The government and unions are only due to hold their next talks on January 7, two days ahead of a new day of mass demonstrations against the reform, which is championed by President Emmanuel Macron.

In an interview with the Journal de Dimanche newspaper, Djebbari angrily accused the CGT of “attitudes of intimidation, harassment and even aggression” against railway workers who had opted not to down tools.

He accused the CGT of showing a “systematic opposition to any reform, of blocking and sometimes intimidation”.

“The CGT wants to make its mark through media stunts. But the French are not going to be duped by the extreme-left politicisation of this movement,” he added.

‘Like Thatcher’

But in an interview with the same newspaper, Martinez accused the government of trying to ensure the conflict deteriorated further.

“Emmanuel Macron presents himself as a man of a new world but he is imitating Margaret Thatcher,” he said, referring to the late British prime minister who sought to break the power of the unions in 1980s standoffs.

“There is real anger. Of course, not being paid for 24 days is tough. But the conflict is the result of two-and-a-half years of suffering,” Martinez added.

He said he was awaiting concessions from Macron in a New Year’s address Tuesday evening as well as recognition that “most people are not happy and that he (the president) was wrong”.

The unions are demanding that the government drops a plan to merge 42 existing pension schemes into a single, points-based system.  The overhaul would see workers in certain sectors—including the railways—lose early retirement benefits. The government says the pension overhaul is needed to create a fairer system.  But workers object to the inclusion of a so-called pivot age of 64 until which people would have to work to earn a full pension—two years beyond the official retirement age.

With thanks to (AFP)

More at: https://www.france24.com/en/20191230-france-french-strike-transport-transit-union-trade-macron-thatcher-government-ratp-sncf-cgt-martinez-djebbari-opera

Pray: for talks and conciliation negotiations to be successful.
Pray: that demonstrations and marches will remain peaceful and will not escalate into civil unrest.
Pray: that the growing public anger can be defused quickly - at the highest level.
Pray: that France shall be saved.

Go 2020: Calling the whole Body of Christ to prayer and action for a lost world

The early church turned the world upside down when, following Jesus’ command, they stayed in Jerusalem and “joined constantly together in prayer”. This culture of united prayer brought the empowering of the Holy Spirit and ignited remarkable spiritual breakthroughs as the Gospel began to spread throughout the then known world. This same pattern of prayer preceding evangelism has been a consistent pattern in all the great revivals and mission advances from then on through church history.

Now, tens of thousands of churches with hundreds of mission organizations and prayer movements are joining forces for an epic prayer and mission initiative unlike anything the world has known. The goal is to reach one billion who are still unreached by Christ’s Good News. Together, by May 2020, we aim to mobilize 100 million Christians to pray for those in their communities that do not know the Lord as well as those across the seas that are part of unreached people groups. No one organization or movement can accomplish such a staggering feat, but if we flow together like tributaries in one unstoppable river, this can be achieved! Getting God’s heart of love for the lost through prayer will lead to our sharing Jesus with them in the power and sensitivity of the Holy Spirit just as the early church experienced.

Would you and your church or ministry organization consider joining with us in such an awesome undertaking for His glory and so that everyone may hear? Together, as we pray, mobilize, and trust the One who has all power, we can see the following happen by the end of May next year:

• One billion people being reached with the Gospel and millions upon millions getting saved all over the world through May 2020.

• Unreached people groups hearing the Gospel for the first time and planting new churches among them.

• 100 million Christians inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit to pray and share the Gospel with as many as possible in their own communities and to the ends of the earth.

• 50 million new believers integrated into existing and new churches.

Personal Prayer: Lord here I am, use me! I will pray for and share the Gospel with others who need to hear it. https://www.go2020.world/get-involved

A suggested five-fold strategy to mobilize believers for prayer and outreach is described in this four-minute video. GO2020 video: https://vimeo.com/342384375

The attached brochure can also be used to give others the vision of Go 2020 (some translations are also available). Further information can be found at www.go2020.world/prayer with a sign-up page to receive future communications and coordinate with others in your nation and region. Please have a look at these resources and share them with others in your unique network of relationships.

Imagine how God could use you, your friends, and colleagues to ignite a movement for Jesus in your city and beyond!

Here is the link to that guide which we hope you will share with those in your network or organization: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EksUzKPVPfkKg8Ki2bLnDaeaCqFa3UZC/view

Please let me know if you are willing to help with this mobilization process. The fulfillment of Christ’s Great Commission is closer than we realize if we can join our prayers and efforts together to make Him known through Go 2020. Click on this link to get helpful resources and information updates:. https://www.go2020.world/get-involved

Yours in Christ,

Jenny Oliphant / IPC Leadership Team

Australia Calls the World to Pray for the Nations

Australia Christian prayer leaders invite their brothers and sisters in Christ, prayer groups, prayer networks and churches to join with them all over the world to pray at sunrise on New Year's Day 2020. This prayer gathering can take place at a public location such as a hill, lookout, landmark or church in your area. It could even be your own home. 

Watch the new video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx_6rVOv9mo

This year our focus is to pray for the nations. Over the last two years we had registrations from 50 different countries including USA, South Africa, Namibia, Pakistan, Japan, United Kingdom, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Zealand, and Australia.   

Warwick Marsh, coordinator for Australia’s National Day of Prayer & Fasting said, “David said in Psalm 108:2, “I will wake the dawn with my song.” During this time of prayer, we want to focus on giving great praise to God. We also want to pray for revival and transformation, that God will bring healing to each of our nations: 2 Chronicles 7:14.”

Marsh continued, “In declaring Jesus Christ as Lord at this worldwide Sunrise Prayer Relay we are circling the globe with prayer, praise and worship and surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ for the glory of God. This year we want to challenge people to pray for the nations. Use the prayer resources on the website and social media and register your location at: www.sunriseprayerrelay.org This year we are asking you to help reach a billion people and get behind www.go2020.world/home  

Pat Steele, a prayer & evangelist leader in Wollongong Australia, said, “We encourage you to pray the Lord's Prayer together aloud as the sun rises and make a declaration that Jesus Christ is Lord of your life, your family, your region and your nation. Let’s also join to pray for the nations. At your location we encourage you to include praise and worship, prayers, and scripture readings. We suggest 30 minutes, but you can pray for longer. You could even take communion, shine a torch, or light a candle. What you do for your sunrise celebration is up to you.”

Share photos and videos from your location on social media.

Use the hashtag: #sunriseprayerrelay

Website: www.sunriseprayerelay.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunriseprayerrelay

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunriseprayerrelay

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx_6rVOv9mo

Contact: 
Warwick Marsh 61 418 225212 or Pat Steele by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Prayer Summit 2020

Global Prayer for Northeast Asia

Theme: Let the fire fall on the Church, let the Church change the nations

Venue: Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul, Korea

Schedule:
April 7-9, 2020

Objectives

1. Repentance. It is paramount for believers to recognize that the severe discord we see among nations and within nations is an outgrowth of the grievous division we see within churches and among believers. Let us repent of our ways in which we contributed to the division, of prioritizing ‘factional’ interests over Kingdom interests, of remaining apathetic to God’s mourning heart for the unity of His body.

2. Unity. Strife abounds everywhere we look. North Korea’s nuclear arms issue has precipitated and complicated deep-seated chasms among surrounding nations, and heightening competition among greater powers have put additional strain in the region already clanking with dissonance. Generational rifts seem to turn into gulfs, while disputes along ideological lines show little hope of repair. It is at this point that we gather for united prayer, for it is only the united prayer of believers that can demonstrate the uniting power of God that goes beyond political fault-lines.

3. Revival. Many churches across Northeast Asia are experiencing the reviving fire of the Holy Spirit in the midst of persecution. We are gathering to receive, multiply and fan this fire of the Holy Spirit so that it would spread to more believers, churches, nations and regions. May we see great harvest, and may His Kingdom come!

Prayer Summit 2020 - Strategic Prayer Points

1. Pray that churches and leaders across the world will “hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

2. Pray that there would be true repentance during and through the assembly, that the church would be sanctified.

3. Pray that heavenly strategies and wisdom regarding social issues would be imparted during the assembly.

4. Pray that, as the church prays with those strategies and wisdom in accordance with His will, it would bear real fruit in individuals and nations.

5. Pray that the great reviving work of God would set every person and nation on fire.

6. Pray that this reviving fire will be brought from and taken to peoples and nations, so that the great harvest of souls would be accelerated.

7. Pray that the entire process of preparation and mobilization leading up to the assembly would be Spirit-filled and Spirit-inspired.

For more info and to book, visit the website or please do email us:

Website: www.prayersummit2020.com

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hello Friends!

God has led us to pray for the Buddhist World, and we hope He is offering you a part in it.

We invite you to join in with people all over the world to focus our prayer on the Buddhist World - we call this initiative Catalyst 365.  Please take a few minutes to inquire of God whether He is leading you to cover a day or series of days in prayer with us.

We have created a vehicle for you to jump in on: prayer points for the day that you sign up to cover, a reminder system, and fellow believers to labour with.  Please take a minute or two and check out our website, which explains the project in more detail and on which you can register a day to pray into the Buddhist World.  

https://365.catalystgathering.com

In Him,

Catalyst 365 Team

Sunrise Prayer Relay 1st Jan 2020
www.sunriseprayerelay.org     

2020 a year of evangelism across the UK
https://advance2020.org/

40 Days of Prayer for 2020 – Preparing Hearts
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EksUzKPVPfkKg8Ki2bLnDaeaCqFa3UZC/view

Awaken 2020 - Lou Engle - Sun Devil Football Stadium, Tempe, AZ - January 18th
www.awaken2020.com

IPC Leadership Retreat in Bellingham (Invitation only) January 29 to February 2
www.ipcprayer.org

Global Gathering of networks engaged in church planting - Thailand - 3-8 February

Seek God for the City Feb 26–Apr 5, 2020
https://waymakers.org/pray/seek-god/

The World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, UK, National Conference 9-11 March
www.worldprayer.org.uk

North East Asia Prayer Summit, Seoul, South Korea, April 7-9, 2020
www.prayersummit2020.com

Go 2020 – Reaching 1 Billion for Christ - May 2020
www.go2020.world

10 days Spring - May 21- 31
www.10days.net

One God - One Day - One Africa – 31st May 2020
www.1gda.org

The Graham tour 2020. 9 cities celebrating Billy Graham crusades across the UK
www.billygraham.org.uk/p/coming-in-2020-graham-tour-uk/

17th SEA PRAYER Council in Hanoi, Vietnam - 6-9 October
www.seaprayercouncil.faith

National Prayer Assembly (USA), Washington, D.C., October 14-15
www.nationalprayerassembly.com

The Film - 'Peacemakers: Crossing the Divide' brings a message of hope in the midst of the seemingly intractable conflict between Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs. The power of the gospel to transform lives through forgiveness and reconciliation is communicated by powerful personal stories of Jewish and Arab followers of Jesus.

This unique one-hour documentary film, along with an in-depth study guide, speak to deep issues of division in the church worldwide. Ultimately the film is about Jesus’ prayer for his followers:

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me…” John 17:23

Peacemakers: Crossing the Divide is officially released and available to download from the website: www.peacemakersfilm.org

Please feel free to promote this as widely as possible. Our goal is to not only see the film reach the English speaking audience, but also to have it translated into multiple languages. We believe the message of reconciliation and unity in the body of Christ is a message for the global church.

We are looking for advocates who share this vision and can help distribute the film through their networks.

Pastor Kevin Turpin, Associate Pastor, New Life Church, VA Beach, VA said, “Peacemakers is more than a film about conflict between Jews and Palestinians. It is a story that profiles the power of Christ. To nullify generational, religious, and political ideologies of hatred and division. To create a pathway for hearts to be reconciled and restored. It is, indeed, a magnificent story of redemption.

The film shows the extraordinary steps taken by individuals to experience reconciliation. Get ready for your own epiphany. Areas of your heart become open to reconciling with those who are different and you once opposed. The walls that divide are torn down through a full embrace of a small group of the Cross of Christ. Bob and Kathryn have chronicled well the hostility between Jews and Arabs. Therefore, the unique ways that God transforms hearts. Hearts which leads to a willingness to “cross the divide”.

If you have a weekly/regular prayer meeting and it has dwindled down to the “faithful few,” it’s time to take stock. If you are the organizer(s) of the prayer meetings, it can get discouraging if people are not participating in arguably the most important spiritual act designed by God and so prolifically practiced in the Book of Acts and the rest of Scripture.

Harvest Prayer Ministries have published a useful resource that will help you to review and bring your prayer meetings back on track.

Click Here: https://www.harvestprayer.com/9-ideas-to-increase-attendance-at-your-prayer-meetings/

ARE YOU A CHURCH PRAYER LEADER?

If so, consider checking out the Church Prayer Leaders Network! The CPLN exists to help individuals (pastors and lay people) who are working to raise up more prayer in their churches. They want to encourage, challenge, inspire, and resource you as you seek to motivate and mobilize your church toward deeper levels of prayer. The website offers more than 700 ideas, articles, and training videos to help you or your church be more effective in prayer.

Click Here: https://www.prayerleader.com/

Hindu World 15 Days of Prayer - 20 Oct - 3 Nov 2019

www.15daysprayer.com

Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church – Sun 3 Nov 2019

https://www.frc.org/get.cfm?c=REMEMBER_PERSECUTED

WEA General Assembly 2019 - 7-12 Nov 2019 - Jakarta

https://jakarta2019.org/en/

The Balkan Call - Nov 7-9, 2019 - Thessaloniki, Greece

https://www.balkancall.org/

Welcoming the King of Glory into Florida – 8-10 Nov 2019
https://www.facebook.com/events/975347866131244/

Finishing the Task Conference 3-5 December 2019

http://finishingthetask.org/

Sunrise Prayer Relay 1st Jan 2020

www.sunriseprayerelay.org   

Seek God for the City Feb 26–Apr 5, 2020

https://waymakers.org/pray/seek-god/  

Go 2020 – Reaching 1 Billion for Christ - May 2020

https://www.go2020.world

One God - One Day - One Africa – 31st May 2020

www.1gda.org

UPRising Events Calendar

UPRising Magpet - November 8-9, 2019 - North Cotabato, Philippines

UPRising Mexico - November 7-10, 2019 - Juarez, Mexico

UPRising Australia - July 14-18, 2020 - Sydney, Australia

UPRising New England - November 19-21, 2020 - New England, USA