Dear Friends,
I am pleased to be bringing you this personal invitation to three special International Prayer Connect (IPC) initiatives taking place this Pentecost Season.
We appreciate that everyone has local Church services and events happening during Pentecost, and they obviously come first... so do connect with us and sign up as and when you are able to! We appreciate you all!
Please forward this info to your networks and contacts!
Starting 10th May 2024: 10 Days of United Prayers for Revival with a special focus on 10 Jewish World Cities
Firstly, we have partnered with our friends at 10 days to mobilise worldwide prayers for revival in the lead-up to Pentecost Sunday!
During this significant season when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, will you join millions of Christians around the world in prayer for revival in our lives, revival across 10 unreached Middle Eastern cities and revival and peace in Jerusalem?
During these 10 days, we will pray for revival to break forth in 10 unreached cities across the Middle-East based on the prophecy in Isaiah 19. Each day we will provide a prayer pointer for each of these 10 cities on this Isaiah 19 highway from Cairo back to Jerusalem!
There's also an invite to be praying for 5 friends, family or work-colleagues of ours who don't know Jesus! See the Pray for 5 card.
It all kicks off on Friday 10th May and runs through to Pentecost Sunday - 19th May.
See the Prayer Guide in 30+ languages! A Children's Prayer Guide is also available. (Thanks to 2BC)
Pentecost Worship & Prayers from Colombia
Friday 17th May 21:00 - 22:00 Bogota, Colombia (UTC-5)
Join us live online for a global broadcast from Revival Church, Bogotá, Colombia - as a number of IPC's key Latin American Regional Prayer Council leaders worship and pray for Revival and Awakening!
Dr Jason Hubbard (IPC) and Werner Nachtigal (GO Movement) will lead and introduce powerful prayers for Gospel Movements and the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
Watch the Meeting live on IPC's YouTube Channel!
Global 24HRS Prayer for Pentecost Revival!
Sat 18th May 20:00 - Sun 19th May 20:00 Jerusalem (UTC+3)
Join millions of Christians around the world for 24-hours of Prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the Gospel to reach the ends of the earth!
Each hour, we will be led by hosts from across the continents including several Jerusalem-based churches / ministries.
Pray where you are, in groups, or register to instantly join us ONLINE HERE
These three initiatives present a wonderful opportunity to pray together, exalting Jesus Christ as King throughout the Jewish world, and to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers to every unreached people group in key cities and nations!
My prayer is that you, too, will be blessed and filled beyond measure as you participate with us.
Thank you for your partnership in prayer.
Until all have heard!
Dr Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect
Thy Kingdom Come 2024
02 May 2024
Thy Kingdom Come 2024 has ignited global excitement, engaging diverse communities worldwide in its ecumenical wave of prayer. The initiative's inclusive reach is demonstrated through activities from Australia to the Solomon Islands, embracing participants of various religious backgrounds. This year's Novena, translated into many languages including Portuguese, Hindi, and Korean, reflects the event’s international appeal. The ecumenical Prayer Journal, now available in Dutch and a special Scottish version with tartan, showcases voices from across Scotland. Globally, beacon events in countries like South Korea and Bangladesh are being planned, along with local activities across the UK, involving continuous prayer gatherings and prayer walks. A highlight for youth on Pentecost Sunday includes regional gatherings and contributions from notable figures like the archbishops of Canterbury and York. An accompanying app offers resources for children and young people, including videos and discussion plans, ensuring broad access to spiritual content.
Neighbourhood Prayer Network - Jesse's testimony
02 May 2024
Jesse shared her testimony of connecting with her neighbours through prayer amidst cultural challenges. Coming from a Sikh background, she has had to navigate her Christian faith amidst family tensions and generational differences. In 2020, during lockdown, one neighbour struggled as her daughter received end-of-life care abroad. Jesse offered support and prayer, which comforted her neighbour and led her to engage with a church community online. Another neighbour faced the potential loss of her husband. Through Jesse’s offer to pray, she found hope and belief in that difficult time. These acts of compassion opened opportunities for deeper conversations. Her conversion story began at the age of 11. She had a picture of Jesus. She was sitting on His knee and he wrote her name in his book. She said, 'Later, in my early 20s, I had another picture where I was stuck in a very deep well and he reached down and offered me his hand, but I had to choose whether I would. I'm glad I accepted his help - that was a turning point in my life.’
Polling stations have opened in England for local elections, with the Conservative Party facing potential heavy losses that might impact Rishi Sunak's leadership. These elections, spanning over 2,600 seats across 107 councils, serve as a significant gauge of the Tories' popularity (or otherwise). Labour leader Keir Starmer, calling them ‘a chance for change after fourteen years of decline’, has highlighted policies which prioritise working people and restore integrity in politics. Previously contested in 2021, these council seats saw the Conservatives at their strongest post-UK Covid vaccine rollout. Current predictions suggest they might lose around 500 seats. There are also contests for ten mayoralties and 37 police and crime commissioner roles, and a parliamentary by-election in Blackpool South following a Tory MP's resignation due to a scandal. Labour hopes to make significant gains, particularly in tightly contested mayoral races in the West Midlands and Tees Valley. The outcome of these elections could trigger a leadership challenge for Sunak if the results are as bad as predicted.
Pro-Palestinian activists at several British universities have started to set up Gaza 'solidarity encampments' in response to similar movements on US campuses. This follows recent confrontations at American universities like Columbia and UCLA, where police clashed with demonstrators (see World article ‘USA: hundreds of campus protesters arrested’). In Newcastle, a group initiated an encampment at the university's main campus to protest against alleged Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Bristol students also established a camp on their campus, displaying signs with pro-Palestinian messages. Universities UK commented on the situation, stating that universities strive to balance student safety and free speech. They are monitoring developments closely and discussing them with university leaders. Meanwhile, protests in London led to three arrests as demonstrators outside the Department of Business and Trade called for a halt to arms sales to Israel.
John Swinney has officially launched his bid to succeed Humza Yousaf, who stepped down on 29 April. Swinney, a former cabinet secretary who served as party leader from 2000 to 2004, says he is aiming to 'unite Scotland for independence’. He will probably be unopposed, now that Kate Forbes, the only other likely candidate, has indicated that she does not intend to stand and has officially endorsed him. Nominations close on 6 May; if nobody else comes forward, Swinney will automatically assume party leadership and become first minister. His campaign resonates with commitments to continue SNP’s work and strengthen the independence movement: see
Hainault sword attack: man charged with murder
02 May 2024
A 14-year-old boy, Daniel Anjorin, was fatally attacked with a sword in Hainault, northeast London, as he was on his way to school. The attacker also injured four others, including two Met Police officers. Marcus Monzo, a 36-year-old Spanish-Brazilian, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possessing a bladed weapon. He crashed a van into a fence and attacked two civilians with his sword before fatally injuring Daniel and seriously wounding two police officers, one of whom nearly lost her hand. He was later taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the van crash, and is set to appear at Barkingside magistrates' court. Daniel was a student at Bancroft's School. His family, who are Christians, described him as a 'wonderful child' and expressed profound grief over their loss. The Crown Prosecution Service emphasised the importance of a fair trial, urging restraint in public commentary to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.
Recent studies have demonstrated that vitamin D, a nutrient found in fatty fish, plays a significant role in cancer prevention and treatment. Research found that mice on a vitamin D-rich diet had enhanced immune responses to transplanted cancers and better outcomes from immunotherapy. Vitamin D initiates a process in the gut that leads to the production of bacteria known to boost immune defence against cancer. This is because vitamin D affects the cells lining the intestine, altering the gut microbiome in a way that promotes the growth of these beneficial bacteria. The findings suggest potential new cancer treatments could be developed focusing on the gut microbiome. However, more research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which vitamin D influences the microbiome and immunity. The study also connects lower vitamin D levels with higher cancer rates, underlining the importance of maintaining adequate levels for overall health.