The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots Japanese organisation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors, for its tireless efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons. It was formed in 1956 to document survivor testimonies and press for nuclear disarmament at the UN and other global forums. Nihon Hidankyo's work aligns with Alfred Nobel’s will, emphasising peace and the abolition of war. The organisation will receive a $1 million award: prime minister Shigeru Ishiba called the recognition ‘extremely meaningful’. The Nobel committee noted that the ‘nuclear taboo’ is under pressure: the nine nuclear-armed countries are continuing to modernise their weapons, and currently there are 12,121 warheads in the world. Hibakusha’s testimonies serve as a powerful reminder of the human cost of nuclear warfare and a call for a peaceful, disarmed future.
Global: growth of women in power almost halts
02 Jan 2025
In 2024, nearly half the world’s population voted, but global female political representation saw its slowest growth (just 0.03%) in twenty years. Women now make up 27% of parliaments globally, with declines in representation in 27 countries, including the USA, Portugal, and South Africa. Despite progress in nations like Mongolia, Mexico, and Namibia (which elected its first female president), setbacks in others, such as Tuvalu losing its sole female MP, highlight fragile gains. Countries with gender quotas elect more women, averaging 29% compared to 21% in non-quota nations. Barriers such as ambition gaps, financial inequality, disproportionate caregiving roles, and lack of maternity leave deter women from entering politics: there has also been an increase in violence against women in public life, including disinformation campaigns. Experts warn that fewer female mentors and societal challenges may discourage young women from pursuing political careers, hindering future progress in gender parity.
Syria: head of HTS meets Christian leaders
02 Jan 2025
Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s new leader and head of HTS, has met senior Christian leaders in Damascus to reassure minorities about their safety under his administration. The meeting follows protests over attacks on Christian and Alawite symbols. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised the need for an inclusive political transition in Syria that safeguards diverse communities' rights. Al-Sharaa has also held talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), proposing their integration into the national army. Despite attempts to stabilise the country after Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, incidents of violence and unrest persist. The SDF, backed by the USA, remains locked in conflict with Turkish-backed factions, while Turkiye alleges SDF ties to the PKK, a group it deems terrorist. Syria’s Christian population, once about one million, has dwindled to 300,000 since the civil war began in 2011, highlighting the challenges minorities face amid ongoing instability.
USA: two truck attacks
02 Jan 2025
An army veteran, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, carried out a New Year’s Day attack in New Orleans, killing fifteen people and injuring thirty more by driving a truck into a crowd. Jabbar, a former soldier with ties to Texas, displayed an IS flag and posted videos expressing admiration for the group shortly before the attack. Police killed him in a shootout and are investigating his associates for potential involvement. Explosive devices were found and neutralized, prompting heightened security measures. Joe Biden condemned the act as terrorism, noting Jabbar’s social media activity and disturbed state following a divorce. New Orleans had implemented temporary security barriers against such attacks, but they proved ineffective against Jabbar’s actions. In another attack, probably unrelated, a truck full of fireworks and gas cylinders exploded outside a Trump hotel in Las Vegas, killing the driver and injuring seven others: see
Trinidad and Tobago: gang violence surges
02 Jan 2025
A nationwide state of emergency has been declared in Trinidad and Tobago following a surge in gang violence which left over sixty dead in December, pushing the year’s murder toll to 623 - the highest in over a decade. Rival gangs are locked in a brutal territorial war, with recent shootings targeting gang members and innocent bystanders. National security minister Fitzgerald Hinds called the violence an ‘epidemic’. Authorities have deployed increased police and military forces, empowered to conduct searches and detain suspects without warrants for up to 48 hours. The dual island nation, strategically located for narcotics trafficking, faces significant challenges from over a hundred active gangs. A previous gang ceasefire collapsed, escalating killings fuelled by alliances with smaller groups. Despite the tension, schools, businesses, and other activities such as the New Year’s celebrations will go ahead as planned. Another Caribbean island, Barbados, is recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl: see
On 31 December Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of reclaiming the Panama Canal from US control. President José Raúl Mulino has rejected recent comments by Donald Trump suggesting that the USA might try to reclaim it; he commented, ‘(It) will stay in our hands for ever’. The transfer of the canal in 1999, ending 85 years of US administration, was hailed as a landmark moment in Panamanian sovereignty. The canal, which remains a crucial global shipping route, is vital to the country’s economy, accounting for about 20% of its annual revenue. Challenges emerged in 2023 as droughts reduced transit capacity, forcing higher shipping fees. Although operations have normalised since then, price increases are anticipated next year.
USA: remembering Jimmy Carter
02 Jan 2025
Former US president Jimmy Carter has died peacefully at his Georgia home at age 100, surrounded by family. Carter, who served as the 39th president from 1977 to 1981, will be remembered for his dedication to peace, human rights, and public service. One of his most memorable achievements was bringing about the Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt. However, as president he faced numerous challenges, including the Iran hostage crisis; the hostages were released the day he left office, showing that he had continued negotiations behind the scenes even after his election defeat. Thereafter, he earned admiration for his humanitarian work, including diplomatic missions and building homes for the poor. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to minimise or avert conflict globally. He once said, 'My faith demands that I do whatever I can... to make a difference’. He will be given a state funeral on 9 January.
"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." — Philippians 1:3-5 (NIV)
We are pleased to bring you this Christmas and New Year edition of IPC Connections!
I trust that you will be blessed and encouraged as you read the articles, news and resources info this month!
A Heartfelt Thank You…
As we reflect on this past year, our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude for you—our friends, partners, and supporters.
I will share much more about what has been achieved this year, in January, but for now, I want to focus on you!
Your faithfulness and commitment to stand with us in prayer and support have been hugely instrumental in advancing our mission. Through our collective prayers together, we’ve witnessed the power of God moving across nations, transforming lives, and uniting hearts for His purposes.
We could not do this alone. It is because of your dedication and partnership that IPC continues to grow, reaching more people and places with the hope and love of Christ. Together, we are building a global community of prayer, united in faith and purpose, to see lives transformed and nations impacted for His glory! Amen!
We are especially grateful for your willingness to join us in faith as we have stepped into new opportunities to engage the world in prayer! Whether in personal devotions, local gatherings, or global intercession, I know that your dedication has strengthened our shared mission.
Together, millions of us are standing in the gap, lifting nations before the throne of grace, and declaring God’s promises over us, our communities and beyond to those as yet unreached peoples.
Thank you for believing in this vision and for being such a vital part of IPC’s journey. Your prayers and support are a testimony to God’s faithfulness through His people. As we move forward, we do so with confidence, knowing that we are united in His name and empowered by His Spirit.
Global Day of Prayer – 28/29 January 2025 – We invite you and your families, contacts and networks to join us for a Global Day of Prayer starting on January 28th – 29th 2025!
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 Buddhist world.
This is the first of 4 worldwide days of prayer for 2025! – we will also be praying for the Hindu Jewish and Hindu peoples during significant times in their calendars.
Will you join us on Chinese New Year to pray together, exalting Jesus Christ as King throughout the Buddhist world, asking the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers to every unreached people group in 12 key cities and nations?!
The Global Day of Prayer starts Jan 29th 2025 at 1:00am (Beijing UTC+8)
(JAN 28th: 12PM New York | 7PM Jerusalem. JAN 29th: 2AM SEOUL, 4AM Sydney)
CLICK TO JOIN - Zoom Meeting ID – 84602907844 Passcode 32223
21 Days of Prayer for the Buddhist World - in the lead up to the Global Day of Prayer, we will be praying for 21 days - for breakthrough across 21 key cities and nations in the Buddhist World.
The 21 days runs from January 9th through to 29th, 2025.
We will be using some specially written adults and children’s prayer guides to help us focus our prayers.
The prayer guides conclude with the Global Day of Prayer involving millions of people offline and online.
The Children’s Prayer Guide, prepared by 2BC includes inspirational thoughts from Justin Gunawan, daily themes to build children’s faith, a 2BC Song and action points.
More info and prayer guides are HERE
2BC – 2 Billion Children – is a campaign conceived by IPC’s Senior Advisor and Exec Member, Tom Victor, with a vision to see the 2 billion children across our world empowered to share the message of God’s love with their friends and families. Tom has teamed up with Ann Low and several others, who are raising awareness for this exciting project. Read more Here.
Editorial – The editorial article in this edition is entitled ‘Jesus, our Good Shepherd’. In John 10, during the Feast of Dedication, Jesus declares himself the “Good Shepherd,” emphasizing his role as the noble and sacrificial leader who lays down his life for his sheep, fulfilling the promise of Ezekiel 34.
Against the backdrop of Hanukkah’s historical significance and its remembrance of God’s provision and the rededication of the temple, Jesus promises security, intimacy, guidance, and nurture, showing us his deep care and ultimate sacrifice as the Lamb of God!
Do watch the accompanying video HERE
New Year’s Day Sunrise Prayer Relay 2025 - Along with our friends at Canberra Declaration, we invite our brothers and sisters in Christ, prayer groups, and churches to join us all around the world to pray at sunrise on New Year's Day.
On January 1st over the past few years, people in over a thousand locations in over 70 nations participated in the Sunrise Prayer Relay and we are believing for even more in 2025!
More info and sign up link below!
$1 a month! - IPC Connections is brought to 15,000+ Individuals, groups, churches, ministries and networks, free of charge. As an organization, we are dependent on personal donations, legacies and occasional grant support for our income. A gift of even $1 a month would make a real difference to IPC!
In case you missed it, here is our recent ‘Exalting Jesus’ partners email with an amazing story about a young lad’s answered prayers for Damascus.
If you would like to sow into the IPC Vision, please click here. Thank you for your support!
As we celebrate the birth of our Savior, may I repeat it again - how deeply grateful I am for you! Your prayers, support, and partnership mean so much, and I am truly thankful that we get to be on mission together to exalt Jesus catalyzing united prayer for kingdom transformation of peoples, cities and nations!
Some people today think that God is distant, disengaged, and uncaring. But Christmas sets the record straight.
At Christmas, Jesus came in the flesh to reveal God’s heart of love toward us and to be our light, hope, and peace.
Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Christmas!
Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect
Disclaimer… The views and opinions expressed in IPC Connections and the articles on our website are those of individuals and our partner organisations. They do not necessarily represent the policies or views of IPC or its individual leaders.
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