Displaying items by tag: IPC

Five Reasons We Value Studying the End Times & Four Pastoral Challenges .

The nations of the earth are in a season of acceleration towards both the greatest outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the greatest hour of pressure in world history. Isaiah made it clear that both darkness and the glory of God will increase to unprecedented levels together in the generation that Jesus returns (Isa. 60:2).

“For the darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples [the nations]; but the Lord shall rise upon you, and His glory shall be seen upon you.” (Isa. 60:2, NKJV)

Yes, a time of deep darkness is coming, yet at the same time, the glory of God will be seen upon His people in an unprecedented measure. In essence, Haggai prophesied the same thing, declaring that the Lord will shake heaven and earth, the sea, and all the nations. In context to this global shaking, multitudes will come to Jesus who will be seen as “the Desire of all nations” (Hag. 2:7).

For thus says the Lord of hosts: “I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations [Jesus].” (Hag. 2:6-7, NKJV)

In other words, the greatest harvest of souls is coming in context to the end-time shaking of the nations. This shaking will be like a “perfect storm,” affecting many areas of life—financial, political, societal, spiritual, military, and more. It is in this context that God's glory will be seen and magnified in the nations.

I do not ask anyone to accept my views of what the Scripture teaches on the end times unless they can clearly “see them with their own eyes in their own Bible”—in other words: be a Berean (Acts 17:11). My understanding of the end times is not complete. I deeply value learning from other ministries. I embrace a view which differs from the popular view that the Church may be raptured at any time and, thus, will miss the great revival and the pressures that will occur during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:9, 14). We honor the godliness and biblical scholarship of many who hold this view, but I see it as a mistake that will leave multitudes of God's people spiritually unprepared when negative events escalate more in the end times.

5 Reasons We Value Studying the End Times

#1 Reason—There will be Unique Dynamics—Due to an Unprecedented Increase of Good and Evil

The generation of Jesus’ return will have very “unique dynamics”—there is only one generation that will see both the greatest revival and the greatest pressure in all history occurring on earth at the same time.

These two great extremes will come together in one timeframe. Yes, the dynamics on the earth will be totally unique—nobody has ever walked that path before. No other generation has had to navigate these two extremes. This will create a situation in which many will be afraid and confused, searching for answers. That is one reason why the Lord put more information in the Bible about that one generation.

#2 Reason—There are Biblical Reasons—as seen in 150 Chapters with an End Time Focus

By far the most described generation in Scripture is the generation that will be alive when Jesus returns. In fact, the events occurring in the generation in which Jesus returns is the main focus in over 150 chapters in the Bible (find the complete list on Google or YouTube—The 150 Chapters of the Bible on the End Times). To get a perspective on how important these 150+ chapters are, consider that there are 89 chapters in the four Gospels that focus on Jesus’ first coming to accomplish salvation. In contrast to these 89 chapters, almost twice as many chapters (150) in the Bible focus on events or trends that will occur in the generation that Jesus returns to rule the earth openly.

God’s people easily receive the good news about a coming great revival. The challenge lies in interpreting the unprecedented pressures that will occur at that time without being afraid or offended by the many negative things happening. Therefore, God’s people must understand the biblical narrative related to the coming pressure, or they will be left, by default, to embrace a secular narrative. Ideas have consequences. The problem with the secular narrative of the end times is that it is based on many wrong ideas leading to many wrong conclusions. Some present ideas about the end times that are overly optimistic; they refuse to acknowledge what the Bible says about the coming negative events and pressures. Others go to the other extreme and present views that are overly pessimistic. Only by embracing the biblical narrative of the end times will God’s people be able to process the pressures in a way that will help them to grow in love and peace with a steadfast faith in Jesus’ excellent leadership.

Far too many in the body of Christ in the nations are almost totally unaware of the biblical narrative contained in these 150 Bible chapters. Understanding the biblical narrative includes more than knowing a few general ideas about the end times such as the Antichrist, the Tribulation, and the Rapture. The Scripture has much more to say about what will happen in that generation and why. People will respond according to the narrative they embrace. Those who don’t understand the biblical narrative or storyline of unfolding events will be much more vulnerable to be overcome with fear and even to being offended at God. As pressure increases, many will be greatly perplexed about where things are going if they are unaware of the biblical narrative of the end times. To them it will seem like the “train of history” is veering off the tracks, and it will feel as though no one really knows where things are going or why.

There is power in knowledge. I have good news! Since the Lord can accurately foretell the details of His end-time plan, we know that He has power over them and is able to use them redemptively for the good of His people. He can overrule the negative events causing them to work for the good of His people (Rom. 8:28). Since Jesus has total control and deeply loves His people, we are in His good hands. We can stand in faith, filled with peace and thriving in love. Only those who interpret what is happening from God’s point of view will be equipped to respond with such faith and confidence.

#3 Reason—There are Prophetic Reasons—as seen in the Biblical Signs of the Times

The Lord was gracious to give His people prophetic information about the generation of His appearing referred to as “signs of the times.” The biblical signs of the times include events and trends that are predicted by Jesus, the apostles, or the Old Testament prophets—these signs will alert God’s people (who are alive in the generation of Jesus’ return) of His soon return.

In Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, Jesus identified 22 signs of that time. Now, for the first time in history, most of these signs are increasing and making global headline news. When all the signs accelerate at the same time, then God’s people are “to know” they are living in the generation of Christ’s return. In fact, Jesus actually commanded one generation “to know” that His return was near (Mt. 24:33)—this command was for the generation living when all 22 signs prophesied in Matthew 24 and Luke 21 occur.

“So you also, when you see all these things, know that it [Jesus’ return] is near—at the doors... this generation will by no means pass away until all these things take place” (Mt. 24:33-34, NKJV).

The first mention of “all these things” (Mt. 24:33) refers to the signs of the times before and during the Great Tribulation (Mt. 24:5-28). The second mention of “all these things” (Mt. 24:34) refers to what occurs after the Great Tribulation, at the time of Jesus’ returns in the sky (Mt. 24:29-31). It is possible that there are people alive on the earth today who will see His return. No one knows how long that final generation will be, but the Lord indicated that a generation may last up to 100 years (Gen. 15:13-16).

#4 Reason—Scripture Promises Increased Understanding—in the End-Time Church

Jeremiah prophesied that the Lord would give His people “perfect,” or mature, understanding of His end-time judgments against the Antichrist’s empire (Jer. 23:20). In other words, He will raise up people who will gain mature understanding of His end-time plans as set forth in the Scripture.

“The anger of the Lord [His end-time judgments] will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectly” (Jer. 23:20, NKJV)

We can only have mature understanding as we honor, relate to, and learn from one another across the different streams in the body of Christ. No one group will have it all, but together the body of Christ can gain mature understanding. I believe that only in the collective wisdom of the body of Christ across the nations can we have a full understanding of the end times. We need each other to grow in understanding.

Daniel prophesied a promise of the Lord to raise up “people of understanding” who will help many others understand the biblical narrative related to the end times (Dan. 11:33; 12:10). This promise is available to all believers. He emphasized that “many” will be hungry for answers from God’s Word.

“And those of the people who understand [end-time messengers] shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall [be martyred] by sword and flame, by captivity… 35to refine them, purify them… until the time of the end.” (Dan. 11:33-35)

This passage had a partial fulfilment in the days of Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.), but the complete fulfilment will come in the end times. The promise to be “one of the people of understanding” is available to any believer in Jesus who will search out what He says in the Scriptures. Notice that Daniel prophesied that “many” or multitudes (Dan. 11:33) will be hungry for answers from God’s Word about the end times from “the people of understanding.” In other words, the Lord’s messengers will make the biblical narrative known in diverse ways to “many” in the body of Christ and to the uninstructed millions of unbelievers who will be desperate to gain understanding.

This information is to be used evangelistically in a way that may surprise us. Unbelievers are interested in knowing what the Bible says about the end times. By growing in understanding, we can be a part of the solution instead of adding to the confusion of those who embrace the secular narrative and are overcome with fear, offense, lust, or deception. We don’t have to be confused. By having a robust biblical picture of the unique dynamics of the end times, God’s people will be equipped to have right expectations and interpretations of various negative events. By understanding the biblical narrative, God’s people will have the tools to process escalating pressures in a way that will help them thrive spiritually and grow in love.

#5 Reason—We Recognize 4 Pastoral Challenges—that will Escalate in the End Time Church

There are also pastoral reasons we should pay attention to these 150 chapters of the Bible. I identify four negative responses Jesus warned the end-time church to be prepared to overcome. Again, I emphasize that people must understand the biblical narrative of what will happen, or they will be left, by default, to embrace a secular narrative of the increasing pressures, making them more vulnerable to be overcome by fear, offense, lust, and deception. Jesus highlighted 4 issues that will challenge many in the end times.

I use the acronym F-O-L-D to help me to remember these 4 pastoral challenges:
Fear (Lk. 21:26), Offense (Mt. 24:10), Lust (Lk. 21:34), and Deception (Mt. 24:11)

1) Fear: Jesus warned that men’s hearts will be overcome with fear in the end times if they are not properly equipped in the Word and walking in the Spirit. This warning applies to both believers and unbelievers. People who are overcome with fear are far more vulnerable to make terrible decisions. Jesus prophesied that people will be overcome with fear (Lk. 21:26).

“…men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things…” (Lk. 21:26, NKJV)

2) Offense: Many will be offended at God and one another in context to the escalating pressures in the end times. Some will be offended at Jesus’ leadership because they grew up being taught that things were mostly only going to get better or that Jesus would rapture them before the trouble increased too much. Thus, many will be offended at God, even questioning Jesus’ leadership and whether the Bible is true. People who are offended at the Lord cannot respond to Him with wholehearted love and strong faith.

“And then many will be offended, will betray one another…” (Mt. 24:10, NKJV)

3) Lust: Jesus warned His people not to allow their hearts to be weighed down with carousing and drunkenness. The word for “carousing” speaks of self-indulgence, with the main idea being immorality.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing [lust, immorality, etc.], drunkenness [lust]…and that Day [Jesus’ return] come on you unexpectedly.” (Lk. 21: 34)

Often people who are overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, depression, or offense seek to find temporary relief from their stress in drunkenness, drugs, and immorality. In other words, they “self-medicate” with lust in seeking some relief from their fear, pain, and more. The explosion of immorality in our culture will intensify even more as new cutting-edge technology provides multitudes with intense new ways to engage in internet pornography. Imagine how intense the pornified culture will be in the next few decades with holograms, virtual reality, augmented reality, and state of the art robotics with “skin” that feels human.

4) Deception: Jesus prophesied the enemy will use many false prophets for his deceptive purposes.

Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.” (Mt. 24:11, NKJV)

Do not think of false prophets only as cult leaders and crazy eccentric people with bizarre religious ideas. There will surely be some people that like who will deceive others. But I believe some of the most dangerous false prophets will be popular social commentators and media personalities who are dignified, good looking, cool, caring, intelligent, and well-spoken. They will use dynamic, creative social media platforms to communicate to multitudes. They will promote a false narrative regarding what is happening—a deceptive narrative that will oppose the biblical narrative of what is unfolding across the nations. They social commentators will be very persuasive in their call for new values and perspectives on social, sexual, and financial issues—issues currently escalating quickly in the social conversation of many nations and identified as key topics in the cultural wars. They will come across as logical and loving to many who listen to them. They will seek to “rescue” people from old-fashioned biblical values and perspectives. The enemy is raising up even more popular new voices to spearhead counterfeit justice and mercy movements. They will use the biblical terms, “justice, unity and love,” but not in the same way that the Bible defines them. These false voices will lead many people away from Jesus, the God of the Bible.

The combination of escalating fear, offense, lust, and deception will result in some believers falling away. Scripture prophesies that some will fall away from their faith in the end times. (1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; 4:3-5; Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-31, 39; 2 Pet. 2:1-3, 20-22; 3:17). The end-time falling away will be one of the most tragic realities in history. People who become fearful or offended are more vulnerable to drift away from their faith because they are not able to make sense of the increasing troubles in the world.

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith and giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1, NKJV)

Paul presented the end-time falling away to be as obvious and significant as the appearing of the Antichrist (the man of sin) as a prominent political leader on the world stage.

“Let no one deceive you in any way. For that Day [Jesus’ return] will not come unless a falling away comes first, and the man of sin [Antichrist] is revealed [on the world stage]…” (2 Thess. 2:3, NKJV)

The Lord has gracious given His people a significant amount of biblical information as part of His zeal to prepare them to walk in love and victory even amid the greatest pressures in all history which will occur in the generation that Jesus returns. With love and confidence, we cry, “Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.”

MIKE BICKLE is founder of the International House of Prayer Missions Base of Kansas City in 1999.

IHOPKC combines 24/7 prayers for justice with 24/7 works of justice.

Bickle is author of 12 books, including God’s Answer to the Growing Crisis, Growing in Prayer, and Growing in the Prophetic. 

More: Find hundreds of teaching videos at Mike’s Free Teaching Library at www.mikebickle.org

Continuing our series of articles introducing you to the leaders at IPC, this month we would like to introduce you to our friend and colleague, Liz Adleta. Liz serves on the Council of International Prayer Connect and co-leads our Focus Team mobilizing prayer for the unreached peoples.

Liz, tell us a bit about your family, where you live and your personal/leisure interests outside the ministry work?

I was born and raised by Christian parents in Austin, Texas, and grew up in a Southern Baptist Church where I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 8. After a number of years of going my own way away from the Lord, I met and married my husband, Tom, in 1979 in Dallas, Texas.   (Read Tom’s Bio)

At age 36, Tom had committed his life to Jesus. God brought us through a rather rapid and intense discipleship through a Bible Church, then a Spirit-filled church called Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, early in our marriage.

Prayer, praise and worship and missions were part of our early spiritual DNA. We had begun a crisis pregnancy ministry called Someone Cares and some other local ministries before being called by God to missions, first in China, then many other venues around the world.

Tom and I had eight children (he had 2 additional children from his previous marriage) who we home-schooled a good bit of their lives. They are all grown-up now and we have 19 grandchildren.

My husband, Tom, passed away in October last year. I live now in Sherman, Texas, together with my youngest daughter, Honour, her husband, Kirk, and their two daughters, Charley Hope and Merida Faith. Honour and Kirk also work full time in ministry in serving networks and organizations in communications, security, social media, technology and graphic design.

I just turned 69 years old in March and continue so far actively in ministry. As I have time, I enjoy “hanging out” with my children and grandchildren, a number of whom live nearby.

Tom and I travelled so much in ministry that we have been Million Milers with the airlines. We settled back in Tom’s hometown, the Dallas area, in 2015 because of Tom’s health. With Tom’s decline over the last couple of years and COVID, it feels like I live on Zoom between prayer times and meetings these days! I am still full time in international ministry but now would love to be better connected locally. I am engaging in several grassroots efforts here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex where over 350 languages are spoken in the homes and over 1,600 different ethnic groups live. I recently helped facilitate 10 Days of Prayer DFW to pray onsite in the 10 zones of this metropolitan area.

Tell us how you became involved in the prayer and mission movements as you do?

Our ministry always hinged and was birthed from prayer. We spent 25 years in Asia training church planters, which always involved prayer as foundational to ministry. God eventually took us to Africa, Europe and Central and South America. In 2004, I was one of a group of global leaders that started the Ethnê Movement and I facilitated their prayer working group until 2013 when a colleague, Jenny Oliphant, also now with IPC, stepped into my roles there. I continue to work alongside her in a number of international ministries including the 24:14 Coalition, Int’l Prayer Council, Int’l Partnering Associates, Extraordinary Prayer Task Force, Global Family 24-7 Prayer, and 10 Days as well as others.

Believing prayer is the indispensable key to the unfinished task, I helped found Fellowship of Prayer Strategists in 2014 to serve those prayer leaders working in networks, organizations and field teams. FPS focuses on the role of the prayer strategist and prayer strategies—on expanding our understanding of prayer and applying those to extending the Kingdom of God, especially among the unreached.

Tell us how you connected with IPC.

I first met John Robb as our prayer journey led by George Otis, Jr. met up with his team in Thimphu, Bhutan, in late 1993 as one of the first prayer journeys with AD2000 and Beyond Movement.  John and I kept running into one another over the years in various airports!

Over the years, I have had the privilege to work alongside a number of other IPC leaders, including Brian Mills. Brian served the SEANET Buddhist world partnership while we were developing the Billion Hours prayer initiative. Brother Austen Ukachi with IPC invited me to the West Africa IPC gathering in 2007 in Sierra Leone, to share about praying for the unreached peoples, and God used that in a pivotal way to draw our family to move to Africa in 2008, where we lived and ministered for several years.

I’ve participated in a number of IPC-sponsored prayer gatherings such as the meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a special gathering in Cypus, and the Highway 19 gathering in Dubai. I worked with Dr. Jason Hubbard, Jonathan Friz and other in launching the Global Family 24-7 Prayer community on Zoom January 1, 2021. Children in Prayer meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Dark Places and Powers gathering in Cypus, and the Highway 19 gathering in Dubai. I worked with Dr. Jason Hubbard, Jonathan Friz and other in launching the Global Family 24-7 Prayer community on Zoom January 1, 2021.

For your encouragement, please let me share that, over the past 30 days, there were 12,079 individual participants across all our host’s, The Aqueduct Project’s, prayer rooms, with the majority gathering in the Global Family and Prayer Force prayer rooms. There were over half a million minutes of individual participant time logged in the prayer rooms over the past 30 days. God is allowing us together to discover ways to structure global prayer networks in a way that I have never seen nor read about.

Since Jenny Oliphant and I both focus on mobilizing and training the Body of Christ in praying for the unreached people groups, it seems a natural fit to collaborate with others in International Prayer Connect. We’re excited about encouraging other IPC members to grow in their partnering skills and focusing on those not yet in the Kingdom of God in prayer.

May God bless our joint efforts and continue developing this network of networks for His glory!

Tell us about one or two areas you believe God is highlighting for growth in prayer right now for the Body of Christ?

I believe God is highlighting cultivating our intimacy with Him, and in that, our skills at listening to Him, not only individually but also corporately. I see more and more being written on listening to God, but the Body of Christ is still growing on hearing His voice corporately. I’m excited to see the Holy Spirit drawing more and more into a corporate listening time for discerning the Lord’s direction, hearing His heart and accomplishing His purposes.

Liz Adleta – Council Member
International Prayer Connect

A mid – June prayer report looking at the opportunities and challenges of vaccinations, Covid-19 Hot Spots and some suggested Prayer Pointers with links to resources:

As of 13^th June, the total global figure for people infected by Covid-19 stood at 175.7 million according to Johns Hopkins University. In addition to this, the recorded number who have died totalled 3,796,642.  From a peak of worldwide daily cases in early January, numbers declined steadily until mid-February when they started to rise again, more recently exceeding the January peak.

Covid-19 hot spots

Here are those countries / regions which are currently showing high levels of infection.

The devastating wave of infections that overwhelmed India does appear to be slowing. India is the second worst-hit country in the world by the pandemic after the United States. The overall case count officially now stands at 29,439,989 cases, and 370,407 deaths although many fear it may be 5 or 6 times higher than this. The devastating second wave that engulfed India, one of the worst experienced by any nation, may finally have abated, but trauma and death has been left in its wake. There was barely a family in India left untouched by the virus, and with Covid hitting adults much worse than children, it has resulted in thousands becoming orphans in the past few weeks.

Brazil continues to see great suffering in 2021.  Cases have increased since early February, peaking at the start of April at over 100,000 per day.  The current daily average of 75,778 cases per day is slowly declining, but still exceeds that of the first wave in July 2020.   Total cases have exceeded 17.3 million with 486.358 deaths.  Having peaked at 4249 daily deaths on 8^th April, the figure still remains high with over 2008 daily deaths still being reported.  Whereas many countries have seen sharp declines following a peak, Brazil has been much slower at reducing cases and deaths over time. 

South America continues to experience some of the highest levels of death due to COVID.  Over the week 6^th-13^th June, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia have all experienced some of the highest levels of death relative to population size, although thankfully cases are declining in all of these countries.

The US continues to be the country with the highest number of confirmed cases and deaths related to Covid-19 with figures at around 34,315,873 and 614,955 respectively. Thankfully the daily infection rate has fallen dramatically from a 7 day rolling average high point of nearly 250,000 cases in early January to just over 16,000 cases mid-June (John Hopkins) and daily deaths were reported as 308 on 13 June .

Cases in European countries are relatively stable, having declined over the last 6 weeks in most countries.  There are signs of small rises in Russia and the UK amidst debates about the speed of easing restrictions and the possible impact of new variants. 

New waves and Variants

New variants of COVID 19 continue to be the source of discussion and focus, not least as their interaction with the vaccination programmes and new waves of infection become a greater priority.  The World Health Organisation have recently introduced a new naming convention for variants of Interest (VOI) and variants of concerns (VOC).  "No country should be stigmatized for detecting and reporting variants," Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's technical lead for Covid-19 response, wrote in a Twitter post. Rather, a WHO expert panel recommends using Greek alphabet letters to refer to variants, "which will be easier and more practical to discussed by non-scientific audiences," WHO says on a new webpage on its website.

The P.1 variant, first detected in Brazil and designated a variant of concern in January, has been labelled "Gamma." The B.1.617.2 variant, first found in India and recently reclassified from a variant of interest to variant of concern, is "Delta." Variants of interest have been given labels from "Epsilon" to "Kappa."

This New York Times article provides a useful and detailed analysis of the nature and scientific understanding of variants. Some countries, like the USA have been fortunate in avoiding the rapid spread of variants whereas others, such as the UK, have been affected more significantly.  Thankfully, current variants do seem to be suppressed by effective vaccine rollouts, particularly when 2 doses have been administered.  Dr Anthony Fauci urged everyone who has received the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to make sure to sign up for a second. "And for those who have still not been vaccinated yet, please get vaccinated.”  He said vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and to stop this variant from spreading and becoming dominant in the U.S.

There has been much recent focus on the ‘Delta’ variant B.1.617 that was first detected in India in October. This is a concern because there is evidence that the risk of hospital admission is higher in people with the delta variant. Data also indicate that the variant is spreading rapidly through England’s schools. Public Health England has said the Delta (Indian) variant is 64% more transmissible than the Alpha (Kent) variant indoors and vaccines are less effective against it.

Vaccines

The vaccination programme remains the most likely vehicle for ending the pandemic.   As of late April, more than 2.36 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, with 12.2% of the world population having received at least one vaccine dose. Vaccines have now been administered in approximately 180 countries.  Vaccines remain concentrated in high income countries -  about 51% of people who have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine were from high income countries, and at least 48% were from Europe and North America, yet these countries only represent 16% of the world’s population. Because of the limited availability of vaccines, most countries are prioritizing certain groups of people to receive their shots before others. People who are older or more likely to become very ill or die from COVID-19 are usually prioritized over those who are young and healthy. Some groups are prioritized because they are more likely to come into contact with an infected person based on what they do or where they live and, in turn, infect others.

Vaccine inequality remains a serious and potentially worsening problem.  From Africa to Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean, the same issues have been replicated. On top of finding enough doses, there have been logistical difficulties with delivery, problems over healthcare infrastructure and, in some countries, public hesitancy towards vaccines.

Africa’s lack of vaccines – and the erratic supply of those that are eventually delivered – remains a major challenge. Only 28 million doses have been delivered on the continent so far – that’s less than 2% of the continent’s population – at a time when some wealthier countries have vaccinated well in excess of half their populations.

In terms of approved vaccines, the RAPS website provides a good overview of the current situation.  There are currently 16 vaccines with some form of regulatory approval, of which 7 are being used widely across the world.  9 new vaccines are currently in Phase 3 trials, with a further 7651 in earlier stages of development. This is unprecedented and something we should all give thanks for, not least when considering the partnership work between scientists, public and private organisations, which is a source of great optimism.

Moderna and Pfizer have released data suggesting that their vaccines are well tolerated in adolescents and highly effective in preventing COVID-19. Canada, the US and the EU have already authorised the Pfizer vaccine in children as young as 12, and the UK has just approved the use of the Pfizer vaccine in children aged 12 to 15.  However, there is a much debate as to the benefit of vaccinating children in rich countries, particularly when so many more vulnerable people in the world remain unvaccinated.

Political Leadership

The G7 summit of world leaders has just finished and placed COVID at the centre of its discussions. In particular they focused on worldwide vaccination supply, but also economic recovery from the pandemic.  The group agreed to donate 1 billion doses to poorer nations, something welcomed by UNICEF who said “We welcome the commitment this week by leaders of G7 nations to accelerate the rollout of safe, effective, accessible and affordable vaccines for the poorest countries, with a goal toward ending the pandemic in 2022. Equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines represents the clearest pathway out of this pandemic for all of us — children included, and commitments announced by G7 members last week are an important step in this direction.”  Others however have said that the group lacked ambition, highlighting that 12 billion vaccines would be needed worldwide, and a lack of clarity as to how the promised vaccines would be delivered.

Let’s Pray… Let us continue to declare that the novel coronavirus is defeated by the blood of Jesus.

We pray for divine intervention and for God's name to be glorified even as each nation and government tries its best to prevent or control the emergence of new waves of infection and finally arrest this epidemic.

We pray that individuals, leaders and nations focus on the needs of others rather than themselves, and that cooperation and compassion lie at the heart of the world’s response to the crisis.

We pray for our scientists.  In particular we pray for those assessing and communicating risks associated with vaccines, that they be filled with wisdom and understanding. We pray too for those investigating, sequencing and analysing new variants.

We pray especially for the nation of India.  We stand with our brothers and sisters who are living amidst this uncertainty.  We pray comfort for those who suffer and their families, and resilience for those providing medical support in the most difficult of times. 

We release wisdom, skill, and integrity upon our leaders, particularly as they grapple with the complexities, challenges and many voices that seek to influence them.

We pray that leaders and nations will see their moral duty to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people and back this up with action not just words.

We pray for protection, wisdom and strength, for those working to bring treatment and comfort to the sick and their families.

We pray for individuals struggling to decide whether to receive the vaccine.  We ask that their fears be settled and that the information they receive be truthful and honest.

We pray special grace and help for the vulnerable and lesser-developed nations.

We pray for a safe, effective, and affordable vaccine to be released soonest and the continued development of a range of vaccines to supply the whole world

We continue to release faith, hope, and love over the peoples of the world. May the Church seize this opportune time to manifest Jesus our Lord and Savior to those who are seeking answers and peace.

The Olympic games would normally draw Christians from across the world to support and lead mission work alongside the games.  This would be of particular importance to Japan, one of the least reached countries with the gospel of Jesus in the world, with only 0.5% of the population professing to be Christian. 

However the COVID pandemic has hindered many plans, and the question still remains as to whether the games should proceed at all.

Current polls in Japan show nearly 70% of the population do not want the Olympics to go ahead, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) remains steadfast that the spectacle will take place.  Japan has long insisted there was no question the Olympics, which should have taken place last summer, would be held and will be safe and this was reaffirmed by the Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the recent G7 conference.

Any decision to cancel the games can only be taken by the IOC and not the host city. The Olympic charter also stipulates that the IOC should ensure "the health of the athletes" and promote "safe sports", Despite all this, the IOC seems determined to go ahead.

There are also serious commercial risks to consider: "Under various clauses within this host city agreement, if Japan was to unilaterally cancel the contract, then by and large, the risks and losses would fall with the local organising committee," Professor Jack Anderson at the University of Melbourne told the BBC.

Some missionary work will continue in Japan, for example IMB missionaries in Tokyo have developed evangelism and outreach plans utilizing both volunteers and Japanese churches and believers. These plans required adapting, first with the postponement of the 2020 Olympics and second with the news that international spectators would not be permitted to attend the games in 2021. IMB missionaries shifted their efforts from being event-oriented to strategy-oriented with a focus on utilizing events to enhance their outreach. Their strategy is two-fold, Bradford said. They will be planting churches and supporting Japanese believers and churches.

There are many Christian athletes competing in the Olympics to follow and pray for.  5 of these are discussed here.

Pray: for the safety of all those involved in the Olympic Games however they may or may not proceed.
Pray: for those making decisions about the event, that compassion and love will feature instead of greed and commercial interest.
Pray: for those sportsmen and sportswomen who use their skills and talents as witnesses for Christ (1 Peter 4:10)
Pray: for those involved in mission work around the Olympics, that they will be led by the Spirit in all they do (Matthew 28:19-20)
Pray: for the people of Japan, who are divided in their support for the games, for a peaceful and gracious spirit.

More / Sources: BBC news, Baptist Press – International Mission Board

IPC will be providing some more detailed prayer briefings in partnership with Japan International Sports Partnership and Japanese Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) to guide our prayers for Japan and the Olympics in next month’s IPC Connections email and on our website.

Latin America continues to be a continent enduring profound suffering. 

Alongside some background articles about current affairs in parts of the continent, IPC’s Latin America Director – Yanira Gonzalez – has drawn together some prayer points to focus our hearts and minds on the needs of the people of Latin America.

The effects of the pandemic after a year on the continent have been devastating: deaths, unemployment, increased poverty, depression, domestic violence. Pray that the church will be a prophetic voice in this crisis announcing hope, grace and forgiveness. Latin America needs to hear God’s voice.

During the course of 2021, nine Latin American countries will hold elections, with five—Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Peru—selecting presidents.  In particular, the Chilean and Peruvian elections will be taking place during the coming weeks.

The Chilean elections have already demonstrated the turmoil that 18 months of the pandemic have brought to many nations as Chile's centre-right ruling coalition failed to secure a critical one-third of seats in the body that will draft the country's new constitution.

With 90% of the votes counted, candidates backed by President Sebastian Pinera's centre-right Chile Vamos coalition had won only a fifth while independents picked up the most votes. New proposals will require two-thirds approval and without a third of the delegates, the government will struggle to block radical changes to the constitution unless it can forge new alliances.

At the time of writing this article, the result of Peru’s election remains unclear.  Peru’s left wing candidate Pedro Castillo, a relative newcomer to the political scene, has claimed victory in the after clinging on to a narrow lead as the lengthy vote count ended, although his right-wing rival has pledged to fight the result and has yet to concede.

Castillo ended the count 44,058 votes ahead of Keiko Fujimori, who has made allegations of fraud with little proof and has tried to get some votes annulled.

The result of the ballot held on 6 June has not been formally announced by electoral authorities, but Castillo hailed the win on Twitter.

As tensions increase, United Nations Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet expressed her concern.

"Electoral institutions and the decisions they make must be respected and accepted," she tweeted.

 "If the rules of democracy are not accepted before, during and after the elections, it can create dangerous cracks in social cohesion."

Please pray for deeply divided Peru.

Pray: for Colombia’s ongoing protests against increased taxes, corruption, inequality, lack of opportunity and health care reform, proposed by the government of President Ivan Duque Marquez to stop.  The protests have claimed dozens of lives since the end of April, 2021 in Bogota and other main cities. Pray that God will touch the heart of government and demonstrators with peace.

Pray: for a continental movement of repentance from the shedding of innocent blood supported for many abortion laws approved by governments in Latin America. Pray for mercy! (Psalm 106:38 And shed innocent blood, even blood of their sons and of their daughters,/; and polluted the land with blood. Proverbs 6:16, 17... These six things the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.)

Please pray for a practical solution for the USA – Mexico Southern Border Crisis.

Pray: for the welfare of 21,000+ children incarcerated in US-run shelters awaiting immigration clearance, and for their families facing stressful processes and uncertainties.

Pray: for protection and rescue of trafficked children whose freedom and innocence have been betrayed (Matthew 18:10)

“Unauthorized immigrants are now running head over heels toward the Border Patrol in a most unlikely pattern of controlled anarchy.”  The San Diego Union Tribune May 7, 2021)

In Venezuela, a meeting of the National spiritist council, sorcerers, federation of ancestral religions, shamans, yatiris and governmental leaders of the continent is being summoned for a strategic proclamation of the Bolivarian* movement in Latin America. They want to establish not only a more leftist agenda, but spiritism as an endorsement of popular socialism to activate a revolution in our nations. We invite you to pray against all witchcraft and invocation of ancestral spirits that want to take over Latin America.

*Bolivarianism is a mix of pan-hispanic, socialist and national-patriotic ideals fixed against injustices of imperialism, inequality and corruption named after Simón Bolívar, the 19th-century Venezuelan general and liberator from the Spanish monarchy then in abeyance, who led the struggle for independence throughout much of South America. 

The Bolivarian Revolution is a political process in Venezuela that was led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez, the founder of the Fifth Republic Movement and later the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).  According to Chávez and other supporters, the Bolivarian Revolution seeks to build an inter-American coalition to implement Bolivarianism, nationalism and a state-led economy.  (Attribution: Wikipedia)

Please pray for the spirits of darkness, ideological, political and occult, to be bound along with their human actors who want to destabilize and destroy Latin America and all freedom-loving nations.

Pray: that God would raise up leaders with integrity, godly inspired to bring transformation to their nations.

More / Sources: AS / COA, Reuters, The Guardian

Psalm 122:6 tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  Currently Israel is undergoing significant upheaval whilst still facing threats from Palestinians in Gaza. 

Having seen 11 days of relative peace following a ceasefire agreed between Israeli and Palestinian forces, the Israeli military confirmed an aircraft attack in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday 16^th June, retaliating against incendiary balloons deployed by Hamas.

The attack comes barely two days after the ousting of Israel's former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The attack reportedly targeted Hamas armed compounds in response to incendiary balloons that were deployed from the area. The balloons caused 10 fires in fields of southern Israel, Reuters reported.

An unwieldy coalition calling itself “Change” has removed Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, after his most recent 12-year run. The eight-party coalition ranges from ultra-right religious nationalists to the secular hard-right, through the centre-right and residue of Israel’s left, to ally for the first time with an Arab Islamist party.

The new government will be led initially by Naftali Bennett, a champion of Jewish settlement. He is opposed to any Palestinian state and wants to annex most of the occupied West Bank and stands to the right of Netanyahu.

Yair Lapid, a former TV anchor and voice of liberal secular Israelis, whose party came second to Netanyahu’s Likud, is supposed to take over from Bennett as premier in 2023 and has provided what glue the coalition has.

Netanyahu’s removal from office has been met with dismay by some evangelical Christian groups whilst others have reaffirmed their support for Israel and a desire to stay out of day-to-day politics. 

Meanwhile, Netanyahu continues to challenge the legitimacy a the newly formed Israeli coalition, calling it the result of “the greatest election fraud” in the history of democracy.

Pray: that His peace may reign over the land of Israel (Psalm 122:6)
Pray: for Naftali Bennett as the new leader of the Israeli Government.  Pray@ that God will Provide him and the Government with the knowledge needed during these most difficult of times.
Pray: that the ceasefire may endure and that a peaceful resolution to this complex conflict may still be found.

Sources / More: The Financial Times, USA Today,

The outcome of Iran’s presidential election on Friday could reshape the country’s political balance of power – and Tehran’s relations with its allies and rivals.

Conservative candidate Ebrahim Raisi is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Hassan Rouhani, the reformist president whose second term is ending. Two low-profile reformist candidates are also vying for Iran’s highest political office.

A win for Raisi, or any of the other conservative candidates, would signal a break from the reform agenda headed by Rouhani and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif since 2013. 

Raisi was quoted in local media as saying, “I have come as an independent to the stage to make changes in the executive management of the country and to fight poverty, corruption, humiliation and discrimination.” Yet under his guidance as judiciary chief, more than 620 executions have taken place, the majority originating in unfair trials and minority groups.

That, in turn, could have significant consequences for countries keen to engage Tehran on a range of issues, including the landmark 2015 nuclear agreement, a series of regional conflicts and the detention of dual-nationals.

The Christian church continues to operate with incredible courage at this time, whilst facing ongoing persecution, threats and violence.

Pray: with thanks for the witness of Christians in Iran, their courage and perseverance.  Pray that they will know heavenly love and protection.

More /Sources: Persecution.org - International Christian Concern, Open Doors

As of the 8^th June, the United Nations said an estimated 100,000 people had been displaced in Myanmar's Kayah State by recent violence, including "indiscriminate attacks by security forces" against civilian areas. "The United Nations in Myanmar is concerned about the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation," the United Nations in Myanmar said in a statement.

The G7 nations issued a communique that "condemn[s] in the strongest terms the military coup in Myanmar, and the violence committed by Myanmar's security forces." It goes on to say that the G-7 nations "pledge our support to those advocating peacefully for a stable and inclusive democracy." It also says the G-7 governments will pursue "additional measures should they prove necessary," hinting at the possibility of additional sanctions.

However, the reality of life in Myanmar remains awful for many.  Thousands are in flight across Myanmar because of armed strikes and indiscriminate attacks and arrests conducted by the Tatmadaw, the armed forces of Myanmar, deepening a humanitarian crisis emerging in Kayah and Chin states. According to a community leader from Loikaw, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the Myanmar military, the Tatmadaw “see the civilians as their enemies.”

“No one is safe from their attacks. Anyone they are suspicious of, anyone they think are against them, they will arrest, they will torture and some of them are even shot to death. It happens here every day, so people are hiding.” He said so far 50 have been killed in Kayah State, and many have been wounded. “Even peaceful protesters have been shot.”

The source in Loikaw said the Tatmadaw have attacked churches and homes with drone and air strikes, mortar and small arms fire, killing noncombatants and driving thousands into the nearby forests and mountains. “The church is under attack” in Kayah State, he said, both the “People of God” and church buildings.

Four churches of the Diocese of Loikaw have come under heavy weapons fire since mid-May. Now most church functions throughout the state have been shut down completely and many parishes are “totally abandoned.”

The Rev'd Susan McIvor has had links with the Church in Upper Myanmar since 1998 and visited many times. She has written this prayer for the current situation:

Loving God,

We pray for the people of Myanmar in their struggle for justice, peace and freedom.

We stand in solidarity with all who are calling for the restoration of democracy and an end to the violence perpetrated by the Myanmar military against protestors and civilians.

We hold in our hearts those towns, cities and communities where the loss of life is great, and where it is no longer safe for people to go about their ordinary tasks.   We pray for those who have fled into the forests or neighbouring countries fearing for their lives or their loved ones.

We pray in solidarity with the minority Christian population in Myanmar.  We pray for all churches as they support their communities.

We pray for the Methodist Church in Upper Myanmar, its colleges, healthcare and social development projects, grieving alongside our brothers and sisters as they count the loss of loved ones.  We pray that, in the face of atrocity, people will be strengthened by their faith and the knowledge of Your goodness and love. 

We pray for ourselves. 

When we feel powerless to change things show us how through our actions and our prayers Your love is made known.   

When we reach out to support people in Myanmar, give us words of wisdom, compassion and hope.

And when our hearts are breaking with despair for those we know in Myanmar, fill us with Your peace. 

AMEN

More / Sources: The United Nations, Americamagazine.org, Methodists UK

Nato leaders have declared China presents a security risk at their annual summit in Brussels, the first time the traditionally Russia-focused military alliance has asserted it needs to respond to Beijing’s growing power.

The final communique, signed off by leaders of the 30-member alliance at the urging of the new US administration, said China’s “stated ambitions and assertive behaviour present systemic challenges to the rules-based international order”.

The Nato leaders declared their concern about China’s “coercive policies” – an apparent reference to the repression of the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang – the expansion of its nuclear arsenal and its “frequent lack of transparency and use of disinformation”.

The language, notably stronger than the China remarks contained in the G7 statement agreed on Sunday, follows lobbying and pressure by the Biden administration, seeking to create a counterweight of democratic nations in response to Beijing’s growing economic and military might.

American President Biden is seeking to build an international consensus against China and has used the G7 and NATO summits to support this.  China has issued strong rebuttals, saying “The U.S. is ill and very ill indeed” and that “the G-7 had better take its pulse and come up with a prescription.”

Pray: that our leaders will continue to show strength and courage as they stand up for what is right and good. (1 Tim 2:1-4)

Pray: that the language of diplomacy will bring peace and hope and subdue the language of confrontation and threat.

More / Sources: The Guardian, Bloomberg

The ongoing departure of American troops from Afghanistan has led to an upsurge in violence, great instability, and real fear for the future of the county. 

In the last week alone the fight between Afghan government troops and the Taliban has entered a more brutal phase as a reduction in airstrikes against the militants by withdrawing U.S. forces has largely shifted combat to ground engagements, many on the edges of densely populated urban areas after some recent Taliban advances. 

It is in this context that we share with you the following message from John D Robb – Co-Founder of International Prayer Connect.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Afghanistan needs our special prayers at this time. This nation, from which the 9/11 attacks and other terror plots were launched 20 years ago, could again fall into the hands of the Taliban, the Islamic radical group that ruled the country, creating great havoc and harm for both their people and our world.

Please see this call to prayer from a dear friend who has given decades of his life along with his team to serve the country and its long-suffering people.

Can we pray and agree together with the authority Jesus has given us in Matthew 18:18-20 that a divine reversal will take place? The Lord also said that by releasing even a mustard seed of real faith we can see mountains move and nothing will be impossible to us (Matthew 17:20).

From our concerned brother:

"In our last prayer-mail we informed you that the US and NATO decided to pull out all the troops by September. Many of us, especially the Afghan people were shocked by this decision and even worse that this is being done without any conditions required of the Taliban. It was clear before and has become now even more evident that the Afghan Army strongly needs help to defend their country. 
The Afghan government reports that after 1st May 30 additional districts fell into the hands of Taliban. They controlled already 73 districts and by now it has risen to 104. They have even conquered areas where they have not been strong before. In several instances cities or military bases have been surrounded by Taliban for up to three weeks and no help came, after which they were captured. 

Target killings, especially in the capital have risen. The vehicle of a close brother of one of our believers was blown up and he just escaped where all the other passengers burnt to death.

One of our local worker’s relatives returned from a wedding to their home when the Taliban stopped their bus, took six young people out and killed them in front of the eyes of all their relatives. While ten deminers were recently killed, probably by IS, today it was reported that five polio vaccinators were killed and four injured by the Taliban.

There have been power cuts in the capital as the Taliban blew up power lines. It has been reported that 28 antennas have been destroyed which makes communication extremely difficult.
 
Much more sad news can be added to those already mentioned. We would like to ask you to fervently pray for Afghanistan that God would step in and save this nation from being captured and governed again by the Taliban. We share the deep disappointment with our friends in the country about the way this country has been abandoned, and we look to God Almighty and pray that He will release His heavenly Hosts to save this nation.

Please pray with us for:

• The government as well as the army will stay united and for wisdom in all their decisions.
• Courage and strength for the Afghan army and police force and that they would successfully recapture all the lost territory.
• Protection of our foreign and local staff and local brothers and sisters throughout the country and for wisdom and discernment in making the right decisions. So far, our teams were able to carry on the work.
• That many Afghans will get to know the Lord in these times of desperation and uncertainty.

In the Bible are many examples how God is able to protect his people from overwhelming enemies that He has the power to rescue also this nation (Psalm 68)." 

May I, John, add the following? Let us pray that the US government and NATO authorities will reconsider their foolish decision and decide to leave at least a skeleton force to support the Afghans rather than abandon them. It makes no sense to have tens of thousands of troops in other places where international security is threatened and not here from where the 9/11 attacks were planned and carried out.

Thanks so much for keeping this challenging situation in your prayers of faith at this crucial time. Let's pray with His authority mingled with faith and watch to see what He does to bring deliverance.

Yours in Christ,

John D Robb – Co-Founder
International Prayer Connect