A prayer leader friend focusing on Pakistan writes: "We have been focussing prayer on 8 pir sites in the form of an 8-pointed star with the Uch Sharif shrine (#9) in the middle. All of these shrines are located in Pakistan.
At the beginning of this prayer action the Lord showed the following to one intercessor: "I saw the map of Afghanistan and Pakistan and overit was a huge hand holding an uprooted plant. This plant was extremely ugly, with profuse black, dried up branches and leaves, twisted and matted. But the root was one huge long white taproot...."
There is an ancient, pre-islamic religious, spiritistic root in these nations that has more to do with Hinduism/Buddhism. And there are very powerful pirs, both dead and alive who keep this spiritism alive. Such pirs, islamic spirit mediums, have a huge influence over political leaders and also empower the Taliban in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now is the time for this huge long white taproot to be uprooted by prayer.
1. Pray for the Light of the Gospel to penetrate these places and that God will send prayer teams to these sites.
2. Pray for the protection, health and growth of local Christians.
3. Pray that the power and influence of these pirs and pir sites will be broken over the government and people of Pakistan. May many of the pirs and their followers, including politicians and business people, turn to Christ.
We live in a world where over a third of all births in urban areas are not registered, where 61 million primary-aged children are not enrolled in school and where 275 million children witness domestic violence each year. Through no fault of their own, tens of thousands of vulnerable children live day-by-day without the love and support of others.
The theme of this year's World Weekend of Prayer - held on 7-8 June 2014 - is 'child-friendly communities'. Our desire is to turn to God together in prayer for a change of attitude and action by all communities around the world towards their children.
We're calling on Christians wherever they are that weekend to join us in praying that marginalised children would be loved and protected, that leaders would be wise in creating policies, and that churches would have a heart for children in their communities.
Please be part of this global prayer campaign, which brings together over 140,000 adults and children from 40 countries, praying in 24 languages. It's very powerful when vulnerable children take part in praying for children at risk in other countries, as well as for adults and leaders in their own communities.
At www.worldweekendofprayer.com you will find various resources, including our resource guide - which I've attached here - plus activities for all ages, a meditation video and a theological reflection. Translated materials will be available in May.
Our Facebook page is www.facebook.com/WWPrayer
Andrew Dubock Communications Manager, World Weekend of Prayer
Sunday 13th through to Monday 14th April 2014 - IPC Member Organisations and friends will be joining with the 4-14 Day of Global Prayer and Praise.
The live broadcast can be followed here: http://globalprayerandpraise.com
Sunday 13th through to Monday 14th April 2014 - IPC Member Organisations and friends will be joining with the 4-14 Day of Global Prayer and Praise.
The live broadcast can be followed here: http://globalprayerandpraise.com
April 19, 2014
Haroon, 22, a christian youth has been shot and killed by a Muslim co-worker, Farooq, in Pakistan. Farooq mocked Haroon's Christian faith on a daily basis and tried to convert him to Islam so he can
get married to a wealthy, beautiful Moslem girl. On Haroon's refusal he shot him in the head. Haroon died on the spot.
Please pray for the protection of God's people in the nation and for the overthrow of the spirit of violence and persecution there.
Altaf and Eileen Naseem
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together In one place" - Acts 2:1
PRAY WITH YOUR CHURCH, ASSEMBLE IN PUBLIC PLACES, GATHER IN HOMES OR SECRET PLACES
United by a Prayer for the World, Christians from all over the world, from different cultures and denominations, from many diverse streams will gather in their homes, or where appropriate, assemble in stadiums, public auditoriums and open squares and many will devote portions of their Sunday morning Service to united prayer.
Some meetings will be small. Others will be large, but each one will be praying with the same vision of repentance and hope. As at the first Pentecost, we'll worship God openly in Christ's name and pray for the healing and blessing of the nations. As much as possible, we are seeking to gather in places beyond the walls of our church buildings.On this day we are all praying WITH the world as we pray FOR the world.
A New Season Global Day of Prayer - Promotional Video
A Prayer for the World
- To unite in Prayer with Christians from across the globe, we request every observance to use "A Prayer For The World" during their gathering.
- Prayer For The World" during their gathering.
Over the past two months we have been reporting on the outbreak of foot and mouth disease among North Korean livestock. This is a very serious disease that can devastate the nations supply of pigs, cattle, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals. The latest reports are that it continues in the North but there is no clear knowledge of the extent. Soon after the first cases occurred, South Korea offered help in eradication and prevention but the North has not responded. South Korea sustained a devastating outbreak several years ago and works very hard to prevent more.
In addition to the threat to the meat supply there is growing concern over the food supply in general.
Except for those who have the special privilege of living in Pyongyang, people throughout the country are struggling. The provision of rice and other staples through the Public Distribution System has ceased. Last year, many people received rations from the special stores set aside for the military--which were often moldy and full of bugs--but even that is not being provided this year resulting in a great deal of dissatisfaction. At the same time, Choco-pies and Ramen noodles provided through South Korean companies at the Kaesong Industrial Park are the basis for a whole separate economy. Meanwhile, the government's efforts to assure agricultural bounty through the use of the military continues to backfire breeding corruption and hardship and the rise of a new class conflict. Additionally, soldiers being detailed to important construction projects are taking the food they need from the general populace.
Of course, food is not the only problem the people face as efforts to stem defection increase. More families face internal exile because of family members who have crossed illegally into China while those who do so legally are under pressure to report on any defectors that they hear about. North Korea is also sending teams of security agents into China to search out and arrest North Koreans who have escaped into the country.
An interesting development on the political front is the apparent removal from power of Kim Jong Un's aunt, Kim Kyung-Hui, wife of executed former number-two-man, Jang Son Thaek by eliminating her from all records. A video that had included her has just been re-released with her edited out of it.
Kim Jong Un has been quite active lately in carrying out inspections around the country. May 5th is Children's Day in South Korea and May 8th is Parents' Day. As we think about these holidays, it is good to think about the children and families of North Korea as well as the idolization of the leader as a father for all the people.
And, we continue to pray for Ken Bae's release.
Ben Torrey,
Director
The Fourth River Project, Inc.
One of our IPC Leader writes: "Thanks for praying. Our whole team just came back safely from mainland China. We have an extraordinary powerful time there, 500 key leaders, from 24 provinces, all doing children's ministries have been with us. Breakthroughs after breakthroughs these few days, with quite a lot of both tears and laughter, fall exactly during this strategic kairos timing of the 4/14, Palm Sunday, Passover week entering into this time of the unleavened bread. Heaven on earth!
What the Father has been doing right now in China is really so far and deep beyond our expectations. Now the China Children in Prayer Wall has amazingly launched out and nine regional Cip networks, representing the nine big regions of our whole nation has been established at the same time together last night! All glory to Father God the Almighty."
Praise the Lord and please pray for the 500 ministry leaders that took part and for the nine regional networks to grow strongly and continue in unity to raise up a whole generation of children and youth in this strategic nation.