Invitation
You are invited to a Prophetic Prayer Assembly in South Africa to:
- Welcome the King of Glory in the Southern Gate of Africa through a prophetic action
- Welcome a prayer team from the Pacific Islands on their journey towards Jerusalem (APPA)
- Pray for God’s plans for Africa and for the fulfilment of many prophecies concerning Africa and her role in this season of advancing God’s kingdom on earth, and especially for the fulfilment of the Isaiah 19 Highway
- Release a ‘New Song’ from ‘Beyond the Rivers of Cush’ as prophesied in Zeph.3:10
Attached documents: Invitation letter; The vision of Welcoming the King of Glory in Jerusalem 2017; The History of the prayer movement in South Africa; The Trumpet Call 2015 in Europe; Registration for Goudini Spa conference.
Dates: 22 – 25 August 2016 (Prayer Assembly)
26 August 2016 (Prayer action at the southernmost tip of Africa)
Venue: Goudini Spa, Worcester, South Africa (http://www.atkvgoudini.caravanparks.co.za/ )
Airport: Cape Town International Airport
Conference costs and Accommodation: Please see attached document for registration and different accommodation options
For more information, please contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; Mobile tel. +27823351975 / +27827753793
Facilitated by APPA (All Peoples Prayer Assembly)
and Jericho Walls International Prayer Network.
The changing face of Christianity has been dramatic in our time. The Pew Foundation completed a six-year study of what Christianity will look like by 2050. They project that four out of every ten Christians in the world will live in sub-Saharan Africa. Whereas in 2010 they found that 25% of Christians are in Africa, by 2050 they project the percentage is going to go up to 40% of the world's population. One of the reasons could be MANI: The Movement for African National Initiatives. You can read all about the story and the latest gathering in the following MANI 2016 Press Release. - Luis and Doris Bush
MANI 2016 Press Release
The Movement for African National Initiatives
By Reuben Ezemadu
The Movement for African National Initiatives (MANI) recently drew together leaders from across Africa and around the world at two major events focused on the mobilization of the African Church for fulfillment of the Great Commission.
A Time of Celebration
MANI was launched in 2001 as a network of networks catalyzing African National Initiatives and mobilizing the resources of the Body of Christ in Africa for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Its purpose is to affirm, motivate, mobilize and network Christian leaders by inspiring them with the vision of reaching the unreached and least-evangelized in Africa, and the wider world.
A Time of Listening
The vision is advanced through the country assessment process, the communication of up-to-date research, partnering initiatives, prayer efforts and national, regional and continental consultations focused on the unfinished task. Previous MANI continental consultations have been held in Jerusalem (2001), Nairobi, Kenya (2006) and Abuja, Nigeria (2011)
The MANI 2016 Continental Consultation brought together 560 delegates from over fifty countries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 7-11, 2016. Held in the African Union Centre, Christian leaders focused on the biblical mandate to "make disciples of all nations" in the venue normally reserved for African heads of state and their representatives.
A Time of Reflecting
Dr Reuben Ezemadu (MANI Continental Coordinator) led the assembly in celebrating God's dynamic work through the African Church and in assessing the challenges that lie ahead. The consultation theme was "Hearing and Obeying God in Times Like These." Stirred by biblical expositions from Revelation 2 and 3, delegates sought to discern what the Spirit of God is saying to the Church in Africa regarding her national and global mission.
On behalf of the African body of Christ, delegates prayerfully repented, renewed their personal devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ and freshly aligned with God's mission of love to all nations. Worshipping the Lord of the harvest, they affirmed the collective goal of healthy, Christ-honoring churches living out the good news among every kind of people in every place.
Faced with the threat of militant Islam, African believers were called to loving, proactive witness in hostile contexts and to faithful obedience despite great suffering and loss. The participants acknowledged that least-reached peoples are now in greater contact with Christian communities than ever before. With millions of African Christians moving beyond their national borders, it was affirmed that the African Christian diaspora must be more intentionally equipped and mobilized as massive mission force.
MANI 2016 emphases included:
- Go North – mobilizing mission initiatives from sub-Saharan nations to the peoples of the Sahel and North Africa.
- Discipleship – multiplying followers of Jesus through disciple-making movements and other discipling
- Younger leaders – proactively developing emerging leaders and creating opportunities for their engagement in mission.
- Women – affirming and releasing African women to fully employ their gifts in Church and society.
- Children – nurturing the next generation as a redemptive force in our world.
- Prayer and intercession – hearing from God and recognizing that all-important work of the Spirit in the advance of the Gospel (Zech. 4:6)
- Orality – utilizing oral communication to reach the great majority of least-reached peoples living in oral cultures. One hundred global delegates traveled from other continents to learn from and collaborate with African delegates. Focused interaction was devoted to mutual partnering opportunities and best practices with the Church in Africa. Among topics discussed was the sending of African missionaries into other world regions as catalysts for evangelism, church planting and renewal.
MANI 2016 was highlighted by the presence of leaders from the China Mission 2030 movement who came in response to MANI's call for assistance in reaching two million Chinese living in Africa. They were enthusiastically received and returned home with a plethora of invitations.
MANI advocates the central strategy of national initiatives in mobilizing the African Church for mission. A national initiative is an evangelistic partnership within the body of Christ in a given country, drawing major denominations, local churches and Christian ministries together in a multi-pronged national strategy of renewal, church growth, discipleship and missions (e.g. church planting). National initiatives are currently in varying stages of development across the continent.
National delegations returned to their countries with a sharper vision and a revitalized commitment to see:
- every unreached people group, geographical area and class of society penetrated with the gospel;
- the involvement of a significant number of its churches in global missions;
- healthy churches functioning in every community of population;
- the Body of Christ working together to achieve these goals.
MANI 2016 culminated with the proclamation "from Addis to everywhere… until Jesus comes" and a reading of the MANI 2016 Declaration (follow this link to download a copy).
God is on the move in Africa and the African Church is moving with him! MANI has been raised up as a dynamic tool in God's hand to mobilize the body of Christ for the discipling of nations. May the Lord be honored in the outcomes of these two strategic events. For more information, please visit the MANI website: www.maniafrica.com.
Give thanks to the Lord for this dynamic and well-connected missions movement for the continent of Africa. Pray for MANI and its leadership as they move forward into the future and that the plans made by the Christian leaders taking part will be effectively and unitedly implemented so that every unreached people group will be reached with the Gospel of Christ in wise, loving and relevant ways.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!
“KI-YELED YULAD-LANU . . .” “FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN . . .”
FOR THE FIRST TIME, HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’ IS PERFORMED IN JERUSALEM—IN HEBREW!
On the fourth of April, the second day of the Passover “Feast of Unleavened Bread” there occurred a “Miracle Night” in Jerusalem. For the first time since it was written in 1741 the mighty oratorio “Messiah” by George Fredrich Handel was performed in Jerusalem in the language in which most of its texts were originally written—Hebrew! For two evenings a choir made up of Messianic Jewish and Christian believers and a chamber orchestra of professional musicians released those ancient texts of Salvation set to glorious music into the heavenlies over Jerusalem. The two performances took place in the “Pavilion”—a wonderful auditorium built and used by Believers in the center of the city.
It was a strange and wonderful experience, for those of us who are familiar with the oratorio in English and who have become familiar with the same texts in our Hebrew Bibles, to hear the beloved music, to hear the ancient texts, and to see in “super-titles” the actual Hebrew words being projected with their references on a screen above the stage—Here, in Jerusalem where most of the events took place—Here, the day after Passover when it took place—in the idiom through which it was prophesied to take place…
Visiting non-believing Israelis were stunned by the power of the Biblical texts and the music—and the “Spirit” which they felt in the air. Many had never realized how married the prophetic texts were to those of the New Covenant. Also…many portions of Isaiah 53 are in the Oratorio. Tellingly, this incredible prophecy of the suffering and ultimate victory of Messiah is unknown to most Jews—the portions taken from the Prophets read in Synagogues around the world each weekend, hit Isaiah 52, and 54—but leave out all of Isaiah 53.
Hopefully, these two performances were only the beginning of a new annual presentation of this wonderful vehicle of the Good News, not only in Jerusalem but throughout Israel!
PLEASE PRAY:
*Praise and Thanksgiving that the Spirit Who breathed all of these wonderful words of Scripture – and Who inspired one of His servants to use His gift in setting them to music – has chosen to release it in this way to His ancient people in the Land of Israel during these days—and in the language in which much of it was originally written to them.
*That the Holy Spirit will brood over those Israelis who attended the performances, not knowing their Messiah—that they would respond to the revelation released over the holy Word—drawing them with Everlasting Love. That their Mashiach would be revealed to them as the Passover Lamb of God, whose blood is their salvation, who bears away the sin of the world and brings us clean before our Father in Heaven.
* THAT LIGHT WILL SHINE IN DARKNESS AND THE DARKNESS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO EXTINGUISH IT!
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
Dear Prayer and Ministry Leader,
You are invited to an assembly of national prayer, denominational, and kingdom network leaders from across the nation. America is at a historic crossroads with growing threats within and without. It is a tumultuous election year and an absolutely pivotal time in our history. A dysfunctional and divided government has become increasingly ineffectual in dealing with our growing national problems, including a $19 trillion debt hanging over our heads. In addition, our society is becoming progressively apathetic—even cold to the things of God. Surely, we need a new Great Awakening to turn America around. A critical component in this pursuit of awakening is the coming together of both America’s prayer and denominational movements to seek His face. We need to join forces, praying with one heart and mind for a fresh, massive outpouring of His Spirit that will bring revival and transformation to the United States of America.
It is time to gather ministry leaders for two days of concentrated intercession, listening, and sharing what God is saying to us. As in the National Prayer Assembly of October 2014, we will have brief reports from experts on the critical issues facing the nation. Our approach will be to pray at least twice as much as we talk. Earlier assembly participants felt this was the right balance, so we will endeavor once again to let the Spirit of the Lord reveal, inspire, and pray His heart concerns through us for our nation.
Listed below are preliminary issues for our prayer focus at the NPA. If there are others you think are essential to be included, please send them for consideration to Dave Butts This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(National Prayer Committee) or John Robb This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (International Prayer Connect). You may also communicate with others on the NPA planning team listed below.
The NPA is by invitation only, so please do not forward this invitation to others unless they serve as leaders or coordinators of prayer ministries, national or denominational ministries, or kingdom networks.
We look forward to your being with us for this crucial time of encountering the Lord together on behalf of our beloved country.
Every blessing in Christ,
Dave Butts (National Prayer Committee)
Rickie Bradshaw (Pray Houston)
Pierre Bynum (Family Research Council)
Paul Cedar (Mission America Coalition)
Lisa Crump (National Day of Prayer)
Kay Horner (Awakening America Alliance)
Dave Kubal (Intercessors for America)
Daniel Lim and Doug Conder (International House of Prayer)
John Robb (International Prayer Connect)
Prayer Assembly Participant Details:
Time:
- 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, October 28, 201
Registration fee: $120 per person. You must register each person individually. The fee will include beverage service throughout, lunch on Friday, and our meeting space overlooking Washington, D.C. We are encouraging both prayer and fasting as part of the Assembly and a 40-day call to fasting prior to election.
To Register: https://intre.org/?297
Venue: Sheraton Pentagon City, Arlington, VA
- Reagan National Airport (DCA) is nearest airport.
- Shuttle service is provided to hotel.
- Special conference rate is $179/night.
lodging: To reserve your hotel accommodations please click here:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1603180291&key=101F35BB
For other questions about logistics, please contact Lisa Crump with the National Day of Prayer Task Force via email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Preliminary Prayer Emphases for the NPA:
- Repentance for
o Corporate sins of America
o Sins within the Church
- Reconciliation and healing of
o Leadership division
o Racial division
o Restorative justice
- Restoration of
o Spiritual revival and morality within the church
o Truth in media
o Morality in arts and entertainment
o Integrity and blessing in marketplace
o Protection for marriage and the family–an institution under assault
o Truth and protection in educational institutions
o Sanctity of human life and protection of the unborn
- Reaching and evangelizing the lost
o Prayer-care-share lifestyles among Jesus followers
- Government and the national election
- Religious freedom
o Court decisions
o Legislative actions
- Prayer movement
o Unity
o Strength
o Mobilization
o Engagement
- Next generation
o Children
o Youth
o Emerging Leaders
- False religion and the occult invasion
- National security issues
o Military forces
o Law enforcement
o Homeland security
o Radical Islam and ISIS threats
- Restoration of supremacy of Jesus Christ
o In church
o In society
Please join with us in prayer that ministry leaders from across the nation will heed God’s call and be able to join us for this time of all-out prayer at this pivotal time in American history. May it be a history-changing time for this nation!
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV
C.H. Spurgeon often referred to one of these ‘weapons’ as the ‘weapon of all prayer’. In one of his sermons titled Prayer is a Never-Failing Resort, he expanded upon the Apostle Paul’s instruction. As a seasoned and gifted shepherd, he said “Prayer is the never-failing resort of the Christian in any case, in every plight. When you cannot use your sword you may take to the weapon of all-prayer. Your powder may be damp, your bow string may be relaxed, but the weapon of all-prayer need never be out of order. Leviathan laughs at the javelin, but he trembles at prayer. Sword and spear need furbishing, but prayer never rusts, and when we think it most blunt it cuts the best. Prayer is the open door that none can shut.”
Prayer is a most powerful weapon in the hands of a seasoned prayer warrior, “pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.” Strategic, intentional, passionate, fervent prayer ‘avails much’! As we approach the National Day of Prayer, ask the Lord to reveal the strongholds that He would have you work on ‘pulling down’ in your family, in your community, and in our nation. Your ‘air strike’ of prayer can lay waste to any and all of the work that that enemy has built up.
The 65th annual National Day of Prayer takes place on Thursday, May 5th, just a few days from now. Get involved at www.NationalDayofPrayer.org
Alex Kendrick - Creator of War Room
At the 64th Annual National Day of Prayer observance in Washington DC, Alex shared this moving prayer for America:
Our Father in heaven, we come before You today, acknowledging You as our Creator. You are the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac, the One who established Your chosen people and through whom You gave Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ. You established the promised land of Israel and demonstrated time and time again that if Your people sought You, worshipped You, and obeyed You, that You would bless them with guidance, provision, and protection. But that if they turned away, then You would remove Your hand and allow judgment.
Continue reading this prayer >>
Prepare the Hearts of your People for the National Day of Prayer
In every movie from the Kendrick Brothers, including Courageous and Fireproof, prayer played a key role. In War Room, prayer is the star of the movie! Before the National Day of Prayer, plan to show War Room in your church with a special site license from Provident Films. And order now using the code NDP10 and your church will save 10%. Find out more and order your site license today here: http://providentfilms.org/film/war-room.
Click here to watch a special message from Alex Kendrick
There is still time to order - 50% OFF all National Day of Prayer Themed Product
We are just days away from the National Day of Prayer, and we want to make sure that everyone who is hosting an event has the opportunity to order resources that will help promote prayer in our nation.
http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/
National Day of Prayer Task Force · PO Box 64225, Colorado Springs, CO 80962, United States
The team behind Australia's National Day of Prayer & Fasting is calling the nations of the world to pray and fast for six days for USA from this Saturday 30 April - 5 May 2016. Watch this promo video.
Australia has done this for the last 3 years so this will be our fourth year praying for America. The 30 April 2016 is the USA Day of Repentance and 5 May 2016 is the USA National Day of Prayer.
Warwick Marsh from Australia said, “On the morning of 7 May 1942, Admiral Fletcher, commander of the US fleet gave orders to his scouting pilots to find the enemy fleet. Suddenly at 8.15AM his fighter pilots spotted the enemy. In warfare surprise is everything. It is our belief that this sighting was an answer to prayer.
Within a few hours the US aircraft carrier, the Lexington, and the Yorktown launched 80 Dauntless Dive Bombers, Torpedo Bombers and Fighters. The Naval Air Squadron attacked the Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho at 11AM. The carrier was hit by 13 bombs and up to 7 torpedoes, she sank at 11.35AM with a loss of 638 lives.
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a strategic victory for the United States and Australia because the Japanese invasion landing force was turned back permanently. Yet the cost of victory was high. 656 Americans paid the ultimate price in the fight against tyranny. Here is an Australian-produced documentary about the Battle for the Coral Sea.
This story is very relevant to us. In several days' time, we in both Australia and America will celebrate the 74th anniversary of that historic battle on the 4-8 May 1942. Many military historians would assert that the Battle of the Coral Sea was the turning point in the Second World War.
Right now the USA is in a spiritual battle for its very survival as a nation under God. Secular forces have taken prayer out of school and progressively waged war against family, faith and religious freedom. It is time for Australia and the people of the world to join with our brothers and sisters in Christ in the USA in this battle for their nation.”
Marsh continued, “We are praying for revival and transformation for America according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. We in Australia are grateful for the protection that America gave Australia during World War II. American blood was poured out in the Coral Sea for Australians. It is time for us to return the favour and get on our knees and pray for America. It is time for us to call the nations of the world to stand in the gap in prayer for America.
Often the prayer part of God's army is likened to the air arm aspect of modern warfare. The Battle of the Coral Sea was fought and won in the air. We believe the battle for both Australia and America will be fought and won on our knees. So we encourage whoever can to pray and fast in whatever way you can between Saturday 30 April and 5 May 2016. Together we can make a difference!”
For more information phone: Warwick Marsh 61 418 225 212
See the Main YouTube Prayer YouTube Video Here: Watch this promo video.
See this Australian prayer YouTube video of how God answered prayer & Fasting for America in 1746.
See the Australian prayer YouTube video of Abraham Lincoln’s ‘Presidential Proclamation of a Day of Prayer, Fasting and Humiliation’ 30 April 1863.
Ezekiel Australian Prayer for America YouTube Video: stand in the gap video
Facebook Versions of Above Videos for Ease of Posting:
Face Book Australia Calls World to Pray for USA 2016 - Short Promo 1:30Secs : https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432674033477/?type=2&theater
Facebook Abraham Lincoln Australian Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432737435062/?type=2&theater
Facebook Prayer & Fasting Miracle 1746 Australia Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432867758320/?type=2&theater
Facebook Ezekiel Australian Prayer Video: https://www.facebook.com/warwick.marsh.9/videos/vb.1186364112/10207432705994276/?type=2&theater
(From the Iraq-Syria Update by Robert Lee Maginnis
Author of 2015 book by Defender: Never Submit: Will The Extermination Of Christians Get Worse Before It Gets Better?)
APRIL, 2016
- Syrian peace talks unravel. Peace talks in Geneva to end Syria's civil war seem all but finished after the main opposition body, the High Negotiations Committee, decided to formally suspend its participation, Deutsche Welle reported April 20. A Western diplomat close to the situation said an end to talks now would be devastating, adding that they might not restart for at least a year. The opposition's announcement followed reports that airstrikes in Syria's Idlib province on April 19 killed more than 40 civilians. The U.S. State Department said the Syrian government was likely responsible for the airstrikes. Opposition delegates said they refuse to participate in negotiations while reports surface of government troops violating the country's crumbling cease-fire. With heavy fighting throughout the country, the cease-fire seems to be at its breaking point, and rebel leaders are openly calling for more arms support from outside backers. For its part, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the High Negotiations Committee of blackmail for walking out of negotiations and used the opportunity to call for other opposition groups to participate in the talks.
Please pray that the Syrian peace talks and ceasefire will get back on track and that the recent violations will be stopped.
- ISIS and Boko Haram collaborate more closely. The New York Times reports that American officials claim ISIS and Nigeria’s Boko Haram terror network are collaborating more closely and planning more attacks on American allies in North and Central Africa. On Wednesday, the commander of American special operations forces in Africa cited a weapons convoy believe to belong to ISIS in Libya that was headed for the Lake Chad region, an area devastated by Boko Haram. Officials said the convoy demonstrates a direct link between the two extremist groups. That shipment was seized near the Chadian border with Libya on April 7.
Pray that links between terror groups will be cut off and that their plans to attack will be discovered and foiled.
- Chaos continues in Iraqi parliament reshuffle dispute. Chaos continues in Iraq's parliament amid an ongoing fight over Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's proposed Cabinet reshuffle, NRT reported April 20. Speaker Salim al-Jabouri canceled the parliament's April 20 session, disregarding a recent vote by a number of protesting lawmakers to replace him. At the same time, Kurdish party blocs announced a boycott of all parliamentary sessions until they deem the parliament once again legitimate. The al-Ahrar bloc, a group of Shiite parties affiliated with powerful Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, also said it would not attend any parliamentary sessions… The political drama, coupled with the country's deep financial woes, comes during a critical time in the battle against the Islamic State.
Pray for the unity and stabilization of the Iraqi government and that they will be successful in their military effort against ISIS.
- Iraqi anti-ISIS efforts stumble, Pentagon wants to come to the rescue. The Military Times reports the Pentagon is finalizing plans to deploy more American ground troops to support Iraq’s offensive to retake Mosul. That plan is headed for the White house. “The timing is focused on the next phase of the campaign, which is towards Mosul,” Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said. Dunford declined to provide a number of additional troops but unnamed defense officials reported indicate those numbers are closer to 5,000. There are now officially 3,870 U.S. personnel authorized for the counter-ISIS effort in Iraq.
- ISIS targets Germany for Brussels-style attacks. Reuters reports that ISIS posted pictures on the Internet calling on German Muslims to carry out Brussels-style attacks in Germany and especially Chancellor Angela Merkel’s offices at the Cologne-Bonn airport. The ISIS images published in German media outlets on Thursday included slogans in German inciting local Muslims to commit violence against the “enemy of Allah.” A German federal police spokeswoman said, “We are aware of this material and our experts are checking it. It is clear that Germany is the focus of international terrorism and that attacks could happen, but this material doesn’t change our security assessment.”
Pray that any intended attacks on Germany or other nations will be found out and overthrown.
- Obama rallies support to keep ISIS from obtaining nuclear material. Bloomberg reports that President Obama is using the nuclear summit in Washington to call for stepped-up efforts to keep ISIS from obtaining nuclear material perhaps for a radiological bomb attack. Bloomberg reports that Obama’s call comes after investigators into ISIS’ attacks last year in Paris found surveillance footage of a senior official at the Nuclear Research Center in Belgium, the nation where 32 victims were killed in a series of attacks on March 22. U.S. officials told Bloomberg ISIS leaders have the intent to use any weapon they can to murder or create fear but, according to those officials, ISIS doesn’t currently have the capability to deploy nuclear or radiological weapons such as a “dirty bomb.”
Pray that terrorists will be unable to get access to weapons of mass destruction whether nuclear, chemical or biological.
- ISIS inside the Saudi kingdom. The New York Times reports about a growing ISIS-influenced insurgency inside the kingdom. This shouldn’t be surprising because ISIS embraced elements of Saudi Arabia’s conservative version of Islam – a Sunni creed known as Wahhabism. “Wahhabism is fundamental to the Islamic State’s ideology,” said Cole Bunzel, a scholar of Wahhabi history at Princeton University. “It informs the character of their religion and is the most on-display feature, in my opinion, of their entire ideology.” There have been at least 20 ISIS-inspired terrorist episodes in Saudi Arabia since late 2014 and in each case the ISIS terrorists claimed Saudi Arabia practiced a corrupted version of the faith
- Merging ISIS and AQ franchises into greater global menace? Foreign Affairs reports that our so-called terrorism experts keep misjudging groups like al Qaeda. John Brennan, the president’s Homeland Security and Counterterrorism advisor, said in 2012 “we can look ahead and envision a world in which the al Qaeda core is simply no longer relevant.” This February James Clapper, director of National intelligence, painted a bleak picture of the newly resurgent al Qaeda alongside the expansionist ISIS as a global threat. Clapper admitted in Senate testimony, al Qaeda has “proven resilient and are positioned to make gains in 2016.” Clapper went on to describe ISIS as “the preeminent terrorist threat because … its branches and emerging branches in other countries, and its increasing ability to direct and inspire attacks against a wide range of targets around the world.” The Foreign Affairs piece speculations that over the next few years al Qaeda and ISIS might reunite or “at least have entered into some form of alliance or tactical cooperation.” Why? Consider the following that might drive the groups together. (1) ideological similarities between ISIS and al Qaeda and they share the same enemies – Western democratic kafur/infidels, (2) their differences are over clashing egos not substance, (3) they share the same strategy – resurrection of the caliphate and establishment of the Islamic State, and (4) reuniting has been a regular feature of the behavior and rhetoric of both sides.
Pray that no alliance of ISIS, Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups will be possible. May they be thrown into confusion, division and defeat!
- West African group pledges to ISIS. The Long War Journal reports that the Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), also known as Boko Haram, reaffirmed its allegiance to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al Baghdadi. In a video message an ISWA spokesman said the “steadfastness of the monotheists” and that the “enemies of Allah the Almighty hold conferences and meetings to come up with a solution for the hole into which they fell, thinking that they can rescue their proxies and allies from the assault of the soldiers of the caliphate.” The ISWA spokesman promises his group will inflict harm on their enemies in “Nigeria, the Niger border, Cameroon, or Chad.” The spokesman also lambasted the Nigerian government for claiming “victory is imminent” over the jihadist group. “Neither the disbelievers nor their apostate henchmen were able to extinguish the light of Allah, so they rushed to use trumpets of hypocrisy from among media personnel and journalists to achieve what they can of fake victory.”
- Giant Islamic “gray zone” in Europe etc. The Gatestone Institute published an article musing just how large is the Muslim “gray zone” in Europe today. The term “gray zone” originated in the 1970s when Europe was terrorized by communist groups and the big question when was “How deep is the ‘gray zone’?” – the sympathizers of terrorism. Peggy Noonan speculates in the Wall Street Journal that perhaps 10% of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims harbor feelings of grievance toward “‘the West,’ or desire to expunge the infidel, or hope to re-establish the caliphate.” That translates into 160 million who would become jihadi or give them aid. It is noteworthy a BBC commissioned report found 27% of British Muslims have sympathy for the terrorists who attacked the Charlie Hebdo office in Paris and another poll released by Newsweek found 16% of French Muslims support ISIS. The most enthusiasm for ISIS comes from Qatar with 47% and Pakistan with 35%. Worse for Europe, among young European Muslims support for suicide bombings range from 22% in Germany to 42% in France, according to a Pew poll.
Let’s continue to pray for the overthrow of ISIS and other radical groups like Boko Haram and Al Shabab. Pray for the peace and healing of Syria and Iraq and that the international coalition will be successful in its military, social media, and other actions to effectively counter this growing terrorist menace to our world. Pray that radical Muslims are unable to get their hands on weapons of mass destruction and that the intelligence community will be able to track and interdict any such intentions. Pray too that many of today’s terrorists will be converted by the power of God through visions, dreams and the courageous sharing of the Gospel by believers with whom they come into contact. May Sauls become Pauls and become mighty missionaries to the Muslim world!
We in the IPC are deeply involved in putting on the UPRISING: World Youth Prayer Assembly this July 26-29 in South Korea. Up to 2000 on-fire young people (under 35 generation) are expected to come from around the world to pray for their generation, get connected with one another, and become His movers and shakers to mobilize others of their generation in their own nations and regions for Christ’s global mission. These next generation leaders will become change-agents in all the Seven Mountains, including business, media, the arts, and other walks of life besides serving in church and missions leadership. We anticipate the WYPA being an ignition point for a developing global youth prayer and mission movement that will grow to a much larger gathering in Indonesia in 2018 (up to one million)
Please pray that the right youth and young adults will hear about the WYPA and be able to come from every region of the world to take part. Intercede for the organizing team and for those working on the program. Pray too for the provision of the remaining funding that is needed for this epic event for the next generation.
Here are two additional things you can do that will greatly help the cause:
- Please introduce the WYPA to any under-35 youth and young adults with a heart for serving the Lord in your network, sharing the attached video and information below and asking them to consider joining us in South Korea.
- Share the UPRISING with older generation people that have a heart for the next generation, the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and the raising up of new leadership for His purposes worldwide through the international prayer movement. We would welcome their involvement in participating in South Korea as mentors. Also, there are significant financial needs to be met and we would greatly value yours and their financial support which can be given through the website below.
Here is the latest brief video that our young UPRISING colleagues have produced and their message and registration information is also attached.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwymdPyVARk
Message from the UPRISING planning team:
Our generation has lost so much already. Day after day, immorality kills our conscience, violence destroys our peace, and selfishness steals our compassion.
Now is the time to say, "Enough!" Now is the time to take a stand. NOW IS THE TIME.
Join the rising up of our generation as we take back what is rightfully ours. Join the warriors who will engage in battle on our knees. Join the UPRISING!
UPRISING 2016 July 26-28 Ilsan Kwanglim, Ilsan, South Korea July 29 Nuri Peace Park, DMZ, South Korea
REGISTER NOW! www.unitedprayerrising.com For inquiries, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Watch out for the Conference Schedule and Recommended Accommodation to be available at the website very soon!
Blessings,
UPRISING Team
Over this last month, we have seen incredible momentum build toward Together 2016. Partnerships have grown and more ministries are jumping on board. Jesus is showing up in amazing ways. We want to fill you in on more exciting ways you can be part of Together 2016 and remind you of our upcoming monthly ministry partner call.
How you can be part of Together
Get a free promo kit
Let us equip you with all the tools needed to spread the word about Together 2016 with your network. Flyers and posters are all included in our new promo kits. Request a kit at reset2016store.com and only pay for shipping!
Volunteer
Putting on an event of such size requires many hands. Over 5,000 volunteers are needed to make Together 2016 run smoothly. Sign-up your ministry group for a shift of volunteering and be part of the day. See the different volunteer opportunities at reset2016.com/volunteer.
10,000 NEXT Opportunities
Our hope is to provide 10,000 young leaders with internships and next-step oppportunities after Together 2016. Does your ministry offer programs in U.S. missions, global missions, or internships? Register at reset2016.com/next the opportunities your ministry has for those who feel called into a season of service.
Monthly Ministry Partner Call
Join our monthly ministry leader call to hear Together updates and provide your own input or ask questions!
Ministry leader call will be Thursday, April 7, at 10AM (CST).
Here's the information for joining the video call: Go to http://campusrenewal.zoom.us/j/814337982 (the software takes about a minute to download) OR join by phone: 415.762.9988 Meeting ID: 814.337.982
Praying with you,
The Together Team
On May 5, hundreds of thousands will be praying on the National Day of Prayer for this kind of change. Some will gather in Washington, D.C.; others will be at more than 40,000 smaller gatherings scattered throughout the nation. We encourage you to go to their website (www.nationaldayofprayer.org) and find a prayer event near you. We are partnering with them to pray for revival and spiritual awakening to sweep our nation.
Prepare Yourself
Immediately following the National Day of Prayer, we will launch our Together 40-Day Fast. From May 6 to June 14, we will fast and pray as a way to “prepare ourselves” for the gathering in Washington, D.C. on July 16. You can download a prayer guide at www.reset2016.com/prayer. Please encourage your friends and church to join you in an extraordinary time of seeking Jesus.
Here are some prayer requests for this month:
- We are now less than four months away from the July 16 event. Just imagine all the details that need to come together to host a million people on the Mall! Please pray for continued favor with the National Park Service, as well as coordination with vendors, production teams, and all who will serve in some way.
- National exposure to Together is increasing. Pray that the event will be portrayed accurately, the message is clear, and that God will guard against negative backlash.
- The media campaign for Together is ramping up. Pray that television ads (especially on The Voice on NBC) will be effective in drawing people to the website. Pray for the Spirit to prompt viewers to desire to join this movement of unifying around Jesus.
- Pray that the use of social media, the Together website, and other means of communication will be effective in encouraging a million people to come on July 16.
- Pray for pastors and churches to get behind Together and promote it to their congregations (and sign up your church at reset2016.com/churches).
- We are praying in advance for the weather on July 16 to be conducive for a million people to spend the day on the Mall—praying, worshiping, and being together around a vision for Jesus.
- As division in our nation seems to grow, pray for an increased desire for a history-changing moment in the way that matters most—Jesus!
Carol Madison
Together 2016
34 13th Ave NE, Suite B001
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Let’s pray for the Together 2016 leadership team and for His wisdom, guidance and unity as the move towards the gathering of up to one million on the Washington Mall to pray for a reset of the USA on July 16. Pray for effective mobilization and a terrific response from praying believers from across the country that will take part.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN:
Although I am of full Japanese ancestry, I am a third-generation (“sansei”) American and thus not fully versed in Japanese history or language. However, I have lived in Japan for 4 years and have ministered there for over 20 years.
I begin by quoting Shusaku Endo (1923-1996), probably the most famous Christian novelist in Japan, who has called Japan a “swamp” that “sucks up all…ideologies (including Christianity), transforming them into itself and distorting them in the process” (Silence, xix). Christian missionaries often call Japan, a “graveyard of missionaries,” for despite the absence of legal restrictions on evangelism in the 20th century and the valiant efforts of generations of missionaries, Japan remains merely 1-2% Christian. Why?
THE MARTYRS:
At one time, Christianity, in revival, flourished in Japan, but largely during the 17th and 18th centuries, a massive martyrdom of Christians, which we would call today “genocide,” took place under shogun rulers. In 1638 in Shimabara, over 30,000 Christians were murdered. Over time, some say 100-200,000 Christians were killed (men, women and children), often by crucifixion, some by burning at the stake, others by “anazuri” which is being hung upside down over a pit and slowly bled to death. In most cases, Christians were challenged to trample on a “fumie,” a crude carving or drawing of Jesus. If they refused, torture and martyrdom ensued. Satan ruled.
During the Tokugawa era, this was reinforced by the concept of “gonin gumi” which was a form of collective responsibility for spiritual deviation as Christians. This was part of the “sakokujidai” or closed Japan ideology. Christianity, the foreign religion, was extinguished.
NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMB:
However, once Christianity was allowed again, revival broke out in what was called the East Asian revival where thousands turned to Jesus. Then on 9 August 1945, unintentionally, Nagasaki became a target for the atomic bomb and as the pilots flew over the city, the clouds parted exposing an enticing target -- St. Mary’s Urakami Cathedral, the center of revival. The church (during holy communion) became “ground zero”! With 12,000 baptized members, over 8,500 died as a direct result of the A bomb. Again, a revival was extinguished.
I believe firmly that under the altar of God in heaven, there are tens of thousands of Japanese martyrs, wearing white robes, who have “been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained” (Rev 6:9-11).
“SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL” IN JAPAN:
Paul wrote clearly, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12)
No different from any other nation, the devil and his cohorts has been battling for total control over the Japanese. “Forces of evil” are working through human agencies. Through deception (Rev 13:14; 20:8,10), the devil has perpetrated four colossal evil lies (Jn 8:44) in Japan:
- Christianity is a foreign religion and has to be eradicated completely. Christians are the enemy. Christianity is non-Japanese, a pernicious import. Japan must be closed to foreigners. When asked if they are Christians, Japanese often respond, “No. I am Japanese!”
- The basis of Japanese society is communal loyalty and therefore peer / social pressure must be used to ferret out Christian traitors.
- As the Japanese are not only polite, thoughtful and loyal to their peers, they are also obedient towards established authority. The concept of “bushido” with virtues of obedience, loyalty and self-sacrifice have become focused on the emperor who himself was elevated to the status of a god (“kami”).
- See below.
Japanese mythology reinforced political power. Through the “Kojiki” (680 AD) and
“Nihonshoki” (720 AD) mytho-histories, the dragon (perhaps imported from China) was elevated. The first “emperor of Japan, Jimmu (660 BCE) claimed that he was himself a descendant of the sun goddess, “Amaterasu-omikami;” he proclaimed himself a “kami” or god. He allegedly also practiced high level sorcery and some Japanese history books say he gave Japan to spirits in a covenant exchange for power.
In various occult ceremonies (e.g. the “daijo-sai”), the royalty in essence channel in ancestral spirits related to the sun goddess. Through various Shinto rites to this day, including the “obon” and “ohigan” festivals, spirits of the dead (in this case allegedly the spirits of dead ancestors) are summoned up by most Japanese. This concept is related to Chinese Taoism (e.g. the “hungry ghost” or “qing ming” festivals).
In 1879, the Emperor Mejiji established the now highly controversial “Yasukuni jinja” (shrine) holding over 2,400,000 “kami” or divinities (souls of departed warriors). Each year, political leaders attend ceremonies at the shrine to pay homage to these gods and some say to channel in the spirits in exchange for prosperity and power. The perceived power of dead spirits to protect, empower, bless, and provide are pervasive and culturally valued. Heroes can be immortal and are “gods” (“kami”). Thus the fourth deception is:
5. People may die physically, but their spirits remain or can return, be summoned up, channelled for wealth, power, even love, etc.
GOD’S FINGERPRINTS IN JAPAN:
Please view “God’s Fingerprints in Japan,” especially Volume II. In it, we miraculously found an ancient scroll in which all Japanese “kami” can be traced back (even in the “kojiki”) to “amenomi-minaka-nushi-no-kami,” ( 天御中主) the one chief God, the first kami, in the center of heaven who created all things.
From Romans 1:20 and Acts 17:26-28 and experiences in many nations, we know that God has revealed Himself to the Japanese people before human rulers, before foreign missionaries. His Presence is evident in the Japanese personality, even today, of honor, humility, service, self-sacrifice, respect for elders, loyalty, fidelity, and abiding interpersonal commitment and love.
PRAYER::
Please pray:
- That Japanese will know that above all, God “loves” them (John 3:16). Love, especially a “father’s” love, is difficult for Japanese to imagine.
- That the deception and lies of satan (above 5 points) be bound (Mt 18:18). That God will sovereignly open the “eyes” of the Japanese that they might see the truth, “hear” with their ears, “understand with their hearts,” “turn and be healed” and saved! (Is 6:10).
- That the Japanese will know that in His love for the Japanese, God has already made Himself -- as “amenomi-minaka-nushi-no-kami’ (the one true God, the creator who dwells in the center of heaven) -- “clearly seen” and “understood” to the Japanese (Romans 1:20) prior to Western missionaries. Hence, the true God is not an import or foreign God. To be Japanese is to know, love, and follow Jesus the Christ.
- That the Japanese will see that there is no power in ghosts, spirits of the dead, ancestors or even imperial “kami,” but that there is only one name at which “every knee should bow… and..every tongue confess..” and that is that “Jesus Christ (the) Lord” of all creation, of all things in earth, of Japan (Ph 2:9-11). For “by him” and “for him” “all things (including the Japanese people) were created” (Col 1:16).
Here is a link to the fascinating video “God’s Fingerprints” that will help you to understand and pray for the Japanese people with greater insight and compassion. Additional helpful resources are included on the website.
https://sites.google.com/site/alohakeakuaministries/resources/dvd-video