Monthly Prayer Agenda

Welcome to the August 2019 Global Prayer Agenda featuring major concerns affecting the nations of our world, and the growth of Christ's church universally for the advancement of world evangelism and the establishment of God's Kingdom.  This agenda was specially prepared for use during the Monthly Global Prayer Teleconference sessions by a few members of the team of leaders facilitating these monthly global prayer calls.  The agenda is structured into three main categories for the convenience of our users.  As you join us in prayer about these various issues, during this month, we trust that you will find the experience spiritually rewarding.  We also extend a special invitation to join us for our next Monthly Global Prayer Teleconference.       

Category One

Prayer for the United States, Canada,  South America, the Caribbean, and Europe

Scripture: Psalm 96:1-3 (TPT)

“Go ahead – sing your new song to the Lord! Let every one in every language sing Him a new song. Don’t stop! Keep on singing! MAKE HIS NAME FAMOUS! Tell everyone every day how wonderful He is. Give them the good news of our great Savior. Take the message of His glory and miracles to every nation. Tell them about all the amazing things He has done.”

Prayer for the United States

Some Important Facts on the State of the church and spiritual needs of the nation

• Based on the current rates of retention and evangelism, it's estimated that 42 million young people could leave the church by 2050. That is over one million young people walking away from the church each year. If, however, we can revert to Gen X rates of retention and evangelism, that number can be reduced to only 20 million.
• It is also estimated that 176,000 churches could close by 2050 in the US if the trend continues.
• Every year, about 4,000 churches are planted in the US and every year about 3,700 churches close.  Based on population growth rate we need to triple church planting in the next five years.  By 2050 it is estimated that the US will need to plant 416, 000 new churches. (Source: www.thegreatopportunit,org)
• At any given time, 75% of pastors in America want to quit. (Church Resource Ministries – 1998)
• More than 2000 pastors are leaving the ministry each month. (Marble Retreat Center 2001)  (Source: www.Standaloneministry.org)
• Francis Chan warns Satan is 'getting the victory' amid lack of unity in US churches
• Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death in the US; 47,173 Americans committed suicide in 2017, but there were an estimated 1,4000,000 suicide attempts in the year. In 2015 suicide and self-inflicted injuries cost the Federal Government $69 billion. But the sad news is that the suicide rate is trending upwards, an indication of the high level of hopelessness permeating every sector of American culture.
• More than 61 million abortions have been performed in the United States since 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision made the procedure legal. For the same period, the number of abortions committed worldwide is estimated at 16 million. Fewer U.S. women are having abortions than at any time since Roe v. Wade, according to new government figures. In 2015, the most recent year for which data is available, a total of 638,169 abortions were reported, a decrease of 2 percent from 652,639 abortions in 2014.  New York Governor signed into law a recent bill expanding abortions rights, legalizing later terms abortions.`

These facts underscore the dire need for spiritual revival in the church in America.

Pray

1. For all pastors across America facing all types of moral failure that continue to undermine the credible witness of the church as salt and light of this nation, to turn to the Lord in prayer and repentance to help to facilitate revival in the church for the spiritual healing and transformation of the nation so urgently needed at this time.  
2. A spiritual revival in the church across America is what is needed today to bring about the healing and social transformation of the nation through the additions of millions of new converts.  As we pray today for revival in the Church across America, let us pray especially to the Father to pour out upon the Christian community across America at this time a spirit of prayer marked by a deep hunger and reverence for Him, repentance towards Him, love for one another and unity to heal the growing divisions within its midst.
3. Jesus says, “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”  Pray against the culture of death pervading America, reflected in the high suicide and abortion rates being reported in the nation annually.

Prayer for the United States Government

1 Timothy 2: 1 – 6

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ^four who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ^six who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time” (NIV).

PRAY

1. For President Donald Trump and his family; all members of his Cabinet and White House staff, for their safety, protection, and wisdom to govern the country justly and in the fear of God.
2. For the love, peace, and unity of God to permeate all areas of our deeply divided US Government to facilitate healing and reconciliation in all sectors of American life.
3. For a divine solution to the migrant crisis at the US southern border.

Prayer for Children and Youth across America

DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME GOES A STEP FURTHER

JULY 9, 2019 | FROM IFA STAFF

Oh Lord, it hurts to watch children be exposed to this evil. Wake up the church! Let us find our "salt" again and be the thermostat and not just the thermometer for our culture. 

I Prayed

132 People Prayed 

Caution: Adult content.

Libraries used to host a reading from a Caldecott medal author or offer storytime for tots, reading Curious George. Now, storytime at many libraries is a drag show and grooming event. And sadly many librarians are enthusiastically inviting it and parents are too willing to bring their kids.  But what began as story time read by a drag queen has now evolved into a dance by drag queens or transgenders, complete with adult-oriented dance moves and kids bringing them dollar bills, and other story times inviting kids to crawl on them as they lay on the ground.  Yes, you heard that right.  Not satisfied to just read to the kids, now they are physically touching the kids and inviting them to crawl on and lay on these strangers as they lie on the ground face up.  What parent thinks it is okay for children to physically lay on men who they don’t know, and encourage them to be physical with strangers?

…They normalize it, endear it, and groom children to be accepting of it....  What you see should not only sicken you, but ring the alarm.  This needs prayer, yes–it IS a spiritual battle.  But it also needs action. Make a commitment to find out what is happening in your local library and schools.  Don’t be afraid to speak out about it–even if you are not a parent of school-age children.  It is your taxpayer dollars that fund libraries, schools, municipal events and more. We can’t expect that there is some designated group fighting for us–we are it.  And it all needs bathed in prayer.

Kids Group Volunteers Banned from Library for Singing Christian Songs with Children

Will Maule | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Wednesday, July 17, 2019

A church-run kids group has been banished from a public library after being told that they were not allowed to sing songs that made reference to Biblical stories.

The volunteers at Noah's Ark playgroup says it had been meeting at the Burgess Hill Library in the British county of West Sussex for eight years – they had never encountered any issues until now.

Despite the group serving the local community for free, library officials demanded that they move elsewhere after some parents complained that they were unhappy with the Christian message contained within the songs.

According to the Mid Sussex Times, in a statement, a spokesperson from the West Sussex County Council said: “Rhyme time sessions are held every week in all West Sussex libraries and are open to everyone including families of any faith or no faith. In Burgess Hill, a partnership was formed with a local faith group some years ago before rhyme time sessions were offered across all libraries.”

However, following “feedback from families,” the local authority had “decided to bring these sessions in line with the other rhyme times in our libraries which are led by staff.”

“Families can continue to access faith-based activities in community venues and library staff are very happy to help anyone looking for details of where they can join these,” the council added.

Many of the regular attendees were absolutely outraged at the decision to cancel the group.

PRAY

1. Isaiah 5:20: Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

2. Prov. 22:6:  Father, help us to train up and mature our children to discern good from evil.
3. We decree and declare, according to Joshua 24:15, that as for us and the “houses” we not only represent but pray for, we will serve the Lord.

Prayer For Canada

Toronto Pastor David Lynn goes to court

July 11, 2019

Yesterday Pastor David Lynn, the Toronto Christian street preacher recently arrested and charged with disturbing the peace at Church and Wellesley streets made his court appearance. There were about 150 people present to support him at the courthouse at College Park Courthouse on Young Street. Pastor Lynn is presently out on bail. The case was remanded to August the 7 so that his lawyer can prepare a response to the Crown's disclosure.

Pastor Lynn's crime? He was sharing the Gospel to people on a public sidewalk. According to one report, the police got a complaint that Lynn's preaching had attracted a large crowd. In short, some members of the LGBTQ community didn't agree with what Lynn was doing and wanted him to leave the area. The police did that by arresting him and pressing charges. Lynn has been unjustly charged. He has the right to be on public property. He has the right to preach the Gospel. He has the right to exercise his freedom of speech. His arrest is unjust and discriminatory against Christians.

In front of the courthouse Lynn thanked the people that had came to back him and emotionally said to them, "If we don’t stand up and come together, we’re going to lose our rights... Let this be a day in Canada’s history when the Church woke up.” He also prayed with everyone. Let's hope it leads to greater Christian unity in Toronto.

David Cooke from Citizens Go reports that after the hearing Lynn told those present from the media, “This court appearance is, to me, a travesty – it’s a shame – because Canadians are protected under the Charter... As a minister, I am protected under section 176 of the Criminal Code. The United Nations says that we’re also protected: We have human rights... My rights were taken away simply because I am a Christian and I preach that God loves you.” We completely agree. Cooke also gave Pastor Lynn a USB stick with the names of 14, 129 people (currently at 14, 585) that have signed the online petition in his support. Cooke intends to send the petition and the names of its supporters to every MPP in Ontario.

We have signed the petition and encourage our readers to do the same. An injustice and censorship against one Canadian is an injustice against all Canadians. Let's hope that on August 7 this case is thrown out of court. It has no merit. It's politically driven.

(Source: http://everydayforlifecanada.blogspot.com/2019/07/toronto-pastor-david-lynn-goes-to-court.html

Pray for

1. Hogarth 2” 9:13 – 9:15
2. Prayer for the Christian community across Canada to take a bold stand and to resist all attempts by the Canadian government to outlaw the Scriptures as the basis of moral values for Christian families, Christian families, schools and colleges across Canada.
3. Freedom of Pastor Lynn and his vindication in the courts, other pastors, congregations and Christian organizations in Canada that are facing increasing hostility as a result of their opposition to homosexuality, gay marriage, and the LGBTQ gender ideology.
4. For revival in the church across Canada resulting in large-scale salvation of the loss and social transformation of the nation.

 

Prayer for South America and the Caribbean

Nicaragua strengthens Iran ties, defying the US

On July 22 Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega welcomed Iran’s foreign minister and strengthened economic ties in the face of painful US economic sanctions. Both denounced those sanctions. But the US is using them to prevent Iran from becoming a worldwide nuclear threat. As the world’s biggest state sponsor of terrorism which vows to destroy the US, Iran could use Nicaragua to bring the devastating war to the Western Hemisphere.

Already Venezuela is harboring warships from Russia which threaten to do the same. Both Nicaragua and Venezuela are following Cuba as a model of repressive totalitarian socialism supported only by bigger regimes of a similar authoritarian kind. Let us pray that God will disrupt such alliances and instead direct these nations in the ways of peace and freedom of trade, speech, and religion.

Related sources:

Iran’s Foreign Minister Visits Nicaragua To Join Forces Against US “Economic Terrorism”

Pray for God to grant us these requests

1. Move on the Iranian regime to abandon its nuclear weapons program and instead prosper as a trading partner. Also, to allow more freedom of religion so that the current revival in Iran may thrive.
2. Turn the course of Nicaragua from authoritarianism to human rights and liberty. Also to end its repression of dissidents, who are finding shelter in the Catholic Church.
3. Prevent Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba from becoming conduits of terrorism and foreign military intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

Revival across Europe

1. Open Doors UK calls on Boris Johnson to keep his promises on religious freedom

Staff writer | Tue 23 Jul 2019 14:37:rd BST

https://www.christiantoday.com/search?s=Open+doors+uk+calls+on+Boris

Johnson said before that as Prime Minister, he would "always prioritize protecting religious freedoms and stand up for those facing persecution". Persecution watchdog Open Doors UK has called on new Prime Minister Boris Johnson to keep his promise to "always prioritize protecting religious freedoms". 

Johnson made the pledge of support in a tweet responding to the Bishop of Truro's report into Christian persecution commissioned by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  The report recommends that the UK Government impose sanctions on the worst perpetrators of human rights abuses against religious minorities, and that it seek a new United Nations Security Council resolution calling on governments in the Middle East and North Africa to protect religious freedoms. In his tweet, Johnson also promised that as Prime Minister he would "stand up for those facing persecution". 

Responding to his tweets earlier this month on religious freedom, Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, said she was "delighted" by Johnson's pledge and wanted to see him take "quick action to deliver greater protection for religious minorities".

"Open Doors is committed to working with all politicians to ensure that real and meaningful change is delivered to persecuted Christians through the implementation of the recommendations of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's review into the persecution of Christians abroad," she said.  In its own response to the persecution review, Open Doors urged the UK Government to make the Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief - a role created by outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May - a permanent position and focus on priority countries like Nigeria. 

The call echoes that of shadow Foreign Office minister Liz McInnis, who said in the Commons last week that action to address persecution was "long overdue".  She spoke of her support for making the role of special envoy permanent and giving special priority to certain countries. 

"Many people have been trying to draw the world's attention to the deeply worrying scale of Christian persecution for many, many years," she said. "Like other Members, I was shocked to hear that 80% of religious persecution globally is against Christians. Clearly, there is a serious problem here that needs urgent action from all Governments."

Blyth said that the comments from Johnson and McInnis were a sign that a "political consensus is already emerging" on the issue of Christian persecution.

PRAY

1. That God will give the new UK Prime Minister the strength and the courage to make good on his promises regarding religious freedom and those facing persecution;
2. That the shocking realization that 80% of religious persecution globally is against Christians, will drive respective governments to concrete action in favor of Christians;
3. That the Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief created by the former Prime Minister, will indeed become a permanent position and that persecution of Christians will be given the focus it
4. “We want to prevent that counseling of gay people who struggle with their sexual identity is criminalized”

AUTHOR Joel Forster , Evangelical Focus BAD BLANKENBURG 11 JULY 2019

http://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/4590/german_evangelical_alliance_We_want_to_prevent_that_advice_help_or_counseling_of_gay_people_who_struggle_with_their_sexual_is_criminalised

The German government plans to ban so-called ‘conversion therapies’. Reinhardt Schink, Secretary-General of the German Evangelical Alliance, says the law proposal is “neither coherent with its assumptions nor consistent in its approach”. German Health Minister, Jens Spahn, announced in June the government was preparing a law to criminalize ‘conversion therapies’ for homosexual people.  The new legislation would ban all help or counselling offered by professionals or institutions (including churches) to gay people who struggle with their own sexual identity.  German law already protects LGBT people from all forms of discrimination, and gay marriage was legalized in 2017.

After the new plans were made public, the German Evangelical Alliance (EAD) wrote letters to the expert committee commissioned by the Health Ministry and to the Members of Parliament, offering an “alternative legislative proposal” and expressing their support for “freedom of choice”. Reinhardt Schink, Secretary General of the EAD, told Evangelical Focus that “the planned law will unintendedly discriminate gay people by hindering them from taking responsibility for their personal lives”.

“This is not consistent as it assumes that there is no possibility to change one’s sexual orientation from gay to heterosexual feelings within an overall framework that states that fluid sexual orientation”, Schink said.

Excerpts from interview:

1. In other European countries, laws against so-called ‘conversion’ have already been used to punish psychologists and church workers who have conducted voluntary courses for same-sex attracted people. Do you think this could happen in Germany soon? A. Yes, the minister made it very clear that is goal is to pass a law this year that would criminalize conversions – but only in case of a conversion from homosexuality to heterosexuality. The other way round would still be supported. As this is a ridicule approach, we do hope that we will end up with a law that does not prohibit counseling, assistance or support.
2. What have been some of the messages during the Pride marches in Germany this year? Is there a big pressure on political parties to fully endorse all of the LGBT agenda? A. The CSD movement requires an addition to our constitution where it says (Article 3): “No person shall be favored or disfavored because of sex, parentage, race, language, homeland and origin, faith, or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavored because of disability”. They require to add the term sexual orientation and sexual identity.

 PRAY

1. That the Lord will grant unto His people in Germany, to be wise but bold and uncompromising in their efforts to share the Gospel and to help people convert from their sinful lifestyles through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ;
2. That the Lord will crush every effort to pass laws that in Germany and elsewhere, that would criminalise conversion from homosexuality and other sinful practices;
3. That the Lord will give His people the wisdom and compassion needed to address the case of sincere committed Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction or gender confusion.

Category 2

 Israel, the Middle East, and Africa

1. Campbell - Intro and Scripture— Ps. 110:1-7 NIV and Introduction 3” 9:22 – 9:25

Israel

Dozens of children and their mothers gathered Wednesday evening outside the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem to protest the detention of three Filipino workers and four children during immigration raids this week in central Israel.

The arrests came as authorities appeared to accelerate their efforts to deport approximately 50 children of foreign workers over the course of the summer. The children, born in Israel, shouted: “I’m an Israeli child, don’t deport me,” “All my life I’ve lived in Israel” and “Bibi, we don’t have anywhere else, let us stay please,” using the prime minister’s nickname

Meretz party chairman Nitzan Horowitz was present during the raid, live-tweeting developments.

“These children were born here and their only ‘crime’ was that they were born to a mother from the Philippines,” he wrote. “Now the police are packing up their few possessions and outside a few of their friends are standing and crying.”

“Here is such a cruel thing,” Horowitz continued. “They put the children, in total hysteria, into this sealed car, on the way to a detention cell. You can hear the crying and screaming inside. This is what you should do to criminals, not little children. There is no reason in the world to behave like this. It is much more than a shame and disgrace — it is abuse and it must stop.”

In 2006 and 2009, the Interior Ministry threatened to deport hundreds of children who were born in Israel and whose parents had overstayed their work visas. A huge public outcry led to a 2010 “humanitarian decision” not to deport school-age children. (TOI staff 24 July 2019)

https://www.timesofisrael.com/dozens-of-children-rally-outside-pms-residence-against-immigration-crackdown/

Pray:

1. Pray for the protection, peace, and prosperity of Israel.
2. Pray that the Israeli government would stop deporting Israeli born children of foreign parents but instead show compassion.
3. Pray for increase support and effectiveness of Operation Exodus. This Christian ministry focuses on helping diaspora Jews to relocate to Israel.
4. Pray for the strengthening and growth of the Church in Israel.

Iran

 “God was at work, doing phenomenal things all through the week!" reports the beaming leader of a recent residential youth conference in the Iran region. “I wish you could have been there to witness it!”

Here are some highlights from this transformational week attended by 148 teenagers:

• More than 30 teenagers made commitments to Jesus on the first night. 
• The youth were passionate worshippers, wanting to remain in worship long after the scheduled end to the meetings.
• In the dedicated prayer room, young people interceded for their nation and repented of sins with tears.
• During one meeting, more than 100 young people rose to their feet because they felt called to be Christian leaders in their generation.

(Elam Ministries, Wednesday, July 24, 2019)

https://www.elam.com/Iran30/iranian-teens-fire-jesus%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B

“My husband has come home changed. Thank you!” reported a number of the wives of the 300+ Iranian Christian men who attended recent day-long men’s conferences.

A key area of teaching at the conferences was on the man’s role within the family. Many of the men admitted to not knowing how to love their wives well. Some confessed to mistreatment or even abuse. The teachers explained from the Bible that husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church. The men were encouraged to discover the ‘love languages’ of their wives and children so they could love them well. (Elam Ministries, June 24, 2019)

https://www.elam.com/Iran30/men-taught-love-their-families-well-0

Iran appears to be further stoking tensions with the West, announcing Monday it has captured 17 U.S. spies and sentenced some of them to death, an allegation the U.S. president denied. The announcement from Iran’s ministry of intelligence claimed the spies had been captured during the past year and had been collecting information from “sensitive sites,” like military and nuclear facilities, for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.

U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted Monday, "The Report of Iran capturing CIA spies is totally false. Zero truth. Just more lies and propaganda (like their shot down drone) put out by a Religious Regime that is Badly Failing and has no idea what to do." (Jeff Seldin and Ken Bredemeier, VOA News, July 22, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/iran-stokes-mideast-tensions-announces-death-sentences-alleged-us-spies

Pray

1. Pray that the USA and Iran will not end up in a war.
2. Thank God for the 148 passionate young leaders that attended a recent young leaders conference in the Iran region. Pray that God will protect and use these young leaders.
3. Thank God for the 300+ Iranian Christian men who attended a recent men’s conference. Pray that these men will love their families and be used by God to impact their communities.

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Deep distrust — along with political instability and deadly violence — has severely undermined efforts by public health authorities in Congo to curb the outbreak by tracing and vaccinating those who may have come into contact with infected people.

Health experts agree the experimental Ebola vaccine has saved multitudes in Congo. But after nearly a year and some 171,000 doses given, the epidemic shows few signs of waning. The virus has killed more than 1,700 people and has now arrived in the region's largest city, Goma. The World Health Organization last week declared the outbreak a global health emergency. (Associated Press, July 24, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/africa/ebola-vaccine-hampered-deep-distrust-eastern-congo

The deadly Ebola outbreak in Congo is now an international health emergency, the World Health Organization announced on Wednesday after the virus spread this week to a city of two million people. A WHO expert committee had declined on three previous occasions to advise the United Nations health agency to make the declaration for this outbreak, which other experts say has long met the conditions. More than 1,600 people have died since August in the second-deadliest Ebola outbreak in history, which is unfolding in a region described as a war zone.

This week the first Ebola case was confirmed in Goma, a major regional crossroads in northeastern Congo on the Rwandan border with an international airport. Health experts have feared this scenario for months. The pastor who brought Ebola to Goma used several fake names to conceal his identity on his way to the city, Congolese officials said. WHO on Tuesday said the man had died and health workers were scrambling to trace dozens of his contacts, including those who had traveled on the same bus. (Associated Press, July 17, 2019)

https://www.foxnews.com/health/ebola-outbreak-congo-declared-global-health-emergency-who

Pray

1. Pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Also, pray that the Ebola outbreak would not spread to other nations.
2. Pray for an end to the violence that prevents people from being able to receive the Ebola vaccine.
3. Pray that those at risk of contracting the Ebola disease would willingly and urgently get vaccinated against the Ebola disease.
4. Pray that God would use the Ebola outbreak to draw people to Himself.
5. Pray for the strengthening and growth of the Church in the DRC.

Cameroon

BAMENDA, CAMEROON - Cameroon says armed separatists are occupying more than 50 schools in its western English-speaking regions, using them for training and to hide from the military.  The alleged occupation could complicate government plans to restart education in the regions in September.

"We have about 48 schools that have been destroyed in our system and another 53 schools that are occupied presently," Cameroon’s basic education chief for the northwest region, Wilfred Wambeng Ndong, told reporters Sunday.  "As regards our teachers, we are doubting the whereabouts of more than 3,000 teachers for the schools that are not going (working).”

Ndong said most of the missing teachers probably escaped to safer areas in French-speaking regions or are hiding in the bush.  He said school attendance in the region has dropped from 422,000 in 2017 to 5,500 this year – and is mostly in safer towns like Bamenda and Nkambe.

Cameroon says the rebels have torched more than 130 schools while the separatists accuse the military of burning the schools to flush them out of hiding. (By Moki Edwin Kindzeka, VOA News, July 22, 2019).

https://www.voanews.com/africa/cameroon-separatist-fighters-occupy-50-schools

Pray :

1. Pray for the reestablishing of peace in the western English-speaking regions of Cameroon.
2. Pray that armed separatists would no longer occupy schools and allow for the reopening of schools.
3. Pray for the families and children who have been dislocated because of violence in the western English-speaking regions of Cameroon.
4. Pray for the strengthening and positive impact of the Church in western Cameroon.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone is experiencing medical and health challenges, due to the lack of healthcare facilities and resources. Inaccessible health services and spiritual beliefs drive those in need to seek the help of traditional healers who operate 45,000 shrines in Sierra Leone. 

The World Health Organization estimates that about 10% of the population of about 7 million people are suffering from mental health problems, arising from trauma during the civil war and the outbreak of Ebola that left thousands dead and many citizens with no access to healthcare services.

The UN estimates that Sierra Leone has the highest death rate in the world and the second-highest infant mortality rate (195) for every 1000 infants die within the first year of birth. The medical facilities are extremely strained and continue to decline following the civil war of 1991. (Malte Werner and Olivia Acland, Aljazeera News, 21 July 2019).

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/stress-addressing-mental-health-sierra-leone-190718132544766.html

About 60% of the population is Muslim, 10% Christian and 30% practicing traditional religion. Besides Muslims and Christians holy leaders there are other indigenous religious practitioners who can meditate with the spirit world including diviners, healers, witchcraft, sorcerers the fragile healthcare system is supplemented by array of traditional healers, herbalists, Muslim based ritual specialists.

https://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/Sierra-Leone.html

Pray

1. Pray that God will open the spiritual eyes and ears of the nation to see in the spirit and hear the true word of God and his saving power.
2. Pray for God to raise up intercessors, evangelists, teachers, Apostles, Prophets, and Worshipers in the nation of Sierra Leone
3. Pray for the release of the nation from bondages of poverty, disease, ignorance, spiritual occultic practices.
4. Pray for the growth of the church of Jesus Christ in Sierra Leone.

Category 3

Prayer for Movement Day Global Cities, the Persecuted Church and Other Critical Concerns of Asia

Scripture: Psalms 44:

PRAY 

Movement Day Expressions

1. Please pray for the Movement Day Expressions team, Jurie Kriel, Jim Liske, and Naomi Edwards as they work to on the framework and building blocks for Movement Day Global Cities
2. Please pray for Rev. Jurie Kriel as he transitions into the role of Director of Movement Day Expressions  Pray hat God gifts his fresh vision, insight, and creativity as he works to accelerate expressions of Movement Day
3. Please pray for the PAN African gathering taking place later this month in Uganda.
4. Pray for our Global Hub Leaders, as they cultivate relationships within their respective regions to advance unity within the body of Christ.
5. Pray that God would strengthen the Movement Day expressions team as we plan for Movement Day Global Cities 2020.
6. Pray for the Movement Day expressions team as we have strategic conversations to build out the framework for Movement Day Global Cities 2020.

The Global Persecution of Christians

Religious freedom getting worse around the world; Christians remain the most persecuted group: Pew

Government restrictions on religion have increased across the globe — and Christians and Muslims are persecuted in more countries than any other religious group, Pew Research Center has found.  Pew's report, titled "A Closer Look at How Religious Restrictions Have Risen Around the World," covered a 10-year span, from 2007 to 2017, and studied 198 countries.  The study, released Monday, reveals that Christians are the most-harassed religious group in the world, facing persecution in 143 countries. Muslims are not far behind, with reports of religious persecution in 140 countries in 2017. Jews, the third-most targeted group, were persecuted in 87 countries.

“Over the decade from 2007 to 2017, government restrictions on religion—laws, policies, and actions by state officials that restrict religious beliefs and practices—increased markedly around the world,” stated the researchers. “And social hostilities involving religion—including violence and harassment by private individuals, organizations or groups—also have risen since 2007.” Unsurprisingly, Christians and Muslims suffered the most harassment in the Middle East-North Africa region, while the Asia-Pacific region showed the second-highest levels of Christian persecution. The number of highly-populated countries, like China and Russia, that impose "high" or "very high" levels on restriction rose from 40 to 52 over the decade. But government restrictions on religion have also increased in democracies: Overall, Europe saw the biggest increase in restrictions, with its score doubling over the decade of the study. Pew found that a growing number of European countries have placed restrictions on religious dress, while countries like Spain have restricted public preaching and proselytizing by various religious groups. While the Americas was the region with the fewest restrictions and hostilities, government limits on religious activities still saw a significant increase. Over the period of the study, the number of countries in the Americas with government restrictions on religious activities jumped from 16 to 28.

Overall, countries with the highest levels of restrictions were China, Iran, Russia, Egypt, and Indonesia. Countries with the lowest levels were South Africa, Japan, the Phillippines, Brazil, and South Korea. According to Pew, in only 26 countries (13%) are all religious groups “generally treated the same.” The Pew report came as the U.S. State Department hosted a three-day Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C. Attended by government officials, religious leaders, and other participants from regions around the world, the summit was touted as the largest of its kind ever held. (Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/religious-freedom-getting-worse-around-the-world-christians-remain-most-persecuted-group-pew.html?fbclid=IwAR1josCC2bqqV0snG_UCOXiTwqMeCblyIH-AX5AHK3Y81k-sVzzQhwBndlo, July 19, 2019).

PRAY

1. For the over 200 million Christians worldwide suffering persecution with intimidation, prison, and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ across the world to experience the blessings of the Kingdom promised by Christ to those who suffer persecution for righteousness;   
2. For the leaders of ISIS, al-Qaeda terror group, Boko Haram and other terrorist organizations involved in the wide-scale persecution of Christians in Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other nations throughout Africa. Pray that God would stop their actions, change their hearts, and shine the brilliant light of the gospel onto their path." 
3. For the Christian communities of Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and other nations throughout Africa facing intense persecution, economic hardship and other significant difficulties threatening their survival.  Pray for God’s strength, covering and protection for all these believers. 

Pakistan

Pakistani Christian refugee in hiding over blasphemy charge calls on Trump, UN to help

CP  WORLD | July 29, 2019

A Pakistani Christian refugee accused of blasphemy is facing renewed death threats after his location in Thailand was revealed on social media this month. But he and his family continue to face hurdles in their years-long effort for resettlement with no end in sight.  Faraz Pervaiz is again calling on the United Nations, the United States and other foreign countries for help after the address of his family’s Bangkok apartment was posted online July 11, stirring up more death threats and real fear that he could be killed.

The same Muslim nationalist organization that rioted over the acquittal of Christian mother Asia Bibi last year, Tehreek-e-Labbaik, placed a bounty on Pervaiz’s head over a year ago to the tune of about 10 million rupees (about $62,000). The incentive for Pervaiz to be killed was raised in January when a radical cleric who sympathizes with the Taliban placed a bounty of 20 million rupees (about $124,000) on his head. Pervaiz fled Pakistan in 2014 after Muslim radicals became enraged by videos he and his father posted online criticizing the Pakistani government and Islamic teachings. At the time, he said, there was an increase in disappearances of bloggers critical of the Pakistani government and also an increase in blasphemy charges against such bloggers. In Pakistan, blasphemy is a crime that is punishable by death or life in prison. Pakistan imprisons more people for blasphemy than all other countries in the world combined, according to Lisa Curtis, director for South and Central Asia at the U.S. National Security Council. 

After fleeing the country and facing relative freedom to live out his faith in Bangkok, Pervaiz said that Muslim cleric Abdul Aziz, a known Taliban sympathizer who runs the Lal Masjid mosque in Islamabad, accused him of blasphemy. Pervaiz said that his name and face were posted on wanted flyers hung up throughout Pakistan.  After pressure from criminal process organizations, a criminal case was registered against Pervaiz and his father in November 2017 in Islamabad. In addition to the blasphemy charge and the bounties, Pervaiz said he is the subject of several fatwas (religious proclamations that are used to incite violence against a person).  Even though he and his family are now in Thailand, they are still at risk of reprisal attacks. The family is in hiding and forced to stay indoors. 

PRAY

1. For the safety and protection of Faraz Pervaiz, a refugee from Pakistan facing death threats after being falsely accused of blasphemy.
2. For Christians in Pakistan facing persecution because of their faith.

1. For the continued growth of the church in Pakistan despite persecution.

North Korea

North Korean defector says cousin's entire family executed for sharing Gospel

The Christian Post         Samuel Smith, CP Reporter, July 17, 2019

WASHINGTON — A North Korean defector detailed what it’s like to live as a Christian in North Korea, telling President Donald Trump and the State Department's religious freedom ministerial about the execution of his cousin's family for sharing the Gospel. Illyong Ju was among nearly 30 survivors of religious persecution who met with the president at the White House last Wednesday. Hours beforehand he shared his story and those of other North Korean defectors with media gathered at the Harry S. Truman building.

Ju was born in North Korea in 1996 and was the youngest of three children. He said that throughout his childhood, his parents listened to foreign radio broadcasts for over 10 years, an illegal act in the authoritarian country led by the controlling Kim regime. According to the State Department, listening to the radio inspired the family to seek a new-found faith. Later, Ju’s parents decided it would be best to defect from North Korea so they could be free to live out their beliefs. 

Ju’s father fled to South Korea in the mid-2000s. About a year later in 2008, Ju and his mother and sister fled together. They joined their father in South Korea in 2009 after a long journey. The family settled in Seoul and in 2012, Ju’s oldest sister joined them and completed their family’s reunification.  “After we came to Seoul we had kind of a hard time in South Korea,” Ju said. “After recovering, we decided that we hope to spread the love from God to people in South Korea.”

Ju told reporters about what other defectors have told him after escaping from North Korea and serving time in the regime’s notorious political prison camps or general prisons.  “If you refer to the remarks of the escapees, the conditions are very severe,” he said. “For example, the females, they are not provided any medication when they are giving birth. They forcefully have to lose their babies. In terms of food or provision, they are only given a very small portion of corn.”

“For example, if there is a scar or hurting in skin, there is no medication. They have to use the insects out of the dead bodies and dry them and put them on as a medication,” he detailed.

Ju told reporters that his aunt’s entire family was thrown into a political prison camp just because her aunt’s father-in-law was a Christian. “It was my cousin’s family, they were all executed for sharing the Gospel,” Ju added. He said that three leaders of the church who were responsible for missions in North Korea were also sent to political prison camps. 

North Korea has for the last 18 years ranked as the worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution on Open Doors USA’s World Watch List. Thousands upon thousands of North Koreans are imprisoned in these camps either for being Christian, speaking out against the regime, or trying to defect from the country. 

Despite thousands being imprisoned and tortured for their faith, Ju said Christian activities are still happening inside prison camps. “According to my co-worker who is now living in [South] Korea, when she was in prison, she couldn’t sing or voice up her Christianity,” he said. “But she was able to make a couple of people inside a prison believe in [Christ] and with silence. With eye-to-eye contact, they were able to convey [the Gospel]. She said that her experience there in prison, even though her situation was difficult, she felt like she was in Heaven.” 

In the meeting with Trump, Ju told the president that regardless of the situation, North Koreans are still worshiping.  “Even though the persecution of Kim Jong Un, the North Korean citizens, they want the Gospel and they want to worship now,” Ju assured Trump. “They are worshiping in underground churches right now.” (Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/north-korean-defector-cousins-entire-family-executed-sharing-gospel.html?fbclid=IwAR1fP5BERg8TBPwONxcmc3qSh-YkUDbOJWqM6yuOsAJ44UqdBNCFdNUnDCk)

PRAY

1. For the Lord to respond to the desperate cries of the persecuted Church in North Korea, including the approximately 50,000 fellow believers serving long, harsh prison terms in concentration camps.
2. For the safety and protection of believers in North Korea who continue to risk their lives to share the Gospel with others.
3. For the continued growth of the church in North Korea and the spread of the Christian influence  despite increased persecution

China

Chinese megachurch pastor imprisoned for faith in Jesus hit with more charges 7 months after arrest

Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter         July 25, 2019

The pastor of Early Rain Covenant Church in China is facing new charges from the communist government seven months after he was arrested alongside 100 members of his congregation.  In addition to “inciting subversion” and attempting to turn people against the Chinese government, Wang has now been charged with “illegal business activity,” Radio Free Asia reports. 

A local Christian told the outlet that the so-called illegal business charge is likely due to the fact that authorities have little evidence to support the subversion charge, which can result in up to 10 years’ imprisonment. "They want to charge Pastor Wang Yi with inciting subversion, but even they know that this isn't a very persuasive accusation," the person said. "So they are hoping for a breakthrough using economic [crimes]."

The pastor of the 5,000-member church, his wife, Jiang Rong, and about 100 other Early Rain members were arrested on Dec. 9, 2018. While Jiang Rong was released after six months, her husband and four other members of the church remain in secret detention.  Some church members who were detained and later released described how police tortured them in an attempt to turn them against Wang. Some claimed police tied them to a chair and deprived them of food for 24 hours.

Additionally, authorities ransacked and sealed Early Rain Covenant Church’s properties, including offices, a kindergarten, a seminary, and a Bible college, and searched the homes of many of its members. Police also forced church members to sign a pledge not to attend the church again, and around half of the church's original membership remain under close surveillance by police.

"There's nothing we can do," a Christian surnamed Li told Radio Free Asia. "Any more than about five or six people gathered together will attract attention ... and if they find you, you will be detained."

"Around 50 to 60 percent of Early Rain members are currently under surveillance right now," she said. "Their phones and [social media accounts on] WeChat are being monitored."

Ahead of his arrest, Wang released a letter speaking of “disgust” at the Communist Party.

“I believe that this Communist regime’s persecution against the church is a greatly wicked, unlawful action. As a pastor of a Christian church, I must denounce this wickedness openly and severely,” the pastor wrote.

“The calling that I have received requires me to use non-violent methods to disobey those human laws that disobey the Bible and God. My Savior Christ also requires me to joyfully bear all costs for disobeying wicked laws.”

China’s Communist Party requires that Protestants worship only in churches recognized and regulated by the officially sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. In recent years, authorities have carried out a crackdown on all religious institutions, including bulldozing churches and removing rooftop crosses.  China ranks as the 27th worst nation in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA’s World Watch List. Open Doors has expressed concern that the religious affairs in China now “lies with the Communist Party.”

“Since the Communist Party took over, the implementation of the regulations on religion, the treatment of religious groups, especially Christians, became much harsher across the country,” Open Doors USA's fact sheet reads.  “Crackdowns against Christians happen countrywide and in both state-approved and non-registered churches. The youth are increasingly being removed from church life; worship is monitored via CCTV and spies, and teachers and medical workers are told they are not allowed to have any religious affiliation.”

This month, Chinese persecution watchdog group Bitter Winter reported that since the Regulations on Religious Affairs legislation was implemented last year, schools around China have taught children that Christianity is an “evil cult.”

1. For the release from detention of the Pastor and members of Early Rain Covenant Church and other churches that have been shuttered recently as a result of the Chinese Government countrywide crackdowns against Christians. Pray also for those pastors and fellow believers that have been incarcerated and those who have been displaced or are facing threats from the authorities for continuing to meet for worship.
2. Pray against all the various efforts of the Chinese Government to restrict the growth of house churches across China, including demolition of church buildings, removal of crosses, and banning free access to Bibles. 
3. For the continued growth of the church across China despite harsh persecution to facilitate the expansion of Christianity across Asia.
4. For children across China who are being taught that Christianity is an evil cult.