Monthly Prayer Agenda

Welcome to the June 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

18”   9:04 – 9:22

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

Scripture: Psalm 103:17-18 NKJV

 “But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

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 20150 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 in all areas of our deeply divided US Government to facilitate healing and reconciliation in all sectors of American life.

Prayer for Children and Youth Across America

As we unite in prayer today for the children and youth of America let us do so confidently and with urgency as bear in mind these important words of the Apostle Paul, concerning prayer:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12, ESV). “ For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.  We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, ESV).

“A Pregnant Woman ‘Is Not a Mother,’ Ruth Bader Ginsburg Asserts”

Michael Foust | ChristianHeadlines.com Contributor | Wednesday, May 29, 2019

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Ruth Bader Ginsburg engaged in a verbal spar Tuesday over several abortion-related legal issues – Including over whether a pregnant woman should be considered a “mother.” 

“A woman who exercises her constitutionally protected right to terminate a pregnancy is not a ‘mother,’” Ginsburg wrote in a Supreme Court order.

NEWSWEEK: “ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ ASKS: IS IT OKAY TO HAVE KIDS IN FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE?”

BY NICOLE GOODKIND ON 2/25/19 AT 10:34 AM EST

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York suggested this weekend that it may not be ethical to have children, given the difficulties that climate change will likely cause in the years to come.

In a live stream on her Instagram, Ocasio suggested to her 2.5 million followers that the answer was not clear. “There’s scientific consensus that the lives of children are going to be very difficult. And it does lead young people to have a legitimate question: Is it OK to still have children?” she asked.

 PRAY

1. We continue to pray that the sanctity of the unborn and the culture of life will, once again, be the foremost, “common” belief in the hearts and minds of the citizens of the United States.
2. We repent of and reject every voice and action that demonizes, devalues and destroys the life of pre-born children and the God-given value and state of “motherhood.”
3. We ask, Lord, that you would minister forgiveness, love and hope to those who have chosen to end the lives of their babies.

Prayer For Canada

“Christian values are indeed under attack in Canada”

Church for Vancouver

In Edmonton, in 2017 an evangelical Christian couple, who otherwise qualified to bring a child into their home, were told they were “unsuitable” because of their Christian beliefs. The Alberta government was only forced to reverse its decision after the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, challenged the Alberta government’s Children’s Services branch in Court on their behalf, on the ground that their Charter right to freedom of religion had been violated.

Source; https://churchforvancouver.ca/christian-values-are-indeed-under-attack-in-canada/

On June 15, 2018, the Canada Supreme Court in a 7 – 2 decision ruled against the accreditation of the School of Law at Trinity Western University.. In twin cases, the law societies of Ontario and British Columbia argued that TWU’s community covenant, which prohibits sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage, discriminates against LGBTQ applicants for admission.

Source: https://religionnews.com/2018/06/22/after-supreme-court-ruling-christian-law-school-re-evaluates-community-covenant/

Other recent attacks on Christian values in Canada include, (i)  denying Christian groups government funding for summer student employment; (ii)  introducing LGBTQ gender ideology in public schools; (iii) forcing Christian families to indoctrinate their children in the homosexual lifestyle;(iv)  making various attempts to remove the Scriptures from Christian schools and colleges. 

Sources: https://churchforvancouver.ca/christian-values-are-indeed-under-attack-in-canada/; The One Accord Movement of Canada.

Pray for

1. Prayer for the Christian community across Canada to take a bold stand and to resist all attempts by the Canadain government to outlaw the Scriptures as the basis of moral values for Christan families, Christian families, schools and colleges across Canada.
2. Pastors, congregations and other Christian organizations in Canada that are facing increasing hostility as a result of their opposition to homosexuality, gay marriage, and the LGBTQ gender ideology.
3. 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

Venezuela's failure called a worst nonwar disaster.

IMF economists have called the failure of Venezuela’s socialist regime the worst economic disaster outside of war in over four decades. It ranks worse than the financial collapse of either the Soviet Union or of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. The IMF economists compared Venezuela’s devastation to that of two war-torn countries: Libya in this decade and of Lebanon in the 1970s.

But the war did not destroy Venezuela’s economy. Corruption and mismanagement by the socialist government did. It depended on oil profits to pay for costly social programs and other industries. When oil prices fell, so did Venezuela.

Severe shortages in food, medicine, sanitation products, and electricity have caused mobs to fight over what little remains. Millions have given up the fight and fled to neighboring countries.

Others have agitated in the streets to oust the dictator Nicholas Maduro. In late April opposition leader Juan Guaido called for an armed uprising by the military to back those protests. However, the uprising failed. Military troops—among the few who are well-fed and cared-for—did not want to risk their precarious advantage.

Both government and anti-government representatives tacitly admitted failure by going to Oslo, Norway on May 25 for mediation. At least they are not going to war, which would only compound the misery.

The government sent top Maduro aide Jorge Rodriguez, Miranda state governor Hector Rodriguez, and Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza. And the opposition sent congressman Stalin Gonzalez, former Caracas area mayor Gerardo Blyde, and former Transport Minister Fernando Martinez Mottola.

Previously the opposition had rejected more talks. They charged Maduro with using negotiations in 2016 and 2018 to play for time. But the recent inconclusive power struggle has left Venezuela in paralysis. So both sides have turned to a neutral third party for mediation. Norway performed that role for Israelis and Palestinians in 1993. Most recently it hosted talks between the Columbian government and left-wing FARC rebels in 2012.

Sources:

Venezuela's  socialist collapse is a worse economic failure than the Soviet Union, Zimbabwe, experts say

Venezuela negotiators return to Norway for crisis talks.

Pray

Pray for God to:

1. Give both sides a bigger picture than they have seen before of Venezuela and His plans to prosper and not to harm it.
2. Show them a road map to the restoration of essentials and of a truly representative government in which all Venezuelans can participate and rebuild their lives.
3. Provide favor for His plans in a new era for Venezuela, for His glory before the nations.

Revival across Europe

1. 'We Say No to Everything That Has Any Religious Connotations': Sweden Bans Christian Messages.

CBN NEWS | 14-Jan-2019 [adapted]

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2019/january/we-say-no-to-everything-that-has-any-religious-connotations-swedish-officials-ban-christian-messages-for-cars

A country whose flag includes a golden cross is saying no to God more and more.

Swedish officials now admit they're taking intentional steps to limit expressions of religion. Recently, officials banned citizens from being able to register license plates having religious connotations. The ban became public after a Christian's application to have the word "Kristus" (Christ) was rejected. The man had previously submitted a request for "Jesus" but it was rejected as well. While this may seem like a minor issue, it's just the latest sign of Sweden's ongoing opposition to Christianity.

In groundbreaking coverage in recent years, CBN News reported how Sweden is hostile to Christian asylum seekers. For example, Sweden chose to shield 150 ISIS fighters while simultaneously refusing to protect a Christian asylum seeker from Iran. The Swedish Migration Board also issued a deportation order against Pakistani Christian converts.

This comes as more and more Swedes are rejecting faith in general. According to a report from St Mary's University, in London, 75 percent between the ages of 16-29 are affiliating themselves with the "none" movement, that is, individuals who do not affiliate themselves with any religion.

The Church of Sweden (Lutheran) originated as a state church during the Protestant Reformation and continued being so until 2000 (https://prayercast.com/sweden.html). However, liberal theology and practice now dominate the Church, from endorsing same-sex marriage to universalism and rejecting the divine authority of Scripture. On the local level, there are several evangelical congregations, pastors, and members, but the national structures are dominated by a liberal agenda.

(http://www.operationworld.org/country/swed/owtext.html#prayer).

Sweden, the largest Scandinavian country in Northern Europe, is now regarded as one of the most secularised country in the world.

https://www.ecmi.org/en/country-detailpage/a3520f9b-407c-4b80-98ce-31778c31bb00).

PRAY

1. For God to shake the church out of its spiritual slumber and purge and refine it so that can shine for Him amidst the increasing darkness that is dominating the nation.
2. That the positive and inspirational influence of Movements such as Taizé, Oasis and Pilgrimage, will increase.
3. That the European Christian Mission will be successful in making the Gospel relevant to those indigenous people they have been targeting.

2. Turkey Deports Another Foreign Christian Pastor

Religious Freedom Continues to Erode in Turkey Through the Deportation of Religious Minorities

https://www.persecution.org/2019/05/09/turkey-deports-another-foreign-christian-pastor/

05/09/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on May 9, 2019, a foreign Christian pastor was deported from Turkey without an official reason.

Mike Platt lived in Turkey for 21 years and volunteers as a pastor at Kadıköy International Church in Istanbul. He left the country on April 2 and was informed by passport control that an entry ban was issued. The ban was confirmed on May 8, when Mike attempted to reenter the country. Turkish authorities deported him this morning after holding him overnight at the airport. This incident happened just two months after a different volunteer at the church was issued a reentry ban with no reason given.

The Turkish government does not recognize the right of Christians to train their own religious workers. For this reason, many pastors are foreign Christians. Platt’s deportation follows an ever-increasing trend of the government banning foreign Christians from entering the country.

According to the 2018 Human Rights Violations Report prepared by Turkey’s Association of Protestant Churches, “There was no movement forward in 2018 in regards to protecting the rights of Christians to train their own religious workers… In recent years, more than 50 foreign Protestant families have had to leave our country.”

Uzay Bulut, a Turkish journalist, said, “Christian clergymen in Turkey have for decades been targeted and demonized by the Turkish media and politicians of various ideologies. This widespread phenomenon has two main causes: Islam’s doctrinal hatred of Christians and Turkey’s paranoia of losing its lands.” 

“Turkey’s violent hostility to Christianity is in violation of the international human rights treaties that Turkey has signed and of the fundamentals of the European Union (EU), of which Turkey claims to want to be a member of. But because Turkey has never been held responsible for its extremely dire violations against free speech and religious liberty, the Turkish government continues persecuting Christian believers in Turkey,” she continued.   

Historically, modern Turkey is the backdrop for most of the New Testament. The genocidal policies of the Ottoman Era were directed against Christians, effectively eliminating the presence of believers, and the Church has struggled to heal. In a country of 81 million, today less than 0.2% are Christians.

“Christianity started in Turkey… We want to continue as Christians,” said one Turkish believer. “Please, pray for us. It’s the darkest place in the world. And it’s very dark. It’s like an ocean, no light here… Please pray for the Church in Turkey.”

Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said, “Turkey may label itself as a modern secular republic, but its policies toward religious minorities are a continuation of the Ottoman Empire. Restrictions against the local training of church leaders and the deportation of foreign pastors are part of the government’s policy to meddle with internal religious affairs. The government does not want a reemergence of Christianity within Turkey. They must be held accountable for their religious freedom violations.”

PRAY

1. That God will bring about a radical change in deep-seated prejudices and biases against Christianity
2. That the Turkish government will recognize the right of Christians to train their own workers
3. That God will heal, strengthen and restore the Church in Turkey and its witness to the nation on a whole.

 

Category 2

 Israel, the Middle East, and Africa

18”   9:22 – 9:40

Israel

JERUSALEM — Israel is in political turmoil after its parliament voted to dissolve itself a month after it was sworn in. Just seven weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won a convincing victory in national elections, he suffered a major political setback.

The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, voted for new elections in September after Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government amid infighting and high demands from smaller parties. Netanyahu, a right-wing conservative who has been in power for a decade, is furious. He said he did everything in his power to avoid what he described as an “unnecessary” election, especially since the public gave him a strong vote of confidence in the April polls. (Robert Berger, VOA News, May 30, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/a/israel-heads-to-new-elections/4938785.html

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a video to the Hezbollah affiliated Al-Miyadin network showing a drone attack against an IDF tank operating along the Gaza border. The video was filmed during last month’s clashes that resulted from 700 rockets being fired at Israel from Gaza. The Arabic broadcast came with a warning in Hebrew that said: “Your fortresses will not stand before us.” Ironically, the device dropped onto the tank does not seem to affect either the tank or a soldier seen climbing onto the tank. (Video Manager, Breaking Israel News, May 30, 2019)

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/130494/islamic-jihad-video-shows-drone-attack-on-idf-tank-in-clashes-on-gaza-border/

Pray

1. Pray for God’s will to be done in the September elections. Also, pray for the formation of a unified government to lead Israel forward.
2. Thank God for protecting Israel during the recent rocket attacks from Hezbollah and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Continue to pray for the protection, peace, and prosperity of Israel.
3. Pray for the strengthening and growth of the Church in Israel.
4. Pray for the continued success of Operation Exodus—a ministry helping Diaspora Jews to relocate to Israel. Also, pray for more churches and Christian ministries to support Operation Exodus.

Iran

JIDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia's foreign minister on Thursday urged Muslim nations to confront recent attacks in the region that the U.S. and its allies have blamed on Iran with “all means of force and firmness.”

Al-Assaf said the alleged sabotage of boats off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline by Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels requires the region to “make more efforts to counter the terrorist acts of extremist and terrorist groups.”

Iran has denied being involved in the attacks, which come amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the U.S. An Iranian official was at the meeting where al-Assaf spoke on Thursday, but Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif did not attend. (Associated Press, May 30, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/a/saudi-arabia-iran/4938727.html

Facebook has dropped 51 accounts, 36 pages, and seven groups after the cybersecurity firm FireEye revealed they were fake accounts originating in Iran. Three Instagram accounts were also deactivated.

The FireEye report Tuesday says the phony accounts pretended they came from the United States and impersonated legitimate Middle Eastern news sources to push a pro-Iranian agenda.

Posts written in both English and Arabic included discussions about American and British politics, Islam, Arab minorities, and the influence of Saudi Arabia. The posts represented both conservative and liberal points of view. The fake posters even succeeded in getting letters to the editors published in a number of U.S. newspapers, including The Los Angeles Times and The New York Daily News. (VOA News, May 28, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/a/facebook-drops-51-fake-accounts-traced-to-iran-/4936305.html

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar on Thursday thanked Iran for providing his terror group the rockets it used to strike deep into Israel and warned the Jewish state that Tel Aviv would be struck again in response to any offensive against the Gaza Strip. “Iran provided us with rockets, and we surprised the world when our resistance targeted Beersheba,” Sinwar said in a live TV address, referring to the weekend of violence at the beginning of the month, during which Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fired nearly 700 rockets at Israel.

Iran has also supplied tens of thousands of rockets to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.

Sinwar also blasted the Trump administration’s not-yet released Mideast peace plan, saying Washington’s proposal is bound to fail. “The conflict will not be over until the occupation is removed from all of our land.” (Times of Israel Staff, May 30, 2019)

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-leader-thanks-iran-for-long-range-rockets-threatens-tel-aviv/

Pray

1. Pray that the International leaders and nations will take a firm stand against Iran for its role in creating instability in the Middle East.
2. Pray that the USA government will continue to take strong action against Iran for supplying arms to Hamas and Hezbollah.
3. Pray that God would frustrate Hamas and Hezbollah’s plans against Israel.
4. Pray that God will continue to expose and eradicate Iran’s subversive actions on social media.
5. Thank God for the growth of the Church in Iran. Pray for the protection of Christians and for the continued growth of the Church.

Democratic Republic of Congo

GENEVA — The World Health Organization says success in ending the Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo hinges upon improving security in North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The region has been engulfed in conflict for many years, and many locals do not trust outsiders, even the ones trying to stop the spread of the deadly virus.

The U.N. health agency reports security incidents in eastern DRC have increased dramatically in the past few months. So far this year, it reports 174 attacks by armed groups in North Kivu on health care facilities, workers and patients. These include five deaths and 51 injuries.

In mid-April, Cameroonian Dr. Richard Mouzoko was shot and killed while working in a hospital in Butembo, North Kivu. This incident was seen as a big setback to the Ebola operation.

This past Saturday, villagers killed a health worker in the health sector of Mabalako.

The latest WHO figures show 1,920 Ebola cases in the region, including 1,281 deaths. A new structure for coordinating and strengthening the Ebola response was presented at the World Health Assembly this week. (Lisa Schlein, VOA News, May 29, 2019)

https://www.voanews.com/a/drcs-ebola-battle-fraught-security-risks/4937132.html

Pray

1. Pray for the protection and safety of the UN healthcare workers involved in trying to eradicate the Ebola disease in the DRC. Also, pray for the protection of the DRC citizens who are seeking help from the UN healthcare workers.
2. Pray for the total eradication of Ebola in the DRC. Also pray that the disease will not spread to other countries.
3. Pray for the establishment of peace and an end to the violence in eastern DRC.
4. Pray for the strengthening and growth of the Church in the DRC.

Nigeria

An evangelical pastor, his daughter, and more than a dozen other churchgoers were reportedly abducted while one person was killed after a team of gunmen attacked villages in the troubled Kaduna state of Nigeria on Sunday.

According to Nnamdi Obasi of the International Crisis Group, Rev. Zakariah Ido, 11 girls and five men were abducted from an Evangelical Church Winning All congregation in the village of Dankande in the Birnin Gwari local government area in the early hours of Sunday morning. He tweeted that sources claimed that as many as 20 gunmen were responsible for the attack.

The Nigerian online newspaper TheCable reported that the gunmen also impacted a village in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna. (Samuel Smith, CP Reporter, May 21, 2019).

https://www.christianpost.com/world/nigerian-pastor-16-worshipers-kidnapped-by-gunmen-who-stormed-choir-practice.html

Suspected members of Boko Haram have reportedly kidnapped a pastor, a Christian relief worker and members of Living Faith Church while on their way to deliver relief supplies and evangelize in the northeast Borno State. Rabiu Aminu, the Borno State Coordinator for the National Youth Service Corps, confirmed this week that Abraham Amuta, an NYSC corps member, Pastor Oyeleke of Living Faith Church and other church members were kidnapped in April.

As reported by the federally-run News Agency of Nigeria, Amuta and Pastor Oyeleke were said to have been kidnapped while traveling together with other members of the church on the road from Maiduguri to Chibok to deliver aid supplies to displaced persons in the region when insurgents launched an attack on motorists.

Amuta’s housemate, Success Ezeanya, took to Twitter to raise an alarm on social media about the abduction. Ezeanya told The Punch that he was informed by a church member that insurgents demanded a ransom equivalent to about $555,000 before they will release those who have been kidnapped. (Samuel Smith, CP Reporter, May 7, 2019).

https://www.christianpost.com/news/boko-haram-kidnaps-pastor-churchgoers-on-their-way-to-evangelize-and-deliver-aid.html

Pray

1. Pray for the safe release of the kidnapped Christians. Also pray for the kidnapped Christians to remain strong in their faith in Christ.
2. Pray that those responsible for the kidnapping of the Christians will be brought to justice.
3. Pray for the eradication of Boko Haram and other violent radical Moslem extremist groups in Nigeria.
4. Pray for the salvation of key Boko Haram leaders.
5. Pray for the strengthening and protection of the Church in central and northern Nigeria. Pray especially for the Evangelical Church Winning All and the Living Faith Church whose members have been kidnapped.

Category 3

19”   9:40 – 9:59

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

PRAY 

Movement Day Expressions

1. Pray for strategic and impactful conversations as Rev. Ebony Small speaks to city leaders who want to begin their journey with Movement Day.
2. Pray for God’s grace, provision and strength to fall on the Movement Day Africa team as their next gathering will be held on April 10^th.
3. Pray for our Movement Day Expression leaders as they work with churches, non-profits and marketplace leaders in their cities to forge unity for Movement Day!

1. Pray for our Global Hub Leaders, as they cultivate relationships within their respective regions to advance unity within the body of Christ
2. Pray that God would strengthen the Movement Day expressions team as we plan for Movement Day Global Cities 2020.
3. 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

Over 200 million Christians worldwide suffer persecution with intimidation, prison, and even death for their faith in Jesus Christ across.  As we pray for fellow believers who are persecuted around the world for their faith, for this month’s agenda, we place the focus on Christians in Iraq. 

“Iraqi Christian burned alive by ISIS three times miraculously survives, sees Jesus in vision”

 The Christian Post, June 2, 2019

An Iraqi Christian experienced a series of miracles while persecuted for his faith at the hands of Islamic extremists, including an encounter with Jesus and surviving terrorists’ attempts to burn him alive — three times. The Yazidi man was interviewed for a documentary, "Heart and Hands: Iraq," by Sean Feucht, head of the non-profit Light A Candle Project, and Bethel Music. In it, Feucht travels the world to hear the stories of those persecuted for their faith.

In a preview of the documentary aired at the Heaven Come Conference in LA, the Yazidi man reveals there was “pressure” from ISIS to convert to Islam. But amid persecution, Jesus appeared to him in a dream. “Thanks be to God for that,” he said. “He spoke to me…[but] I cannot tell you what He said. It’s a promise between me and Christ.” “I asked Jesus one thing,” he continued. “And He answered me.”

Later in the interview, the man revealed that once ISIS found out he was a follower of Christ, they began stoning him. “They were hitting me with big rocks on my body,” he recalled. “The stones were fine, not affecting me.” The man said that after stoning him, ISIS members drenched him in 20 gallons of gasoline. But even though he was burned alive a total of three times, he said he somehow survived unharmed. "And they burned me, but I didn't burn," he said, crediting Jesus for his miraculous survival.

Today, less than 200,000 Christians remain in Iraq when there were over 1.4 million Christians in Iraq in 2002 and 500,000 Christians in Iraq in 2013. The genocide also impacted Iraq’s Yazidi minority. An estimated 60,000 Yazidis fled to Europe while there are still about 550,000 Yazidis still in Iraq with 280,000 of them remaining displaced.                                                          Source:,  https://www.christianpost.com/news/iraqi-christian-burned-alive-by-isis-three-times-miraculously-survives-sees-jesus-in-vision.html)

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 the Middle East, Asia and 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 Iraq, Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East facing intense persecution, economic hardship and other significant difficulties threatening their survival.  Pray that the Lord would  

Pakistan

“Pakistani pastor attacked by Muslim mob, family's home seized: report”

Christian Post, June 1

A Pakistani pastor and his family were attacked in their home by a radical Muslim mob in response to his Gospel ministry and are now homeless, the Missionary News Network reports. Pastor Aziz, a former church planter who is supported by FMI (formerly known as Forgotten Missionaries International) in the Balochistan province, was the target of an attack that took place on May 27 at his home. The attack marked the third time this year that the pastor has suffered an ambush at the hands of radical Muslims angered by his growing ministry.

According to FMI executive international director Bruce Allen, 35 men beat him, his wife and college-age daughter after entering the family's home. Fortunately for the pastor and family, the attack was said to have occurred as a police officer was patrolling the area. The officer and his colleagues were able to rescue the Christian family from the attack. But the mob seized the family’s home and they are now homeless.

“Pastor Aziz, who himself had come out of a Muslim background, has been evangelizing and church planting in the province of Balochistan,” Allen was quoted as saying. He said the pastor was targeted in order to stop his ministry from growing. Aziz is said to have planted three churches in Balochistan, a province that borders Iran and Afghanistan. Aziz also operates outpost ministries along the border with Iran.

Pakistan ranks as the fifth-worst country in the world when it comes to Christian persecution, according to Open Doors USA’s 2019 World Watch List. According to Open Doors, converts from Islam — such as Pastor Aziz — face the brunt of the persecution in Pakistan. Despite persecution against Christians and other religious minorities being carried out by angry radicals, perpetrators are often not brought to justice by local authorities. Additionally, Open Doors warns that radicals in Pakistan seem to be gaining political power since the “new ruling government must maintain good diplomatic relationships with some radical groups.”

Churches in Pakistan have been the subject of numerous attacks perpetrated by radicals, including the Lahore church attacks in 2015 and the Quetta church bombing in 2017. “Christian churches more active in outreach and youth work face stronger persecution in society,” Open Doors USA noted in a fact sheet on Pakistan. Last December, the U.S. State Department listed Pakistan as a “country of particular concern” because the government has either “engaged in or tolerated systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.” More recently, the Pakistani government has taken some positives steps.

 (Source: https://www.christianpost.com/news/pakistani-pastor-attacked-muslim-mob-family-home-seized-report.html)

PRAY

1. For the safety and protection of Pastor Aziz and his family, who were beaten by a mob of 35 Muslim radicals, who invaded and seized their home.
2. For the safety and protection of the members of his congregation the Balochistan province and other churches across Pakistan facing attacks from Muslim radicals angry at the growth of the church Pakistan;
3. For the Pakistani government to stop its toleration of these m “egregious violations of religious freedoms” and to take aggressive actions to protect the human rights of Christians.

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

North Korea

In North Korea, Christianity is the No. 1 Enemy of the State

For three generations, everything in this isolated country has focused on idolizing the leading Kim family. Christians are seen as hostile elements in society that must be eradicated. There was hope that new diplomatic efforts in 2018—including the 2018 Winter Olympics—would mean a lessening of pressure and violence against Christians. But so far that has not been the case. In fact, reports indicate that local authorities are increasing incentives for anyone who exposes a Christian in their community. If Christians are discovered, not only are they deported to labor camps or even killed on the spot, their families to the fourth generation share their fate as well. Communal worship is non-existent. Daring to meet other Christians for worship is a risky feat that must be done in utmost secrecy. Yet Open Doors estimates the number of Christians in North Korea to be 300,000 strong—believers who are defying the unjust regime and following Jesus. (Source: https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/11-christians-killed-every-day-for-their-decision-to-follow Jesus/?fbclid=IwAR0haIo03fM289vd_MQXIOwTU7fqggbn1T5tzdrv_13g4OxSFXiDwyJjpOQ)

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 prisons terms in concentration camps.
2. For the continued growth of the church in North Korea and the spread of the Christian influence  despite increased persecution
3. For the ongoing South Korean and US-led peace settlement negotiation with North Korea  to result in the advancement of religious freedom in North Korea.

China

“China Shuts Down Another Big Beijing Church”

Christianity Today

KATE SHELLNUTT         MARCH 27, 2019 10:33 AM

Another prominent unregistered church in China, Shouwang Church in Beijing, was raided by Chinese police over the weekend and officially banned from gathering to worship. Shouwang, which draws more than 1,000 attendees, is the fourth major underground congregation shut down by the Communist government over the past several months, as party leaders and heads of the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement intensify efforts to rid religious groups of Western influence and exert control to make them more Chinese.

Similar to earlier incidents at Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, Zion Church in Beijing, and Rongguili Church in Guangzhou, officials interrupted Bible study gatherings at two Shouwang Church locations on Saturday, putting the activities to a halt, interrogating and briefly detaining dozens of attendees, and switching the locks of their buildings to keep them from returning, according to International Christian Concern (ICC).

The church had been charged with violating the country’s Regulations of Religious Affairs and Regulations on the Registration and Management of Social Organizations by operating without government registration. Shouwang members refused to sign a document pledging to never attend the church again, and leaders said the church would continue to worship by adjusting meeting times and locations.

Throughout its 26-year history, Shouwang members have refused to come under Communist authority and persevered despite persecution, with their “underground” services forced outside when evicted from their buildings in 2009 and with their founding pastor Jin Tianming under house arrest since 2011.

 https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/march/china-shouwang-church-beijing-shut-down.html

Pray

1. For members of the Shouwang Church, who have decided to continue to meet for worship as a church after their building was recently shuttered by the Chinese Government and they were ordered to desist from any further meeting as a church.  Prayer also for their pastor who remained under house arrest since 2011. Pray also for Early Rain Covenant Church in Sichuan, Zion Church in Beijing, which were also recently closed by the Chinese Government.
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. 

1. For the continued growth of the church across China to facilitate the expansion of Christianity across Asia.