Burma
A woman in Burma spoke to CSW about the horrific devastation the Burma Army has been wreaking on her village. The soldiers have been torturing, raping, and killing the mainly Christian civilians in Kachin State – and leaving churches in ruins along the way.
Burma’s ruling military junta is trying to convince the world that they’re making the country more peaceful and democratic. And it’s true that some changes have been made. But while rape, murder, and destruction of churches is taking place in Kachin and other states, the full story is clearly very different.
Churches Occupied and Destroyed
“Villagers had stored some of their property in the churches, thinking that the church would be safe, but the Burma Army troops took whatever they wanted...They stayed in the church for three days and destroyed almost everything – the leaves for the roof, personal property - and they burned down houses near the church.”
Helen (not her real name) had already fled to a refugee camp by the time we spoke to her. Her village had been invaded by the Burma Army with the troops occupying and destroying both the Roman Catholic and Baptist churches. “We never loot or destroy or disrespect Buddhist pagodas, but they do this with our churches.”
She also told us about the soldiers stealing money and possessions from the villagers. A heavily pregnant nursery teacher had saved 500,000 kyats (US$500) for the baby’s birth, but the troops robbed her of this money. When she pleaded with them to return the money, they gave her back a little but kept the rest.
Continue to pray that the reforming process going on in the central government will be extended to all parts of the nation so there will be an end to this ethnic conflict and mistreatment of minority peoples like the Kachin.
40 Days of Prayer for the USA
It really took me by surprise. I was in Jakarta, Indonesia, for the World Prayer Assembly in May and was excited about hearing from prayer leaders around the globe. But by the end of the first day, God had pulled me completely off my focus and onto His. By the end of the week, I couldn’t wait to come back to the States and give myself fully to the task of calling our nation to pray as never before – to passionately pray for the forty days before our elections!
You see, during the course of that week, God sent six different prayer leaders from six different nations to tell me that they had been mobilizing their intercessors to pray for the elections in the United States! Wow, talk about convicting! If Christians in China, India, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Great Britain were praying for our elections, how could we not? They then graciously posed this question – which I took as a challenge – “Are Christians in America praying?”
As I’ve shared this experience here at home, the response has been incredible. All across the nation, Christian leaders are issuing calls to pray before the elections. Whole denominations, para-church ministries, and individuals are developing powerful websites and tools that point believers to the critical role of prayer. The elections and all of the issues facing our country are obviously a huge touch point and a catalyst to ignite this growing movement to pray.
Ultimately, I believe that God is simply using what’s important to us – the elections, to accomplish what’s important to Him – mobilizing a praying church. His desire is for His people to humble themselves and trust Him to accomplish His purposes in His people. Accordingly, the call to prayer rolling out across the nation is not merely for God to help us select leaders for our country but is a cry of repentance and humility – a plea for revival and longing for righteousness to be established.
I’m convinced that the destiny of our nation is dependent upon the prayer response of the people of God! We must be a people who pray! The call to prayer that America’s National Prayer Committee and many other leaders have issued encompasses and encourages all of the prayer initiatives that we’ve seen the Lord raise up. Simply put, it is a call for all Christians to pray. No programs . . . no required curriculum . . . no big budget . . . just prayer!
As a leader in your church and community, I would like to personally encourage you to raise up a standard with me! For the 40 days between September 28th and November 6th, let’s allow ourselves, our friends, and our congregations to be challenged by the same question that I was asked in May – “Are Christians in America praying?” Let’s get the word out through every means possible, so that millions of Christians in America can join together and answer with one resounding voice, “YES WE ARE!”
May the Lord richly bless your efforts as you lead people to pray!
David Butts
President, Harvest Prayer Ministries
Chairman, National Prayer Committee
P.S. We’ve created a website called 40daysofprayer.net and have made some great tools available to help engage the millions of believers who will be praying for our nation the 40 days prior to the elections – and beyond. Desperate for Change (http://www.40daysofprayer.net/resources/desperate-for-change) is a powerful, non-partisan, Scripture-based prayer guide to use.
Purchase copies of Desperate for Change (http://www.40daysofprayer.net/resources/desperate-for-change) for you, your small group or congregation. The books are available right now so click here to place your order (http://www.prayershop.org/40-Days-of-Prayer-for-America-p/pin-bud-bk-002.htm). Even though online delivery is inexpensive, we’ve found that more people will pray with a hard copy in their hands!
The content of this guide will also be available free of charge online during the 40 days (September 28 - November 6). Receive each day's entry via email/RSS feed. You can sign up today. There are two different sources that will be running the entries during those 40 days: Connection (http://connection.harvestprayer.com/), the daily devotional of Harvest Prayer Ministries (http://www.harvestprayer.com/) and our Blog at this website (http://www.40daysofprayer.net/blog/topic-articles). Click on a link and sign up to receive them. Feel free to put these links on your website and tell others about it via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/prayforelection) or by email.
Note: We would deeply appreciate your prayers for the USA between now and the national election on November 6 for the 3 Rs - revival, righteousness and right leadership.
Some Reports from the World Prayer Assembly Participants
1. Nepal
Thank you so much for your continuous prayer for Nepal and House of Prayer in Nepal. After the WPA, prayer activities have been ongoing on very strongly and it is felt this is the "most need for Nepalese Christian Community". Today, we had discussion with pastors and businessmen and praise the Lord that three prayer groups were formed. Businessmen's prayer day will be on Sunday, businessmen's wives prayer is on Monday, intercessors prayer is on Tuesday and Thursday, and there will be general prayer Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
1. Please pray for us that a House of Prayer will be established in Nepal and for volunteer staff and rental funds.
2. Please pray for House of Prayer to be in every city of Nepal by 2020. I talked with many pastors about House of Prayer. All are agrees that this is God's vision.
3. Please pray for National Board and its members that it will be forming very soon.
Govinda and Sujita
House of Prayer,
Kathmandu, Nepal
2. Democratic Republic of Congo
In Gisenyi, a city in Rwanda next to Goma (DRC), I hold a meeting with church leaders to give them report about the WPA and especially about Children and Youth Programs and about Prayer in Unity. This same meeting is being planned in Goma (DRC). In Goma and in Gisenyi, we are about to develop Prayer Cells.
I believe a mustard seed is sown in this part of both DRC and Rwanda, and God is going to let it grow to a significant wave.
Gatimbirizo Nkundimana
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
3. All Nations Prayer House in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thank you for the encouraging report on developments of the WPA, and it will surely go further than any man can carry it. The Lord spoke to me that He will take me to 8 nations while I was there in Jakarta. Immediately after the WPA conference within a period of 40 days, that promise was fulfilled and miraculously provided for since I am a full time minister. It was as though I was carrying a torch and lighting fires to many churches to start praying. Amazingly I met one pastor in Switzerland who said he was also there in the WPA conference in Jakarta. Seeing the great cry and need of the people of God to pray, while returning from Europe, the Lord clearly said He wants me to establish a 24-hour prayer house in the city of Kuala Lumpur. I am believing God for the right place and connections and proceed in His timing. Please continue to intercede for the Malaysian revival children to adults must Watch, Catch, Match and March. Remain Blessed.
Rev. Paul Singam
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
A practicing lawyer, Ruth Lew, another WPA participant from Ampang, Malaysia, also intends to start a house of prayer in this city which is part of greater Kuala Lumpur. Believers and leaders from several churches of Ampang just completed a Prayer Advance, August 31-September 1, with approximately 200 taking part. John Robb, IPC Chairman, was asked to speak for it on “Shaping the Future of A Nation through Prayer”, “Catching the Wave: Becoming a House of Prayer for All Nations” and “Investing in the Future: Raising up A Movement of Children and Youth in Prayer”.
It is very encouraging what the Lord is doing to bring churches and prayer ministries together into a united prayer movement in the nation. Some see this as a direct outcome of many Malaysian leaders’ participation in the WPA. Let’s pray that it will spread and deepen throughout the nation!
4. Solomon Islands National House of Prayer
After WPA in Jakarta, I was totally consumed with the passion to start new Houses of Prayer in our five Melanesian nations namely: Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. These HOP will become the National Power Houses for these nations.
I am a Solomon Islander missionary serving in Australia for 24 years. Now God burdened my heart to start the first National House of Prayer in Melanesia in my own country. Already more than 100 intercessors are praying every week in Honiara. I will move back to Honiara early next year 2013 to prepare the SOLOMON ISLANDS HOUSE OF PRAYER for our international launch in June/July 2013. I am over enthusiastic about this venture because it will represent the 'NEW WAVE' focusing on Prayer, Worship & Mission and will be fully accommodating the three generations, children, youth and adults as intercessors, worshippers and missionaries.
You are invited to join us next year in Honiara at the official launch of this first National House of Prayer in Melanesia.
I am passionately impacted by the WPA and give my whole life and ministry in spreading the me the 'New Wave' message.
Rev. Roy Funu
House of Prayer for All Nations
Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
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5. North East India
It was my great pleasure to have joined the World Prayer Assembly in Jakart. I can say that it was unprecedented historical prayer and intercession gathering in the Christian world...I am already involved 'prayer and intercession movement since 15 years, and we have a 24/7 prayer house in Siliguri, India. When I attended WPA, my focus was enlarged, especially among the children and the youths. Now I am organizing more prayers among the children and also among the pastors, leaders, and youths. Praise God that the 'new wave is flowing' to many nations, and it has to reach out all the nations before Jesus' 2nd coming. Hallelujah! We all coworkers are frequently praying for you and your team members to good wisdom and knowledge to bring His anointing and blessings among the several nations.
Ps. Jiwan Rai
Glory Place Prayer Center
Siliguri, N-E India
Shamir Rai (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
6. Switzerland
It is good to hear from WPA headquarters and to know the New Wave is still spreading around the Globe. I heard about this event through Daniel Lim from IHOP Kansas City. I attended it and was so blessed and ignited with a new fire and faith to dream for Switzerland and Europe. I am dreaming that the Lord would bring such a gathering in Switzerland. God put in my heart to invite all the intercessors of the world to Switzerland and lift up Switzerland and Europe before God for a mighty visitation of God before His coming.
The WPA in Jakarta gave me such a faith to dream and pray and wait for His time. I am blessed, and we are praying fervently for this move. This January, the Lord enabled us to open up a house of prayer in Basel Switzerland. We are excited about the future developments; please pray for us. I am looking forward for the next WPA.
Larwin Nickelson
www.bete.net and Oikos International Church
Renewed call for economic jubilee
Hundreds of activists across the UK are signing up to a new Jubilee for Justice call for countries afflicted by debt. In addition, more than 200 faith leaders have so far shown their support by signing a letter, which will be delivered to the Prime Minister, David Cameron, later in this Jubilee year. The Jubilee for Justice petition calls for cancellation of the unjust debts of the most indebted nations, but also for just and progressive taxation instead of excessive borrowing and an end to the harmful lending which puts countries into debt. Through the continued work of the Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC) some $125 billion (£80 billion) of debt has been cancelled across 33 countries, resulting in improved spending on schools, health and social care. However, campaigners say that due to the immense suffering still being inflicted on impoverished people around the world, more action still needs to be taken.
Pray: for the rich countries of the world, even in times of economic downturn, not to forget the even greater impact on many countries in huge debt and that their leaders will respond to the call for jubilee. (Lev.25:54)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16994
