If you are anything like me, there are moments when I get concerned, dare I say fed up, with all the 24 hours of news and opinions about the news which are often negative, critical and judgmental. Do we need to know every few hours how many people have died, how many are in hospital, what politician, in some reporters opinion, has made a wrong decision and what some so called expert or celebrity thinks about a situation. I know we must not bury our heads in the sand and hope someday things will get better, but 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, is not healthy for body, mind or spirit.
One of the many downsides of Covid-19 and its constant coverage is that we so easily lose sight of what is going on in other parts of the world, not only concerning Covid-19, but about so many issues facing millions of people in nation after nation. As Christians we must constantly remind ourselves of the truth that Jesus said, “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations.”
We must also remember and share, that amidst all the suffering and challenges, there is good news. Every day God is at work through His people bringing His hope, compassion, healing, love and forgiveness in word and action in the name of Jesus to millions of people around the world. In nation after nation, the followers of Jesus are the answer to their prayers.
We believe that God’ s response to all that we see happening in the world, is to raise up the largest prayer army in the history of the Church; everyone reading this can be or is, part of that great army. Millions of Christians around the world, children, young people, across denominations, in the business community, in houses of prayer, in chapels and cathedrals are experiencing the truth that prayer, to God the Father, in the name of Jesus changes things on a personal, local, national and international level.
Just recently over 60,000 young people in the Philippines went online for a three-day Uprising (United Prayer Rising) event for their nation. In America, it is estimated that over 20 million people went online to pray for their nation. In one of our recent IPC (International Prayer Connect) events, some 10,000 gathered online to pray. Some of the largest prayer events in history are taking place as Covid-19 changes the way we live out our Christian faith.
Here is just a snapshot of recent national and international events, news taken from our IPC news. One of our colleagues listed just some of the larger events:
- Lou Engle’s 40-day global Jesus fast,
- The Return,
- The Franklin Graham March,
- The Reset,
- As One Rally,
- 50 Days of Blessings,
- National Day of Prayer,
- 10 Days of Prayer,
- Sara’s 50 Day Siege and One Cry
Then there have been Trumpet Call to the Nations on 9/11, World Prayer Together on 19th September and the forthcoming US National Prayer Assembly on October 13-15 that some of the IPC team have been involved with planning.
As you read this, be encouraged. God is hearing our prayers. We may at times feel swamped by bad news but God is at work as the good news of the Gospel is lived and shared around the world as the Holy Spirit brings revelation of Jesus and His redemptive love into the lives of many thousands every day in answer to our prayers.
You probably have a particular nation on your heart, so be encouraged – pray on. One of the nation’ s we continue to pray for is the USA and the coming election. We believe it is a critical time both for that nation and the (free) world. We also continue to pray for the Brexit negotiations, the outcome of which not only greatly affects our nations but the whole of Europe.
We determine not to allow our lives to be governed by news that so easily can create fear and affect our mental health and spiritual life. We say to ourselves, to you and to our brothers and sisters around the world, the words of Saint Paul, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV).
Ian Cole is the founder of the World Prayer Centre Birmingham UK.
