God-called intercessors are recognized by various characteristics they manifest over time. As we mentioned earlier, they are known because of their self-initiative. They are self-starters because their calling is to pray. Again, these men and women do not need a call from their pulpits to pray. Basically God calls some individuals to a deeper level of intercession.
These deeper level intercessors are also known by the "size" of their prayers. By that, we mean, the gamut of theirintercession not only covers their immediate families and their local churches and pastors, but also their communities, their geographical regions in which they live and very frequently the nations of the world.
So, these God-called intercessors not only possess self-initiative, deep-level prayer and broader scope but also they are able to move into focused intercession. Focused intercession occurs when we sense God's call to focus our prayers on, say one or issues at the time we are praying. While intercessors may pray for many things, they will often "zero-in" on one or two strategic prayer issues. For instance, there are large groups of intercessors literally around the world who have covenanted to prayer until the nation of China breaks open to spiritual truth. Others have chosen North Korea.
As we have said before, you are probably one of those God-called intercessors or you would not be reading this today. Be blessed and highly favored of God.
Thomas Suey
International Coordinator
World Network of Prayer
FEEDBACK
As we immerse ourselves in a time of prayer and fasting, please let us know the great things God is doing during the 30 Days of Prayer in your life or in your local church. Send your praise reports and updates to lmarshall@upci.org.
MINISTRY
MINISTRY: Mike and Lisa Long (Vanuatu), Janice Hersey (Russia), Ed and Naomi Hosmer (Japan), Robert and Sheri Moses (Russia), Steven and Jean Tir (Slovakia/Serbia), Edward and Mary Simmons (Thailand), John and Sherri Hemus (United Kingdom)
A.I.M. - Associates in Missions: Gale Berry - New Zealand (PAC), Duane Black - Singapore (PAC)
FULL-TIME EVANGELIST: Keith Clark, Jr. - Humble, TX, Leslie Clark - Woonsocket, RI, William J. Cook - Franklin Square, NY, Carlton L. Coon, II - Florissant, MO
BIBLE SCHOOLS: Northeast Christian College, Indiana Bible College
WNOP'S PERSONAL REQUESTS
To minister to the needs of others through prayer, click here to pray over WNOP's personal prayer list.
STATE FOCUS - Virginia
The state focus this week is Virginia. Please pray for Governor Bob McDonnell and Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb. Pray for all district officials, home missionaries and pastors.
WORLD NEEDS
Concepcion, Chile - Saturday morning's 8.8-magnitude earthquake killed at least 723 people. The deteriorating security situation in Concepcion comes despite the influx of thousands of troops to reinforce local police. Many of the city's 500,000 inhabitants are short of food and have seen their water and electricity supplies cut off. But truck after truck loaded with water, food and matresses are being held up by military until the curfew is lifted. The main highway in the region is twisted and bent out of shape, but the route remains open.
Meanwhile, rescuers searching the rubble of a collapsed apartment building in the city in which dozens are feared trapped say they have heard signs of life and are attempting to reach survivors.
Reports are beginning to emerge of the scale of the devastation in other areas.
In the town of Curico, between Santiago and Concepcion, there is widespread destruction. Up to 90% of the mud-and-wood buildings in the town's historic centre had been destroyed, and a hospital badly damaged. However, food and water was being distributed and the situation was comparatively calm. Some coastal towns and villages were hit by giant waves after the earthquake. In the fishing village of Constitucion, the mayor said the seafront and centre had been "completely destroyed".
The government admits that its attempts to provide aid swiftly have been hampered by damaged roads and power cuts. The air supply route between Santiago and Concepcion will help the authorities send more than 300 tons of aid, including 120 tons of food, to the worst affected area of the country.
International aid has begun arriving. Neighboring Argentina is flying a field hospital over the Andes to Chile and has pledged half a million liters of much-needed drinking water. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva flew to Santiago and offered his nation's support, as did US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
After touring the disaster zone, President-elect Sebastian Pinera said the situation was worse than he had expected. "When we have a catastrophe of this magnitude, when there is no electricity and no water, the population... starts losing the sense of public order," he said.
About two million Chileans are believed to have been affected by Saturday's earthquake, the seventh most powerful on record and the worst disaster to befall Chile in 50 years. The epicenter of the quake was 70 miles north-east of Concepcion. About 1.5 million homes in Chile havebeen damaged. Most of the collapsed buildings were of older design - including many historic structures. One US risk assessor has put the cost of repairing the damage at between $15 billion and $30 billion or 10-20% of the country's gross domestic product.
"Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession." NIV
Below are the nations we are focusing on this week.
Venezuela:
Venezuela:
Population: 26,814,843
Religion: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Government Type: federal republic
Prayer Point:Poverty is widespread with 60% of people in the city living in slums and crime is soaring out of control. Pray for a government that will be committed turning the country around and making everyone's lives better.
Vietnam
Vietnam:
Population: 88,576,758
Religion: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8%
Government Type: Communist state
Prayer Point:Pray that Vietnamese Christians would not compromise what they believe and continue to stand firm in their faith.
Virgin Islands
Virgin Islands: Population: 109, 825
Religion: Baptist 42%, Roman Catholic 34%, Episcopalian 17%, other 7% Government Type: n/a
Prayer Point:Outreach is needed for the many tourists, Hispanic immigrants, the Rastafarians and those involved in the crime industry. Pray that church leaders would work together and develop a vision to see more people saved on the islands.
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna:
Population: 15,289
Religion: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Government Type: n/a
Prayer Point:Being a Catholic is part of the culture but few people have a living relationship with Jesus.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Earthquakes, tsunamis', government coups, sickness, incurable diseases - it seems like this all we hear about in the news. Sometimes it makes praying easier because there is a lot to pray for. Many times I will hear about something on the news and say a quick prayer for the situation but when I do that I don't always think of people who might be affected that are not mentioned on the news.
Make plans now to attend WNOP's International Prayer Gathering. Summons To Sacrifice 2010 will be held June 10-12, 2010 in St. Louis, MO at the Airport Renaissance Hotel.
Online registration is now open. Take advantage of the 15% discount for registering early.
World Network of Prayer and Kids Prayer are now on Facebook. We will be posting pictures, urgent prayer needs, and prayer helps. Search for us and become a fan on the World Network of Prayer page and the World Network of Prayer Kids page.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
May 06, 2010 National Day of Prayer
May 23, 2010 Global Day of Prayer
June 10-12, 2010 Summons to Sacrifice
