2024 September Prayer Corps

"Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority…” (1Tim 2:1-2a).

The timeless words above were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and written down by Paul the apostle to the Church at a time when Nero, the emperor of Rome, was persecuting Christians in vicious and deadly earnest. These important instructions still speak volumes to us today as we witness global unrest, moral confusion and political upheaval.

Regardless of circumstances, the Almighty God counsels us to keep praying and interceding – even giving thanks – for all people and for our leaders. And may I add, especially for those with whom we intensely disagree!

Paul goes on to exhort and instruct, “I desire that the men [and women] pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1Tim 2:8).

These powerful verses place within our hands the “Kingdom keys” for how to do more than just survive, but to flourish in challenging days! We are called by God to be His instruments used to establish His will on earth as it is in Heaven.

• First things first – PRAY! As followers of Christ, our approach to everything, every single day, is always to pray first. Before we are tempted to worry, criticize, complain, doubt or be anxious, we must reaffirm our trust in God and His gracious and loving sovereignty by talking to Him about it all. We need the perspective of the One who knows everything, and also cares for us. Prayer opens our spiritual eyes to give us a fresh and clear revelation of Who God is, and what His will is in any given situation.
  
  
• Second, PRAY! The Lord can use our prayers, when led by the Spirit and aligned with His desires and plans, to move mountains! He can even change the very heart and direction of kings and all who are in authority as we intercede for them (1Tim 2:2; Pro 21:1). So may we take that time we might spend reading about them or listening to the opinions of pundits, and instead pray fervently for those in authority - in order to loose the hand of God to move with His divine wisdom and righteousness. And remember that we are far better off when we choose to hold off on our criticism, mockery or disrespect of leaders, since it displeases the Lord (Exo 22:28; Acts 23:1-5; 1Pet 2:17).
  
  
• Third, PRAY! Daily, intentional prayer that is aligned with God’s will and comes from fully-surrendered hearts will guard our minds and hearts from fear, anxiety and anger. We will instead walk in the supernatural peace of God (Phil 4:4-7) as a powerful testimony of His power to the many living in a state of turmoil and uncertainty. This will open the door to our most important assignment, to show the world that there is only One way, One truth, One life that offers true salvation and hope in this life and the life to come! (1Tim 2:3-6).
  
  
• Finally, PRAY!  We are to “pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands.” More than a style of prayer or physical position, this reveals that we hold our hands up to God in worship and trusting surrender to His complete Lordship in our lives. No matter what. There is no leader or person, in their frailty and brokenness, who will ever be adequate to provide what we really need in this life. Our open hands of worship to God keep us from grasping for human solutions or material things for our security. Our open hands also give to God our temptation to shake a closed fist in wrath or hold onto unforgiveness to those we are against. Let us instead choose to lift open, holy hands to God in worship, prayer, intercession and thanksgiving every day!    

**** Time Sensitive Prayer Request for World MAP! ****
 
WORLD MAP NEPAL SEMINARS!

On September 14, the World MAP team leaves to conduct World MAP Pastor’s Seminars in Nepal. The trip will be Sept 14 – Oct 3. PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR US!

These events have been years in the making, and include a godly contact with a heart for Nepal, as well as a volunteer team that has translated the entire 1000-page Shepherd’s Staff ministry handbook into Nepali! World MAP has since printed 5,000 of these vital training manuals, and they are now in Nepal awaiting distribution. We anticipate these books to be a catalyst for great growth of the church in Nepal, as it has been in many other nations.

This month’s seminars in four separate cities in Nepal will not only be first-time events for World MAP, but will also be the first time a pastor will receive a Shepherd’s Staff in Nepali. So the excitement is off the charts!

It is estimated that only 2-4% of the population in this Hindu-dominated nation is Christian. Subsequently, there is much natural and spiritual opposition to the Gospel that includes:

• Government opposition due to non-conversion laws in place.
• Radical Hindu gangs coming in from India to commit dreadful acts of violence.
• The welcomed and active presence of demonic powers using deception and evil religious practices, and much actual demonic oppression and possession of the people.

‘But God!’ In spite of the opposition, God is doing mighty things in Nepal! The truth and validity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being attested to through signs, wonders and miracles of healings. Jesus Christ is being lifted up, the only Way to salvation, freedom and eternal life. The growing church in Nepal needs leadership training in order to be ready to disciple the Harvest!

Please Pray:

• For a mighty outpouring of God’s Spirit upon each seminar and attendee.
• That the Holy Spirit will strengthen, encourage and bring revelation-understanding of God’s Word.
• That every pastor’s heart would be prepared, open and hungry to receive from the Lord.
• For every strategy of hell set up to stop or oppose these seminars to be bound and cast down by the blood and authority of Jesus, as well as a halt to any and all government or religious opposition.
• That no leader would be kept from attending, and divine protection and provision would be theirs as they travel to and from the seminars.
• For a Spirit-led unity of relationship for the pastors, with a new vision of Christ’s purposes for the Nepali church, and how to practically fulfill it together.
• For safe travels for the team, as well as anointing upon the teaching of the Word and increased sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in ministering to all in attendance.
• For spiritual covering, protection and health for the ministry team and pastors, as well as open heavens to surround them and break through any evil oppressive forces; and prayer for the many logistics of travel to four in-country locations, for open and straight paths and Spirit-ordering of the logistics for each seminar.
  
  

Thank you for covering us and these important events in prayer! We so appreciate you!

MORE PRAYER THIS MONTH …
1. ISRAEL

Please continue to pray for the nation of Israel and the burgeoning unrest in the Middle East. Pray in the Spirit and with your understanding, as you are led. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, according to the Word of God. (Psa 122:6)

2. UNITED STATES

There has never been a time or election season like the current one. A conflict rages for the “soul” of this nation, with a spiritual battle of demonic forces of death, division and hatred raging against anything and anyone with a biblical worldview and/or who names Jesus as Lord and Savior. America’s days of influence, power and prosperity may well be numbered, as the reason for God’s blessings wain in a culture no longer interested in obedience to God and committed to fulfilling His Kingdom purposes.

Continue to pray for supernatural peace; for truth to be exalted, and lies and liars to be exposed; for a self-indulgent and rebellious generation to be humbled and brought to Jesus; the binding of demonic spirits of Jezebel, Ahab, lawlessness, greed and perversion to be driven out from both the church and the land; for a new generation of church leaders to be raised up who “love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin,” and will lead the church in the power of the Holy Spirt to be about the Father’s Kingdom business; for a new generation of political leaders as well, who will honor God and His Word and be true servants; the entire truth on many issues to become visible to all, with nothing hidden in shadow; against nefarious and evil global agendas and those who want to impose them; and for righteousness to rule in the actual voting process of the elections.  

May God’s best and highest choice be the next President of the USA. Though America deserves judgment, He may instead show mercy – and only He knows exactly how that will be done. Either way, may we continue to fulfill our mission to fully declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this nation and to the ends of the earth!

Around the world, our brothers and sister in Christ face immense persecution and challenges. Thank God that this world is not our home. Yet, while we are here, we can also be grateful that our lives are in the hands of our faithful and loving Creator in whose arms we will one day rest for eternity.

In His grip with you,  
Dr. Frank and Wendy Parrish
World MAP