The Invitation, April 13, 2023

Hong Kong is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, drawing people from all around the world with its unique combination of Asian and Western culture. However, of the 7.6 million people living in this bustling city, only 13 percent profess to be Christian and there are 10 unreached people groups residing there. Hong Kong is now in a “Kairos” time when the need for missionaries to spread the good news is vital for its future. Hong Kong has opened its doors to the world again after a difficult time over the pandemic and other issues, but unlike never before Hong Kong is ready for the gospel! There are many opportunities for individuals and teams to come serve. Please take a moment right now to pray for Hong Kong and please also pray with us on April 13, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. The Time is Now: Long promoted as “Asia’s World City” and “The Gateway to China,” Hong Kong is now open again to the world. Please pray with us and ask the Lord to put Hong Kong on people’s hearts, and for people to consider coming or sending groups to share the love of Christ in this city.
2. Children and Youth: The experiences of some challenging years have had a detrimental effect on children and youth in Hong Kong. There is an emerging group of non-engaged youth in social withdrawal, who are slowly losing their social skills and as a result, find it difficult to enter the competitive world of education or employment. It is these “unseen” youth that need social interaction and a support network. Many from poorer backgrounds feel trapped in an intergenerational cycle of poverty, as they see their parents unable to provide daily essentials and school supplies. Please pray against hopelessness, addictions and suicide among this group, for they are the future of Hong Kong.
3. Church Togetherness: Some recent events have tarnished the closer ties and efforts of churches to work together. Pray that the churches of Hong Kong (both local and international) would continue to set aside differences and cooperate in unity to make a positive impact and contribution to society. Please pray that they would be filled with generous hearts that overflow with love and care for people in need. May they unashamedly proclaim the love of Christ over the Hong Kong people groups.
4. Financial Security: Hong Kong has some of the highest wealth inequality among developed economies. With an ageing population, low wages and being one of the world’s least affordable housing markets, skyrocketing home prices have played a significant role in making it hard to get by. Add into the mix the fact that many people of low income suddenly found themselves either unemployed or working with reduced hours and pay as the city fought Covid-19. The wealthiest in Hong Kong during the global pandemic fared well however earning about 47 times that of the poorest. Please pray for existing and new initiatives that reach the poor and for greater awareness in all spheres of society to alleviate poverty and income disparity.

Take Action

We invite you to come and minister in Hong Kong. You can come as an individual or with a team with a variety of opportunities for YWAM to join in this historic time in Hong Kong.

You can find out more information about the various YWAM ministries here:

• YWAM Tuen Mun – www.ywamtuenmun.org/
• YWAM Harbour City – https://www.ywamharbourcity.org/
• YWAM Gateway – https://ywamgateway.hk/
• YWAM Shanti – https://www.ywamshantihk.org/
• Sports Services International – https://www.sportsinternationalhk.org/

How we Prayed

October, 2019: Jeff Woodke’s Release

In October of 2019, on the third anniversary of the kidnapping of YWAMer Jeff Woodke from his home in Niger, West Africa, we prayed for Jeff’s release. On March 20, 2023 we learned that Jeff had been set free, after six and a half years in captivity. We praise God for this news! Thank you for your prayers.

Join the Invitation

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.

The Invitation, March 9, 2023

Just under 700,000 Kanuri Manga people live in the east of Niger and far northeast of Nigeria. Most of them are farmers, growing mostly grain crops in a harsh environment as well as raising sheep, goats and the horses which are a symbol of prestige. The Kanuri Manga are Sunni Muslims, with no known Christians among them. Today the Kanuri Manga face great physical and spiritual needs. Their climate causes famine to return for a season every year. The local terrorist group, Boko Haram, has recruited some of their people and killed others, causing many to flee to refugee camps. Please join with the YWAM prayer initiative called The Invitation as we pray for the Kanuri Manga. Please pray right now and on our prayer day, March 9.

1. Pray for blessings on the Kanuri Manga, that God’s kingdom will reach them in all its fullness and bless them in spirit, soul, and body. Pray for good rains, and an end to famine and poverty (Matthew 5:44-45).
2. Pray that God will bring an end to violence, and that there will be reconciliation among the people of this region.
3. Pray for more Christians in this area to be bold in sharing their faith and for more efforts to share the gospel among them (Proverbs 1:7).

Suggestions for Group or Individual Prayer

The Kanuri are fond of using proverbs, developed to teach life lessons. Reflect on these sayings or break into groups and each discuss one. To what extent do you agree with the proverb? If so, how have you seen this truth in your life?

•       “At the bottom of patience there is heaven.”
•       “One does not love another if one does not accept anything from him.”
•       “He who does not know the road holds back even the one who does.”

Pray that these proverbs, and others like them, would direct the thoughts and prayers of the Kanuri to the God of love, and to Jesus, the way to know God.

Take Action

These prayer insights into the Kanuri Manga were taken from Day 20 of the 30th anniversary edition of 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. To get your copy of this prayer guide, please go to pray30days.org.

Join the Invitation

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.

The Invitation, February 9, 2023

Teen suicide is an ongoing issue worldwide and one that has continued to get worse in some countries in the last few years. A recent survey done by a school in the USA gives a glimpse of how prevalent this issue is at the moment. They found that 32 percent of the students said they knew someone who has attempted or died from suicide in the past twelve months, 28 percent said they had seriously considered suicide in the past twelve months, 21 percent said they had made a suicide plan in the past twelve months and 11 percent said they had attempted suicide in the past twelve months. According to a recent study done by the Office for National Statistics, suicide rates among young people aged 15-19 in England rose by 35% from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, Russia had the highest suicide rate in the world, according to the World Health Organization’s suicide rate estimates. Please take a moment right now to pray against teen suicide and please also pray with us on February 9, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray against the rise of bullying, both in person and online. Please pray that those in positions to stop bullying would have open eyes and an increased sensitivity to know when bullying is taking place. Also pray for miraculous protection online, that comments sent by those seeking to bully others would fail to send or not load when they do.
2. Pray for discernment for teachers, school counselors, youth group leaders, and parents. Part of the issue with suicide is simply a lack of awareness or the knowledge of how to deal with it.  Please pray for more adults in positions of leadership to learn how to recognize vulnerable teens and to be able to respond with wisdom and compassion.
3. Pray for resources and programs to be created that will assist families in addressing the issues of identity and self worth for vulnerable teens. Suicide is societal, a mental health problem, compounded by chemical and spiritual components. Please pray that although this is a huge issue to tackle, people wouldn’t turn a blind eye to this.

Take Action

• In many languages, searching Google or Facebook for “suicide” or Instagram for “#suicide” brings up helpful resources.
• Also, see WhatsApp’s list of suicide hotline resources in many countries: https://faq.whatsapp.com/1417269125743673.

How We Prayed

January 12, 2023: Pray for Revival in the Church

• One person in Spain was very encouraged by this topic and is thinking about becoming a pastor.
• A ministry in Nigeria is meeting regularly and praying for a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit upon His church.
• Another person is praying for more harvesters for God’s kingdom.

Join the Invitation

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.

The Invitation, January 12, 2023

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted much of our world but one area impacted in particular has been the attendance of in-person churchgoers. According to a 2022 Pew Research study, 33% of people in the USA who used to attend church regularly before the pandemic have not returned to in-person services after the pandemic. We are seeing similar effects in other countries as well. Whether it is fear of returning to in-person meetings or that people got used to either not attending church or only attending virtually, a lot of churches are seeing a big drop in numbers. As a result, some may have to close their doors permanently. Please take a moment right now to pray for a fresh revival in the church and please also pray with us on January 12, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for God to raise up more church leaders. According to surveys done by several denominations, many churches are experiencing a shortage of pastors. As an example, here in Scotland, many churches all over the country are needing to combine and sell their buildings because there aren’t enough ministers to lead the congregations. Please pray for provision for churches to keep their buildings and that God would stir the hearts of more young people to train as ministers and pastors so that these next generations would have well trained, godly leaders.
2. Pray for continued growth in community outreach. One of the good things to come out of the pandemic has been that the church in general increased their involvement in their communities. And particularly for YWAM, it shifted our perspective on missions and gave us the opportunity to partner more with the local church because international travel was so limited. Please pray that just because travel restrictions have been lifted now, that won’t stop the local outreaches from taking place.
3. Pray for those who have not returned to church. Fellowship with other Christians is so important but we don’t just want to see a change in attendance, we want to see the church passionate about God and pursuing Him wholeheartedly. Please pray for those who are no longer attending church and have not returned since the lockdowns have lifted, whether that’s due to fear or other reasons. And please pray that churches worldwide would experience a fresh revival in this new year.

Take Action

If you know of anyone who hasn’t returned to your church after the pandemic and you haven’t talked to them already, why not try and reach out to them today? It’s very easy to think someone else has probably done it but often that means no one has.

Join the Invitation

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.

The Invitation, December 8, 2022

In Genesis God created mankind to “Abad” and “Shamar” all of creation. These terms in Hebrew can be interpreted in many ways but when used together mean to serve and take great care over. It is also the role that the priests are given in the Old Testament for the nation of Israel, to represent God to those they are looking after but also represent those they are looking after to God. How are we representing God to all of creation and how are we representing all of creation to God? Please take a moment to pray for creation right now as it is part of our God-given responsibility  and please also pray with us on December 8, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for restoration of biodiversity in areas where there has been great loss. Rich biodiversity is vital for the natural God-created systems on earth to function well. Without this variety of life, areas that would otherwise have been very productive become barren deserts. This in turn leads to the suffering of the people who rely on these areas for their livelihood and food. Please pray for the communities that have been negatively impacted by the loss of biodiversity.
2. Pray for the countries being impacted by plastic waste. While plastic has been an amazing innovation, it also takes hundreds to thousands of years to degrade and can end up in our food and water. According to a report from the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) in Feb 2022,plastic consumption has quadrupled over the last 30 years. All around the world plastic is being burned, releasing harmful gasses, blocking drains and causing floods or being washed into the oceans via riverways, causing harm to fish and other aquatic life that people rely on for food. Pray for continued innovative ways for us to step away from plastic, especially single-use plastic. Please also pray for the funding to scale up these pioneering biodegradable methods.
3. Pray for those in the world that are experiencing unusual weather extremes. We can see this in Nigeria’s extreme flooding, Europe’s low rainfall, fires and floods, East Africa’s two-year drought and India and Pakistan’s very long heat wave this year – plus many other regions. These people need relief and rebuilding. Please pray for YWAM’s ongoing pioneering efforts to provide aid. Please also pray for ways to reduce the levels of climate pollution that continue to make these things worse. In addition, please pray for more God-centered solutions to provide nutritious food for all people.

Take Action

1. Create a pollinator-friendly area in your location to benefit the local pollinating insect populations. This can be planting pots of native wildflowers or allowing an area of grass to grow long and not mow it through your growing season to give the insects a rich feeding area.
2. Look at changing your light bulbs to LED bulbs if you have not already. They consume much less power, both saving money and reducing the amount of excess gasses contributing to climate pollution.
3. Part of our challenge when we think of creation care is to find God-centered solutions. Farming God’s way is a great example developed by an African farmer. Read more about this example at https://www.farming-gods-way.org/overview.htm

Join the Invitation

Sign up for prayer emails and find translations in many languages at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please contact us at prayer@ywam.org to let us know how you prayed, to recommend a prayer topic, or to request an advance copy of the prayer guide.