The Invitation, August 10, 2023

Most of those who have had any involvement with YWAM will have heard the saying, “Once a YWAMer, always a YWAMer.” There are an estimated three to four million individuals who have had some involvement with YWAM. They form part of YWAM’s broader family now. But leaving a YWAM training program or a YWAM staff position can involve a difficult transition. It can be hard for the person to find Christian community. It can take time to find clarity about God’s calling. Please take a moment right now to pray for YWAM’s broader family and join us on our prayer day for The Invitation on the 10th of August.

1. Pray for increased connection. Pray that all those currently within YWAM would strengthen and encourage those who have been involved with YWAM. YWAM Associates International (ywamassociates.com) has been doing this for 35 years, but this month we want to pray that God would guide all YWAM ministries to care for the individuals who leave their ministry location no matter how little or long they have served there.  
2. Pray for the influence of YWAM alumni. Many are serving in one or more spheres of society (family, religion, education, economics, media, celebration or government). Some are praying to find their place. Pray for the transformation that this broader YWAM family is bringing for God’s kingdom. 
3. Pray for increased networking among those in the spheres of society. Pray for more connection opportunities, for them to be able to encourage one another and share how they’re taking God’s kingdom into their spheres.
4. Pray for reconciliation. The fact is that with so many people involved with YWAM, there will naturally be the need for reconciliation in some situations. Where this is the case, please pray that this will take place as we humble ourselves as a YWAM family.
5. Pray for the environment that those leaving YWAM are going back to. Pray that each person will be involved in a loving Christian community in the place God has called them, and to live the values they learned in YWAM.

Take Action

• If you know people who have been involved with YWAM, consider if God is leading you to reach out to one or more of them, to strengthen and encourage them.
• Perhaps this month’s prayer topic has stirred up some past connections that you may want to make right. If you individually or as a YWAM ministry want to reach out and re-connect or offer apologies to certain people the Lord might be highlighting, now is a great time to do that.
• A good tool to help people with the transition from a mission-field setting is Peter Jordan’s book, Re-Entry (https://www.ywampublishing.com/p-256-re-entrybrmaking-the-transition-from-missions-to-life-at-home.aspx).

How We Prayed

The Send, July 13, 2023

YWAM Kilimanjaro reported how they prayed for every prayer point. They sensed God leading them to many Bible verses, including Psalm 86:9: “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.”

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, July 13, 2023

The Send is a stadium experience with the purpose of activating believers to live a missional lifestyle by adopting and reaching real mission fields at home and abroad. The Send partners with local and international organizations and churches to help onramp individuals who feel inspired by the Holy Spirit at an event and coaches them through the process to get them equipped and sent into their desired mission field. The Send week will be taking place in four different locations in the United States over the next year: Lancaster, Pennsylvania (July 31-August 4); Grand Rapids, Michigan (August 30-September 1); Boston, Massachusetts (September 13-15); and Nashville, Tennessee (January 29-February 2). Please take a moment right now to pray for The Send events and please also pray with us on July 13, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray that God brings the right people to our gatherings in the four USA locations over the next year. It’s more than tickets sold–it’s an opportunity for a life to be transformed. Please pray that as individuals show up, they will be gripped with the message of “Go.”
2. High schools: Please pray that thousands of Jesus Clubs are planted in local high schools.
3. Universities: Please pray that a new student volunteer movement would grip the hearts of Gen Z, particularly within the universities.
4. Local churches: Please pray that local churches would be strengthened and encouraged. Pray that practical needs would be met and evangelism would become the center of conversation for each church.
5. Nations: Please pray that different organizations would be able to accept, train, and send Gen Z to impact the nations.
6. Vulnerable children: Please pray that there would be a greater awareness of this issue and that people would be moved to take responsibility for vulnerable children in their communities.
7. Pray for the spirit of unity for our teams. Please pray that there would be no division large or small within our teams. Please also pray for guidance as The Send teams are exploring future events in many countries.

Take Action

• You can get involved by becoming a “Send Rep”. Follow this link.
• Become a partnering church!
• Give toward a gathering!
• Buy tickets and invite your friends to an Arena gathering happening near you! Found out more!

How We Prayed

Haiti, June 8, 2023

YWAM Vancouver, Canada prayed for families in Haiti, for churches, for freedom from the cycle of violence and corruption, and for good businesses. They prayed for, “A new chapter, a new season of growth in Haiti’s history.”

• In the Take Action section, one YWAM location in Haiti was accidentally left off the list. Please visit the website for YWAM Les Cayes, Haiti: www.ywamlescayes.com.

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, June 8, 2023

Haiti, the poorest nation on the American continent, is now suffering through a time of tremendous governmental instability and crime. Health and safety are daily concerns for everyone. Though Haiti’s schooled population is 56 percent, more than 67 percent earns less than one dollar per day. In the midst of the challenges, YWAM and other ministries continue to meet practical needs as well as to teach biblical principles. Please take a moment right now to pray for Haiti and please also pray with us on June 8, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for provision of basic needs for life. Pray for steady gas, clean water and an affordable cost of living. Steady gas is one of the most problematic issues. When gas stops getting through many services and commercial activities shut down (banks, food and water supply, transportation, internet, etc). Clean water to drink and for daily purposes is difficult to find and expensive. This is causing many health concerns and illness occurring rapidly.
2. Pray for the government, leaders and safety. The government has a lot of corruption that ends up limiting its ability to meet the country’s needs. The gangs are gaining control and influence in the country, especially in the capital, Port Au Prince. Pray that main roads become safer to travel.
3. Pray for rain. Recently there have been many forest fires starting in the mountain areas due to lack of rain.
4. Pray for spiritual breakthroughs. In Haiti, Christianity is distorted by syncretism from African beliefs, especially voodoo. Though 90 percent of the population states a Christian faith, it’s very common that churches practice or allow witchcraft rituals or Santeria (an African religion). You will sadly find some Christian people going to church then after to see the voodoo priest. It is said of Haiti’s history that when the nation was breaking free from slavery they made a pact with the Devil dedicating the land to him. Whether or not this is true or rumored, the spiritual warfare is real in Haiti. Pray for the light in God’s people to shine brighter than the darkness in Haiti and the spirit of fear over the country to be replaced with God’s love (1 John 4:18, Acts 26:18).
5. Pray for the Bible to be taught accurately in churches. Pray for followers of Jesus to be like the Bereans and search the scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).Also pray for church leaders and pastors to have a strong commitment to God and to live in a Bible-oriented manner (Luke 8:16-17).
6. Pray for ministries and YWAM. YWAM has several ministry centers actively meeting needs in Haiti. Overall, many ministries have left the country, though many others still remain and are working diligently for the Lord. Street outreaches are done with caution because of gangs. Pray for safety, health, protection for God missionaries; wisdom and discernment for mission leaders; unity among missionaries. Pray for the church and those who love Christ to live out the Great Commission and not let fear stop them (Matthew 28:19-20).

Take Action

To learn more about YWAM’s ministry in Haiti, please visit:

• YWAM Saint Marc: https://www.facebook.com/ywam.haiti/
• YWAM Port of Peace: https://www.facebook.com/ywamportofpeace
• YWAM Cap Haiti: https://www.facebook.com/YWAMCapHaiti

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, May 11, 2023

We have an opportunity to share the gospel with Israeli travelers in New Zealand and in other travel destinations throughout the world. These young adults, both men and women, serve two-to-three years in the military. Then they are encouraged to get out of Israel and have a break. Many thousands of young Israelis go to India, Japan, Nepal, Thailand and other parts of Asia and the Pacific for the drugs, parties and spiritual experiences. Many Israelis also come to New Zealand for the beauty and hiking. We see their searching hearts and want to introduce them to Yeshua (Jesus) while they are traveling. Please take a moment right now to pray for Israeli backpackers and please also pray with us on May 11, our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for volunteers in ministries that reach out to Israeli travelers. Please pray they will be Spirit led, wise and loving as they share the gospel with Israeli travelers.
2. Pray for the two Celebrate Messiah facilities in Wanaka and Punakaiki (New Zealand). Please pray that these will be places that Israeli guests feel safe, welcome and loved.
3. Pray for open hearts. Most of the Israelis that travel along the backpacker trail are secular and agnostic. Many are spiritually searching and some meet Jesus while they are traveling. Please pray for the veil to be removed and that they become open to hear about God.
4. Pray for personal encounters with the God of the Bible. Ministries to Israeli backpackers give out a lot of Hebrew New Testaments, testimonies, booklets, etc. Please pray that God’s Word and personal stories will touch their hearts, and that they will have their own personal encounter with the God of the Bible, both Old and New Testament.
5. Pray for local non-Western churches and pastors to open up their hearts and lives to Israeli travelers. They can learn from one another in the context of travel and hospitality. Please pray for Israelis to experience faith in Jesus in a non-Western context. Also pray for the churches to meet people from the land of the Bible and learn about their culture.
6. Pray for new locations. New guest houses, cafes and homes that have opened up across Asia in the last couple years in faith are now being frequented as Covid travel restrictions have lessened. There is an influx of travel happening right now, and anticipation for the Lord to meet people exactly where they are at, just like He always has. Please pray that these new locations will continue to flourish.

Take Action

• Volunteer for an organization that reaches out to the Jewish people such as Jews for Jesus, Chosen People Ministries, HIT International, or Celebrate Messiah New Zealand.
• Host Israeli travelers in your own home. Check out https://hostisraelis.com/ and https://hitinternational.net/

How we Prayed

Hong Kong, April 2023

From Spain: “I asked the Lord to help the youth there find their place in society and the way to succeed in life. May God also show us ways to help them.”

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, 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.