The Invitation, August 11, 2022

This month, please join us as we pray for the long-term survivors of sexual exploitation. There are more allies in anti-trafficking efforts than ever before, but there is still a huge shortage of beds and residential services which can provide safety and trauma-informed care to both adult and minor victims, especially those who have their own children. Please join us this August in YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation as we pray for these victims of exploitation. Please take a moment to pray right now and please also join us on our prayer day, August 11.

1. Pray for the ones who have been rescued. Pray that victims would become survivors who thrive, experiencing abundant life, supportive community, and joy. One survivor in Canada writes “But now I see a new light! I see people differently. I walk by faith, and my hope is not in this life nor in humanity. Jesus is faithful to his promises, He heard my cry and because of this I know I am never alone.” Pray for more testimonies like this one!
2. Pray for the ones involved in this ministry. Pray for those who are ministering to people still trapped in trafficking. Pray for ministry leaders and survivor mentors. This is a hard and sometimes overwhelming journey (Romans 15:13). Pray for more residential services for survivors of trafficking, and for more caregivers with trauma-informed training.
3. Pray for transformation in mindsets around the world. In one Indian brothel, Nepali sex workers were asked why they stayed in their work, even though they hated it. They gave answers like this: “My family has so much debt and soon will lose our small plot of land where we grow our food. They need me to pay off their debts.” Without good income-generating options the poor are vulnerable to exploitation at the hands of others who make a profit from them. Pray for cultures and governments so that women’s bodies are respected and valued, and families have options for survival (Galatians 2:10).

Take Action

1. Do research and ask questions to find out who in your area is actively engaged in fighting trafficking and what their needs are. If you are looking to start an anti trafficking business we would love to help! We would gladly share what we have learned and coach you to make an impact through your business or ministry. You can contact matt@kairostraders.com if you have any questions.
2. Read more stories and continue in prayer by using the prayer guide 15 Days of Prayer to End Exploitation, available at kairostraders.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, July 14, 2022

On July 11, 2021 a major protest took place in Cuba. Many people throughout the country voiced their displeasure, using the slogan “Homeland, Life and Freedom.” They were complaining about food, medicine and power shortages, as well as the government’s response to Covid. This was unusual in a nation where protests are not allowed and it highlighted the ongoing needs in the country. Please join YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation as we pray for the spiritual and economic wellbeing of Cuba. Please take a moment to pray right now and please also join us on our prayer day, July 14.

1. Pray for churches and believers. The government seeks to control and limit church influence. They usually refuse to issue licenses for new churches. As a result, these churches have to operate underground. Church leaders or Christian activists can face arrest, churches can be locked down and businesses can be harassed. Pray for believers, that God would give them wisdom and strength. Pray for them to love God in spite of persecution.
2. Pray for provision. In Cuba, there are shortages of necessities like medicine, food and toiletries. These can be found at high prices but ordinary people often cannot afford them.
3. Pray for freedom from oppression. After the protests in Cuba on July 11, 2021 hundreds were imprisoned. Pray for these prisoners and for tolerance of dissidents in the nation.
4. Pray for the response to Covid. As people have gotten sick with Covid some hospitals and health centers have run out of medical supplies and some have become overcrowded. Pray that God would care for these people.

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 9, 2022

Every year, hundreds of thousands of young people from Buddhist families go overseas to study, from countries such as Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, and China. They are often open to studying the Bible with Christian friends or hosts, particularly if they are drawn to their lives of love, humility, or integrity. When these international students become Christians, they return home as Christ’s ambassadors in the heart of Buddhist communities. Please join YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation as we pray for Buddhist international students. Please take a moment to pray right now and please join us on our prayer day, June 9.

1. Pray for Buddhist students to meet Christians who will live out and tell them the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
2. Pray for students from Buddhist nations to come to faith and be discipled (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Chi Yan was a keen Buddhist when she went to study engineering in the UK. She had been president of a Buddhist society at her home in Malaysia. But while at university, she became friends with some Christians, learned about Jesus from them and came to share their faith in Christ. Chi Yan says, “When I was baptized, it was very hard for my parents to accept it. Later, I came to see that I was proud of having discovered the truth and my attitude was wrong. When I went home, I told them I was there to serve them and be a faithful daughter.” Life in Malaysia hasn’t been easy for Chi Yan, but she perseveres in following Jesus and trying to be a loving witness.
3. Pray that students who return home will find good churches in their home nations and keep sharing their faith, despite the pressure to maintain relational harmony (1 Thessalonians 2:2-4).

Take Action

If you would like to continue to pray for Buddhists please go to worldprayerguides.org and order “15 Days of Prayer for the Buddhist World.” In this prayer guide you will find stories from Tibet, Vietnam, Bhutan, Nepal, Cambodia, China and other places. The information in The Invitation this month comes from this prayer guide.

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 12, 2022

Twenty years ago, few Venezuelans would have imagined that their country, rich in natural resources, with large oil reserves, would become a place with so much corruption and such a poor economy that millions would choose to flee. Now, with government repression, and the highest inflation rate in the world, many people cannot afford basic food and medicine. Many have fled to countries throughout South America. Six million Venezuelans have left their country, ranking among the highest number of refugees in the world along with Ukrainians, Syrians, Palestinians and Afghans. Please join YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation as we pray for Venezuela and the many people who have left the country. Please take a moment to pray right now and please join us on our prayer day, May 12.

1. Pray against labor and sexual exploitation, human trafficking, violence, discrimination and xenophobia. Venezuelan people who flee their country are victims of these harms. Many people do not have sufficient means of subsistence, therefore they’re an easy target for criminal groups.
2. Pray for churches in Venezuela. The Covid crisis has put limits on ministry activities. People don’t want to get ill since medical attention is very expensive. Pray for unity, strengthening and revival for the church.
3. Pray for Venezuela. Many Venezuelan people are looking to flee but others stay to deal with the difficulties like the rampant corruption, avarice, misery, conformism, and social injustice.
4. Pray for YWAM ministry in Venezuela. Since the big economic difficulties, YWAM is growing up but slowly. There’s a need for more long-term staff at each location. Pray for unity and strength for the movement.
5. Pray for the fulfillment of God’s purposes for Venezuela. Pray for a spiritual awakening in Venezuela that will lead to a transformation of the nation and its foundations.

Take Action

Consider how you can help God’s purposes for Venezuela. One suggestion: learn more about the work of YWAM Cúcuta, Colombia to help Venezuelan refugees. In this frontier city many migrants cross from Venezuela. You can get in touch with YWAM Cúcuta at facebook.com/jucumcucuta.

How We Prayed

YWAMers continue to send reports of how they are praying for Ukraine. From London: “We are still praying every week as a whole base for everything in Ukraine. When praying this morning, I had Isaiah 41. The whole chapter, but specifically from 8-20.”

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 14, 2022

February 1, 2022 marked the first anniversary of the coup in Myanmar, which plunged the nation and the lives of most of its people into chaos and turmoil. One year later, the nation is facing huge challenges and at the same time YWAM workers see equally huge opportunities. One of the leaders of YWAM’s work in Myanmar said, “I want to thank you for your ongoing prayer and support for the people of Myanmar. Knowing that the world has not forgotten them makes a big difference.” Please join YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation as we continue to pray for the people of Myanmar, who are trying to stand strong in the face of immense challenges. Please take a moment to pray right now and also pray on our prayer day, April 14.

1. Pray for peace. Many parts of the country are experiencing an increase in violence. Although Yangon seems calm, other places are experiencing civil war, with several hundred thousand people being displaced. There is no end in sight to the conflict and so far all international attempts to help solve the crisis have failed. Please pray that the Lord will intervene and restore peace, justice and freedom. Also pray that God would protect the innocent and weak from violence and abuse.
2. Pray for provision. The economic situation is very dire. Many have lost their jobs and some investors have pulled out. Pray for the economy to somehow pick up, so that people can be saved from desperate poverty. Pray for provision in YWAM’s work so that we can serve the many struggling poor people.
3. Praise God for openness to the gospel. We are amazed how God is at work! The numbers of people turning to Christ are increasing almost everywhere. In the midst of the challenges and perhaps because of them, people are hungry for eternal truth, peace and freedom! As one example, an online evangelistic campaign has between three and five million views each month, with around 10,000 contact requests so far and over 1,000 serious inquirers wanting to know more about Jesus. Please pray that many more will find Christ and also pray for effective discipleship.
4. Pray for YWAM’s ministry. Most of our teams have been busy distributing food and doing outreaches to poor communities. Two locations have restarted their preschools, with many children attending. One team ran a sewing training with 15 young women. Another location in the north of the country continues to run mini Discipleship Training Schools. Even in the midst of the current situation, a new YWAM location has been pioneered. Please pray for anointing and also protection for all our staff and ministry partners as they continue to boldly serve the poor and needy and declare the love of God in deed and word.

Take Action

If you would like more information about YWAM’s work in Myanmar or if you would like to support that work, please contact us at prayer@ywam.org.

How We Prayed

Ukraine, March 2022

Members of the YWAM family in South Korea, Uganda, England, USA and other countries sent reports about praying for Ukraine. Said a representative of YWAM Slavic Ministries, which has been putting out prayer updates almost every day, “Thank you so much for all your prayers! It’s a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful worldwide family when a part of the body is in need.”

Join The Invitation

Learn more about this YWAM prayer day, called The Invitation, at ywam.org/theinvitation. Please let us know how you prayed at prayer@ywam.org. Please also tell us if you would like to recommend a prayer topic for The Invitation.

Also, if you are a prayer coordinator and would like advance notice of content for The Invitation, please let us know.