The Invitation, September 8, 2022

It has now been nearly six months since the first bomb was burdened upon Ukraine, laying the foundations of an agonizing war that has now killed thousands, and displaced millions more. As this war in Ukraine continues, so does the work of the YWAM teams in Ukraine as well as the surrounding territories. Your prayers to support these teams are treasured and appreciated. Please take a moment to pray right now and please also pray with us on September 8, on our prayer day for YWAM’s prayer initiative called The Invitation.

1. Pray for the neighboring countries. According to a recent article by The Guardian, there are more than six million refugees from Ukraine currently, of which 90 percent are women and children. This is now the largest refugee crisis since World War II. The countries taking in the largest volumes of refugees are Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova. Please pray that these countries are provided with the resources necessary to take care of the refugees currently seeking help, and please pray for Christians in these countries, including YWAM teams, who are caring for the needs of refugees.
2. Pray for YWAM’s teams in Ukraine. The YWAM teams in Ukraine continue to deliver food, medicine and other essentials to victims of the war. They face food and water shortages, sanitization issues and of course the threat of death.
3. Pray for Russia. Please pray not only for those in Russia who are against this war, but for those who are for it.
4. Pray for holistic healing. Not only has this war caused casualties and wounds, but it has caused invisible wounds; those pertaining to relationships, mental health and spiritual health. Please pray for the immediate and ongoing healing needed in all of these areas.

Take Action

If you would like to do more to help those affected, you can donate directly to YWAM Slavic Ministries, which will provide aid to those affected. Donate here: https://www.ywamslavicministries.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, 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.