Category Archives: The Invitation

A Year of Answered Prayer

Join YWAMers around the globe in praying & hearing from God. He is inviting you!

Six people at YWAM South Sudan praying in a circle holding hands
YWAM South Sudan

And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:13

Praise God that He is our creator, our Father, our redeemer, our protector and He answers our prayers! In October 2015 YWAM launched The Invitation, inviting all YWAMers to pray monthly on the same (or similar) day. We have prayed for global topics like ending Bible poverty, refugees and Muslims. We have prayed for areas where YWAM does not have a presence such as the Horn of Africa. And we have prayed for local matters such as universities and YWAM property. The Lord has answered many prayers during this past year and to mark the one-year anniversary of The Invitation we are inviting you to spend time thanking God for a year of answer prayer.

Line of YWAM staff praying together at Europe DNA Infusion on The Invitation prayer day for May 2016
Europe DNA Infusion on The Invitation prayer day for May 2016

Some of the highlights from The Invitation’s first year include:

  • Through a video produced for The Invitation, a YWAM leader shared his vision of God’s Grace Flowing to the Muslim World. We prayed for this in January. The video has been viewed by over 10,000 people on Facebook and YouTube.

  • Many reported a greater understanding of, and thus a greater ability to love Muslims after praying for the Muslim world during June and July (30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World). YWAM Dunham, Quebec referred to Muslims during the 30 Days as “our brothers who have not come home yet.”
  • On the day when we prayed for YWAM properties, Mission Builders International received an unexpected check for $40,000 to pay down their mortgage and YWAM San Diego, USA signed papers to buy four acres of land.
  • Many prayed for areas where YWAM does not have a presence including the Horn of Africa, Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Bangladesh (December).
  • Through the prayer focus on YWAM Ships (April) YWAMers reported a greater awareness of what God is doing through this ministry. Outpost Panama praised God for bringing Making Waves to minister to various Indian tribes.
  • We prayed to End Bible poverty last October and in March gave an update that showed the progress being made in translation and distribution of Bibles by YWAM locations including Blantyre, Malawi, YWAM Chiang Rai, Thailand and YWAM Kona, Hawaii.
  • YWAM Quebec, Canada was led to pray for reconciliation between French Canadians and English Canadians in February when we prayed for governments and symbolically, they washed the feet of one another.
  • YWAM leaders and various others groups were in session during several global prayer days and included The Invitation in their time of prayer. Specifically, during Europe DNA Infusion, the participants prayed for YWAM property and set up donation and prayer stations for each base represented that was currently in the middle of a building project.

I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

 Prepare to Pray:

  • Ask God to reveal answered prayers at your location—those you have seen and those unseen.
  • Review this list of topics for The Invitation from the past 12 months and list prayers that God has answered at a global, local and individual level.
    • Ending Bible Poverty (October 2015 and March 2016)
    • Local Immigrants (November 2015)
    • The Horn of Africa (December 2015)
    • God’s Grace Flowing to the Muslim World (January 2016)
    • Local government (February 2016)
    • YWAM Ships (April 2016)
    • YWAM Property (May 2016)
    • 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World (June into July 2016)
    • Refugees (July 2016)
    • YWAM Together (August 2016)
    • Universities (September 2016)
  • Meditate on this verse and note specific ways that God has answered YWAM prayers through the years:

But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

Psalm 79:13

Praise God:

  • Referring to the lists you made during time of preparation:
    • Praise God for the prayers that He has answered during the past year at a local, area and national level.
    • Praise God for the prayers that he has answered for YWAM through the years.
Quote, "The history of missions is the history of answered prayer." by Samuel Zwemer
Posted on Instagram by YWAM North Cascades, USA

Pray:

  • Pray for YWAMers, specifically DTS students, to:
    • always be offering up a sacrifice of praise to God (Hebrews 13:15)
    • have lips that acknowledge His name (Hebrews 13:15)
    • praise Him with a whole heart (Psalm 86:12)
    • have full belief in God’s promises (Romans 4:20-21)
    • give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
    • fear Him and praise Him (Revelation 19:5)
    • always give thanks for everything (Ephesians 5:20)
    • make requests of God with a spirit of thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6)
  • Make a list of the people that your location is thankful for and praise God for them. Mention each one in prayer.
  • Pray for proper understanding of what God has done for you and the eternal promises He has for you.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57

Take Action:

  • Tell someone other than a close friend, coworker or family member why you are thankful to God.
  • Produce a praise report. Add the report to your website, post it on social media, or send it to supporters, parents, or others. See example: http://ywamyosemite.org/praise-report/

In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever.

Psalm 44:8

  • Identify a way for your location to keep track of answered prayers—a wall, a journal, a blog, or some other form. Set up a process for keeping it current. Use the list during worship time on a regular basis.
Party with balloons and people singing on front of a group at YWAM Amsterdam
YWAM Amsterdam Celebrating

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with Thanksgiving.

Psalm 69:30

 

Man holding a hand written sign saying "Thank You":
Photo from YWAM Ships

Future Topics:

  • November 10 – Spheres of Society

How We Prayed – September – Universities:

  • YWAM Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela fasted one day and sent a prayer report noting Bible verses and key messages they received from God.
  • Several requested prayers on Facebook for specific universities, including: Arturo Prat University in Iquique, Chile; The University of Newcastle in Australia; University of the South Pacific, Laucala campus; University Utrecht in the Netherlands, and others.

Don’t Miss The Invitation:

  • Sign up for prayer updates. Go to ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”
  • Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. (Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Korean or request other languages.)
  • Join the conversation about how God is leading in these prayer times. Comment on the Facebook post on the second Thursday at facebook.com/youthwithamission or on Twitter @ywam, hash tag #praywithywam.
  • If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us: prayer@ywam.org.

Universities

Join YWAMers around the globe in praying and hearing from God. He is inviting you!

Mongolia
YWAM Mongolia Campus Ministries

As the university school year begins in many places, we invite you to pray for universities. Specifically, pray for university students near you and for YWAM’s campus ministries around the world. YWAM has more than 90 campus ministry locations in countries across the world, such as Nicaragua, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

University World News reported in 2012 that the total number of students around the globe enrolled in higher education was expected to double to 262 million by 2025. Many of these students come from restricted-access nations. They are tomorrow’s world leaders.

. . the university is a key doorway for the Body of Christ to reach and teach the nations – especially through ministry to international students from creative access nations.

YWAM Madison, Wisconsin Student Mobilization Centre website

 Prepare to Pray:

 

Campus Ministry at YWAM Boston
Campus Ministry at YWAM Boston

Pray for Universities:

Universities and Students Near You

  • Pray for eradication of Bible poverty in all universities.
  • Pray for university professors and staff and that they would come to know the Lord and develop a biblical worldview.
Reaching Students at Sunchon National University in South Korea
Reaching Students at Sunchon National University in South Korea

 

  • Pray for college students to make time for worship and ask that our Father would grant them rich times with Him.
  • Pray for wisdom for university students to do well on tests, papers and projects and bring glory to the Lord.
  • Pray for solid relationships between students and their parents and for a heart of obedience when students are home.
  • Pray for healthy relationships for university students and that believing students would shine the light for unbelievers.
  • Pray for purity in thought, word and deed.
  • Pray for students to embrace God’s will for their lives.
  • Pray that the whole campus from the powerless to the powerful be reached with the whole gospel
  • Pray for a biblical worldview to permeate universities through: discipleship schools, small group Bible studies, seminars, and conferences.
  • Pray that God would raise students who receive Christ today into future leaders in their nation.
  • Pray for the planting of campus fellowships/churches amongst the most unreached immigrant people groups and international students in universities. Pray that those students would be empowered to reach their own people throughout the world.
  • As a team, pray for God to reveal opportunities for campus based ministry in your local area.

Campus Ministries

YWAM’s Campus Based Ministries International

  • Pray for YWAM’s Student Mobilization Centre (http://uofn.edu/colleges/uofn-student-mobilisation-centre). The mission of the Student Mobilization Centre is to mobilize university students of all nations on every campus worldwide to God’s purposes for their lives in knowing Him and making Him known through their life’s work.
  • Pray for potential student interns and YWAM locations to be linked together through YWAM’s Converge service (www.ywamconverge.org). Converge is an online missions mobilization tool, a searchable registry of internship opportunities.
YWAM Madison – Student Mobilization Centre
YWAM Madison – Student Mobilization Centre
  • Pray for the equipping of new YWAM missionaries through focused training schools, such as the School of University Ministries & Missions.
  • Pray that many respond to Christ’s call to universities around the world.

”… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Matthew 28:18-20

Take Action:

  • Engage university communities both near you and in other countries. Mobilize students to serve and learn about issues of poverty, disease, illiteracy, impure water, human trafficking, domestic violence, drug abuse, homelessness, at risk youth, etc.
    • Reach out to international students at a university near your YWAM location.
    • Set aside a regular time to prayer walk at local universities.
    • Pursue opportunities to partner with YWAM campus ministries. Invite a university ministry team to your location for ministry orientation or host a university ministry seminar at your base to learn how to interact with universities.
  • Sign up as a host with Converge to get prequalified student interns for your YWAM ministry: https://ywamconverge.org
  • Share on facebook.com/youthwithamission, post a picture and add a comment about how you prayed.
  • Go to twitter.com; search for #praywithywam and tweet about your prayer time/post a picture.
  • Send an email to prayer@ywam.org letting us know how you prayed and what God revealed to you.
YWAM Madison
YWAM Madison

Upcoming Prayer Topics:

  • October 13 – A Year of Answered Prayer
  • November 10 – Spheres of Society

Don’t Miss The Invitation:

  • Sign up for prayer updates. Go to ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”
  • Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. (Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Korean or request other languages.)
  • Join the conversation about how God is leading in these prayer times. Comment on the Facebook post on the second Thursday at facebook.com/youthwithamission or on Twitter @ywam, hash tag #praywithywam.
  • If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us: prayer@ywam.org.

YWAM Campus Ministry Locations

Some locations have been removed from this list for security reasons.

ARGENTINA

  • Buenos Aires

BANGLADESH

  • Dhaka, BANGLADESH

CAMBODIA

CANADA

CHILE

  • Santiago
  • Antofagasta

CHINA

  • 4 cities

COLOMBIA

  • Cartagena
  • Barranquilla
  • Medellin

ECUADOR

  • Guayaquil

EGYPT

ESTONIA

GEORGIA

  • Tbilisi, GEORGIA

GERMANY

HONG KONG

  • Tuen Mun, HONG KONG

INDIA

  • Chennai, INDIA
  • Greater Noida, INDIA
  • Karnataka, Dharwad, INDIA
  • Kolkata, INDIA
  • Mysore, INDIA
  • Pune, INDIA
  • Bangalore

INDONESIA

  • Bandung, INDONESIA
  • Pontianak, INDONESIA

JAPAN

  • Kyoto, JAPAN

KAZAKHSTAN

LAOS

MADAGASCAR

  • Antananarivo, MADAGASCAR – ywam-madagascar.org
  • Fianarantsoa, MADAGASCAR
  • Mahajanga, MADAGASCAR
  • Toliara, MADAGASCAR

MALAYSIA

  • Kualalumpur, MALAYSIA
  • Kuching, MALAYSIA
  • Penang, MALAYSIA

MONGOLIA

  • Darkhan, Mongolia
  • Daanbaatar, MONGOLIA

NEPAL

  • Kathmandu, NEPAL

NEW ZEALAND

NICARAGUA

  • Managua

PARAGUAY

  • Asuncion

PHILIPPINES

  • Antipolo City (Cainta), PHILIPPINES – http://www.ywamatc.com/
  • Baguio City, PHILIPPINES – ywamphilippines.org
  • Dagupan, PHILIPPINES
  • Dumaguete, PHILIPPINES
  • General Santos, PHILIPPINES
  • Iloilo, PHILIPPINES
  • Luzon Island (Batangas Province), Nasugbu, PHILIPPINES
  • Valencia, PHILIPPINES

RUSSIA

  • Irkutsk, Russia

SOUTH KOREA

  • Busan,
  • Cheju, http://www.uofnjeju.org/
  • Chuncheon
  • Cheonan,
  • Daejeon,
  • Gwangju,
  • Seoul,
  • Suwon,
  • TaeGu,
  • Ulsan,
  • Gunsan, SOUTH KOREA

SWEDEN

  • Linkoping, SWEDEN

TANZANIA

  • Dar Es-Salaam, TANZANIA

THAILAND

  • Bangkok, THAILAND – http://www.ywamthai.org/
  • Chiang Mai, THAILAND – http://ywamcm.com/
  • Chiang Rai, THAILAND
  • Hat Yai, THAILAND
  • Kalasin, THAILAND.
  • Khon Kaen, THAILAND
  • Khorat, THAILAND
  • Mahasarakham, THAILAND
  • Ratchathani, THAILAND
  • UdonThani,THAILAND
  • Roiet, THAILAND

UGANDA

  • Kampala, UGANDA

USA

VENEZUELA

  • Puerto La Cruz

VIETNAM

YWAM Together

Our international YWAM gatherings have always been times of seeking God’s face, hearing fresh words from Him, allowing our hearts to encounter Him, renewing and establishing friendships and gaining new vision for our individual and corporate roles in discipling nations. Repeatedly the Lord has challenged our hearts and led us corporately to covenant with Him on issues on His heart when we have gathered before Him. Over the last two years in particular, these events have gathered momentum and brought us together to new places in Him.

YWAM Together 2016 Banner

Heading to the YWAM Together gathering in Kansas City in September we sense many streams are converging. Representatives of the whole tribe of YWAM, YWAM alumni, and partners in prayer and mission all will come together to seek the Lord and His global purposes for us. They will meet September 4-10 (ywamkc2016.org). This will indeed be a holy convocation if we are humble and seek His face.

To that end, whether you are able to attend or not, we invite you to join us in focused prayer leading up to and during the gathering.

We invite you to pray for:

1) Intense Presence of God

In 2014 at a YWAM leadership gathering in Singapore, participants sensed God speaking about seeking God and His presence above all else.

Pray:

  • That this will be a time when God deals with His people and that we may have revelation and grace to know how to live godly lives in a post-modern world with a clear conscience (2 Peter 1:3-8).
  • That the entire gathering will be marked by God’s presence, and that we will hear the word of the Lord, especially as we face sobering challenges of discipling the nations in the critical times we live in.
  • That prophetic discernment will be clear leading up to and during the event.
  • That God would have His way among us. Pray that the event will be well-planned, but that we would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He wants to redirect us or change the order of the agenda.

2) YWAM Family

Pray:

  • That YWAMers will fully recognize the value of maintaining relationship and partnering with their alumni, the ones who are currently active in the discipling of nations in all seven spheres. (For more information on spheres of society, go to www.call2all.org/Groups/1000090335/call2All/2012/About/Spheres/Spheres.aspx.)
  • That YWAM staff and YWAM associates will be “family” as we reach and disciple the nations and take the Kingdom into the spheres.
  • That the missions movement and the prayer movement will connect and synchronise more than ever.

3) Spheres

Pray: 

  • For revelation, insight and unity as sphere groups come together.
  • That we will grow in our understanding of the power of influence and authority given to the spheres of society.
  • That participants will receive greater clarity in their roles in various spheres.
  • That our appreciation of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit would grow as we apply God’s Word to the whole of life. 

4) Delegates

Pray:

  • For a sense of family and of belonging—for all nations and all generations.
  • For preparation of hearts. For a heart of humility, prayer, fear of the Lord, and a willingness to change where necessary.
  • For grace and unity as many expressions of delegates working in prayer, missions, business, government, and education converge.
  • For those who are unable to attend to still to be able to connect through prayer, friendship and watching the event on live stream.
  • For safety in travel arrangements, and for visas for those who need them.
  • That all would encounter the Lord and many would receive greater clarity for God’s call on their lives.
  • For the full complement of delegates to be released.
  • For children and teenagers to be transformed through the children’s program.

5) Leadership

Pray: 

  • For unity in the event eldership (Founders’ Circle members, plenary speakers, conveners).
  • For guidance for the conveners of various spheres and breakout sessions.
  • Pray for David Hamilton and others who are preparing resources.

6) Logistics

Pray:

  • For the Kansas City team as they host and prepare for us—especially Mark and Karen Anderson and Barb Livingston as they coordinate logistics.
  • For teams going to Kansas City to assist in running the event, pray for grace, energy, smooth communication, joy and a heart to serve.
  • Pray for the full release of resources—finances, equipment, hospitality.

Take Action:

To register for YWAM Together, or to watch the live streaming, go to ywamkc2016.org.

How We Prayed:

Refugees – July 14, 2016:

  • One YWAM team member had just returned from ministering at the border of Macedonia and Thessaloniki, Greece serving Syrian, Iraqi, Yazidi and Kurdish refugees and encouraged readers on Facebook to pray for and serve refugees.
  • The following YWAM locations reported that they prayed for refugees: Minneapolis, USA; South Korea; Hong Kong; Buka Island, Papua New Guinea; Lapu-Lapu City Cebu, Philippines; Quezon City, Philippines; Las Vegas, NV USA; Papua New Guinea; Pernambuco, Brazil; Greenville, SC USA; Tanzania; Nigeria; Germany; Redding, CA USA; Cody, WY USA; Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil; Bass Lake, Gowen, MI USA; and Ceará,

Upcoming topics for The Invitation:

  • September 8 – Universities
  • October 13 – A Year of Answered Prayer

Don’t Miss The Invitation:

  • Sign up for prayer updates. Go to ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”
  • Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. (Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Korean or request other languages.)
  • Join the conversation about how God is leading in these prayer times. Comment on the Facebook post on the second Thursday at facebook.com/youthwithamission or on Twitter @ywam, hash tag #praywithywam.
  • If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us: prayer@ywam.org.

Refugees

We invite you to pray about the global refugee situation this month. Please join us as we pray for people (asylum seekers, economic migrants, displaced people and others) who have had to leave their home for various reasons – war, persecution, natural disaster, famine, lack of jobs, etc. – from all parts of the world. Just some of the countries include Myanmar, North Korea, Syria, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Mali, Somalia, Iraq, Ukraine, Mexico and South Sudan.

Sudan Camp
South Sudan Refugee Camp (YWAM Middle East)

We will also pray for those that are impacted by refugee movements: government leaders, families that are left behind, local residents and YWAMers who are ministering to refugees all over the world. He is inviting you to pray!

According to the United Nations, there have been record numbers of displaced people and refugees in recent years, over 60 million estimated in total. Those that flee across international borders are known as refugees (estimated to be over 16 million), while those that flee but stay in-country are known as internally displaced persons. Statistics such as these reported by the New York Times give us a sense of the tremendous needs for prayer:

  • Approximately half of the refugees are children. A very high percentage of these people are unaccompanied minors: 90% of the migrant children who have recently arrived in Europe via Italy were unaccompanied minors. Over 7,000 unaccompanied minors crossed from North Africa into Italy in the first 5 months of 2016.
  • More than one million refugees crossed the Mediterranean Sea last year.
  • Last year there was a record 5,400 deaths of migrants attempting to cross borders and already in 2016 there are 3,100 dead.
  • Tens of thousands of people are in limbo living in squalid camps in border towns.

In spite of these complex issues, YWAMers and other Christian organizations are seeing a time of great harvest of people coming to Christ.

. . . there has never been a time of greater harvest. Time and again over recent decades, we have said “the nations are coming to us,” but it has never been so overwhelmingly true. Will God’s people be swept up in the fear and protectionism, or will we reach out to reap the harvest?

Lynn Green, YWAM leader

Germany Baptism Walk

A Syrian Baptized in Germany (posted by David Campbell on YWAM Refugee Circle Facebook)
A Syrian Baptized in Germany (posted by David Campbell on YWAM Refugee Circle Facebook)

 Prepare to Pray:

  • Watch this simple video created by World Vision about praying for refugees:

  • Watch this video created by the documentary filmmaking school in YWAM Harpenden called “Sunday in the Calais Jungle.” It tells the refugee story of a camp in Calais, France called “The Jungle.” It is home to more than 7,000 refugees

Syrian Family
Syrian Family that Escaped ISIS-Controlled Territory in 2014

Pray for Refugees:

  • Pray for refugees that are travelling with risky health situations: pregnant mothers, women who have just delivered, day-old babies and others who are travelling who are sick or weak.
  • Pray for safety and protection from smugglers who often steal passports and other items from refugees.
  • Pray for greater freedom in the home countries of refugees so they don’t have to flee and so they can choose whom they will worship.
  • Pray for refugees who are lonely to experience the family of God and God as their Father.
  • Pray for government leaders to find workable solutions to refugee issues associated with displacement, transition, etc.
  • Pray for the hearts of residents in areas where there are refugee camps to be accepting, especially of the children in need of schooling and medical services. Refugees are often misunderstood. Pray for God’s people to be non-judgmental and to hear their stories.

For us, religion is finished. We want to have the freedom to choose like in the West.

A refugee at Lesbos, Greece speaking to a YWAM worker

Blanket Provided to Refugee (YWAM Madison)
Blanket Provided to Refugee (YWAM Madison)

Pray for YWAMers and YWAM Locations:

  • Praise God for the many YWAM teams that have responded to the needs of refugees. Pray for YWAMers to be led by the Spirit so that God’s purposes will prevail.
  • Pray for God’s love to break down walls as the good news is preached.
  • Pray for more teams to be sent. Pray for workers for long-term ministry opportunities such as with unaccompanied minors.
  • YWAM Ireland is teaching Iraqi, Syrian and Palestinian refugees about forgiveness. Pray for open hearts and changed lives.
  • YWAM Perth, Australia provides counseling on a Facebook page for many Syrians suffering trauma, loss, grief and other issues. Pray for impact in the lives of people who view the material on this page, and pray for more Arabic-speaking staff to work in this ministry.
  • YWAM Middle East runs a school for Syrian refugee children in a neighborhood where they are not welcome. Pray for peace and comfort for these children and praise God that the children are responding to the loving instruction they are receiving from YWAMers.
YWAM’s Next Wave Docked in Lesbos, Greece
YWAM’s Next Wave Docked in Lesbos, Greece
  • YWAMers in Lesbos and on YWAM’s Next Wave Ship have been given significant responsibility by local leaders over entire refugee compounds. Pray for wisdom as they care for unaccompanied children and families. Praise God for open doors, healing and salvation in the midst of chaos, brokenness and disorder.
  • Several YWAM locations in Germany are serving refugees. One location is providing a home for teenage refugee boys who have nowhere else to stay, teaching German classes, providing social activities and taking them to church. Pray for wisdom for these young men.
YWAMers in Sicily with Refugee Mom with Baby Born Aboard A Ship
YWAMers in Sicily with Refugee Mom with Baby Born Aboard A Ship

 

  • YWAM Sicily provides clothing and a discipleship program for refugees coming to their city, many of whom are from Africa. Pray for God to lead them.
  • YWAM Dalarna, Sweden has begun discipling Afghans who have shown an interest in the gospel. Pray for good relationships.
  • YWAM Calais, France ministers to Sudanese refugees from the Darfur area. Pray for continued favor with the local leaders and that these leaders would have changed lives due to a new faith in God.
  • YWAM Pittsburgh has purchased a building to help them reach out to some of the 20,000 refugees in their city. Pray for them and watch this video to see their refugee ministry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGPyFEq5ag4.
Refugee Man and Woman (YWAM United)
Refugee Man and Woman (YWAM United)

Take Action:

How We Prayed:

June 6 – July 5, 2016 – 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World

  • YWAM Dunham, Quebec spent time searching their own hearts and repenting about how they have condemned Muslims in the past. They have chosen to love Muslims.
  • YWAM Seamill, Scotland prayed for the Muslim world throughout Ramadan. One day they specifically prayed for the 76,000 Muslims in Scotland.
  • YWAM Kings Kids, Brazil committed to pray for the Muslim World.
  • YWAM Uruguay committed to pray each day in their devotionals and schools. They are also promoting 30 Days of Prayer for Muslims to churches in Uruguay and they planned a celebration and time of intercession towards the end of Ramadan.

Upcoming topics for The Invitation:

  • August 11 – Universities
  • September 8 – A Year of Answered Prayer

Don’t Miss The Invitation:

  • Sign up for prayer updates. Go to ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”
  • Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. (Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, Korean or request other languages.)
  • Join the conversation about how God is leading in these prayer times. Comment on the Facebook post on the second Thursday at facebook.com/youthwithamission or on Twitter @ywam, hash tag #praywithywam.
  • If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us: prayer@ywam.org.

30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World June 6 – July 5, 2016

30 Days 2016 Cover

The Invitation is a bit different this month. Instead of asking you to pray on the second Thursday of the month (or whatever works best for you) we are asking you to pray with us daily from June 6-July 5, 2016 for 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World.

The 30 Days prayer focus began at a gathering of YWAM’s international leaders in 1992. They were meeting in the Middle East and in a time of prayer for the region God spoke to them in a powerful way. This time resulted in the Red Sea Covenant (http://www.ywam.org/about-us/red-sea-covenant/) which was a commitment these leaders made on behalf of YWAM. 30 Days was born out of this commitment and began as a small prayer guide, produced by YWAMers largely for YWAM. Since then 30 days has grown each year and now includes an estimated 500,000 participants across the wider body of Christ, including several agencies and churches that gather content, translate and distribute the guide. 2016 marks the 22nd anniversary of 30 Days.

30 Days of Prayer Muslims
Over ½ Million Participants 1.6 Billion Muslims
23 Primary Languages 4 Million New Muslim Refugees
22nd Year 49 Muslim Nations
350,000 prayer guides 1,999 Muslim People Groups

30 Days coincides every year with Ramadan (June 6 – July 5 this year) which is an important month of fasting and religious observance for Muslims. The purpose of 30 Days is to call Christians to make an intentional and respectful effort during this period to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbors.

In the Muslim world today, we see encouraging answers to prayer. In the book A Wind in the House of Islam, David Garrison notes that the greatest movements of Muslims turning to Christ have happened in the 21st century. Please join us in prayer to be part of God’s work.

Original 30 Days Prayer Guide Cover
Original 30 Days Prayer Guide Cover
2009 cover: 30 Days has been growing every year for 22 years!
2009 cover: 30 Days has been growing every year for 22 years!

Preparation for 30 Days of Prayer:

  • Download the 30 Days prayer guide and encourage others at your location to do the same: www.pray30days.org. Also, take a moment to like the 30 Days Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/30daysprayer. When you do so, you will receive short summaries of the prayer topics each day during the 30 days of prayer. You can share these summaries with others in your community.
  • Pray to hear from God about how you/your location are being called to participate.
  • Schedule a meeting at your location to explain and discuss 30 Days.
  • Determine how your location will “remember” to pray each day. Examples from previous years include prayer bracelets and playing drums at midday to call the location to prayer. (Some locations pray at the beginning of their day and others pray just before lunch.)
  • Schedule prayer times and meetings. Communicate regularly during 30 Days.
Many new refugees are Muslim and represent an opportunity to love like Christ
Many new refugees are Muslim and represent an opportunity to love like Christ

Through prayer, we engage in an act of love for Muslim people around the world—sharing their burdens, understanding their concerns and petitioning God to help them.

30 Days of Prayer website

Suggested Prayer Points:

  • Read the page each day from prayer guide or from the 30 Days Facebook or website www.pray30days.org (a content summary is available each day on the website).
The prayer guide mentions nine “rooms” in Islam
The prayer guide mentions nine “rooms” in Islam
  • Pray for journeys and movements of Muslims:
    • Pray for Muslims who are questioning their faith, that they will meet others who have walked that journey and found it led them to Christ.
    • Pray for those Muslims who decide to follow Jesus, that they will find fellowship and peace within their new faith.
    • Pray that the millions of unreached immigrants leaving their homelands in search of a new life may find new life in Christ there.
    • Pray for peace in areas where people are having to flee their homeland.
    • Pray for new Muslim believers to grow in unity, encourage one another in fellowship and love and to be lights for others.
    • Praise God for the significant movements of Muslims to Christ in this century and pray that the pace of these movements would heighten and expand.
  • Pray for God to reveal his plans for YWAM locations around the world in reaching Muslims. Pray for provisions for ministries that are focusing on Muslims.
  • Pray for 30 Days distributors—churches and organizations that translate, print and distribute the guide in many different ways—for wisdom and safety. Praise God for growth in participation in areas known for Muslim/Christian conflict, specifically, Eastern Europe and West Africa.
  • Pray for more 30 Days participants in the United States where many Muslims have moved.
  • Pray for wisdom, creativity and perseverance for the workers who create the prayer guide.
  • Pray for fellow Christians to resist the temptation to exchange hatred for hatred, hostility for hostility.
  • Pray that God will lead you to Muslim individuals whom you can love in Jesus’ name.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you . . . Ephesians 5:1 – 2 (NASB)

Take Action:

  • Share the 30 days website with others often during the 30 Days The prayer guide is available in 23 primary languages, some with 30 Days apps.
  • Talk to leaders at your church about 30 Days and organize a prayer campaign with your congregation.
  • Donate to 30 Days (http://pray30days.org/about/donate/).
  • Mark your calendar for next year early enough to purchase posters, guides and other resources for 30 Days. Ramadan falls May 27 through June 24 in 2017.
  • Sign up on 30 Days website to get emails: http://pray30days.org/contact/
  • The 30 Days prayer guide contains a lot of information. Learn more about:
    • The House of Islam and the nine “rooms” – page 4
    • Ramadan and Muslim pillars of faith – page 5
    • Recent Muslim movements to Christ – page 6
    • Muslim “hijra” of faith – pages 20-21
    • Resources – prayer diaries and books – page 29
    • Muslim “Night of Power” and dreams – page 38
    • Practical Steps For Loving Muslims – page 41
    • Write the names of Muslims you know and any Muslim communities near you. Think about how you can bless them and serve them.
    • Share on facebook.com/youthwithamission, post a picture and add a comment about how you prayed.
    • Go to twitter.com; search for #praywithywam and tweet about your prayer time/post a picture.
    • Send an email to prayer@ywam.org.

How We Prayed:

May 2016 – Local – Property

On the global prayer day, Mission Builders International received an unexpected check in the mail for $40,000 to pay down their mortgage.

YWAM Mazatlan, Mexico and YWAM Queenstown, New Zealand posted prayer requests on Facebook regarding property needs due to growth of their ministries.

YWAM Bluefields, Nicaragua was encouraged to pray for their own property even though they are a new location. God has led them to property that costs $195,000. Please pray with them for God to provide as they know they can’t do it on their own.

YWAM Pittsburgh, Pensylvania, USA prayed that they would be led by the Spirit as they plan and prepare for various ministries and programs they will run in a new building that they are purchasing. They also noted, as other locations did, that God’s timing was perfect for The Invitation for May.

YWAM San Diego, California, USA reported that they signed the papers to buy four acres of new land on the global prayer day.

Sean Lambert of YWAM San Diego signs the papers
Sean Lambert of YWAM San Diego signs the papers

YWAM Nigeria reported that praying for property was very timely for their location.

At the YWAM DNA Europe Infusion Meeting 350 YWAMers from 59 nations started praying on the global prayer day (May 12) and continued into Friday. They thanked God for the properties He has provided and they prayed for 14 properties where finances are needed to bring about God’s plans.

YWAM DNA Europe Infusion Meeting
YWAM DNA Europe Infusion Meeting

YWAM King’s Kids, Brazil noted they were grateful for the Portuguese translation of The Invitation and prayed for YWAM property.

YWAM San Francisco, USA prayed and requested other YWAMers to give thanks that God miraculously provided initial funds in 2014 for their property. Please pray with them that God would retire their remaining $2.17 million debt immediately. They have ministered from this location for 20 years which they rented prior to purchasing.

YWAM San Francisco
YWAM San Francisco

April 2016 – Global – YWAM Ships

  • YWAM Ozarks, Arkansas prayed in great detail for YWAM Ships. Here are a few highlights:
    • Prayed for crews of ships to be alert in the spirit to enemy strongholds.
    • Prayed that YWAM ships would expect the Lord to do miracles related to providing funding for YWAM Ships.
    • Correlated Jesus as the bread of life (John 6) with YWAM Ships and the provisions they provide to the people they serve.
    • Prayed for the crew to be the right people on the vessel and discussed Paul’s journey to Rome and how Paul had to be on the ship to save lives.
    • Prayed for unity for the crew in dealing with one another in grace.

Upcoming topics for The Invitation:

  • July 14 – Global Topic – Refugees
  • August 11 – Local Topic – Universities

Don’t Miss The Invitation:

  • Sign up for prayer updates. Go to ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”
  • Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. (Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, or request other languages.)
  • Join the conversation about how God is leading in these prayer times. Comment on the Facebook post on the second Thursday at facebook.com/youthwithamission or on Twitter @ywam, hash tag #praywithywam.
  • If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us: prayer@ywam.org.