United Nations Prayer Initiative - New York

September 2007

Dear all,

280 plus Christian leaders from 50 nations, including 30 Children/youth intercessors and approximately another 250 leaders from the city of New York took part in the United Nations PrayerInitiative, the Prayer Cruise around New York harbour (at the same time around 10,000 praying people gathered in Times Square to pray for the city) a prayer walk and service at "ground zero" last week.

It was a special time and to see so many of the Lord¹s prayer leaders, pastors and businesspeople gathering to pray for the UN and New York City! Twenty four ambassadors, including the ambassador who now leads the organization that monitors the UN Millenium Development Goals, joined with us in the first part of this initiative. The Lord was surely among us in the heart of this influential global organisation! Thankyou for your prayer support in this strategic event. Brian Pickering and I, along with two other young adult prayer representatives from Down-Under, Jane Makie the Children's prayer network coordinator two of her team were involved in these events.

One UN official said, "An event like this has never happened in the history of the UN." Our time there was at the commencement of the 62nd session of the UN and several of the ambassadors that we prayed for, were beginning their role for the very first time. Others described the initiative as having been truly "historic" and having even a "world impact".  An ambassador from a Muslim country told one of the prayer leaders that he was "deeply moved" and wanted to be part of any future prayer events like this.

One of the organising leaders also added: "It was amazing to see so many ambassadors attend, engage and receive personal prayer. I pray, that the UN will never be the same. I know from those gathered that God connected the hearts of prayer networks and praying individuals across the globe to the UN during this time and I know their prayers and the impact of their prayers will continue."

Another prayer leader put it simply, "God was glorified and Satan lost ground!"  Another UN official urged the organizing group to consider registering the International Prayer Network as a member NGO (non-governmental organization) of the UN. As you can see, the Lord gave great favor, and many believe there will be open doors for the future as He leads them to further engage through prayer with this key world body.

One of the joys of the initiative was working with other Christian organizations whose ministries involve them in working on an ongoing basis within the UN. Later this week two key organisations, Christian Embassy and Christian Ministries to the United Nations, are bringing together many diplomats for an annual prayer breakfast that happens inside the UN.

Ultimately, this huge institution will be changed as the lives of its personnel are transformed. That is why such continuing efforts by these and other key Christian organizations to the UN are so important to keep in your prayers.

Your partnership in prayer has been a major factor in all that has happened at the UN and the New York prayer focus and our God has responded in a beautiful way. Thanks so much.

Ben.

"God shapes the world through prayer." ­ E. M. Bounds