FEBRUARY 2008

Note From Our Executive Director:

Greetings Canada’s Kneeling Army,

A man was taking a stage coach across the country, and when he went to buy his ticket he was informed that the First Class seats were $100.00, Second Class seats were $50.00 and Third Class seats were $25.00. The man looked in the stage coach and all the seats looked the same to him, so he bought a Third Class ticket. He congratulated himself on saving money, and promptly settled into his seat. Things were going along quite well, until the stage coach started going up a mountain road. The coach came to a sudden stop and the conductor stood up and said, “First Class passengers please remain seated. Second Class passengers get out and walk, and Third Class passengers please get out and push.”

This illustration of the stage coach is a sad but all too common reality when it comes to prayer meetings and intercession across Canada today. We as believers have also chosen that First Class ticket; people who simply sit back and let others do the work. Close behind are those of us who are like Second Class passengers; we just walk away when there’s work to be done. I believe that, in this hour, what God is calling for as He searches to and fro is to find Third Class passengers; people who will get out and P.U.S.H. – Pray until something happens!

Friends, for many of us who have been on this prayer pilgrimage for years, I know that the responsibility of holding the frontline of intercession for our families, our churches, our communities, and our country, may appear to be impossible. But isn’t it like Almighty God not to allow us to stay in our pity pool very long, as He has chronicled the perseverance of those who have gone before us.

Let’s take a quick look at Moses. Intercessors, let’s remember that God gave Moses the outrageous task of delivering Israel out of the land of Egypt. He too felt ill equipped, tired, and often frustrated. But God did not allow him to stay in that place. At what seemed to be a most inopportune time, God asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” Moses replied. Just a walking stick to help him deal with the journey of life. He, like many of us, saw no special significance in it. Then God demonstrated to him the miraculous potential in that seemingly insignificant staff and, don’t you know it, Moses actually fled in terror from his own walking stick! My friends, sometimes God turns simple and common into powerful, authoritative tools! When God finished showing to Moses that his staff was an instrument of divine power and authority and it was all that he needed to fulfill his task, Moses when on to defeat the magicians of Egypt, strip Pharaoh of his power, humiliate Egypt’s gods, and bring Israel from slavery to freedom.

Intercessors, my letter this month is not motivational pish-posh! It’s not a “Let’s go get ‘em!” speech. But it is the very word of God. The truth is that, as stated in the Bible, when we exercise the authority (our walking stick) we’ve been given and persevere, we too, like Jesus, can and will make “a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Col. 2:15).

Kneeling Army, it’s time to change our perspective of prayer from something that is common, bothersome and without power, to something that is extraordinary and supernatural in our hands, to be used in the service of building the kingdom of God and tearing down strongholds! May we, like Moses, be surprised and even terrified at times by our staff of prayer, which we hold in these feeble, unworthy hands.

Third Class Passenger,

Brian Warren

Executive Director, CIP

FROM THE TRENCH

Dear Friends,

I just want to take a moment to thank each of you for continuing to labour alongside us in prayer for Canada. Your prayers are reaching the ears of Almighty God, and I believe He is pleased. Your obedience and your sacrifice have not gone unnoticed!

I had a wonderful time with my dad in Germany over Christmas, and am still savoring the time we spent together and all that I learned about my heritage. It really was an incredible experience! Now I am settling into wedding preparations, and enjoying the great blessing of engagement! We truly have a faithful, Almighty God who gives such good gifts! When He gives, He holds nothing back – He pours it out extravagantly!

Even in the midst of this season of joy, however, God has been reminding me of the importance of staying focused and continuing to press through. He has allowed many of us a great season rest, refreshing and blessing, and the blessing won’t stop, but I believe He is calling us back to a place of discipline. Funny as it sounds, the phrase that is echoing in my spirit is, “Here we go again!” I am so grateful to God for fulfilling His promises in my life, and even now as I have received what I desired, God is stirring within me a longing to give back – to give myself fully to Him and to love Him with no holds barred. It’s the next phase of dying.

I admit that it is, for a season, painful and difficult (as dying always is), but the Holy Spirit is urging me, “We can’t stop now!” It’s a new year, and a new beginning, but God is taking us back to those places we pressed through last year and in the past, so that we can now go BEYOND the breakthrough we received before. This is where we enter the next level. It’s time to be disciplined again; time to reset our focus; time to die once again to our own desires; time to fast again; time to take care of our bodies again; time to clear our minds of the wrong thought patterns and distorted perspectives that still remain; time to refasten our seatbelts and propel forward as fully yielded instruments in the hand of our God. Isaiah 54:16 says, "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work…” This scripture has great significance for me, especially after my trip to Germany. My last name, Schmidsrauter, when translated means “weapon smith”. This is not only a reminder to me that God is fashioning me into a weapon that He will use to perform mighty works if I am yielded in His hands, but it also confirms that He is training me to be one who sharpens others and helps to shape them into His instruments. And this is not just for me – we are ALL called to be Jesus’ apprentices so that we can be prepared to help others come to a place of transformation and maturity (Prov. 27:17). In order to fully walk out the purposes of God for our lives, we cannot be our own or try to fashion ourselves into what we want to be. We have to surrender ourselves into the hands of the blacksmith. The creation belongs to the Creator! So, friends, it’s back into the Refiner’s fire we go! It’s time for more sharpening so that we can sharpen others.

This month, as we continue to celebrate the goodness and faithfulness of our God and enjoy this season of promises coming to pass, let’s also be reminded to stay focused on the big picture of the true purpose God has for our lives – to love Him and to be His light to those around us. Let’s willingly lay down our lives for the One who loves us and has given us so much, and for the work of His kingdom. He is truly worth giving all for!!

Here we go again!

Karen Schmidsrauter

News Director, CIP

PRAISE REPORTS

- Give glory to Almighty God for His amazing answers to prayer in providing Acts News Network (ANN) with a brand new state-of-the-art camera and a full-time administrator. God has also been taking care of the important details in preparation for the release of their Prophetic Destiny of Canada film documentary.

- Praise God with the House of Prayer in Stratford, ON as they celebrate their first anniversary! Thank God for all He has done and will continue to do in their community and in the lives of those whom God has enabled them to minister to. Praise God also for the City Council's good relationship with area churches, and for a new prayer group for the Canadian military that has been started.

PRAYER-DRIVEN EVANGELISM

- Please intercede for the Healing Room of London, Ontario as they are launching into Healing Services on a monthly basis after a break of two years. Agree with them for a covering over their team as they minister the grace and mercy of God to all those that are broken and hurting in spirit, soul or body. Pray against attacks of the enemy, which their whole team experienced greatly when they began two years ago. Pray for their first service, taking place this month, as well as for the leadership of the ministry and church.

- Pray for the upcoming “Helping You Reach Your World” Leadership Seminar in Toronto on Feb. 20. Join in agreement with coordinators that those who attend this seminar will receive valuable outreach and discipleship training to better equip their Church families to get involved in their communities and reach their world for Christ. Pray that the spiritual ears and eyes of participants will be open and that the Holy Spirit will impart to them lasting passion, determination, wisdom and insight to see God’s kingdom come here on earth.

- Continue to pray for the city of Stratford and for the House of Prayer as they look for a new/larger location in the city. Pray for God’s Spirit of adoption to be released, for salvations in the city, and for God to bring freedom to homes and families. Cry out with local believers that they will recognize what God is calling them to do at this time. Pray that they will take the time and steps necessary to deepen their faith as they enter into the season of Lent. Pray also for their weekly “Lenten Lunches”, sponsored by the Council of Churches.

- Intercede for the final preparations being put in place for MissionFest Toronto in March. Pray that the leadership and coordinating team will be yielded and surrendered to the Spirit of God, and ask Almighty God to grant them wisdom, direction and peace in working out the final details according to His perfect will. Pray that even now the hearts of those who are going to participate in the event will be made ready for what God has planned and desires to accomplish, and that the Holy Spirit will commission many missionaries to be Christ’s witnesses in Toronto, in all Ontario and Canada, and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

PRAYER REQUESTS

- Please pray for a local church in Stratford, PEI as they host some special services from Feb. 22 – 24. Pray for the speaker, that He will hear and impart a fresh word from the Lord. Pray for the congregation and those who attend, that they will receive and appropriate the word and that it will bring transformation in their lives, for the glory of God.

- Intercede for Christian Counselling Ministries and the “Boundaries 2008” Seminar they are hosting in Truro on Feb. 2. Agree with them that many will attend and will receive biblically-based answers to tough questions and learn how to set healthy boundaries with their parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even themselves. Pray that incorrect mindsets and perceptions will be broken and that the truth they are equipped with will set them free to live and walk in wholeness and maturity.

- Please continue to pray for Aglow International of Cole Harbour. Lift up their women’s breakfast this month on Feb. 9 in Dartmouth. Pray for the women who attend, that their hunger will be filled and their thirst satisfied by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Pray that they will be refreshed. Believe for a great time of fellowship and building relationships with other women, that they will encourage and strengthen one another.

- Pray for the Ecumenical Worship Event for Youth taking place on Feb. 10 in Halifax, as youth and young adults from the region gather together to share in a time of worship and celebration, food and fun. Cry out that the Lord will make His presence known and pour out His Spirit in power, that these young people will experience Him in a deeper way than they ever have before. Intercede that lives will be changed, that the fruit will be lasting, and that God will be glorified.

- Pray for the “Gateway Coffee House” in Lower Sackville, hosted monthly to create a place where local musicians and other artists can share, and people can come to enjoy local talent for an evening. Pray for this month’s event on Feb. 22, that the Holy Spirit will speak through the music, and that anyone listening who does not know Christ will hear the message of the gospel and receive salvation. Pray also for the donations received, that they will go to benefit the missions and causes that God has chosen for this time.

- Please agree with a local Pregnancy Centre as they host a fundraising event, “Bowling for Babies,” in New Minas on Feb. 23. Pray that not only will significant funds be raised to keep their programs and services running effectively, but that it will bring awareness to the issues they are addressing within the community, and solicit prayer support for the people in need of and using their services.

- Intercede for the region-wide worship gathering, “hallofuzion”, in Moncton on Feb. 8 and Saint John on Feb. 9. Agree in prayer with youth and community leaders in these two cities as they take action to do something monumental for the youth in each of their communities. Pray that many youth will invite their friends and peers, and that the Holy Spirit will be poured out in a life-changing way, drawing many to salvation. Pray also that this event will help young people who are already believers to grow in their ability to live out and talk about their Christian faith.

- Continue to cry out and believe for more labourers to be sent out into the harvest in Newfoundland and Labrador (Luke 10:2). Pray that believers in this region will be stirred and awakened to seek after God with all of their hearts and fulfill His purposes for their lives and for the Church. Pray that the Holy Spirit will restore their faith to believe Him for the impossible (Luke 1:37). Ask Almighty God to be merciful to them and to show them that He has not passed them by. Pray that their eyes will be opened to see that the fields are already white for harvest in their land (John 4:35), and that they will be filled with compassion and motivated to shine the light of Christ all around them. Pray for revival to be released across Newfoundland and Labrador!

- Intercede that God will raise up those who will be excited about and committed to providing CIP with specific prayer directives for this region, so that the rest of us across the country can come into agreement and be more effective in our intercession.

- Pray for the 40 pastors and leaders who met near Quebec City for 48 hours of prayer and sharing last month. Pray that they will continue to be refreshed in their respective ministries, and that their spiritual batteries will remain charged so that they are ready to face any surprises and challenges that 2008 will bring.

- Pray for Quebec City as celebrations have already started to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the city’s founding. Pray for the group “Quebec Hope 2008”, who have been planning and praying for months in regard to an 11-day event to share the hope and love of Jesus during the major celebrations scheduled for July and August. Pray for unity and boldness for the participants, and for the hearts of those in the community to be prepared in advance to hear the Word of God. Begin to intercede even now that the Spirit of adoption will be poured out and that many will come to faith in and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Cry out that even during this anniversary year, revival will break forth in Quebec, for the glory of Almighty God.

- Praise the Lord that the consultations on reasonable accommodations for immigrants in Quebec have been completed, and that many positive comments and ideas were shared. Pray for wisdom for the leaders as they prepare their recommendations.

- Please intercede for a team of believers that is ministering in Cambridge Bay for two weeks during the beginning of February. Agree with them as they believe for salvation, healing and transformation in the hearts, lives and communities of those they minister to. Pray that Almighty God will use this team to accomplish His will and bring to pass the fullness of His plan during this time. Pray for a covering of the blood of Jesus over them physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, and over everything that is near and dear to their hearts. Intercede for fruitful meetings each evening, as well as for evangelism opportunities as they visit homes and schools. Pray for long-term discipleship connections to be made and followed up on. Pray also for the other churches in the region, that the church leadership will be brought together in unity.

- Pray that the First Nations in these regions will receive the freedom, healing and justice of Almighty God. Pray that justice will run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream (Amos 5:24). Intercede that they will cry out to God and that the Holy Spirit will be poured out and signs and wonders and powerful encounters with God will take place as they did in the early Church (Acts 4:31). Pray that unbelief and despair will be broken, and faith and hope released. Lift up also the First Nations leaders and agree for their salvation, protection, wisdom, and transformation.

Manitoba:

- Please pray for the follow up from MissionFest Manitoba, which took place in Winnipeg on Feb. 1 – 3. Pray that all those who attended will continue to be inspired and motivated to step out in missions both locally and internationally, and will move forward in fulfilling the call of God on their lives. Intercede for willing hearts, and for the direction, wisdom and timing of the Holy Spirit. - Pray for the Intercessor/Pastors prayer meeting in Winnipeg on Feb. 5. Cover and agree with them as they cry out for their city and region. Pray as well for continued strengthening of relationships and unity between them and their churches, and within the local Body.

- Please cry out to God that He will call and choose (Matt. 22:14) intercessors and prayer warriors in this region who will have a heart to intercede for their communities, their province, and for Canada, and who will be faithful to send us prayer requests and reports to keep us informed on what is taking place. Intercede that we will be able to come into agreement with them and that we will see the glory of the Risen Lord revealed in Saskatchewan.

- Cry out for a mighty move of the Spirit to be released in Saskatchewan. Speak to the places of barrenness and call forth the life of God. Intercede for a spirit of surrender, submission, obedience and selflessness within the Body that will bring forth a lifestyle of fasting, prayer and repentance, and release the power of the Kingdom of God. Petition God for a full-blown revival that will encompass every generation, tribe, tongue and culture throughout this region and across this land.

- Continue to pray for the town of Amisk in eastern Alberta. Agree with local believers that the good things God has promised for this area will begin to come to pass in this year of new beginnings. Pray that the strong spiritual foundation in this region will be strengthened, and the wells of revival from the 40's and 50's will be reopened. Intercede for an awakening of spiritual hunger, and pray that those who are hungry will seek God with all their hearts. Pray for prodigals to return to God and for many lost souls to receive salvation. Pray for churches to be raised up that are grounded in the word and moving in the power of the Spirit. Intercede for weak and dying churches, that the fire of God will be reignited and fanned in their hearts and communities. Intercede for the Body of Christ in Amisk and the surrounding towns, as well as for the young people in the area. Pray for God's intervention and shaking to come to this region, that many will turn to Him and be saved.

- Pray for the “Prayer Saturated Church” Conference in Red Deer from Feb. 29 to Mar. 2. Agree with coordinators that those who participate will be inspired and given an effective prayer strategy for their local church, that the entire Body will get involved and activated in prayer.

- Please pray for the Creston Valley and all of the churches in this region. Touch and agree with them that they will see a harvest of souls this coming year, and that this will be a season of refreshing, joy, peace and abundance.

- Pray for “Living Proof Live” on Feb. 29 – Mar. 1 in Vancouver, a women’s conference designed to help women of all ages study, see, and apply the word of God in their lives. Intercede that many will attend and will come to know and love Jesus more as they delve into His word. Pray that the Holy Spirit will be poured out so that the lost are found, the weary are revived, and Christ is glorified through lives that are set free to bear much fruit.

- Please continue to lift up CIP’s Mosaic gatherings, taking place this month on Feb. 3 and 17. Pray that, in this new year, Almighty God will bring us to a deeper level of surrender, intimacy, victory and empowerment as His Spirit is poured out in greater measure. Cry out that as we individually and corporately seek His face and step out in obedience to what He has called us to, He will show His glory in an even more awesome way.

- Intercede for a local church in Mississauga, specifically for the youth. Stand in agreement that a spirit of revival, radical obedience and no compromise will overtake them. Ask the Lord on their behalf for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, for the mind of Christ, and for the fear of the Lord to be ever present. Cry out that they will hang on to the horns of the altar and give birth to the next generation. Pray that the dreamers, prophets, preachers, teachers, encouragers, psalmists, etc. will rise up and fulfill their calling in the kingdom of God, and that they will be young men and women who are filled and controlled by the Spirit of God; a mighty army that will execute His word and be a formidable force against the enemy (Joel 2:7-11).

- Lift up the National House of Prayer (NHOP) once again. Pray for their team who is currently serving in the Ukraine, helping leaders there establish a National House of Prayer in their own country. Intercede for NHOP’s National School of Intercession taking place in Quebec City from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. Pray that intercessors who participate in this school will experience a transformational time of equipping, coaching, ministry and prayer. Pray as well for a “Nazarite Call” that the National House of Prayer is issuing to young adults who are stirred with the fire of intercession for Canada and feel called to set aside 4 - 6 months to be an offering unto God for the nation beginning in March. Pray that those whom God is calling will make the commitment and be prepared for this time.

- Pray with local believers as they come together on Feb. 2 in Toronto to pray for the Global Day of Prayer 2008 taking place in May. Pray that they will seek the Father’s face and heart and know His will for their city in the months ahead, and that they will humble themselves before Him, seek His face, repent, ask and listen. Agree with them that they will have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church for this time and this season, and that He will grant them His wisdom, strength and direction. Pray with them according to Psalm 69:13 and Isaiah 49:8-9.

- Pray also for the Global Day of Prayer preparations in Ottawa, and across the rest of the country, that believers, pastors, and coordinators will listen to God’s direction and make this day of prayer a priority.

- Pray for the Shabbat services being hosted bi-weekly by a Messianic congregation in Toronto. Pray for their gatherings this month on Feb. 2 & 16, that those who don’t believe in Yeshua as the Messiah will attend and will hear and receive the truth. Pray for God’s Spirit of adoption to be released, for a warm sense of fellowship, and for transformational and biblical worship and teaching.

- Please join in agreement with Acts News Network as they continue to believe for their documentary film to be released in God's perfect timing. Pray that they will continue to walk in humility and according to the will of God. Also ask the Lord for more technically skilled workers, for continued financial provision, and for divine protection for their ministry and staff.

- Intercede for this month’s “24 Hours of Worship, Praise and Prayer” being hosted in Toronto on Feb. 15. Pray that Almighty God will be glorified as His people humble themselves and seek His face, and that His Spirit will be poured out and His desires established within the region through this time.

- Please lift up the “Raptor Hoop Night” outreach evening happening on Feb. 29 in Toronto. Pray for the youth rally and basketball games and activities that will take place, that this will be an effective outreach to young people in the community and that they will hear and receive the gospel as it is shared. Pray for the Spirit of adoption to be released and for youth to make a lasting commitment to Christ and be brought into relationship with Him.

- Pray for the knowledge of the glory of the Lord to come to this nation like the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14).

- Keep interceding for NAME Canada (National Association for Marriage Enhancement) as they continue to receive many phone calls from couples hurting in their marriages. Pray that more churches and people will get involved across Canada to help those who are seeking help. Believe for a breakthrough in our nation and for restoration of marriages and families.

- Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, that we as the Body of Christ and as Canadians will love her and will prosper. Pray good things for her because of the house of the Lord our God. (Psalm 122:6-9)