Latest Prayers by IFES

Praise God that an IFES movement in Asia will hosting and training an intern from a different country without its own movement. Ask God to help this intern as they settle into a new environment, deepen their knowledge of God and his Word and learn more about how to minister practically among students. Pray that God would bless and equip them, and use them to bless local and international students who see the gospel lived out sacrificially by someone who has moved to another country to serve.

IFES South Asia has been running a series of online training seminars for female staff in the student movements in the region. Speakers have ranged from pastors and student ministry staff to gynaecologists, looking at issues of mental and physical health, resilience, discrimination, cultural practices and a biblical understanding of leadership. Ask God that female staff and students will be empowered and encouraged to use all of their talents for God’s glory and see more women lifted up and valued by others in their universities and in the future, in churches and families.

Praise God for the service camp run by MUC El Salvador. Student leader Hilary writes: “All this was given with the aim of understanding Integral Mission through this camp, how justice and the gospel are developed with the community, allowing us to question ourselves about how believers can be part of Integral Mission, to take the theory and practice hand in hand and do what Jesus commands us to do, to look after the people around us, the neediest and to continue sharing his gospel to the ends of the earth.” Pray that students who served practically at this camp would continue to serve their communities in future

The IFES Caribbean team are supporting Descheny, the only staff worker with GBEUH Haiti. In extremely challenging circumstances, Descheny and his students are sharing the hope of Christ with young people in Haiti. Ask God to bless and grow this work, and build a sustainable support structure for Descheny and the wider movement within Haiti, so that more students in more parts of the country can be equipped to follow and share Christ on campus and throughout their lives.

Sam is seeking to plant a new IFES movement in Tonga. He attended a regional training hosted by TSCF New Zealand: He writes: “My favorite thing about regional gatherings is listening to the stories of God's faithfulness throughout our region. From the Gospel of Mark drama in PNG to the reinstated annual conference in Fiji to the glimpses of hope for continued ministry work in New Caledonia, the Holy Spirit is at work in and through students across Pasifika. These stories embolden me to hold to the reality that ‘the same God is at work here in Tonga, too.’” Pray for Sam as he meets with university administration staff seeking permission for Christian student groups to gather on campus.

IFES Europe staff Craig shares: “[In October], I led the New General Secretary Orientation and Training. We welcomed new directors from the Polish (Maciej), Belgian (Sem), and Slovenian (Lydia) movements. Over three days, we covered topics like vision and strategy, staff supervision, governance, time management, and how to finish well in ministry. The discussions were lively and filled with thoughtful questions, and I left feeling both tired and excited for what God will do in their ministries.” Pray for Maciej, Sem and Lydia and other student movement leaders across Europe to support their teams and invest in students with godly wisdom.

InterVarsity Canada Ottawa staff Brandon writes: “[I feel like God is] doing something unique in Gen Z, and I have seen and felt how this is especially true on campus this semester. There is a new energy to how the students are talking about what Holy Spirit is doing around them, and a greater hunger for more time with God that doesn't just look like individual, private prayer times. Instead, students are figuring out how community could help foster that connection with Jesus. Students really want to share their faith with others and move beyond their individualistic expressions of faith, but many of them don't know how. We need more workers to rake in the harvest! Will you pray for more workers in the field?

Pray for SONOKO, the IFES movement in Cambodia as they reach out to new students starting their studies in December and January. The team also praise God for their active student leaders, who have been trained by the staff team, and ask for prayer for small group Bible studies in a number of universities in two cities, and for follow up from Christmas outreach events.

Praise God that at the very end of February, the opening event of the newest student group of BCSU (IFES movement in Bulgaria) was held in the city of Burgas. To everyone's surprise, there were 10 students at the very first event, two of whom were attending a Christian event for the first time, one BCSU worker, and one graduate student who offered to host the group. Ask God to bless these students as they seek to grow in Christ and share his love with their course mates.

Due to its proximity to Central American countries such as Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is known as a transit point for illegal drug trafficking. Numerous incidents of drug discovery in schools in the south of the country involving students have been recorded. Many university students have expressed feelings of hopelessness and being stuck due to government corruption and nepotism. The pandemic saw the IS/ IVCF (IFES movement in Belize) ministry contract, but new shoots are emerging. Pray for students, staff and volunteers seeking to share Christ’s hope in schools, colleges and universities.

Pray with IFES movements across Europe for the students who will be attending the Revive Conference at New Year to be equipped and inspired to share their faith with classmates. Pray that the teaching and testimonies they hear from peers across the continent will show them that God can use them to reach out and to achieve more in His power than they could believe!