The NIN was set up in 1995 with  Mr. Cyril John as its coordinator.  There were about 10,000 intercessors all over the country who were part of the network interceding for specific intentions meant for the Church, the renewal and the country for about 15 minutes daily.  Presently Mr. Romeo Fernando is the Coordinator of NIN with Fr. Solomon Rodrigues (both from Vasai) as the NST representative.  Every year, 2nd October is observed nationwide as the National Day of Intercession.

TO STAND IN THE GAP FOR THE CHURCH AND NATIONS OF THE WORLD

 “The more helpless you are, the better you are fitted to pray, and the more answers to prayer you will experience.” O. Hallesby

“These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” Mat 15:8

As in worship so in intercession, the heart matters. Man looks at the appearance but God looks at the heart. Intercession must flow from the heart. God is not one who is impressed by lengthy spiritually eloquent words, but is moved by a prayer that comes from a broken spirit and a contrite heart. These he will never despise.

Psalm 51:17

The heart as understood in the Scriptures refers to the place where we make decisions. It is a place where our desires reside. We make our choices there, based on our likes and dislikes. It is here that we hide our treasures, namely the people close to our hearts and the things dear to us. The Heart is a place where we generate feelings and emotions.

When God appointed Aaron as the High priest, he was called to carry a very mysterious breastpiece as part of his priestly garments. In this breastpiece were embedded twelve very precious stones on which were carved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. It was fastened on his shoulders and held close to his heart. Here are the words,
Ex 28:9-13 “Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel …. and fasten them on the shoulder pieces . Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord” And further, Ex 28:30 “…they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.”

“Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders…” The Lord was thus assigning a very important duty that he was to carry on his shoulders as the high priest: The duty and responsibility of being an intercessor. We too are of the royal priesthood. 1 Peter 9.therefore  called to bear the same responsibility - on our shoulders.

“…they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD…”  Each of the precious stones represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel. As an intercessor Aaron had to carry them close to his heart. He was to love and take concern for their spiritual and material welfare. When Israel sinned or rebelled against God or were caught in distress or in need, he had to come before the Lord in prayer, to make supplication and beg God’s mercy and pardon on their behalf. He was the burden bearer of Israel. So are we for the Church.

“…Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.” Here the Intercessor is beckoned by God to take no rest. To stand in the gap. To come in the line of fire. Intercession is also a ‘continual’ job. The Church cannot rest from interceding until the fulfillment of the Kingdom takes place. We are called to be a type of Christ. We see Jesus carrying our sins on his shoulders – the heavy Cross. We also see his bleeding heart when the Roman soldier pierced his side with his lance. Our Great Intercessor ‘died once and for all for our sins,’ but ‘continues’ to intercede until each one of us reaches the shores of heaven.
Dear intercessor, seek the Lord today and ask him to place on your heart some ‘precious stones.’ Promise him that you will carry them close to your heart, ‘continually.’ It might be a people-group, a nation, town or city, leaders of the nations and the Church, your parish, prayer group – the list is endless – allow the Holy Spirit to give you one. And like Jesus, may even our last breath be a prayer of intercession for the people of this world, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do!”

In 1994, the UN General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World's Indigenous People Their goals are to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development, by means of action-oriented programs and specific projects, increase technical assistance, and relevant standard-setting activities.

Let us intercede that the Gospel may be preached to the unreached people and tribes, because we know that lasting solutions to every human predicament can be found in no other name but the Name of Jesus Christ and in the provisions God has made through the Good News found in the Bible.

Acts 4:12; Acts 10:34; Rev 7:9; 14:6

Youth United for Christ

Intercede for the NCCYC as they finalize the draft that will stipulate the mission, vision and pastoral instructions given by the Lord to them for the evangelization and the discipling of the youth in our country. 2 Tim 1:6-7; 2:1-6

National Convention

2 July 2009 has become an ominous day for our Nation - the day when the Delhi High Court legalized gay sex among consenting adults. Intercessors let us not give up yet. Most religious groups throughout the country have opposed this move – pray that this will increase the pressure on the law-makers to concede.  Most of all let us take up the weapons of warfare and wage a battle  against the enemy to cause this case be moved to the Supreme Court and the legalization be repealed.
Deut 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; Rom 1:26, 27; 1 Kings 15:12

This year there is a great delay and shortfall of rain in our country. Could one of the causes be the increase of wickedness in the land? When Adam sinned, the earth under him recoiled and refused to bear fruit as it did once.  Solomon and Jeremiah speak of yet another refusal by nature when sin begins to abound: 1 Kings 8:35-36 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you…” Also ref. Jer. 3:2-3.

That those Christians who are discriminated against and persecuted in many Countries because of the name of Christ may have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely.

click here :  ninforindia@gmail.com