Our work with leaders in Fiji began when we learned that the President of Fiji had heard about the 40 Days of Love and had blessed our efforts there.
As our team prayed about what God wanted us to do, we sensed His leading to begin with two months of virtual Healthy Leadership Training, aimed at renewal in the hearts of leaders. As God’s Spirit moved, leaders began confessing their sins, praying for one another, and experiencing genuine spiritual renewal.
A prayer guide, finished just in time
After several months we again sought God for direction. He placed it on our hearts to develop a national prayer guide that could be shared with churches across Fiji. Writing the content, translating it into Fijian and Hindi, and completing the graphic design took two to three months.
Just as the guide was completed, we learned that church leaders across Fiji had called the nation’s churches to 40 days of fasting and prayer in response to increasing spiritual darkness. When we asked if they had a prayer guide, it became clear why God had led us to create one. Nothing had been prepared to help guide people in prayer.
Paul, one pastor on our leadership team, had strong connections with church leaders across the nation, and within days the guide was distributed to approximately 70 congregations. Local pastors identified the key prayer needs: the breakdown of families, large-scale drug activity, and government corruption.
“We thank you and the international team for being sensitive to what the Spirit of God is saying and putting into action what is needed for this season of fasting and prayer – the prayer guide. It has to be of God, working well in advance for such a time as this. I am over the moon right now to see how God has gone before us and things just keep falling in place…… AWESOME AMAZING GOD!!”
Paul Hanfiro, General Secretary of the Pentecostal Church, Fiji
What happened next
Less than three weeks into the national season of prayer and fasting, the government passed a law preventing bars from remaining open all night. One of the concerns had been fathers spending nights away from their families. Soon, news reports were encouraging people to “go home and spend more quality time with your family.”
Significant changes also took place within the government. The Prime Minister removed the attorney general, and an independent commission was formed to investigate corruption. The last report we received indicated that 13 leaders had been implicated in unethical practices.
“It is God who judges: He brings down one and exalts another.”
Psalm 75:6–7
Ba, and the police stations
Believers across Fiji kept their focus on reaching people with the Gospel. During an outreach in the city of Ba, thousands heard the Good News. Grown men and women were so convicted by God’s Spirit during the meetings that they were weeping like children and giving their lives fully over to Jesus.
God also opened a unique partnership between local churches and police departments. After recognizing that their human efforts were not reducing crime, police leaders asked churches to pray. Churches began holding worship and prayer gatherings at police stations before going into the community to evangelize.
In a short period of time crime rates began to fall. In some cases criminals voluntarily turned themselves in and confessed unsolved crimes, and additional police departments began inviting churches to partner with them in the same way.
What God did in Fiji soon spread to other nations, and DNI now provides prayer guides tailored to other languages and local needs.
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