Approximately 500 "leaders of leaders" (presidents of pastors and church associations) from all 31 Mexico states, plus the Distrito Federal and 19 members of the North American Prayer Initiative from the USA and Canada, gathered in Mexico City, November 14-17, 2010, for four days of intensive prayer for the nation. Additionally, thousands world wide, including thousands of children in India, Indonesia, and South Africa joined the initiative “in the Spirit”, to stand in agreement that the Lord would release Mexico from gang violence, death, corruption, and other crimes.

Canadian team members facilitated a time of reconciliation. The twelve leaders of the national prayer network made a "covenant of unity" renouncing critical statements and divisive activities, and the Lord began to move in a mighty way.

Among the many high points was the reading of a letter by Ruth Ruibal, widow of Pastor Julio Ruibal of Cali, Columbia, who was martyred while leading Cali churches in praying down the drug cartels in their city and nation. His death brought the Christian leaders together to pray and act with one heart. Her letter was read out aloud in Spanish after the showing of a video on the transformation that has occurred in Cali through united prayer. This message touched everybody’s heart and set the stage for God to move in Mexico’s future.

A second and equally significant blessing was the participation and opportunity to pray with Margarita Zavala, First Lady and wife of Mexican president Felipe Calderon. The children and youth prayed for her and her husband, President Felipe Calderon, in their struggle to rid Mexico of the drug cartels and the extreme violence. The First Lady appeared moved by this act of blessing and protection and expressed her appreciation for the Mexico Prayer Initiative.  

On the last day, opposite the presidential palace, local leaders both stood and knelt over a large map of the nation. Together, they affirmed their unity with a time of heartfelt intercession for the nation that was powerful. ENLACE, the Christian TV channel took video of the initiative and also interviewed many of us for a program that will be shared not only across Mexico but also in other parts of Latin America.

The effects of the prayer initiative are already bearing fruit. Within days of the initiative’s closing, Mexico has experienced significant gains against the drug cartels. On November 29, 2010, the BBC reported that Mexican police arrested an alleged leader of the Aztecas street gang that is blamed for much of the violence in Ciudad Juarez on the US-Mexico border. Arturo Gallegos Castrellon was captured at the weekend in Juarez, which has seen some 2,700 murders this year.  He confessed to ordering most of the killings in Juarez since August 2009, including that of a US consular employee, police said.

It is time to redouble our prayer efforts and hold Mexico and its leaders before the Lord.  

Please pray for Mexico:  
1.    That the Lord would protect, encourage, and guide Mexico’s political and spiritual leaders in the months and years ahead.
2.    That the Lord would likewise protect their families and the support services (e.g. military and police) in the enforcement of law without corruption or failure.
3.    That the Christian leaders of Mexico stay united and mutually supportive in their common task of leading the nation towards Jesus Christ.
4.    That the drug cartels and related organizations “lose heart”, shut down, and give up their criminal operations.
5.    That these organizations experience complete confusion in their ability to communicate and coordinate criminal business activities.
6.    That the commercial void created by the cartel/gang abandoning this activity will not be filled by other criminal groups.
7.    That the people of Mexico renounce the culture of death that embraces a syncretism with Santa Muerte and other ancient spirits of darkness and destruction.
8.    That Jesus Christ be the center of hope and life for all Mexico. (Ezekiel 37 and John 10:10).