The Dallas Morning News, in a front-page story entitled, “Ambassador: Cartels’ threat to U.S. not just a border issue,” reports an interview it conducted with U.S. Ambassador Carlos Pascual in Mexico City. Mr. Pascual stated that the drug cartels are threatening not only U.S. border cities with Mexico, but have linkages to hundreds of American cities. Dallas is reported to be a U.S. hub for two of the cartels, the brutal paramilitary group called the Zetas, and the fast-expanding group called La Familia.

In another violent week in Mexico, hand grenade attacks occurred in the northern state of Sonora (with only minor injuries) and dozens of people were killed in Ciudad Juarez, just across the Rio Grande River from El Paso, Texas. So far, 7,100 people have died this year in drug related violence in Mexico.

It is reported that criminal groups now control or have influence in 40% of Mexican territory.The new strategy to combat the cartels includes studying and attempting to disrupt their corporate organization and distribution systems, strengthening the rule of law in the nation, and helping communities develop economically so that there will be less temptations for the young people to be recruited as hit men and drug pushers by the cartels.

Ambassador Pascual states he sees hope on the horizon as the Mexican society is waking up to the serious threat that is engulfing their country and that the common people are beginning to organize themselves to combat the threat. So states Ambassador Pascual, “…I think we’re seeing a greater, growing consensus that there must be a fight not just from the state, but from the bottom up, and that’s healthy.”

Note: the first National Prayer Meeting for the Mexican nation is scheduled for May, 2010. Contact us about organizing a prayer meeting in your city. We held the first prayer meeting in Dallas on November 20.

If you have documented prayer information please forward it to us and we will post it as it is deemed appropriate.

The Solution
Strong political, social, legal, and military initiatives are needed, but the greatest need is for the transformation of the hearts and minds of the people through the truth and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel must be preached throughout the country and local churches established for the discipling of believers so that person by person, household by household, and neighborhood by neighborhood righteousness, integrity, morality, and Christian virtues will overcome the forces of sin, darkness, and violence. As more and more people hear and embrace the Gospel of Christ, the forces of evil will begin to subside.

Our Ministry of Prayer
The prophet Samuel told the Israelites: Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, (1 Sam. 12:23).
Paul told Timothy: First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…(1 Tim. 2:1)
Those of us who are associated with Pray Mexico want to do something to help the tragic situation in Mexico. We believe we have a responsibility and privilege to do something to help our neighboring country on our southwestern border. As Christians we are debtors to all men (Romans 1:14) and especially those we are in close proximity to. The first thing we can do is to pray for this nation. God can bring about change in the hearts of people as the Word of God is preached and received by the gracious work of the Holy Spirit. But we must begin with earnest prayer.

The First Prayer Gathering
Please consider joining us on Friday evening, November 20, from 7:30-9:00pm at the meeting house of Good Shepherd Community Church, 4701 Viriginia Ave., Dallas, TX 75204, as we join together in fervent prayer for the salvation of the Mexican people. For more information call Jeff Gregory (214-324-9915) or Mark Bahr (214-300-8220). Please invite others to join us.

Pray Mexico Mission Statement
Pray Mexico is a ministry dedicated to promoting and organizing groups of Christians in the United States to pray for the evangelization of Mexico, for the planting of local churches in that country, and for the transformation of that society by the influence of the Word and Spirit of God.