Prayer Alert News: UK, Europe, and Worldwide

Dear Ron,

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. (2 Chronicles 7:14,15)

May we encourage our readers to uphold in prayer this weekend’s Just One Day Event, with J John at the Emirates Stadium – with 20,000+ guests being invited to a presentation of the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. More here

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Thank you again for standing with us in prayer over the nations.

David Fletcher – for the Prayer Alert Team

Toddler miraculously survives ninth-floor fall

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, hospital doctors have found no explanation for the quick recovery of Martin Chain, a three-year-old boy who fell from the ninth floor when he was playing on the balcony of his apartment. The accident left the boy on the verge of death. However, he only took twenty days to recover and shows no signs of long-term complications. Florencia, his mother, said that in face of her son’s serious condition they didn’t stop praying. ‘One day while I was singing him a song to the Virgin, he woke up.’ From that moment, Martin began to recover. He first went to intermediate care, then they took him off the respirator, and finally he was discharged. The doctor said, ‘There are times that for us professionals, there’s nothing left but to put ourselves in God’s hands. I’m Catholic, and I believe that miracles exist. Something happened there.’

Praise:

God for answered prayers. (2 Corinthians 9:15)

Iraqi pastor’s miraculous escape

An Iraqi pastor miraculously survived a car bomb in 2010. ‘Every part of my car was destroyed except for my seat. I had no scratches. The car was in flames, but I wasn’t burned. I found pieces of glass in my hair and four parts of the bomb in the scarf I had around my neck. As if a scarf could stop a bomb. Nothing touched me, I lost not even a drop of blood.’ The pastor knows it was God who allowed him to survive, and he believes God did so because He still had work for him to do. ‘God gave me additional time. He put his stamp on my ministry, He said ‘Go on.’ God encouraged me that day.’ Pastor Joseph now witnesses to many Muslims who are turning to Christ despite the threats they face. ‘We have new blood, born-again new believers.’

Praise:

God that the plans He has for his people are stronger than those of the enemy. (1 Samuel 2:1)

Friday Focus: fruitful evangelism

What a privilege it is to be able to pray for people in our lives, especially for those who need to begin a relationship with Jesus. We have a great example in Andrew, the disciple, who brought his brother Peter to Jesus, the Messiah. Through them, many others met with Jesus and had their lives transformed. (written by Yioula Taliadorou, JustOne)

Pray:

Loving Father, we pray that you will move in power to open spiritual eyes and ears, and heal broken hearts at every event and festival this summer. We pray for all those who gather at JustOne at the Emirates stadium on Saturday 8 July, and ask for your anointing on all who share – may their messages lead many to commit their lives to Jesus.

Intercessors’ focus

In this season of shaking and change God is calling intercessors, waking up prayer warriors, and reminding us that the real battles and dangers we face are not flesh and blood. The challenges we see are real, but they are animated by unseen dark spiritual forces influencing society. NOW is the time for the church to have spiritual eyes opened, seeing beyond the natural; and spiritual ears opened to hear God’s leading for Spirit-led prayers. NOW is the time for humble prayers of repentance on behalf of our nation, prayers that will prepare the way for God’s plans of redemption, and restoration to all that has been damaged or destroyed. NOW is the time to pray for Christians in parliament, commerce and industry to have increased spiritual awareness to lead the UK in God’s way forward. NOW is the time for God to empower those preserving peace and detecting crime, and jettison the atmosphere of fear off the UK. (written by Linda Digby – Prayer Alert team)

Pray:

for intercession to rise up across our nations with prayers that bring change and constancy to government, business, education, family, arts, science, media and church. (Psalm 80:18b,19)

Pray for those in government

Neither Theresa May nor Nicola Sturgeon nor Arlene Foster is superhuman. They have weaknesses, faults and failings, and don’t have all the answers. As God’s representatives here on earth, we have a responsibility to pray regularly for those who govern us, whether we like their politics or not, if we want to ‘live peaceful and quiet lives’ A key prayer is to ask God for His wisdom to guide them in their discussions, debates and decisions. If we want a government that listens, takes good advice and makes wise decisions – pray! If we want a fair and just government– pray! If we want a government that enables the country to prosper – pray! If we want a Government (and a society) that really cares for the poor, the disadvantaged, those genuinely needing the state-provided ‘safety-net’- pray! If we want our nations to be safe and secure – pray!

Pray:

for those in government, in parliament and the Civil Service, believing that your prayers will have an effect, because prayer changes things! (1 Timothy 2:1)

Scotland: recession, rejection of Christianity

Economic experts warn that Scotland could be entering a recession. Scottish GDP performance lags behind the rest of Britain. Experts at the Fraser of Allander Institute say that the debate about Scotland’s economy could easily be side-tracked by constitutional wrangling and discussions around the prospects for a second independence referendum. They fear politicians will use Brexit as an excuse for not undertaking an urgent and frank assessment of the best policies to support the Scottish economy. On the ecclesiastical front Scotland is becoming a post-religious society, with a clear majority of people abandoning organised faith. Six out of ten Scots identify as having no religion, while dwindling congregations and other societal factors have seen scores of church buildings disappear – many now existing only in battered photographs and distant memories. See also

Pray:

for God to inspire Scottish leaders in business, commerce and the Church, showing them His way of improvement that will break the spirit of fiscal and spiritual poverty. (Psalm 61:2b)

UK border control

Border Force is a new department of the Home Office, which has replaced some of the functions of the UK Border Agency. It manages UK border controls, enforcing immigration and customs regulations. We can pray for Paul Lincoln, the newly appointed director-general, that he may turn the tide of terror away from our borders. Pray for his team to work in unity with other organisations so that nothing is missed or overlooked, and for them to be aware of every hidden strategy against our safety. Pray for the teams who register all traveller services, monitor goods entering the UK, investigate immigration crime or suspicious activities at sea, and much more. May they rise up and become all that God has created them to be, so that this nation lives in peace.

Pray:

for immediate resolution of every suspected attack on our borders by land, sea, internet or air. (Job 5:21)

Extremism in UK promoted by Saudi Arabia

The think-tank Henry Jackson Society reported a ‘clear and growing link’ between Islamist organisations preaching violence in the UK and foreign state funding. It has called for a public inquiry into extremism bankrolled by several Gulf States. Saudi Arabia and Iran are responsible for much of the foreign funding of extremism in the UK; Saudi Arabia has spent millions on exporting its conservative Wahhabi Islam to Muslim communities since the 1960’s. Funding takes the form of endowments to mosques and Islamic educational institutions which host radical preachers and distribute extremist literature. Running parallel with this is the fact that the Saudis are one of the main buyers of UK-made arms, with the UK Government approving £3.5bn-worth of arms exports licences to the Gulf state recently and British ministers cultivating trading relationships as the UK looks for post-Brexit trading partners.

Pray:

for the UK to prevent all Wahhabism funding into the UK, and for the new crown prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, who is dealing in Middle East armaments to diversify economy away from oil. (Ps.12:5)

Ireland: anti-Christian persecution

Christianity, no matter what form it takes, has now become unacceptable to the political and media establishments. The Bishops of Ireland call it ‘a kind of persecution’. Viewed from a distance, anti-Christian activity might seem to have undergone merely an increase in intensity. But a closer inspection reveals that something more fundamental has changed. It is more subtle, taking the form of gradual exclusion of Church people or Christian activities from the public space. There is denigration of religious beliefs, practices and institutions on radio, television and on social and other media. There is often a focus on bad news about the Church, to the almost total exclusion of good news. The message is clear, in Ireland and in Britain alike: the persecution of the Christian faith has been ratcheted up a notch.

Pray:

for more Christians to enter the arts, media, education, government and other areas of influence. May God protect them and inspire them to instigate changes in their areas of expertise. (Psalm 55:19)

France: Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron will now have to set his mandate: give way to demonstrators, or forcefully implement his manifesto? Which is worse, a massive budget deficit or cuts in social spending? Should he give way to human rights lobbying for accommodation for Calais refugees, or be hard-headed (because housing them might just encourages more)? On these and a host of other questions, no-one knows his thinking. His rule is different from all that went before. His party didn’t exist until he dreamed it up last year. Not since Charles de Gaulle, in 1958, has a head of state had such a powerful majority of men and women who depend on him. Half the new parliamentarians will need lessons (literally) in how to do their jobs as they tackle 10% unemployment – nearly 25% among under-25s; bloated public spending (56% of GDP, compared with 44% in Germany and 39% in the UK); and low economic growth.

Pray:

for a God-inspired government with fair and just reforms without irrational control (Ecclesiastes 8:3a)

Germany: G20 summit (7 to 8 July)

Hamburg’s police have already had to deal with violent protests at the G20 summit. Hi-tech water cannons were used to disperse crowds on 4 July, injuring five people. Protesters are expected to hoard weapons at secret locations ahead of the summit where global trade, terrorism, climate change, North Korean missiles, Brexit, digitalisation and empowering women will be on the agenda. Body language will be scrutinised in the first face-to-face meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin: pray for a working dialogue between these two leaders. US attitude to trade following Trump’s ‘America First’ policy could be a bone of contention, as will climate change after President Trump pulled out of the Paris climate change agreement. Pray that globalisation and climate solutions are negotiated with a win/win attitude. Angela Merkel has based the talks around an ‘interconnected’ world, and will address differences between countries.

Pray:

for the police handling 100,000 activists, and for the talks around the fight against terror. (Ps.2: 10, 11)

Iran: demolition and new life

Historical Christian legacies are unprotected and are being demolished almost daily, due to IS’s aim of removing all signs of Christianity and Christian history. Apart from Syria and Iraq, there is no other country like Iran that destroys its own historical sites on purpose. In spite of this, Iran leads the world for church growth and influencing the region for Christ, according to Mission Network News, the mission research organisation. There is a 19.6% rise in the Christian population annually, but this does not go without persecution. Please pray for four Iranian converts facing up to six years in prison on charges of ‘acting against national security’. According to human rights activists, their verdict is expected soon after numerous delays. See also

Pray:

for Iranians to be protected as they reject Islam and choose to follow Christ, pray for no miscarriages of justice in the high-profile trial of the four Christian converts. (Psalm 2:12b)

Nigeria: Fulani conflict escalates

Africa’s Sahara desert is increasingly encroaching upon traditional farmlands. Muslim Fulani herdsmen, the largest nomadic tribe in Africa, are desperate for grazing land and water for their cattle, but farmers can’t tolerate their crops being eaten, trampled, and destroyed by those cattle. This conflict for survival gives rise to violence. The mainly Christian Nigerian farmers have no defence against marauding herdsmen wielding guns and machetes. The central Christian area of Nigeria was once the main target, but with increasing desert encroachment, more areas are targeted. The Fulani are now even more of a threat than Boko Haram insurgents. Farmers are being slaughtered, and some are considering abandoning their farms. AK-47 assault rifles from the conflicts in neighbouring Libya and Mali come across porous borders. A recent anti-grazing law has failed to stop the Fulani. President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani, has ordered military crackdowns on them. Pray for God to destroy their sources and stockpile of weapons.

Pray:

for Nigeria’s government officials to do their job and protect farmers.Pray also for the salvation of corrupt law enforcement officials and aggressive Fulani. (Proverbs 21:15)

North Korean missiles, Trump, and the G20

Donald Trump ordered a ballistic missile drill with South Korea on 5 July, firing missiles north in response to North Korea’s launching a test ballistic missile, which could reach Alaska, the previous day. At the G20 summit in Hamburg, Trump will come face-to-face with his Chinese and Russian counterparts following their recent joint statement on North Korea. In it they vowed to work together on a diplomatic solution to Pyongyang’s nuclear threat. Onlookers are wondering if Mr Trump will personally repeat his recent tweet which attacked China’s trade with North Korea and questioned Beijing’s loyalties. The US secretary of state said the missile test escalated the threat to the USA, the region, and the world; Trump said he is ‘prepared to retaliate against North Korea ALONE’.

Pray:

for God to sprinkle G20 conversations with supernatural diplomacy for all involved and for China to succeed in cooling the nuclear-powered atmosphere generated by Kim Jong-un and Trump. (Esther 1:13)

G20: Evangelical Alliance prayer request

The G20 results will influence the world. It is the first time that leaders like Trump and Putin will unite and attempt to create a major shift to nationalism and individualism with regards to hunger, climate, war, terror, and refugees. All kings and powers are installed by God and we, the body of Christ, have the responsibility to intercede for our leaders. Will you join us to pray while our political leaders meet together? The presidents of China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia will be there. Danger is also coming from international protest movements. Anti-fascism, anti-capitalists, militant socialist, Marxists, communist, militant Kurds and people against President Trump are preparing to block the summit and bring violence and chaos to the streets and infrastructure. Nearly all of Hamburg’s denominations and prayer movements will be praying in churches and on the streets. We also need your prayers for peace.

Pray:

for God to block and dispel anarchism on the streets, the harbour and the borders. Pray for God’s plans, not the evil one’s, to go out from the G20 to the nations. (1 Kings 8:28)

Iraq: 100,000 civilians trapped in Raqqa

Thousands of people continue to flee the fighting in Raqqa between Syrian forces and IS which is intensifying. According to humanitarian agencies on the ground, 108,000 people have been displaced from Raqqa Province – the majority from the city itself – while a further 100,000 people are still believed to be under IS control. Due to a lack of diesel to operate generators and a damaged pumping station, the water supply inside the city is limited. Civilians have reportedly resorted to drinking water taken from the Euphrates, exposing residents to the risk of waterborne diseases as the water is unfit for consumption. Only nine doctors remain in the city, and medicine and medical services are severely lacking. Many IDPs speak of a lack of basic necessities including food and water.

Pray:

for Raqqa’s complete liberation by Kurdish and Arab forces. (Psalm 22:11)

Mexico: media attacks, journalists killed

One journalist was killed while resting in a hammock at a carwash. A second was dragged from his car and shot dead near the newspaper he had co-founded. When another was killed in front of her son, the criminals left a note, ‘For your long tongue’. Human rights groups say Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for reporters. More die here than in any other nation at peace. But even for a country so used to drugs-related violence and organised crime, the recent bloodshed has been shocking. Seven journalists have been killed in the country so far this year, most shot by gunmen in broad daylight. Yet virtually all cases of attacks on the press end up unsolved and, in many, corrupt officials are suspected of partnering with criminals. As the killings mount, is there anything that Mexico can do to save its journalists?

Pray:

for a mighty spiritual cry of ENOUGH! to reach heaven’s gates on behalf of truth, humility and justice for Mexico as journalists report on organised crime and local elections. (Psalm 40:13)