Prayer Alert News: UK, Europe, and Worldwide

In June we prayed for the Christian film Voices of the Silenced to influence today’s culture – see  But on the eve of its premiere Vue Cinemas refused to screen it. Dr Mike Davidson, who produced the documentary, sued Vue for breaching the terms of their contract. On 15 August the cinema chain, which operates almost ninety venues across the UK and Ireland, settled in full the legal claim brought by the makers of Voices of the Silenced. Dr Davidson said that he hopes that in the future cinema operators will not fold under pressure from LGBT activists wishing to silence those who want to move away from same-sex attraction and behaviour. Shot in eight countries, the film presents reflections from doctors and theologians, as well as the testimonies of people who have abandoned homosexual relations.

Praise: God that people whose experience does not fit current LGBT ideology are being heard. (Psalm 18:4)
More: www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Vue-Cinemas-settles-claim-brought-by-Christian-makers-of-ex-gay-film

When Saleem left Bethlehem in the West Bank to attend YWAM’s Discipleship Training School in Belfast, he said he felt like a nobody ‘because of my past, and who I was’. But while his outreach team were in Rwanda, he played soccer with friends and talked to them about his past, the situation in his country, and what God was teaching him about forgiveness. ‘After I spoke, a Hutu stood up and said his family was killed by Tutsis in the war, and he was getting ready to go to the Congo to join a Hutu rebel group so he could get revenge by killing Tutsis.’ But after he heard Saleem’s testimony, God touched his heart, and he said he now was choosing the grace of God. That night God spoke to Saleem, ‘He said, “See my son, your past is important, and you are everything to me”. From that night on, I knew that I was really someone!’

Praise: God for the global movement of Christian youth serving Jesus and making Him known to others. (Psalm 18:50)
More: www.ywam.org/blog/2013/06/08/from-bethlehem-to-ireland-to-rwanda-with-love/

After Salih Khater attempted a terror attack outside the Houses of Parliament, we can pray: ‘In the Name of Jesus, we enforce God’s original plans for peace, mercy and hope over and against every plan and purpose of Satan to bring death or destruction, and we declare this nation will be a place of safety. We declare You are the one in whom we put our trust. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses; but we remember the Name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). We thank You for Your love and Your covenant with us, and we come into agreement with Your word that “love always protects”. We thank You for those You have called to watch over our nation at this time, both in the spiritual realm and in the physical realm, and we release Your strength and Your wisdom to them in the Name of Jesus.’

Pray: for God to secure and shelter the UK, and give divine revelation to all involved in law, order, and counter-terrorism. (Isaiah 28:6)
More: passionforthenation.uk/category/security/

Politicians and the Bank of England now say that the chances of a ‘no deal’ scenario are high, and may leave the UK with no trading deals in place. Pray that a spirit of fear will not entrench our nation. WTO’s director general believes ‘this is not going to be a situation where all trade stops and there is collapse in terms of the economy as a whole. The tendency is that prices will go up because you have to absorb the cost of that disruption’. The WTO facilitates 164 countries, without free trade agreements with each other, to trade using the same tax on imports and the same limits on the number of goods. After Brexit, the UK could lower/waive tariffs to stimulate free trade. Cheaper products could enter UK, but some UK producers could fold. We can pray for business to thrive. The UK already trades under WTO rules with China, US, Brazil and Australia, plus any country without a trade agreement with the EU.

Pray: for God to inspire wise decisions to be made now that will safeguard the future. (Psalm 37:37)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45112872

Christian charity Operation Noah has launched an animated film designed to help Christians around the world recognise the human cost of climate change – particularly for women and children. According to the charity, while most adults in the UK think that climate change is real and caused primarily by human activity, many Christians don’t yet see it as a faith issue. Recent polling indicates that environmental issues are seen as less important by conservative Christians than in other parts of the church. Inspired by real-life stories, the film tells the story of a seven-year-old girl living on a South Pacific island who is already experiencing the impacts of climate change. UN figures indicate that women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die or be injured during extreme weather events.

Pray: for Christians to understand the impact and moral urgency of climate change. (Leviticus 26:4)
More: www.christiantoday.com/uk/operation-noah-film-highlights-why-climate-change-is-a-faith-issue/130212.htm

The Refugee Council works with refugees and asylum-seekers in the UK, offering practical support and advice throughout their journey. For over sixty years it has helped people fleeing war, rape, or torture. Refugees have unimaginable stories to tell. Many have lost everything, and their lives will never return to normal. The council supports them and empowers them to rebuild their lives. Pray for all those helping refugees as they make the challenging first steps towards resettlement. Pray that they can obtain the necessary immigration documentation and move towards accessing a source of income or interim financial support. Pray for God to anoint the counsellors who assess refugees with physical and mental health problems. Pray for more stable and secure accommodation to be available across our nations for those who need it.

Pray: for God to bless the council in all it does to support refugees. (1 Chronicles 4:10)
More: www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/what_we_do

Two children and eight adults received ‘pellet-type wounds’ at a Moss Side street party at its Caribbean carnival. Moss Side has done much work in recent years to remove its reputation of drugs, gangs and violence. Former police officer Martin Harding, who now works with local schools, said that the number of shootings has significantly fallen in recent years as the area re-invented its image. The carnival was a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Windrush arrival. The shootings shocked the local community. The rector of St James’s Church said that they were praying that this kind of violence doesn’t develop. In a message to the families of those hurt, he added, ‘We love you. We’ll be praying for you. We hope your loved ones will be recovering fast. If anybody needs to talk about this, then our door is always open.’ See also

Pray: for God to restore peace. (Psalm 4:9)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45160462

Churches around the country have begun 100 days of prayer for peace to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. A similar national day of prayer was held on 4 August 1918; 100 days after this, Armistice Day occurred. Communities across the country are being encouraged to organise peace prayer events, community peace talks, peace festivals, peace arts and poetry competitions, peace projects and many more community building activities. In London, people are praying for peace, especially in the light of rising knife crime. Blackburn Cathedral invites people to ‘come in and light a candle or use our prayer resources over the next 99 days’.

Pray: for more communities to unite in prayer and find ways to bring peace and hope. (Psalm 29:11)
More: www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/10-august/news/uk/churches-embark-on-100-days-of-prayer-in-run-up-to-armistice-day-centenary

From 5 to 7 October, UCB are asking churches across the UK (and anyone else who wants to get involved) to help raise support for UCB, by going for a walk! It might be a sponsored stroll with a few friends, an organised walk with people after church on Sunday, or people might even take on a much more challenging hike across the whole of the UK. Every single mile walked by every single person counts! The UCB team will be walking to add to the big total. They said, ‘Between us, can we walk enough miles to cover the distance from John O’Groats to Land’s End, and raise funds for UCB to share God’s Word the length and breadth of the UK at the same time?’

Pray: for this initiative to gain momentum, and for Christian media to grow. (Psalm 40:6)
More: www.ucb.co.uk/walk

After a motorway bridge collapsed in Genoa on 14 August, causing at least 39 deaths, prime minister Giuseppe Conte has declared a state of emergency for the region. As stories emerge of how some people miraculously escaped, attention has shifted to who (if anyone) might have been responsible for the disaster. Autostrade per l’Italia, which is responsible for the country’s motorways, has rejected accusations that it was making huge profits and not spending enough on maintenance. It says checks were carried out quarterly by world-leading experts and had shown no cause for alarm. Also, Brussels has dismissed claims by deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini that EU spending rules prevented the country from spending enough to keep its infrastructure safe. A spokesman stated that in fact, the EU has encouraged investment in infrastructure in Italy. See

Pray: for the Italian authorities to exercise wisdom as they seek to establish the cause of the disaster. (Proverbs 16:16)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-45193452

Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Bucharest the day after 450+ people were hurt and about 30 arrested in a huge anti-corruption protest on 10 August. Police had used water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters calling for the left-wing government to resign. Many protesters needed treatment after inhaling pepper spray and tear gas; others suffered blows. Floarea Toader, 64, said, ‘My children work in Spain and they would like to come back. But for now that’s not possible as the politicians are only interested in themselves and do nothing for anyone else.’ Four million people have left Romania in the last fifteen years, seeking a better life. Romania’s average monthly wage is £465. Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, whose country currently holds the EU rotating presidency, criticised the violence, in which an Austrian public broadcaster cameraman was hurt.

Pray: for God to intervene and turn around this corruption-plagued state. (Psalm 53:5,6)
More: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/12/protesters-return-streets-romania-day-450-people-hurt-clashes/

In the elections on 9 September, the anti-immigration Eurosceptic party Sweden Democrats hopes to become the country’s largest political party. It has accused the ruling centre-left coalition of allowing ‘no-go zones’ to emerge in deprived areas with large migrant populations. On 13 August gangs of masked youths dressed in black firebombed at least 100 cars in several cities. Violent crime is high on the political agenda after a spate of shootings and grenade attacks. Prime minister Stefan Lofven said that the perpetrators threatened to ‘destroy’ neighbourhoods and asked them, ‘What the hell are you doing?’ Pray for Mr Lofven and his law enforcement to bring peace and calm to challenging areas ahead of the elections. Operation World states, ‘Politicians (often without any clear faith in Jesus) are frequently chosen to sit on parish councils.’

Pray: for God to raise up Christian politicians in this season of change. (Deuteronomy 18:18)
More: www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-mail/20180815/281711205485735

Police in Chicago have asked for more help to combat gun violence after over sixty people were shot in one weekend. More than thirty were gunned down during just one three-hour period on Sunday. Police said most shootings were gang-related. Donovan Price, a pastor and emergency administrator, said, ‘This is just out of control. It’s a war zone going on right now. Chicago is just crazy.’ But in a country where it is easier to buy a gun than spray paint and there are nearly as many guns as people, not everyone wants stricter gun controls. President Trump has repeatedly vowed to intervene in Chicago, where law-enforcement officers have struggled with intractable violence problems. Pray for Trump to release enough federal help for control to be more successful.

Pray: for the flow of illegal guns to end, and for effective action against repeat gun offenders. (Psalm 58:7,8)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45084264

The Turkish currency is in freefall after President Trump escalated a feud with Ankara by doubling tariffs on metals imports. The lira has long been falling due to worries about President Erdogan’s influence over monetary policy and worsening US relations. Turkey and the USA are at odds over many issues, the most pressing being the detention of pastor Andrew Brunson who was jailed for allegedly supporting a group that Ankara blames for the failed coup. He faces 35 years in prison, and on 15 August a court ruled he must remain under house arrest. Qatar has pledged $15 billion of investments after Erdogan said that the shadowy ‘interest rate lobby’ and Western credit ratings agencies were attempting to bring down the economy. He said, ‘If there is anyone who has dollars or gold under their pillows, they should go and exchange it for liras at our banks. This is a national, domestic battle.’ See also

Pray: for God to watch over and protect Pastor Brunson and his family. (Proverbs 6:22)
More: www.charismanews.com/world/72594-turkey-s-lira-plunges-to-record-low-as-erdogan-refuses-to-release-missionary

Cuba’s national assembly is considering changes to the 1976 constitution. A draft new constitution recognises private property and opens the door to same-sex marriage. In July five evangelical churches in Cuba spoke out their opposition to same-sex marriage because the ideology of gender is totally foreign to Cuban culture or ‘the historic leaders of the Revolution.’ They explained their position in a statement posted on social networks. The five denominations do not belong to the government-approved Cuban Council of Churches. Evangelical churches in Cuba have experienced rapid growth since the government’s religious opening up in the 1990s. They now have hundreds of ‘home temples’ spread around the island. See:

Pray: for the constitution wording on the institution of marriage to remain ‘between a man and a woman’ rather than changed to ‘between two persons’. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10)
More: www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/22/cuba-ditches-aim-of-building-communism-from-draft-constitution

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on the Cameroonian government to stop using force to punish its people in the English-speaking region. The authorities should immediately cease using ‘disproportionate and deadly force against civilians and protect everyone’s human rights’. The UN described the situation as ‘an unprecedented complex humanitarian crisis’ caused by violence between the government and both English-speaking separatists in the west of Nigeria and Boko Haram in the north-east. The country has been affected by the mass displacement of hundreds of thousands of Nigerians and Cameroonians; also by insecurity, malnutrition, and a ‘very disturbing’ risk of epidemics, because of the ongoing conflict. The WCC particularly condemned escalating violence against women and children. Paul Biya, who has been president since 1982, intends to run for a seventh term.

Pray: for God to protect the vulnerable, and bring change through October’s elections. (Judith 9:11)
More: www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/10-august/news/world/world-council-of-churches-condemns-growing-violence-in-cameroon

On 12 August, a Saudi-led airstrike on Yemen killed 51 people (including 40 children) and wounded 79. The next day hundreds of mourners gathered for a mass funeral for the schoolboys. By the caskets stood signs saying, ‘America killed the children of Yemen’. The procession, organised by Houthi rebels, was one of several taking place across Yemen. The US defence secretary is sending a three-star general to help the Saudi-led coalition to investigate the strike and see if there is anything that can be done to prevent this in the future. UNICEF said the strike was the worst attack on children since the war escalated in 2015. It is now the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 22 million people in desperate need of aid and protection.

Pray: for this airstrike to be the catalyst that ends the war. (Psalm 46:11)
More: edition.cnn.com/2018/08/13/middleeast/yemen-children-school-bus-strike-intl/index.html

The Christian relatives of Richard Russell say they are ‘stunned and heartbroken’ after the airline worker stole a passenger plane from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on 10 August, and was killed when he crashed 25 miles away. The FBI is leading an investigation, and President Trump was briefed on the incident, and tweeted his comments. The family said, ‘This is a complete shock to us. We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now.’ We can pray that their testimony of God’s favour in times of trouble receives as much media discussion as the terrible event.

Pray: for God to continue to comfort and hold the family together. (Isaiah 49:13b)
More: edition.cnn.com/2018/08/11/us/plane-crash-unauthorized-takeoff/index.html

Less than three months after winning a Supreme Court case backing his religious freedom of expression, Colorado Christian cake artist Jack Phillips is facing yet another battle. A new complaint was recently filed against him after an attorney asked him to make a cake pink on the inside and blue on the outside, representing a transition from male to female, to celebrate a gender transition. Phillips declined to make the cake, because of his religious beliefs. On 15 August attorneys representing him and his Masterpiece Cakeshop filed a lawsuit to fight this new complaint, which they said constituted a ‘doubling down of anti-religious hostility’ by Colorado officials. They said, ‘Colorado is ignoring the message of the US Supreme Court by continuing to single out Jack for punishment and to exhibit hostility toward his religious beliefs.’

Pray: for God to end Colorado’s crusade against Jack Phillips practising his Christian beliefs. (Proverbs 18:5)
More: www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/colorado-baker-back-in-court-for-declining-gender-transition-cake-96216