Prayer Alert News: UK, Europe, and Worldwide

Justin Welby has spoken of his daily discipline of praying in tongues and seeking words of knowledge and prophecy from others, in an interview with Premier at the launch of ‘Thy Kingdom Come’, now in its fourth year. He said, ‘It’s not something to make a great song and dance about. Usually it’s extremely early in the morning and not an immensely ecstatic moment.’ Speaking in tongues, words of knowledge, and prophecy are common practices in Pentecostal and charismatic churches. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ has united over a million Christians from more than 65 different denominations and traditions, in 114 countries, to pray for evangelisation. During prayer times many noticed that God’s Spirit came.

Praise: God for Christian unity, and for the Archbishop’s openness to being led by the Spirit. (Romans 8:14)
More: www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Praying-in-tongues-and-prophecy-all-part-of-Archbishop-of-Canterbury-s-daily-routine

Recently IJM supported local officials and NGO partners in rescuing two men and nineteen boys from bonded-labour slavery at a factory near Chennai. They had been trapped there since June 2018, making fried Pani Puri snacks popular in north India. These impoverished villagers were recruited with loans of as little as £108, which they were meant to pay off with their labour. Instead, the factory owner charged them impossible interest rates and controlled their every movement so that could never repay the debt. He verbally abused them and beat them viciously if they slowed down during the 18-hour working day – ensuring they were always afraid of him. On 12 January they were successfully rescued. Although the factory owner absconded, a second accused is in custody and has been charged under India’s anti-slavery and child labour laws.

Praise: God that the slaves can go home in peace; may the factory owner be arrested. (Psalm 22:24)
More: www.ijm.org/news/scared-and-scarred-11-rescued-from-fried-snack-factory/

J John has recently commented: ‘However Brexit is resolved, it offers both encouragements and challenges to us who pray. Brexit is a symptom of a world that appears to have gone off-script. Many of the pillars of our world have either been destroyed or are shaking badly. Within a lifetime we have gone from a culture founded on solid Judeo-Christian values to one in which the only fundamental truth is that there is no truth. In the dysfunctional world we live in, prayer and praising remind us that, however spectacular the damage to these pillars is, they do not in fact hold up the world. Underneath and over this world is God, and he remains immovable. Psalm 11 says, “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do? The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.” Nothing has changed. Prayer reminds us that where the world sees only instability, we can focus beyond to eternal stability.’

Pray: for persistent petition to replace worry as we use the privilege of prayer. (1 Kings 8:28)
More: www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/If-you-re-not-praying-about-Brexit-you-should-be-says-J.John

From 20 January, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) joined in a week of prayer for Christian unity and dedicated prayer for the political situation in the UK. CTBI said, ‘This is a time in which many feel anger and anxiety over the future, and we need to pray that those who have the heavy burden of political leadership in our country may find a unity that brings our communities together in the task of serving the common good.’ Archbishop John Sentamu has encouraged everyone to pray three times a day, at 6am, 12 noon, and 6pm. He has written a special prayer to use: see

Pray: for God’s church to be a place of reflection and prayer, and a community pointing to heaven. (Proverbs 15:29)
More: ctbi.org.uk/brexit-and-the-churches-call-for-national-days-of-prayer/

Conservative MP Crispin Blunt has tabled a motion for the tradition of saying prayers at the beginning of parliamentary business to be abolished. This call comes with the backing of eight other MPs and the National Secular Society (NSS). Mr Blunt, an honorary associate of NSS, stated on its website, ‘Whilst religious worship occupies a strong part in some people’s lives, it should no longer play a role in the way we conduct our political affairs as an independent, open and diverse nation’. The House of Commons’ main daily prayer, first used in 1558, asks for God’s guidance so that MPs ‘never lead the nation wrongly through love of power, desire to please, or unworthy ideals’. Keith Vaz suggested an amendment to Blunt’s motion, resulting in the bill saying the opposite of its author’s intention: see

Pray: for Christian traditions in Parliament to be honoured and continued. (Psalm 17:10, 13)
More: talkradio.co.uk/news/mp-calls-prayers-parliament-be-scrapped-19012029555

Among CofE clergy, one in ten have experienced violent behaviour in the last two years, and the same percentage are experiencing more hate crime than they did two years ago. Over 66% have received verbal abuse and one in five has experienced threatening behaviour. Most threats were to harm the cleric personally, but 20% had relatives threatened and 35% experienced threats to church property. 25% of cases were because they declined to give money to someone who asked them for it. Clergy who have suffered violence are likely to find their work ‘more challenging’ than they did previously. This situation has necessitated National Churchwatch to produce a personal attack alarm for clergy; it looks like an ID badge, but has a button on the back to press if they feel at risk or needs assistance. The button connects immediately to a control room which can monitor what is going on and call the police if necessary. See

Pray: for clergy, church workers, and churches to be able to operate safely in their communities. (Proverbs 2:8)
More: www.nationalchurchwatch.co.uk/

Voice for Justice researchers note that some members of a new commission, whose task is to study extremism and report back to the Government, hold Christophobic and hostile views. The Commission for Countering Extremism will soon publish a wide-ranging study on ‘all forms of extremism’ that will include its scale, the tactics and objectives of extremists, the harm caused, and the nature of current response. It is an independent and impartial public body, and commissioners must ‘not participate in the discussion or determination of a matter where their interest might suggest a danger of bias’. However three members have publicly expressed views that place them in clear conflict with Government guidelines. Sara Khan: ‘If Christians must celebrate same-sex relationships, then atheists must celebrate Jesus Christ’; Peter Tatchell: ‘Menacing Christians are put in the same category as IS and Taliban’; Dame Louise Casey: ‘Pro-abortion and pro-LGBT relationships are tests of integration; Bible-believing Christians are less progressive.’

Pray: for the Government code of conduct to be met in the commission’s final report. (Proverbs 27:18)
More: vfjuk.org.uk/news-updates/clear-evidence-of-anti-christian-bias-in-counter-extremism-commission/

The Turning mission last August involved teams from many churches going out on the streets and sharing the gospel. This will start again on 2 February in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and will continue on the first Saturday each month, with churches sharing the Gospel and seeing people come to Christ. Last year, approximately 300 people made a commitment to the Christian faith. Plans are also being made for a further round of ‘Leaders Envisioning’ meetings in late February, aiming for new missions in August as The Turning is rolled out across Scotland. Organisers have also produced The Turning Bible which helps those who have responded on the streets to understand the Word of God as they begin their journey of faith. This version is easy to read and understand, using everyday language, and is perfect for reading aloud. See

Pray: for a powerful move of God as people respond to one-to-one experiences. (Joel 2:13)
More: www.theturning.eu/scotland

Nigel Farage could become leader of a new pro-Brexit party if Britain’s departure from the EU is delayed beyond 29 March. The former UKIP leader said he had offered his enthusiastic support to the Brexit party after being sounded out as its potential leader. Catherine Blaiklock, formerly a spokeswoman for UKIP, confirmed that on 11 January she had applied to register the party with the Electoral Commission. It would be ready to fight any snap general election, or the local elections across England in May. She said, ‘I think people feel treason has been committed. It’s democracy. It wouldn’t matter whether Leave had won by a single vote – it’s a first-past-the-post system.’ The party would aim to attract the 17.4 million people who voted to leave in 2016, and to win over defectors from the Conservatives, Labour, and UKIP.

Pray: for God to establish His perfect purposes for the nation’s future. (Psalm 2:10a,11)
More: www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jan/20/nigel-farage-to-lead-new-pro-brexit-party-if-eu-departure-delayed-ukip

Approximately 84,000 protested for the tenth successive weekend, despite President Macron spending hours in rural town halls debating with disgruntled mayors in a counter-offensive. The ‘yellow vests’ didn’t demobilise. In Paris, several thousand marched in freezing temperatures, many waving placards calling for Macron to resign or condemning police violence. The Paris rally and several others ended with police, tear gas and water cannon dispersing hooded protesters throwing paving stones and bottles. Macron, who had not previously held public office, was elected at the head of a grassroots movement going door-to-door asking people what kind of changes were needed. But once in office he has adopted a top-down approach more in keeping with post-war president Charles de Gaulle. He has defended his reforms vigorously in debates, while promising to be open to making adjustments. A protester, echoing the yellow vests’ top demands, said, ‘What I want is citizen-sponsored referendums so that citizens can repeal laws, oversee spending, and recall senior officials or even the president.’

Pray: for Mr Macron to be given the wisdom to serve through acceptable policy shifts. (Proverbs 29:11)
More: www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2019/01/france-yellow-vests-protest-macron-grand-debate-190119184218458.html

Romania has taken over the presidency of the EU for six months. Historically Romanians have been under foreign occupation for most of their existence, but have kept their linguistic identity and Christian faith in spite of rulers with different cultures and religions. Currently Romania is governed by the Social Democratic Party, which contains numerous corrupt leaders who have changed the laws so that they cannot be taken to court. On an economic level, they have imposed some populist measures that have put the country in a difficult situation. Because of this there have been numerous demonstrations by people desiring integrity and justice in their country. Companies are going bankrupt, resources are depleted, and over five million people have emigrated. Romania is being threatened by Russia because she is strategically situated with access to the Black Sea. Meanwhile, President Klaus Johannis is a Christian, and the impact of Christians in society is growing.

Pray: for God to use President Johannis to end corruption and protect integrity. (Proverbs 28:2)
More: gallery.mailchimp.com/ffd99da83edd4244458b59317/files/f3be3403-cb84-4d80-a7bd-8c1bcb1e785b/Canopy_57_English.pdf

The Bishop of Southwark was one of fifteen bishops who visited the Holy Land for ‘2019 Holy Land Coordination’. A communiqué issued by this group said: ‘We have seen how there are Israeli citizens from many different backgrounds who coexist and work together for the common good of our society. Christians there make a vital contribution, especially through schools, hospitals, involvement in public life, and attempting to build bridges between different faiths. Yet it is clear that they also face profound difficulties across all aspects of their lives. Along with Palestinian Arab citizens and migrants, many Christians are systematically discriminated against and marginalised. Those we met expressed particular concern about the Nation State Law that was recently passed. They warn that this creates a constitutional and legal basis for discrimination against minorities, undermining the ideals of equality, justice and democracy. We stand with Israel’s Christians and all those challenging discrimination, in support of their call to protect the country’s pluralism.’

Pray: for all to live by Israel’s founding principles of equality between all its citizens. (Matthew 20:16)
More: southwark.anglican.org/news/press-releases/2019/bishops-see-the-vital-contribution-made-by-christians-in-the-holy-land?

Figures for the persecution of Christians have shown a ‘shocking increase’, by 13.9% according to Open Doors World Watch List 2019. Asia has a sharp rise. China rose 16 places to number 27, with new laws to control all expressions of religion. Some church leaders say it is the worst since the Cultural Revolution ended in 1976. India, the world’s largest democracy, is now number 10 on the list. Hindu extremists act with impunity, violently attacking Christians and churches and non-Hindu religious minorities. Rising nationalism is leading to persecution in Bhutan, Myanmar and Nepal, where national identity is tied to religion and those from minority faiths are considered outcasts. Persecution in North Korea has been worse than any other country for the last 18 years. In the north and middle of Nigeria, 3,700 Christians were killed for their faith – almost twice as many as the previous year.

Pray: for nations to take extra preventative action against rising Christian persecution. (Job 36:3)
More: www.christiantoday.com/article/open-doors-2019-report-persecution-is-on-the-rise-globally/131479.htm

The risks journalists take when reporting on corruption continue. Ahmed Hussein-Suale, an undercover journalist working on an investigation with the BBC about corruption in Ghana’s football leagues, was shot and killed after a politician called for retribution against him. In Turkey, journalist Pelin Ünker was found guilty of ‘defamation and insult’ and sentenced to thirteen months in jail for her work on the Paradise Papers investigation into offshore tax havens. Turkey has the world’s worst record for jailing journalists – 68 in prison at the end of 2018, all of them facing charges of crimes against the state. Journalists play a vital role in exposing the corrupt and their methods; but they face threats, violence, arrest, and death as a result. Since 2017, over 190 journalists have been incarcerated worldwide for reporting on corruption. See also

Pray: for God to ensure that wrongdoing is uncovered and the corrupt held to account. (Proverbs 17:20)
More: cpj.org/reports/2018/12/journalists-jailed-imprisoned-turkey-china-egypt-saudi-arabia.php

On 24 January Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaidó swore himself in as the rightful head of state, with the support of the USA and other nations in the region, as he attempts to remove President Maduro. He now faces the daunting task of establishing a transition plan without control over crucial state institutions and armed forces that have, so far, disowned him. Venezuela’s churches have called for prayer as pressure mounts on Maduro to step down. Mass demonstrations against the economic mismanagement that has caused widespread poverty have been taking place. Pastor Samuel Olson, president of the Evangelical Council of Venezuela (ECV), invited the nation to pray ‘together as a family, asking God that through His Holy Spirit He would care for, direct, and bless our nation in this critical hour of its history’. ECV are backing Juan Guaidó as the man ‘called to conduct the nation in this period of transition’. See also

Pray: for urgent government transition to be peaceful and able to establish free elections. (Psalm 109:7a,8b)
More: www.christiantoday.com/uk/venezuelas-christians-urge-prayer-as-crisis-mountsexecute1/131550.htm

Zimbabwe is going through an economic crisis and is battling severe fuel shortages. The government recently announced a 150% petrol price increase, igniting widespread discontent, strikes and violent demonstrations. Then, while President Mnangagwa was out of the country, seeking much-needed foreign investment, police and soldiers launched large-scale operations against suspected protesters, activists and strike organisers. At least twelve people were killed and 78 treated for gunshot injuries, according to a local human rights group which recorded over 240 incidents of assault and torture and 700 arrests. People were hunted down in their homes by security forces and severely beaten, with arrests continuing after Mnangagwa had returned. He said, ‘Violence or misconduct by our security forces is unacceptable and a betrayal of the new Zimbabwe.’ Accused of conducting a deadly crackdown on dissent, the army and police denied any wrongdoing, saying some assailants raiding homes were wearing official uniforms to pose as security personnel.

Pray: for the promised economic revival and increased political freedom to become a reality. (Psalm 4:6-8)
More: www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/01/mnangagwa-zimbabwe-vows-probe-protest-crackdown-190122061559113.html

At the UN Security Council’s Middle East monthly meeting, the Syrian ambassador threatened an airstrike on Israel’s international airport near Tel Aviv, in retaliation for Israeli air force attacks on military targets at Damascus and elsewhere in the country. When the Syrian war erupted, Israel stated it would stay out of the conflict unless actions were hostile to the Jewish state, including the transfer of arms to Iranian proxy Hezbollah. As indications grew that Iran was exploiting the void left by the Syrian turmoil to build its own presence there, Israel vowed to act against Tehran’s entrenchment, and has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets. After a daytime Israeli strike on Damascus airport, an Iranian-made surface-to-surface missile was fired from Syria into the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. IDF’s defence system intercepted the rocket. This escalation is seen as the most serious in many months.

Pray: for God’s protection from aggression in the area. (Isaiah 17:13)
More: worldisraelnews.com/syria-threatens-retaliatory-strike-on-israels-ben-gurion-airport/?

An Oxfam report, released to coincide with the International Economic Forum at Davos, reveals that the world’s 26 richest people own as much as half the planet’s population. Addressing such large disparities may require coordinated action at the global level – for example a wealth tax. The widening gap is hindering the fight against poverty. A 12% increase in the wealth of the very richest contrasts with a fall of 11% in the wealth of the poorest half of the world’s population. In the ten years since the financial crisis, the number of billionaires has nearly doubled. The report said that a wealth tax on the 1% wealthiest would raise enough to educate every child not in school and provide healthcare that would prevent three million deaths. Ten thousand people are dying for lack of healthcare every day. But despite the profound impact of these statistics, there is little sense of urgency to act on any of the issues.

Pray: for governments to ensure that tax dodging ends, and for taxes raised from wealth and businesses to be used to save and transform lives. (1 Timothy 6:17)
More: www.theguardian.com/business/2019/jan/21/world-26-richest-people-own-as-much-as-poorest-50-per-cent-oxfam-report