Prayer Alert News: UK, Europe, and Worldwide

A Jewish refugee couple from Russia were not interested in hearing about Christ, but they did participate in a marriage seminar based in Israel. L and Y had benefited from previous marriage guidance, but still felt a residue of bitterness beneath the surface. The teaching made big differences in their married life, but it was coming to faith in Christ that made all things new. ‘It has made me see that, despite the past, I can start building a better present. I have drawn so much nearer to God, I realised that in prayer I can ask for wisdom and understanding in different situations I might be in.’ Jewish refugees from former Soviet bloc countries as well as Israeli nationals come to faith in Christ through the native ministry’s varied outreaches – feeding the hungry, biblical tours of the Holy Land, celebration of Jewish festivals like Passover, and evangelistic courses and events.

Praise: God for the native missionary communities and humanitarian outreaches in Israel that bring the gospel into people’s hearts. (Lamentations 5:21)
More: www.christianaid.org.uk/missions-insider/2019-secular-jewish-refugees-discover-the-living-god/

When Kobani was under siege by IS most of the city was destroyed and thousands fled. But IS’s violence caused a re-examination of Islam by the Kurds. When Christian Kurds are asked, ‘What made you change?’ they reply, ‘What IS did opened our eyes.’ When they saw first-hand the death and destruction wrought by radical Islam, they revised their beliefs, saying, ‘Islam in theory is different to Islam in action’. Brother Rachid said, ‘When we read “Kill the infidels” it’s only a sentence, but when you see the blood – it changes your attitude. The Lord has used these circumstances to bring people to faith. It is still growing like this (pointing upward), accelerating, huge numbers.’ About twenty families (80 to 100 people) now worship at Kobani’s new church. ‘We meet on Tuesdays and hold a service on Fridays. It is open to anyone who wants to join’, he said.

Praise: God that IS’s actions caused people to leave Islam and take the right path. (Psalm 119:105)
More: godreports.com/2019/04/in-syrian-town-once-controlled-by-isis-muslim-kurds-finding-jesus/

Women who have had a brush with the law are turning their lives around by making luxury handmade chocolates at a community interest company called Positive Changes. People with criminal records face barriers to employment – no qualifications, low self-esteem. Grace Chocolates, based in a church hall, is breaking their cycle of re-offending by giving them a job. In twelve months, six volunteers working with women one day a week made 19,000 chocolate truffles. Mary, an ex-drug user, said, ‘I was put on a court order and got involved with Positive Changes. It’s more than just a chocolate-making company. Words cannot easily describe how my life has been turned round 360o. When I started the course I was quiet and withdrawn. But my self-esteem and self-confidence is now sky-high by comparison. Rev Dan Harper said, ‘Positive Changes is freeing ladies to grow into the people that God made: wonderful, worthwhile people capable of love, compassion and hope.’

Pray: for more initiatives to reach the lost, lonely and hopeless and give them hope. (Luke 19:10)
More: www.churchofscotland.org.uk/news_and_events/news/2019/Chocolate_heaven_for_women_determined_to_turn_their_lives_around

Following a summit held at Lambeth Palace with representatives from Ofsted, the National Farmers Union, the Prince’s Countryside Fund, and council and education leaders from across England, the CofE’s lead bishop for education, Stephen Conway, said that there needs to be a cross-governmental rural strategy. The delegates at the summit looked at ways to safeguard schools in the countryside. Bishop Stephen said, ‘We have been reassured that the Government has a presumption against the closure of rural schools, which is a positive foundation for the future.’ Last month, the Department of Education report on running rural primary schools efficiently suggested that primary schools should share headteachers. But this is difficult when some headteachers in small schools also do a lot of the teaching. Rural schools also have challenges with funding, and getting discounts on equipment.

Pray: for a rural strategy that gives stability to education provision, housing, infrastructure, broadband, agriculture, business and industry. (Proverbs 2:11)
More: www.premierchristianradio.com/News/UK/Bishop-calls-for-better-rural-strategy-to-protect-rural-schools-from-closing

The National Security Council discuss intelligence coordination and defence strategies. But information from one meeting was published in the Daily Telegraph. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson was suspected of, and sacked for, allegedly leaking discussions around giving Chinese telecoms firm Huawei contracts to build UK infrastructure to support future networks. These networks would allow people to control their home (lights, washing machines, etc), allow driverless cars to operate, control infrastructure, water and air-quality monitoring systems, traffic lights, and display live departures at bus stops and train stations. Other governments around the world, concerned over security, have blocked Huawei technology from their next-generation networks. British telecom giants BT and EE are removing equipment made by Huawei from core parts of their 3G and 4G operations, and plan to exclude it from bidding on future 5G contracts. Huawei said it would never hand information to the Chinese government, but there is scepticism over whether it would have a choice. Meanwhile Mr Williamson, one of the few ministers with good relations with the DUP, has been sacked despite his strong denial of any involvement in the leak. See

Pray: for dishonest rumours to be exposed, for secure 5G infrastructure. (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
More: www.lbc.co.uk/news/the-news-explained/chinese-firm-huawei-row-explained/

Over-fifties could pay £300+ a year extra National Insurance, to ‘fund a fairer social care system’. The idea proposed by Damian Green is part of a range of measures to fill a funding gap for pensioners. The Pilgrims’ Friend Society said that while some people might struggle to make the payments, they supported it because ‘we know as Christians that we’re giving to the general good. For some people who are barely getting through, that would mean the difference between paying the rent or not. But for people who are managing, it would be OK. It should be for everybody because everybody is going to become old unless they die young.’ The proposed model of state pension is that everyone will be entitled to a basic safety net of support, with individuals encouraged to top up this provision from their own savings or housing wealth. Proposals including winter fuel allowance tax and surcharges have been labelled ‘a tax on getting old’.

Pray: for social care for the elderly without causing hardship elsewhere. (Psalm 103:6)
More: www.premierchristianradio.com/News/UK/Christian-charity-questions-Tory-plan-to-force-over-50s-to-pay-300-a-year-for-social-care

A report by victims’ commissioner Baroness Newlove warns that anti-social behaviour is being ignored by authorities across England and Wales. She said police, local councils and housing providers were downplaying the harm caused by crimes, and victims being repeatedly targeted were left to ‘suffer in silence’. Meanwhile police chiefs and local government associations said they took anti-social behaviour seriously; but their resources were under strain, and they needed more funding to tackle the problems. People are scared, whether in their homes or in the streets; syringes are buried in children’s sandpits, and there are huge increases in ‘petty’ council fines. Victims say they often feel persistently targeted by their perpetrators, and ignored by those with the power to prevent and intervene. Anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, street drinking, prostitution-related activity, and nuisance neighbours is often treated as a series of isolated incidents, rather than taking into account the cumulative effect it has on victims; affecting mental health, sleep, work and relationships.

Pray: for the Government to review and repair responses to anti-social activity. (Psalm 112:5)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48096028

If Parliament doesn’t pass a Brexit deal and withdrawal agreement by 22 May, the UK will have to take part in EU elections on 23 May despite having opted to leave the European bloc. Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party is running for these elections, and two recent YouGov polls indicate it might attract 27% of the voters, overtaking both Labour and Conservative. Farage hopes to quell the idea of a second Brexit referendum by topping the polls and calling for an immediate withdrawal from the EU. The party is expected to focus on the single message that the UK must leave the EU immediately. Detailed policies will be left until after the EU elections. Meanwhile, he has pledged to ‘realign and change British politics’ by standing in the Brexit-backing city of Peterborough by-election in June. See

Pray: for the flow of God’s purposes for the United Kingdom and Europe at this time. (Psalm 78:16)
More: www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1120809/European-elections-2019-brexit-party-candidates-full-list-polls-latest

A new survey by the pro-EU group European Movement Ireland and polling company Red C shows that public support for Ireland’s membership of the EU has increased to 93%. The survey of 1,000 people aged 18 and over across the country shows support for the EU at the highest level since the poll began in 2013. 50% of people surveyed now believe that a united Ireland as a member of the EU is more likely in the wake of the UK’s decision to leave the union, while 41% do not think that this is likely. The highest backing for continued EU membership was among the 18- to 24-year-old and 65-plus age groups. The survey was conducted between 21 and 27 March 2019, when there was uncertainty around whether the UK would depart from the EU without an agreement as originally planned on 29 March.

Pray: for a Brexit that achieves a peaceful Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland boundary. (Psalm 4:8)
More: www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/increased-number-believe-brexit-makes-united-ireland-more-likely-poll-1.3877678

Reporters Without Borders and nine international human rights NGOs called on Vladimir Putin not to sign the ‘sovereign internet’ bill into law because it would take Russia across a major threshold in online censorship. The law the Russian parliament approved on 22 April, which Putin is poised to sign, would take Russia closer to the Chinese model of online censorship. It would establish a ‘sovereign’ internet, independent of the international internet and closely controlled by the Kremlin. Internet service providers would have to direct traffic through a centralised system of devices controlled by Russia, with approved internet exchange points, and to use a national domain name system that would facilitate surveillance and, in the event of unspecified ‘security threats’ would allow the authorities to block traffic between Russia and the rest of the World Wide Web partially or fully, and within Russia.

Pray: for Russia’s internet to respect human rights and freedom of expression. (Proverbs 13:13)
More: www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/28151

The Socialists won the recent Spanish election, but far-right party Vox will enter parliament for the first time. Vox opposes multiculturalism, migration, and feminism. Italy’s deputy PM from the right-wing League party congratulated ‘our friends in Vox for joining the parliament in Spain’. Its views on immigration and Islam place it in line with far-right and populist parties elsewhere in Europe. With European elections only weeks away, nationalist and far-right parties across Europe are sensing an opportunity for a rise in European nationalism. Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement has common cause with Germany’s main opposition party, AfD, the Finns Party, the Danish People’s Party (who seize migrants’ property to pay bills), Austria’s Freedom Party, France’s National Rally, Sweden’s anti-immigration party, and several others, including Nigel Farage’s Brexit party. See

Pray: for persecuted exiles to be protected from the anti-immigration fervour. (Psalm 119:86-87a)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48081540

Since March, Iran has been ravaged by record rainfall and unprecedented flash flooding. At least 26 of 31 provinces have been impacted by deadly floods. One city received 70% of its annual rainfall in one day. 76 have died, with hundreds missing. It is the largest disaster to hit Iran this century. Entire villages were washed away in minutes, and countless homes and buildings were damaged or completely destroyed. The story has not reached international news headlines, but hundreds of thousands remain displaced and grieving. Christians in different places have been helping to provide food, clothing and basic necessities for those affected. The Iranian government has been accused of mismanaging disaster response, with residents of afflicted areas complaining that action has been slow and insufficient. Iran complains that US banking sanctions make it impossible to receive donations from outside the country. The US puts the blame on Iran’s leaders. See

Pray: for the thousands of homeless families, hungry and exposed to the elements. (Psalm 10:12)
More: www.elam.com/Iran30/devastating-floods-update

Muslims around the world begin the holy month of Ramadan on Monday 6 May. Over the following thirty days, they will fast each day as they intentionally seek Allah, presenting incredible opportunities for them to encounter Jesus instead! We can ask God to lead us in prayer for Muslims around the world to come into a living faith in Jesus Christ. There are many resources available to help us pray: one is the 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. By joining this movement, you will be joining the Holy Spirit’s work in drawing Muslims to Christ. An illustrated prayer guide booklet has daily readings that focus on various topics, people groups and geographical areas of the Islamic world; each day’s subject focus is followed by prayer points. It also features informative background articles and resources for involvement.

Pray: for fasting and praying families to meet Jesus during Ramadan; may they know him as the one who gives living water. (John 7:38)
More: www.30daysprayer.com/booklets/

China has upped its persecution of Christians, with Communist party officials in Guangzhou offering a reward of up to 10,000 Chinese Yuan (approximately £1,162) to those who can provide information about underground churches, secret Christians, religious leaders, and others involved in ‘illegal’ religious activity. Smaller rewards are offered for information about churches and other religious meeting places built or used without official permission. The regulation is called ‘Incentives to Motivate the Masses to Report on Illegal Religious Activities’. The persecution watchdog China Aid says that the new regulations will significantly increase the persecution of Christians in this officially atheist country. Inciting people to report on others with monetary incentives only appeared during the Cultural Revolution, when children would report their parents, a wife would report her husband, and colleagues would report one another.

Pray: for God to protect Chinese Christians from these strategies, and for the government to reconsider its policy. (Psalm 5:11b)
More: www.gospelherald.com/articles/71944/20190409/china-offers-thousands-dollars-anyone-who-will-report-christians-illegal.htm

Evangelicals believe the ‘evangel’ or Good News brings salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Nearly 10% of the world’s population are now evangelical believers. About 33% of the world’s population identify themselves as Christian. Out of all the regions in the world, India has the fewest Evangelicals or Christians. Unreached peoples and non-believers need missionaries either in their own people group or from abroad to ‘reach them with the message of God’s salvation for them through His Son Jesus Christ’. India is second only to China in having the most isolated peoples, with virtually no Christians of any kind in their own people group. Today almost half of the non-believers are culturally near to significant numbers of believers. The remaining missionary task of reaching these non-believers is smaller than ever before. However, the vast majority of missionaries are still going to the ‘Christian’ areas of the world.

Pray: for people to hear God’s call to penetrate the last frontiers of unreached people. (Mark 16:15)
More: joshuaproject.net/assets/js/ppt/RemainingMissionTask/index.html

For the first time in recorded history, Mozambique has been hit by two cyclones in one season. Category 4 Kenneth arrived six weeks after Idai killed 600+ people with flooding. Kenneth killed at least 41 people and destroyed thousands of homes across northern Mozambique. Ibo Island was particularly hard hit, receiving food aid only six days after Kenneth destroyed thousands of homes. The human cost of the disaster is only now being revealed. The UN described reaching Ibo as ‘incredibly difficult’. Initial estimates are that 90% of structures were damaged. ‘If somebody hasn’t lost everything, he’s a lucky guy because no-one has escaped,’ said a motorcycle taxi driver. Almost everybody lost their belongings. The World Food Programme said that Kenneth dumped twice as much rain as Idai, nine inches, or about a quarter of the average annual rainfall for the region – again raising concerns about climate change. See

Pray: for the healing of ruined lives and rebuilding of ruined communities. (Job 5:18)
More: citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/2125263/mozambique-holiday-isle-left-in-ruins-by-cyclone-kenneth/

Motorcycle gunmen, suspected to be Islamist militants, sprayed bullets at Christians attending a church service in Burkina Faso, killing a pastor and at least four others, according to local reports. A further two Christians are said to be missing following the early afternoon bloodshed on Sunday 28 April in the small northern town of Silgadji. The attackers fled north towards the country’s border with Mali. A rising tide of Islamic extremism in Mali has produced growing terrorism that is now spilling over into impoverished Burkina Faso, which is over 50% Muslim and about 20% Christian. Two days earlier Islamists were blamed for murdering five teachers and another worker at a school in the east of the country.

Pray: for God to comfort the community, and for stronger security around Christian activities. (John 14:1)
More: barnabasfund.org/en/news/motorcycle-gunmen-shoot-dead-five-christians-at-burkina-faso-church

29 April was a day of chaos and violence after opposition leader Juan Guaidó called for a military uprising in Caracas and urged supporters to take to the streets to force his rival Nicolás Maduro from power. The US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, said that Maduro had told America that he would leave Venezuela and live as an exile in Cuba and had an airplane on the tarmac, ready to leave: then Russia convinced him to stay. Recently Russian military personnel entered Venezuela to keep its sophisticated S-300 surface-to-air missiles operational despite its crumbling infrastructure and frequent power failures. Also Tareck El Aissami, Maduro’s closest confidant, is being investigated by the intelligence agency about helping Hezbollah militants into the country, partnering with a drug lord, and shielding 140 tons of chemicals to be used for cocaine production – making him a rich man as Venezuela spiralled into poverty. See

Pray: for power struggles to end and relief to begin for the suffering in Venezuela. (Proverbs 11:28)
More: www.voanews.com/a/russian-missiles-in-venezuela-heighten-us-tensions/4896279.html