Prayer Alert News: UK, Europe, and Worldwide – January 17, 2020

In 1912, medical missionary Dr William Leslie went to live and minister to tribal people in a remote corner of the Congo. After 17 years he returned to the USA discouraged, believing he had failed to make an impact for Christ. He died nine years later. In 2010, a team from World Ministries made a shocking and sensational discovery. They found a network of reproducing churches hidden like glittering diamonds in the dense jungle across the Kwilu River from Vanga, where Dr Leslie had been stationed. Each village had its own gospel choir, although they wouldn’t call it that. They wrote their own songs and would have sing-offs from village to village. There were eight churches, scattered across 34 miles – even a 1,000-seat stone ‘cathedral’ in one village, which got so crowded that a church-planting movement began in the surrounding villages.

Praise: God for all that He is doing in the area; may the Church continue to grow. Pray for a Yansi translation of the Bible for these Yansi Christians. (Hebrews 4:12)
More: godreports.com/2014/05/missionary-died-thinking-he-was-a-failure-84-years-later-thriving-churches-found-hidden-in-the-jungle/

On 12 January Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, attended the Coptic Christmas service. Against a background of rising tensions in the Middle East, he held up the importance of tolerance and unity at a time when those tensions could spill over into conflict and violence – especially between religious groups. ‘If we love God, we must love each other,’ was his simple, powerful message. In 2019, at the opening of a new cathedral, he expressed his support for Christians, saying, ‘You are our family’. As Christians, we know that there is a model for this kind of love. For tense times and hard hearts, the Lord Jesus has already offered the perfect solution. Jesus’ greatest commands to us are to love God with all our heart and, out of this, to love our neighbour as ourselves. God, who is Love, wants us to love our neighbours who live alongside us – whether next door or across a distant border – with the same agape love He has for us.

Praise: God for this public declaration of faith by Egypt’s leader; may his declaration be a template for the nation. (Galatians 6:10)
More: barnabasfund.org/en/news/love-not-hate-is-the-remedy-for-tense-times-and-hard-hearts

After his asylum application was rejected 21 years ago, Sunny began sleeping on London buses. His travel card holder quotes Jesus, ‘Peace I bequeath to you, my own peace I give you.’ He talks about his younger self, years ago, kneeling in prayer in a Nigerian prison, waiting to be executed. His offence – struggling for democracy. A guard lifts him to his feet and rushes him down corridors, out into blinding sunlight, where a car is waiting. Family and friends had bought his freedom and his flight to London. He took a course in documentary-making years ago, reporting on the lives of London’s homeless, never imagining he would soon be in their shoes. Now a church minister buys him a monthly pass for bus fares and he volunteers at churches. He reads in the reference library, and is fed by generous restaurant managers at the end of the day.

Pray: for the Government to do more to help the hidden nomads on our city streets facing persecution or death if they return to their country of origin. (Exodus 23:6)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-50459821

Bovine tuberculosis continues to devastate many herds of cattle, prompting deep divisions between different stakeholders as to the role of wildlife in spreading the disease. In the UK, in the 12 months up to September 2019, nearly 5.5% of registered herds were affected and 45,831 cattle were slaughtered, a 4.5% increase on the previous year. Pray for all affected, for government to be given wisdom in implementing effective control strategies and providing fair compensation, for reconciliation of different interest groups, and for ‘healing of the land’ (2 Chronicles 7:13-14). Also, in several issues last year we drew attention to the way the relative tranquility of Britain’s green and pleasant land, which is so appreciated by many townspeople, is being darkened by increasing crime, including domestic abuse, farm thefts and drug-dealing. Continue to pray for believers to shine as lights in the darkness. (Philippians 2:15)

Pray: for Christians living in rural communities to know God’s protection from bovine TB and crime. (Psalm 91:1)
More: www.worldprayer.org.uk/hope-for-the-countryside

Lord, we thank You for the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and celebrate her heart for You and her people, the wisdom, righteousness and integrity reflected in her life, and the respect she carries within this land. We decree that every change taking place at present will strengthen and support the monarchy, promoting and releasing a shift and moving forward in keeping with Your times and purposes. In this season of transition, we speak divine order into every aspect of the royal family. We release Your light into every place of confusion and misunderstanding, that wounds will be healed, relationships restored and solutions released. We speak life into every God-given purpose and call upon Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex, that every gift and skill will be used in alignment with God-given destiny. We agree that the power of Kingdom purpose will overwhelm any plans of the enemy.

(Suzanne Ferrett)

Pray: for the Queen to have God-given wisdom and continue to stand in good health, strength and righteousness. (Psalm 34:10)
More: us12.campaign-archive.com/?e=be117c6125&u=307c3ce43ea66a282cde62b61&id=5db22e46f6

A ban on children heading the football in Scotland could be implemented due to fears over links between football and dementia. The Scottish FA wants to lead the way on the issue after a report found former players are more at risk of dying from the disease. An announcement on banning under-12s heading footballs in training is expected this month. A similar ban is in place in the USA. Scotland would become the first European country to impose such a restriction. Discussions have been ongoing since an October study found the first links between former players and degenerative brain disease. Although former players are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of dementia, there is no firm evidence linking heading the ball to the disease. A neurosurgeon said that England striker Jeff Astle died from a brain condition normally linked to boxers rather than Alzheimer’s disease.

Pray: for more neurological research into the potential for head injury from football and boxing. (Proverbs 13:14)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51129653

‘The moment of crisis has come in efforts to tackle climate change.’ ‘We have been putting things off for year after year.’ ‘Southeast Australia is on fire because the temperatures of the Earth are increasing,’ warned Sir David Attenborough. The crisis has come because, although scientists are urging rapid responses. international decisions made on key issues at climate conferences are put off and several countries are trying to dodge their commitments. Sir David said, ‘This is not just having a nice little debate and then coming away with a compromise. This is an urgent problem that has to be solved and we know how to do it – that is the paradoxical thing. We are refusing to take steps that we know must be taken. The release of greenhouse gases is increasing, not falling. The level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is now higher than anything experienced in history.’

Pray: for nations, ahead of November’s COP26 summit in Glasgow, to decide to toughen targets for cutting emissions from power stations, factories, vehicles, and agriculture, and turn the tide on climate change. (Proverbs 15:2)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51123638

Warnings from the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) about long-term funding of police services have received widespread media coverage. An estimated half a million applications are needed to fill 53,000 police officer posts, to fulfil the Government’s pledge to boost the service by 20,000. The federation calls on ministers to deliver on recent promises and rewrite funding rules by introducing at least a ten-year strategy for budgets, to allow forces to plan properly for the future instead of sticking to the current annual review. Speaking on Sky News a representative said, ‘Many promises have been made; we now need them to be turned into action.’ An estimated one in every 170 people in England and Wales will be needed if those 53,000 vacancies are to be filled. See also

Pray: for realistic targets and achievable results to be the template for police recruitment drives in 2020. (Proverbs 21:15)
More: www.polfed.org/news-media/latest-news/2020/many-promises-have-been-made-we-now-need-action/

Boris Johnson has said that the Iran nuclear deal should be replaced with a ‘Trump’ deal. He recognised US concerns that the 2015 deal was ‘flawed’, but there had to be a way of stopping Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. His comments come amid reports that the UK, France and Germany intend to try to rescue the situation by triggering a dispute mechanism in the 2015 deal – which was abandoned by the US in 2018. Boris said, ‘Somehow, we have to stop Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. If we’re going to remove we need a replacement. From the American perspective, it is a flawed deal negotiated by President Obama. Let’s work together to replace it with the Trump deal. That’s what we need to see. President Trump is a great dealmaker by his own account, and by many others.’

Pray: for Dominic Raab, Boris Johnson, and their advisers as they look for a way to replace the current deal while healing the rift with Iran. (Deuteronomy 16:19)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51104386

The leader of the German Evangelical Alliance, Reinhardt Schink, spoke out against the tragedy of Christian refugees and migrants who are sent back to Afghanistan and Iran, even though they could face prison, torture and death. He cited statistics about asylum-seekers who have converted to the Christian faith in Germany, but later been rejected by the authorities. ‘Behind all these nameless figures are devastating personal destinies, and risk us harming our own values system. Authorities should use the “know-how” of the Christian churches.’ He said that experts should engage with church leaders, who guarantee that a person has effectively been baptised, taken a Christianity course, and become an active member of a church community. Schink added, ‘It looks as if pastors are suspected of not telling the truth. We hurt ourselves as a country when precisely those migrants who had integrated well and had become bridge builders between cultures are expelled.’

Pray: for politicians to listen to the Christians who want to help them discern true conversion from fake. (Job 34:12)
More: evangelicalfocus.com/europe/5033/Deported_asylum_seekers_face_torture_death_because_of_their_faith_in_Jesus_Christ

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that Ireland will hold a general election on Saturday 8 February. It is unusual for Ireland to hold elections on a Saturday; they are usually on a Thursday or Friday. As a result of the decision, the Irish parliament – or Dáil – will be dissolved. Varadkar has been leading a minority government for two years since taking over from former Prime Minister Enda Kenny in 2017. Finian McGrath, the Dublin Bay North TD and minister for disability issues, has said he will not seek re-election. But he is far from retiring and will remain involved in political activism. He said, ‘I hope to spend time encouraging some of the 13 percent of Ireland’s population who have some form of disability to get involved in politics at a local or national level.’

Pray: for the election to be straightforward, and for God to bless Mr McGrath as he supports adults with disabilities. (Psalm 45:4)
More: www.euronews.com/2020/01/14/ireland-look-set-to-hold-a-general-election-on-february-8

DR Congo is one of the ten poorest countries in the world, coping with violence, disease, hunger, and the mass displacement of people caused by years of civil wars and cross-border conflicts. Partly through impunity and political impotence, conflicts continually flare up in the border areas, and East Congo remains a hotbed of unrest. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks mostly children. Left untreated, complications include blindness, brain swelling, diarrhoea, and severe respiratory infections. Congolese health officials say that comprehensive vaccination programmes are the only way to stop the epidemic from spiralling out of control. Ill-informed opposition can derail such plans. Measles has killed 6,000 people in a year, but its severity is overshadowed by the world’s second-biggest Ebola epidemic on record – killing over 2,230 so far. Although new infections have slowed recently, the WHO warns that the virus is likely to resurge.

Pray: for God to protect medical workers in areas of militia violence and help them to encourage those with deep-rooted mistrust of health officials to accept immunisation. (Psalm 10:12)
More: www.express.co.uk/news/world/1226885/Measles-outbreak-news-Congo-Ebola-latest-news-virus-vaccine-update

Taal volcano began spewing lava rocks and ash on 13 January, forcing 53,000+ residents to flee. However thousands refused to leave their animals and possessions. Clouds of ash carrying microscopic shards of glass 62 miles cause serious illness if lodged in people’s lungs. Taal is dangerous because 459,000+ people live within an 8-mile danger zone, and a 10.5- mile evacuation zone affects 930,000. Strong, continuous earthquakes rumble, new vents have opened, fresh ash covers towns and the lake’s water temperature has risen. An estimated 25 million people are at risk if the volcano erupts again. Please pray for the thousands in 118+ evacuation centres or with friends and family. Pray for medical teams giving psychological and medical care and for those providing water-tankers, rescue vehicles, and ambulances.

Pray: for wise decisions to be made by federal authorities helping the evacuation operation. (Psalm 33:20)
More: edition.cnn.com/2020/01/14/asia/philippines-volcano-taal-eruption-intl-hnk/index.html

Australia’s prime minister, a Pentecostal, has said, ‘I have always believed in miracles’. Millions have been praying. Recently the crews battling Australia’s wildfires have seen a break in the weather. Cooler temperatures and mild winds have caused the fire’s behaviour to change, so firefighters are now fighting not fleeing. Please join 24-7’s online prayer, ‘God of all comfort, give strength to the emergency services fighting fires, the medics tending the sick, and the pastors conducting funerals and binding up broken hearts. We ask you to give wisdom to politicians as they seek to respond effectively to this crisis and begin to review long-term environmental policies in light of this disaster. Forgive us, Lord, for the damage we do by exploiting our environment and failing to care for your creation. You “cover the sky with clouds and supply the earth with rain”.’ For the full prayer, see

Pray: for the cooler temperatures and mild winds to continue and rain to prevent flare ups. (Ps. 147:8)
More: apnews.com/21372160b0ee09d0f8dfc7ce24747844

Azerbaijan’s major religion is Shia Islam. Churches developed in the wake of the Soviet Union’s dissolution. The economy is dependent on oil and gas, but corruption and an authoritarian government have impeded economic growth. Pray for President Aliyev and his government to provide solutions to widespread corruption and for Christians to address the country’s societal problems, including abortion. Families are the biggest persecutors of Christians in a shame-honour culture; those who leave Islam are considered to have brought shame on the family. The government also pressurises Christians with heavy fines. For many years, churches have been denied the ability to register legally. Secret police attend every church meeting and raid ‘illegal’ ones. The Old Testament and Christian literature are banned. Church leaders must now submit lists of members’ names; many think the information will be used later against congregations or pastors.

Pray: for God to protect the house church movement as people share Christ with friends. (Job 5:21)
More: www.persecution.com/globalprayerguide/azerbaijan/?_source_code=WBPGGPG20B

After Tehran admitted shooting down an airliner killing 176 people, thousands protested across Iran’s streets against the government, calling for heads to roll. Those marching toward Azadi Square were met by police in riot gear using tear gas and live bullets. Many died or were wounded because the Iranian mullahs are losing control and protesters reverted to violence. The difference between these protests and those over fuel prices which claimed 1,500 lives is that these demonstrations include students and middle class Iranians. Observers say this could lead to a real revolution. Meanwhile on 14,January, President Trump tweeted an encouraging message to the protesters, in Farsi (the Iranian language): ‘I have stood with you since the beginning of my presidency and my administration will continue to stand with you. We are following your protests closely, and are inspired by your courage.’ See also

Pray: for the Iranian people to achieve positive change peacefully. (Psalm 5:11)
More: www.thedailybeast.com/irans-saturday-of-rage-online-anger-pours-into-the-streets

Spiritual warfare and the mission of the church is woven into Pentecostal / charismatic Christianity as a form of pastoral care. Supporters of spiritual warfare call themselves charismatic prophets and create ritual context for dealing with the problems of life related to education, marriage, promotion, etc. Witchcraft, in particular, may be blamed for both personal and communal problems. It is not uncommon for Ghanaians to explain alcoholism as the result of the wickedness of family witches who seek to bring victims to ruin. Mental health and human reproductive problems are similarly explained as the work of evil spirits. In Pentecostal traditions, unless deliverance occurs through warfare prayers, the influences of evil are believed to continue until people’s lives are completely wrecked. This teaching does not call for ‘victims’ to be personally responsible for their actions.

Pray: for more balanced responses to spiritual warfare, and for churches to nurture those gifted by God in the healing and deliverance ministries so that they have Holy Spirit wisdom to discern any supernatural origin of problems. (Galatians 5:16)
More: www.lausanne.org/content/lga/2020-01/spiritual-warfare-african-context

Around 44 million people live in the Caribbean, three-quarters of them in Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.  Everywhere, the same stories are familiar themes – a legacy of colonial rule and slavery, a current story of fragility, inequality, and broken families. Some islands have very high rates of violent crime. In many countries there is a deep sense of God, and evangelical movements are growing. The most urgent and strategic need is for greater discipleship of the millions of Christians in the Caribbean. Pray also for church unity, for spiritual formation and discipleship, and for the churches to make an impact in society, particularly those with inroads to voodoo. Voodoo is the name for the religious practices of many Haitians; some  prefer to identify their religion as ‘serving the spirits.’ See

Pray: for the Church to make further inroads in the poverty-stricken, agricultural country of eight million Haitians. (John 10:27)
More: docs.google.com/document/d/1E3wAmKfUrjXNVJVcMk-ZTzGvNct15W3JUlLDHSdkKxw/edit