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Christian doctor secures freedom to pray

Last year we prayed for Christian doctor Richard Scott to be vindicated after a concerted and targeted attack against him by a secularist campaign group was thrown out by the General Medical Council (GMC). In June the National Secular Society registered ‘concern’ with the GMC that the GP was ‘continuing to pray and promote Christianity during consultations in an attempt to convert patients’. However, the GMC has ruled that there was no evidence and that he had done nothing wrong.

Praise: God for the ruling for Dr Scott’s medical practice where the majority of the partners are Christians, and the NHS accepts ‘their faith guides the way in which they view their work’. (Colossians 3:23)
More: christianconcern.com/news/christian-doctor-secures-freedom-to-pray/

He was the answer to his own prayers

Philip saw members of his isolated tribal community in Bangladesh dying from simple diseases (malaria, diarrhoea, childbirth complications) because there was no medical care. ‘I asked God to open a door for our community because I could do nothing. I never thought that God would open the door through me!’ With help from Open Doors, Philip trained as a rural doctor and returned to his village to serve as a pastor and a doctor, providing medical help and supporting Christian families who were mocked and insulted in a traditionally Buddhist tribal community. ‘But now they have started respecting the Christians. They buy medicine from me and say good things about my service. I am building good relationships with them and telling them about Jesus Christ.’

Praise: God for the agencies like Open Doors offering training where it is needed. Please pray for the effective witness of pastors like Philip. (Micah 4:3)
More: media.opendoorsuk.org/document/pdf/Jan-Feb-2020-Mag-web.pdf

Soccer star baptised by Christian teammate

Brazilian soccer star Roberto Firmino scored the winning goal at the FIFA Club World Cup. Now millions of Christian fans are celebrating his latest move off the field – committing his life to Christ. Firmino professed his faith and was baptised in a swimming pool by his Liverpool FC teammate Alisson Becker and Brazilian musician Isaias Saad. Firmino shared a video of the baptism on his Instagram on 16 January. It was viewed over 3.2 million times in one day. ‘I give you my failures and I will give you my victories as well. My biggest title is your love, Jesus!’ Firmino wrote.

Praise: God for celebrities and superstars who publicly talk about their faith. (Psalm 26:3)
More: www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/january/roberto-firmino-alisson-becker-baptized-fifa-liverpoolfc.html

Praise Reports

Politics – abortion – disabilities

MPs said that many thousands of people in Northern Ireland had been ignored last year when Westminster politicians voted to repeal Northern Ireland’s strong protections for women and unborn. In her maiden speech in the House of Commons, Carla Lockhart MP said, ‘I want a society in Northern Ireland that values life, and I want to see services that will help women choose life.’ Rebecca Long-Bailey, a Labour leadership candidate and practising Christian, said that she agreed with the words of the Disability Rights Commission that ‘the context in which parents choose whether to have a child should be one in which disability and non-disability are valued equally.’ The Equality and Human Rights Commission consistently criticises laws which differentiate between unborn babies on grounds of disability. See

Pray: for God to cause politicians to bring an end to disability-selective abortion. May Europe’s most extreme abortion law not be imposed on Northern Ireland. (Psalm 33:14)
More: righttolife.org.uk/news/labour-leader-candidate-attacked-for-opposing-abortion-up-to-birth-for-downs-syndrome/

Bishop reaches out to Harry and Meghan

American bishop Michael Curry, who delivered a memorable sermon on the ‘power of love’ at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, has reached out to the couple after they announced they will no longer be working members of the royal family as of spring this year. The head of the Episcopal Church is offering ‘pastoral care’ to the couple ‘as they forge lives across the pond’, according to The Sunday Times. Bishop Michael’s sermon included these words: ‘We must discover the power of love, the redemptive power of love and when we discover that, we will be able to make of this old world a new world, for love is the only way. When love is the way, we actually treat each other well, like we are actually family.’ Prophetic sentiments now, as the couple step away from royal life.

Pray: for God to be in the midst of all of Harry and Meghan’s decisions as they forge a constructive way forward in the UK and North America. (Psalm 66:9)
More: premierchristian.news/en/news/article/bishop-reaches-out-to-harry-and-meghan

UK screening for coronavirus outbreak

A new virus is mutating and spreading, having already produced over 500 confirmed cases in China. Britain is monitoring flights arriving from China, with a ‘separate area’ being set up at Heathrow to screen travellers arriving from affected regions amid fears of a pandemic. Pray for UK and global public health officials to stay ahead of the issue as they watch its progress. The Chinese lunar New Year is on 25 January, so currently millions of Chinese people are preparing to travel domestically and abroad for the celebrations. See also the China article in world section.

Pray: for the success of airport thermal imaging screening and other precautions, to prevent the virus reaching the UK. (Psalm 5:11b)
More: news.sky.com/story/china-virus-is-mutating-and-adapting-after-leaving-nine-dead-11914710

UK’s fight against online extremism

A report by the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) suggests that ministers’ failure to ban far-right extremist groups is undermining the fight against online propaganda. Sharing the material of National Action and its spin-off terrorist groups is a terror offence punishable by up to 15 years’ imprisonment, whereas hate-filled propaganda from other groups carries far lower sentences. HJS warned that posts by non-prohibited groups may not be properly monitored or taken down by social media companies who rely on government lists of terror organisations when deciding what to remove. Islamists are jailed three times longer than some far-right extremists for online offences. HJS said, ‘The government needs to keep this situation under review in a fast-moving online world, where offending causes real and significant harm.’ Social media companies have become increasingly adept at spotting jihadi symbols and language, but progressed more slowly with the diverse range of indicators used by the far-right.

Pray: for the Government to review and update lists of far-right groups which incite violence. (Psalm 12:7)
More: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/extremism-terrorism-isis-ban-online-facebook-twitter-youtube-a9289221.html

Children’s consent to transgender treatment

Susan Evans, a former psychiatric nurse, has launched a case in the High Court claiming that many children receiving gender reassignment treatment have been misdiagnosed; they are actually autistic, homosexual, or suffering from some form of diagnosable but non-related mental illness, including trauma resulting from sexual abuse. She is calling for an end to experimental and invasive medical treatment, with long-term and currently unknown consequences, arguing that children cannot possibly give informed consent to such life-changing and potentially hazardous treatments, and must be protected from exploitation and abuse. Meanwhile transgender children’s charities have criticised the case, saying that children should not be denied the right to make decisions about their own bodies, simply because they are trans. Mrs Evans argues, ‘Providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to under 18s is illegal because children cannot give valid consent to the treatment’.

Pray: for God to help Mrs Evans in her campaign to stop unwise medical intervention. (Psalm 41:2a)
More: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/06/children-cannot-give-consent-transgender-treatment-nurse-launching/

Watch and pray on 31 January

Many have been praying, and will continue to pray for Brexit in the lead up to 31 January. The following is an invitation from the World Prayer Centre in Birmingham: ‘You are invited to watch and pray. This is a day for those called to be watchmen for our nation and the nations. It will be a time to watch, listen, worship and pray. We will be focusing on praying for Brexit as we may be leaving the EU on 31 January – deal or no deal. We will also pray for other national and global issues that God reveals to us. Refreshments are provided, but bring a packed lunch. There are many shops and cafes nearby.’ For more details, click the ‘More’ button.

Pray: for the intercessors of the nation to pray without ceasing, as the Lord leads, for the Brexit issues. (Colossians 4:2)
More: www.worldprayer.org.uk/Event/watch-pray-jan20

Christian parents sue, following daughter’s death

The family of church-going teenager with special needs, Nora Quoirin, who was found dead after she disappeared from a Malaysian resort near Kuala Lumpur last August, is suing the hotel’s owner for alleged negligence. Nora went missing from the room she shared with her siblings. Her body was found by a stream over a mile away from her accommodation, after a ten-day search around the resort. A preliminary post-mortem revealed starvation and stress had caused fatal intestinal bleeding. Authorities ruled out abduction or rape as a motive, but her parents raised concerns over the handling of the inquiry and are requesting a public inquest to determine the events that led to her death. They strongly believe that Nora’s disabilities made it unlikely that she wandered off on her own. A window was ajar, with its latch broken, on the morning she disappeared. The resort’s main gate was left open without security or camera surveillance.

Pray: for God to support and surround her parents as they mourn and seek justice. (Proverbs 21:15)
More: premierchristian.news/en/news/article/nora-quoirin-christian-parents-to-sue-resort-following-daughter-s-death

Praise Reports

Germany: Libya civil war Berlin meeting

The Berlin conference on Libya, attended by rival leaders in the civil war and many international leaders including Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Erdogan, concluded on 19 January. It set forth mechanisms for the establishment of a cease-fire committee which will meet regularly. However, few expect short-term changes on the ground in Libya, as a sustainable resolution remains elusive. In the days following the summit, observers said that Turkey’s increased involvement in the conflict has expanded its diplomatic clout in the nine-year conflict; it has positioned itself as a key broker in developments moving forward. Boris Johnson said that the aim of the conference was to ‘stop jockeying for position. The people of Libya have suffered enough. It is time for the country to move forward.’

Pray: for positive dialogue and for troops and heavily armed population to stand down. (Psalm 7:9)
More: www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2020/01/berlin-conference-libya-turkey-clout-negotiations.html

Switzerland: Davos – climate change

The World Economic Forum annual meeting of 3,000 of the world’s richest and most powerful people took place this week in Davos. One of the speakers was Greta Thunberg, who opened a debate entitled, ‘How to avert a climate apocalypse’. Attendees were not able to avoid climate change, as the theme was ‘Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World.’ Meanwhile let us pray for Canadian residents cleaning-up after a monstrous winter storm that brought thirty inches of snow, causing chaos; for Australians dealing with the aftermath of severe thunderstorms, floods and hail the size of golf balls in different areas, while fire weather warnings cover parts of Western Australia; and for tens of thousands living near the restless Philippines volcano ‘recharging’ with fresh magma and toxic gas. The forum is asking all companies in Davos to commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Pray: for the ‘Davos Manifesto 2020’ to be adhered to. May God convict delegates and cause them to reimagine their purpose and scorecards for bringing emissions down. (Job 21:21)
More: https://www.prayer-alert.net/europe-pa-site/itemlist/tag/Climate%20change

Praise Reports

Sub-Saharan Africa: violent Islamist militancy spreads

In Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa, the rise of Islamist militancy is a challenge to Christians and also to the existence of states and governments in the region, and thus to the rest of the world. The overthrow of Libya’s President Gaddafi and the power vacuum in Libya brought a wave of Islamist influence backed by money, weapons, drugs and organised crime that is spreading across Sub-Saharan Africa. In weak or ‘fragile’ states, where rule of law and governance are ineffective, Christian populations are left unprotected. The president of Mali said the very existence of Mali is at risk from jihadists. They exploit ethnic, tribal and socio-economic groups, creating conditions that draw recruits and increase their influence, thus widening the risk to global security. Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Mauritania, backed by France, have a task-force to combat jihadist insurgents. Pray for God to increase their intelligence sources so that they prevent attacks and catch militants. See also Europe article 1.

Pray: for God to protect priests, pastors and congregations; pray also for Christian schools, shops and health centres. (Psalm 5:11b)
More: www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2020/01/violent-islamist-militancy-speads-into-weak-states-across-sub-saharan-africa/

China: coronavirus Wuhan lockdown

A virus that was first discovered on 31 December in Wuhan now has over 500 confirmed cases and has spread abroad. Anxiety is growing as 11 million people are told not to leave the city and experience lockdown in an attempt to control the spread which is killing people (17 dead, with the toll rapidly rising). Planes and trains in and out of the city are suspended, and no buses, subways, taxis or ferries are running. Millions of Chinese people travel to different destinations for the 25 January lunar New Year holiday. Supermarket shelves were reportedly bare as residents scrambled for supplies, while people took to social media to complain about soaring prices for groceries. The virus, which originated in a seafood market ‘conducting illegal transactions of wild animals’, may have originated in snakes. The centre for infectious disease analysis at Imperial College London estimates that there could be 4,000 people sick with the virus in Wuhan.

Pray: for scientists and healthcare workers to understand quickly how the virus is transmitted between people and discover an effective antidote for immunisation. (Proverbs 9:9)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51217455

Israeli elections: prayers for the next government

All the lists of candidates parties have now been submitted, and some parties have agreed to run together in this new election. There was a joining together of several left wing and some of the smaller right wing parties, yet polls show that there will be no clear victor. We cry out for mercy: ‘Lord, have mercy on Your people as Israel needs a God-given government. Since You are the One who raises up and pulls down, please raise up the one of Your choice to be the next prime minister, defence minister, finance minister, etc. We plead with You for a government which will do Your will for Israel at this time. Abba, show us how to pray and even give us specific people to pray for. President Trump plans a “Deal of the Century” peace plan that could impact the elections. May you reign over the timing and content of this plan.’ (Psalm 99:1)

Pray: for a government that will not hinder, but will help God’s purposes to come to pass. (Prov. 21:1)
More: www.ifi.org.il/en/prayer/2020-01-17

Nigeria: Boko Haram’s own goal?

Could the faith statement of an executed Christian leader encourage Christians facing persecution in Nigeria? Boko Haram beheaded Rev Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). But could a faith message that militants recorded with him be an own goal for terrorists? CAN has urged Nigeria’s government and the international community to act decisively to help Christians under attack in Nigeria, calling for three days of prayer and fasting for effective action. The Church views the unabated kidnappings and killings as shameful for a government boasting that it has conquered insurgency. ‘Each time the government claims the defeat of the insurgency, more killings of our people are committed. We are almost losing hope in our government’s ability to protect Nigerians – especially Christians, who have become an endangered species under its watch.’

Pray: for the international community (including the US and UK) to come to the aid of the Nigerian Church so that they might not be eliminated one by one. (Psalm 20:2)
More: releaseinternational.org/boko-haram-execution-an-own-goal/

Saudi Arabia / Yemen: prayer focus

The Lord has moved the hearts of workers in Saudi Arabia and Yemen to have a special prayer focus for the Khawlan people, a tribe with a unique Semitic language living in a region straddling the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. During a special prayer gathering in Saudi Arabia for the Khawlan Tribe in October, those present sensed that God was encouraging a call for the global church to join in a five day prayer focus for these unreached people. Would you join in? People can pray at any time, and there will be a special prayer focus for this people group from 14 to 18 February. Click the ‘More’ button for a five-day prayer guide translated into various languages, including English, plus a video.

Pray: for the Khawlan people to be saved. (Isaiah 45:22-23)
More: www.pray-ap.info/focus.html

Worldwide: inner city churches

A recent Lausanne Movement asked, ‘What can we do to accelerate the impact of Christianity in our cities?’ For the first time in history, there are more people in cities than in the countryside. 1.5 million people move into cities weekly. The church is not moving into cities as fast as the world. For the gospel to transform and flourish in cities, we need global alliances not just of Church leaders, but Christian leaders in the marketplace. Recently a UK news article reported the CofE planting churches in urban areas in a bid to renew itself. The article went on to tell the story of a young man who used drugs and alcohol. His chaotic lifestyle led to prison. Today he is sober, well dressed, studying business management and attending church on Tuesday evenings after he gave his life to the Lord. See also

Pray: for God to bless urban churches and inspire more successful pioneering church plants. (Acts 6:7a)
More: www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/oct/30/churches-in-nightclubs-and-anglican-gyms-can-the-c-of-e-win-back-city-dwellers-

USA: Trump impeachment trial

Democrat managers began their opening arguments on 22 January in an impeachment trial of President Trump, laying out their case as to why they think the President should be removed from office. Onlookers notice that House Democrats could not wait for the courts to decide on witnesses, as they said impeachment was urgent. Many now believe the senators are admitting their case is weak, so they are demanding more witnesses. The latest Politico / Morning Consult poll reveals that 47% are in favour of Trump’s removal from office, with 45% opposed. President Trump’s lawyers now have three days to make their case that the commander-in-chief did not commit a crime. But first up are Democrat prosecutors who get the same amount of time to prove that he did. The crux of their case is the allegation that Trump withheld military aid to pressure Ukraine to investigate former vice-president Joe Biden, a political rival, and his son Hunter Biden.

Pray: for God to work through all reports, with truth and wise knowledge replacing enmity. (Proverbs 15:2)
More: www.worthynews.com/46626-as-dems-demand-new-witnesses-in-trump-trial-gop-rep-blasts-theyre-admitting-how-weak-their-case-is

Praise Reports
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Prayer Alert is produced in partnership with
The World Prayer Centre, Cornerstone House, 5 Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG, England.
The views expressed in Prayer Alert and on our website are those of the authors, organisations and websites named, and are not necessarily those of the Prayer Alert Editorial Team, the Prayer Alert Steering Group or the World Prayer Centre or any of its employees or trustees. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. If you do notice any mistakes then please let us know

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