Prayer News

Human trafficking

05 Aug 2016

PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland) have charged a 28-year-old man with rape and false imprisonment as part of an investigation into human trafficking in County Londonderry. He was also accused of human trafficking into the UK for sexual exploitation, causing and inciting prostitution, and assault and actual bodily harm on an Eastern European woman being treated for her injuries and being assessed as a victim of human trafficking. Detective Inspector Mark Bell, from PSNI Human Trafficking Unit, said, ‘These enquiries, including a search of a property in the city, are continuing as we work with partner agencies to ensure the woman receives all appropriate support and assistance.’ Meanwhile, Theresa May, who is a Christian, has pledged £33m to tackle modern-day slavery. The money will target the routes of the people-trafficking trade from countries like Nigeria. Also BBC reported Wednesday, ‘UK Border Control had only three boats available to keep UK borders secure.’ See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36960905

Church security comments from John Sentamu

05 Aug 2016

The Archbishop of York has told Premier that clergy shouldn't be concerned about increasing security of UK churches as the responsibility lies with the police, the army and the Government. He was speaking following the killing of 84-year-old priest Fr Jacques Hamel, which led to the Met Police issuing guidance to churches. See last week’s Prayer-Alert - Church to review security arrangements. The Archbishop, who is the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England, says clergy should be focusing on being welcoming instead of worrying about security. He said, ‘That is really in the hands of both the police, the army and the Government - they're responsible for security. What we can do is make sure that we are loving of God and loving of neighbour without discrimination,’ and, ‘we're following a crucified Saviour and our job is to be as loving and sometimes as vulnerable as He was.’

Christians in Parliament

05 Aug 2016

Throughout history God has had His people in positions of authority; David, Daniel and Esther were just three people whom God was able to direct so that His purposes were fulfilled. This is still true today in the United Kingdom. There are Christians in our parliament. Click the ‘more’ button for their profiles. Theresa May is the daughter of a vicar and has regularly worshipped at St Andrew's Church in Sonning for many years. She has said that her Christian faith is an important part of her life. We can trust and pray that God is still in control of our nations and as in the times of David, Daniel and Esther He is and will be working his purposes out through His people as we negotiate and move in the direction he would take us with regards to the EU. We may not know who today's Esthers, Davids and Daniels are in Europe but we can be sure that they are there.

Jesus appears to refugees

05 Aug 2016

When the wind and the waves threatened to swamp a boat filled with refugees fleeing the Middle East, Jesus made a dramatic appearance to them and calmed the waters, saving their lives. A group of refugees fleeing the fighting in the Middle East were jammed into several pontoon boats, trying to cross the Aegean Sea to Greece. The seas were extremely rough and dangerous and some of the boats in this small armada capsized. The report is reminiscent of a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mt.4:37). The refugees were afraid, just as Jesus’ fellow travellers had been . ‘The people in one boat cried out to God. Suddenly, a ‘shining heavenly figure’ appeared in the boat. The entire boat knew it was Jesus. Then something miraculous happened. Jesus calmed the storm! From that point the sea became calm and peaceful, and they finally landed safely on shore.’ This amazing account is from Erick Schenkel, executive director of the Jesus Film Project.

Revival in the Palestinian Church?

05 Aug 2016

Intercessors have been praying for strength, wisdom, peace and revelation of Jesus in Palestine. God has answered! Palestinian believers are, for the first time, reading the Gospel! Until last year, only a few Bibles were available in Greek Orthodox churches. None were in homes. Most Palestinian Christians belong to these churches, where tradition is about sacraments and symbols. But now 20,000 Bibles are in the hands of Palestinian believers because of co-operation between the Palestinian Bible Society and the leadership of the Orthodox Church. Within 12 months of last year’s special edition printing of the Orthodox New Testament, all 20,000 Scriptures have been given out, mostly in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel. ‘This is a stream of Living Water flowing through the Orthodox Church. Revival is more likely to happen because the Word of God is available in a whole new way,’ said a Bible Society representative.

Rio, Brazil: Olympic Games 5-21 August 2016

03 Aug 2016

As we remember London 2012, we give thanks for our Father’s mercy and grace to us as we prayed for peace on our streets, for protection from violence; for churches and agencies to work together; for many people to discover the good news about Jesus; for God to unmask any drug taking by competitors and for an end to human trafficking and prostitution. We saw many answers to prayer then – and since – especially in the recent exposure of possible drug taking by the Russian delegation.

Now the invitation comes to us to stand with and pray for Rio and Brazil. Hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games is a huge undertaking for any city and country. Here in Rio, there are huge issues with human trafficking, prostitution and drug trafficking as well as the heightened risk of terrorist activity. As with More than Gold in 2012 many of the leading Christian mission and outreach agencies are all working together for sports ministry, prayer, drama, music, dance, arts, bible distribution and social justice areas under the banner of Jesus4allmovement. They have had a 100 day prayer initiative which started in May to soak the nation and Rio in prayer.

As we think of the Jesus Christ the Redeemer statute standing 38m tall looking over this city; let’s pray for:

The praise of Jesus to be lifted high over this city and area.
The protection of God to cover all that takes place - and for great wisdom for the security forces.
The Holy Spirit’s power to direct and guide all the Christian outreach and mission and that many people will discover Jesus as Lord.
The peace of God to cover hearts, homes, streets and all Olympic and Paralympic venues.
The unmasking of any drug taking within the Olympic community.
The purposes of God to be fulfilled in and through it all – and may Jesus’ name be honoured.

For more info and how to pray, visit the Jesus 4 all movement website and the YWAM Rio 2016 website

Believing for Breakthrough in North Korea

During last week's UPRISING youth prayer assembly and especially in our visit to the DMZ separating North and South Korea, we prayed for the reunification of this divided land. Along with the many Koreans that are praying on both sides of the border, we are trusting that history is being shaped through all of this intercession. Please pray with us for this breakthrough to happen soon. Pray that the North Korean people can be liberated and especially tens of thousands suffering acute oppression in the prison camps, including many believers in Christ. Let's believe the Lord, letting Him guide our intercession.

Here is a report from Ben Torrey, a third generation missionary living in South Korea who monitors the situation in the North with monthly updates like this:

"Even as North Korea increases the anti-American rhetoric in response to Kim Jong Un's being placed on the sanctions list personally and in anticipation of the annual South Korea and US war-games, there are growing tensions between South Korea and China over the decision to deploy the THAAD anti-missal system. The decision was made in response to North Korea's continuing development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. There is concern that China is moving back towards supporting the North and will renege on the sanctions. China and North Korea took advantage of the recent ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos to improve relations.

Things have been especially tense along the Chinese border as some guards were attacked recently and another has defected into China even as the North is calling more on people to inform on those using Chinese cell phones. The North has also detained a former defector, Ko Hyon-chul, allegedly for abducting North Korean orphans at the behest of South Korean intelligence. The South took advantage of this claim to refute it and others while calling for the repatriation of the South Koreans currently serving prison terms in the North.

Meanwhile, the people continue to struggle to cope with Kim Jong Un's increasing propaganda and labor demands. The struggle was too much for one woman in Ryanggang Province who committed suicide. Increasingly, government demands and propaganda are being ignored or mocked by the children of cadres and other college students who bribe their way out of attendance at mandatory celebrations. They are losing faith in the official history as they gain greater exposure to foreign media. There has been great anticipation in the North of the release of the new South Korean blockbuster, "Operation Chromite" about the Incheon landing that turned the tide in the Korean war. The film was released on July 27. Viewers in the North are especially interested to compare it to the North Korean propaganda film, "Wolmido" about the same event. The skepticism just grows... There is a new "Myohyang" tablet computer supposedly the product of North Korean expertise. Users have been checking it out and finding evidence of Chinese manufacture. In other efforts to influence young minds, the Leader--who has banned smoking in the North--was recently seen smoking during a school visit. Mixed signals...

Keep praying."

Ben Torrey

Director

The Fourth River Project, Inc.

www.thefourthriver.org

Praying about “Brexit” and its implications

BRITISH ISLES & IRELAND

How to pray for government & the Church

You may not have prayed for these areas before, but now would be a great time to start! It is important to pray for those in authority (1 Tim 2:2). We have put together some prayer points on how to pray for our elected governments and also for the Church at this time, as well as other points here.

We now find ourselves in a period of tremendous political, economic and social change in our UK nations. This is a new time; a time of mercy and a time of shaking. We believe this is a historically significant watershed moment for our UK nations and for Europe. The EU Referendum campaign and result has exposed deep fractures in our society in all of our UK nations.

Now is the time when God is calling His people to humbly come before Him, seek His face, turn from our wicked ways and to pray. Now is the time to persevere and not to give up. Now is the time for us together, as God's people across our UK nations, to pray in unity for God to fulfill His purposes for our nations.

We commend 1 Timothy 2:1-3 as a basis for our praying as we stand guard over our elected leaders that they may give Godly leadership and so provide stability across our nations and in our communities to allow the gospel to be shared and for many people to discover faith in Jesus Christ.

HOW TO PRAY

For our elected governmental leaders:

In Scotland: Pray for Nicola Sturgeon and for wisdom and patience for the Scottish (SNP) Government, as they seek to deal with the results of the vote; especially that they will work positively with the UK Government and seek not only what is best for the people of Scotland, but also what is best for all peoples in the UK in these uncharted, challenging times.

In Northern Ireland: Pray for Arlene Foster and NI politicians for wisdom, for courage, for grace and positive leadership at this time. There is a genuine fear of the peace process being affected; a fear of the progress that has been made in moving forward toward a 'Shared Future' being undermined, a fear of the unknown. There is concern over how this will affect our relationship with the Republic of Ireland. Will there once again be border and custom checks? Pray for God's people to be in position and for His peace to replace fear.

In Wales: Pray for Carwyn Jones; for unity within the Welsh Assembly and for wisdom especially in handling the financial implications of leaving the EU that could affect the elderly and the poor.

In Westminster:

Prime Minister - Theresa May - for calm leadership, for wise advisors and for her faith to guide her day by day.

Chancellor - Philip Hammond Chancellor - that he will have wisdom, authority and boldness to expose evil financial practices, tax abuse and manipulation and corruption.

Home Secretary - Amber Rudd - for divine authority to keep our nation safe and administer true justice.

Labour shadow cabinet - that as they are shaken we will have an effective, wise and righteous opposition.

For the Church:

Pray that the Church will 'rise up' (Isaiah 60:1) and take a positive lead in promoting reconciliation, both within communities where needed and between the nations of the UK that in these uncertain times, especially at this moment of economic uncertainty, many will open up to the hope and certainty of the Gospel.

For Europe:

As we stand shoulder to shoulder with France in the aftermath of the attack in Nice, we continue to pray protection for France, for God's blessing and for her church to be strengthened and equipped to be carriers of hope and peace.

We ask for God's continued mercy and protection on our nations and wisdom for our security forces

World Prayer Centre This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Raising up a Canopy of Prayer over Europe

We have heard about this new website, the Canopy of Prayer - http://canopyofprayer.eu to raise a canopy of prayer over Europe at this crucial time.

The request is that those who sign up would commit themselves to praying for Europe for a designated 15 minutes per week. They will receive an email fortnightly with information for prayer. The introduction is in German but the form is in English.

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