Estonia: Evangelism and prayer
Last week over a thousand Christians visited Tallinn in Estonia for a week-long series of events designed to share the love of Christ with old and young. They aimed to make the gospel relevant and attractive to those who have never heard the message, or considered it outdated and useless. About 50 projects took place, including serving the needs of the poor and marginalized, offering sports clinics, challenging teens in discussion of life's issues, concerts and seminars for professionals. Everything was bathed in 40 days of prayer as churches asked God to move in mighty and supernatural ways throughout the city.
Pray: for Estonians as they reach out with God's love, pray also for the Estonians organising the Polish Alpha Initiative which could revolutionize the spread of the gospel in Poland. (Ps.80:3)
More: http://prayeurope.com/interact/articles/heartbeat-tallinn-has-arrived/
Estonia: Evangelism and prayer
Last week over a thousand Christians visited Tallinn in Estonia for a week-long series of events designed to share the love of Christ with old and young. They aimed to make the gospel relevant and attractive to those who have never heard the message, or considered it outdated and useless. About 50 projects took place, including serving the needs of the poor and marginalized, offering sports clinics, challenging teens in discussion of life's issues, concerts and seminars for professionals. Everything was bathed in 40 days of prayer as churches asked God to move in mighty and supernatural ways throughout the city.
Pray: for Estonians as they reach out with God's love, pray also for the Estonians organising the Polish Alpha Initiative which could revolutionize the spread of the gospel in Poland. (Ps.80:3)
More: http://prayeurope.com/interact/articles/heartbeat-tallinn-has-arrived/
Romania: Mission team visits church facing closure
While Romania is no longer a communist country, the government is trying to control the Church. Legislation being considered by the Romanian government specifically targets smaller churches. Patrick Klein with Vision Beyond Borders says, ‘The government is making it more and more difficult, there’s talk of closing churches with less than 200 people.’ Vision Beyond Borders sent a mission team of 10 people to Romania to work with a church under threat of closure if this legislation is passed. Despite this threat the church’s ministry is growing and impacting Romania for Christ. One of the elders wife has a gypsy background and they have a heart for the gypsy people and were encouraged when the teams ministered to the gypsies. He said, ‘I really love these people. I want to reach them with the Gospel.’
Pray: for every people group in Romania and neighbouring ex-communist countries, to hear the truth of God's love for them. (Mat.28:19-20)
Romania: Mission team visits church facing closure
While Romania is no longer a communist country, the government is trying to control the Church. Legislation being considered by the Romanian government specifically targets smaller churches. Patrick Klein with Vision Beyond Borders says, ‘The government is making it more and more difficult, there’s talk of closing churches with less than 200 people.’ Vision Beyond Borders sent a mission team of 10 people to Romania to work with a church under threat of closure if this legislation is passed. Despite this threat the church’s ministry is growing and impacting Romania for Christ. One of the elders wife has a gypsy background and they have a heart for the gypsy people and were encouraged when the teams ministered to the gypsies. He said, ‘I really love these people. I want to reach them with the Gospel.’
Pray: for every people group in Romania and neighbouring ex-communist countries, to hear the truth of God's love for them. (Mat.28:19-20)
During a recent conference call with some from the U.S. National Prayer Committee, Chairman Dave Butts made this comment concerning this decisive time in American history:
“If the Church does not respond in prayer, we won’t recognize our nation. The only hope is for God to step in.”
“The 2012 United States elections will be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. The 57th quadrennial presidential election will be held on this date, coinciding with Senate elections where 33 races will occur, as well as House of Representatives elections to elect the members for the 113th Congress. This election year will also encompass thirteen state and territorial governors' races, many state and territorial legislature races, special elections, and various other state, territorial, and local races.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_elections,_2012
We believe there is a narrow window of time for us to get on the Lord’s wavelength and pray out God-inspired, history-shaping prayers between now and the upcoming election on November 6. This election has been called the most important one in our lifetimes by Christians and secularists alike. Many who walk with the Lord feel that the long-term fate of the USA is very much at stake in the coming months.
Special prayer resources are available at www.ifa.org that will help your praying for the U.S. In addition, the National Prayer Committee has developed a 40-day prayer initiative to unite us from September 28 through Election Day, November 6. More information and an election prayer guide are available at www.40daysofprayer.net
One exciting initiative that has developed is called David’s Tent, 40 days of 24/7 worship that will happen close to the White House in Washington, September 28 - November 6. Praying and worshiping people from all 50 states and from other countries are warmly invited to come and take part for a few days or few hours during that period. Details are at www.davidstentdc.org
Would you please pray with us for these important efforts and agree with us for the following:
1. That a new movement of repentance as well as spiritual and moral revival will catch fire in our capital of Washington, D.C. and throughout the nation as we Christians identify with our people in repentance for national sins such as idolatry, immorality, shedding of innocent blood and broken covenants, and corporate sins that repel God’s presence from the land.
2. For the raising up of a new generation of spiritual leaders in all walks of life who will become a courageous force for deliverance and real transformation in this society.
3. That wicked and corrupt leaders at every level of government, national, state, and local be removed from power and replaced by God-honoring, good and honest people who will be used of the Lord to bring restoration by imparting a new vision based on our constitution and Judeo-Christian values in order to lead us into a new and blessed future as a nation.
4. That we as the Body of Christ will use the authority He has given us for the effective binding and overthrow of principalities and powers of darkness that have come into the nation through our turning our backs on the Lord through not remembering or reverencing Him for all the good He has done for the USA in the past. There is now much deception and division in our cultural and political life as well as increasing moves towards more and more government control and an accompanying loss of freedoms we have taken for granted as citizens. (Matthew 18:18-19, Luke 10:19, Eph. 6:10-18, Rom. 16:20)
Thanks so much for your valuable and potent support.
Yours in Christ.
Inspired by Psalm 50:1-6, the National Day of Prayer (NDP) Task Force along with other national prayer ministries has called a Solemn Assembly in Washington, D.C. to pray for all institutions of government in our nation’s capital. Groups will gather for worship and prayer near the steps of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. They will meet with congressional leaders, travel to the Pentagon, the Supreme Court, and many other key locations to PRAY. The urgency of the moment and the prompting of God have paved the way for this event. We invite you to join with us and hundreds of like-minded believers this October 3-7 as we pray for our nation.
Please visit www.summons2012.com to learn more.
Scottish Women's Aid cases rising 'year on year'
Wigtownshire Women's Aid started as a counselling service 25 years ago but quickly extended its operations to women’s refuges. Co-ordinator Hazel Maider said they continue to see the need for this service rise in south west Scotland. ‘In part I think some of it is due to people being more aware of ‘abusive relationships’ now and should be asking for help sooner than they did in the past. ‘The service has been praised by the region's Deputy Chief Constable who said the role played by non-statutory organisations such as Women's Aid was vital. Women’s Aid UK reported - 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner - 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime, many of these on a number of occasions - one incident of domestic violence is reported to the Police every minute.
Pray: for crimes against women to receive increased attention, and for more professionals to be trained in recognising and addressing abuse within families. (Ps.140:4)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-19049586
‘Arise, Shine, for your light has come’ Isaiah 60:1
The More than Gold website now has an interactive map showing different mission and prayer events hosted all over the UK - so check it out or add your event: www.morethangold.org.uk/your-church
So as we continue through this amazing summer, the Paralympics next in line soon, it will be the National Day of Praise and Prayer at Wembley on 29.9.12 www.ndopwembley.com. Wembley has given Global Day of Prayer London and its partners full access to the whole stadium to hold a Prayer Gathering for the whole church. http://vimeo.com/ndopwembley/cometowembley
Iranian Christians thank us for our continued prayer for pastor Yousef Nadarkhani, who has been imprisoned since October 2009. In September, 2010, the Revolutionary Tribunal of Gilan Province found him guilty of apostasy and sentenced him to death - a verdict upheld by the Supreme Court in July, 2011.
It is understood that pastor Yousef was verbally informed on 4th July that he would face a new trial in September on different charges. This has not been confirmed in writing, and Yousef has not been told of what any new charges would be. If new charges are brought, it is expected (based on the experience of most cases against Christians in Iran in recent months and years) that these would be non-specific political charges, such as "activities against the state" or against state security, rather than religious charges. Yousef has only limited legal support within Iran after a sentence given to his principal lawyer in July, 2011, was upheld in April.
We regret to report that another believer, Farshid, has had a six-year jail sentence confirmed by an appeal court. Farshid was arrested on 26th December, 2010, and formally convicted in April, 2012. In a video released on YouTube in May, a prominent dissident who was held in the same cell as Farshid for some time gave positive testimony about Farshid's attitude, conduct, and service in prison, and the esteem in which he is held by fellow prisoners.
Other believers remain detained in Iran because of their Christian faith and activities. These include several arrested in raids on fellowships in late May (Hadi and Alireza in Neishabour, Vahid in Mashhad, Mehrdad in Tehran) and several arrested during similar raids in February (including a group of five in Shiraz and at least three in Kermanshah).
Iranian Christians rejoice that Yousef’s life has been spared thus far. They request our continued intercession that:
1. Yousef’s death sentence will be revoked, his conviction overturned, and any further charges against him dropped
2. Yousef, his wife, Fatemeh, and their two sons will know the comfort, presence, and hope of Jesus, and that the family will be reunited soon
3. All believers in Iran facing trials because of their faith will know the Spirit’s guiding wisdom
4. Farshid and other believers serving jail sentences will know the presence and peace of Jesus, remain strong in their faith, and clear in their testimony and witness
5. Christians throughout Iran will not be intimidated but will know the Lord’s enabling and guidance
6. All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus, and choose to follow Him
“Syrian Christians have requested our prayers concerning the continuing violence in their country. Thousands of Syrians, including large numbers of Christians, have fled from their homes, especially in the Homs and Hama governorates and more recently Damascus and Aleppo. There have been reports of the targeting of Christians by both government and opposition sides.
Several prominent Syrian Christians have been killed recently, including Defence Minister General Dawoud Rajha (assassinated in an attack on the National Security Offices in Damascus on 18th July) and Brigader-General Nabil Zougheib (assassinated along with his wife and son at their home in a Christian neighbourhood of Damascus on 21st July).
Most Church leaders point out that any such targeting is not religiously motivated but is either politically motivated or is criminal activity for economic gain. Many Christians fear that radical Islamist groups are becoming more influential, and that this may lead to increased hostility towards Christians and other minorities. They fear that they may become more vulnerable to criminal activity, including kidnapping-for-ransom incidents.
Throughout the ongoing unrest, Syrian Christians have faced a dilemma of allegiance. They regard the current regime as having been a protector for many years and fear that any replacement regime is likely to prove more hostile. Yet along with others in Syria, they know that open allegiance to either the government or to the opposition could bring retaliation from the other side.
Syrian Christians request our prayers that:
a. Christians will know the protection of the Father, the inner peace of Jesus, and the daily guidance of the Spirit
b. Church leaders will know the Spirit’s guidance concerning public worship and private pastoral support of their congregations
c. The bereaved, wounded, and traumatized will know the comfort, presence, and healing touch of Jesus
d. There will be an end to violence by all parties and that a just resolution and constructive reform will follow
e. Many will know the love and forgiveness of Jesus
f. In the long term, there will be greater religious freedom for all citizens.”