Germany: Prayer needs
01 Jul 2015
Pray for the networks of relationships developing all over Germany which are leading to many conversations about a personal relationship with God. There is unrest with demonstrations being held by groups in several main cities over the perceived lack of ‘voice’ in political and economic decisions. Pray for godly responses to these activities and that a ‘soft or gentle answer turns away wrath’ as it says in Proverbs 15:1. Pray also for Campus fur Christus as the need is high for additional staff to work in ministry. Every summer individuals, young and old, travel to Germany on short-term mission trips. Pray that God will grant divine appointments and that the spiritual impact will be felt by both the visitors and the locals. Continue to pray for Angela Merkel and other German leaders who are trying to work toward a peaceful resolution to the Russia/Ukraine conflict.
France: Migrant crisis 'at new high’
01 Jul 2015
Aid agencies have warned that the problem of migrants camping out in Calais before trying to reach Britain has risen to a level of crisis not seen before.Their numbers in the French port have swollen from around 1,000 in April to 3,000 this month, and it is predicted that up to 4,000 more will arrive in the coming weeks. Aid workers warn that some of the sprawling makeshift campsites, known locally as the Jungle, have become so large as to be untenable. Dozens of migrants have occupied derelict barns and erected tarpaulin-covered wood structures big enough for families, as many wait to try their luck at hiding on lorries to Dover. Maya Konforti, a volunteer for l’Auberge des Migrants, an aid group based in Calais, said the number of migrants arriving was ‘definitely climbing’. She said, ‘The situation is catastrophic. They don’t have enough tents, blankets or food and with Ramadan it’s more difficult.’ She urged Britain to ease the burden on France.
The Albanian opposition condemned voting ‘irregularities’ in Sunday’s local elections, which were a test of the Balkan country's fragile democracy. The first official results to elect mayors and councillors in 61 municipalities were not expected until Monday, but the opposition Democratic Party quickly cried foul after polling stations closed. ‘There have been irregularities and manipulations, as well as pressure and threats against voters from the right,’ senior PD lawmaker Edi Paloka said in a statement, while also claiming a clear win for his party. Since the fall of communism Albanian elections have been marred by violence and accusations of fraud from all sides. ‘More than the results, the real importance of these elections are the values of democracy which must triumph,’ said parliamentary speaker Ilir Meta. Albania is extremely poor and only obtained EU candidate status last year in a move to fight against corruption and organised crime.
Azerbaijan: Central Asia hosts European Games
24 Jun 2015
In a somewhat geographically and culturally challenging development, the first-ever European Games began on 13 June in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is usually identified as a Central Asian country, but the European Union considers it to be in what it calls its ‘European Neighbourhood’ – what others in the world would call ‘our backyard’. This might be shorthand for ‘an area close enough to us that what happens there affects our peace and stability’ - Ukraine is another country in the ‘Neighbourhood’. Just days ahead of the Games, on Tuesday, Amnesty International was ordered to leave Azerbaijan after it launched a report, ‘Azerbaijan - the Repression Games’ in which it highlighted human rights abuses in the country. But what about rights to freedom of religion or belief in Azerbaijan, and, more generally, across Central Asia? The Games and the surrounding publicity offer a reason to take a closer look at the region.
UK: decline of Christianity
09 Jun 2015
Christianity is increasingly marginalised by a hostile media and public mood. Christian morality and belief in the uniqueness of Jesus are labelled ‘intolerant’. Government regulations make it increasingly difficult to minister in the public arena. Many believe serious persecution is not far off. Pray that believers may recognise and address the decline of Christianity in the public sphere. Pray that they may recover confidence in the gospel and boldness and passion to share it - lovingly and unapologetically - with the majority who have little concept of its content. See also THE MILL STATEMENT at www.wpc.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/The-Mill-Statement-Apr-2015.pdf
Ukraine: Huge fire at oil depot
09 Jun 2015
Emergency crews are battling a fire outside the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, following a huge blast at a fuel depot. On Tuesday people in a 2km (1.24 miles) zone around petrol containers on fire have been evacuated. The blaze broke out on Monday evening, and one worker at the plant died. An explosion on Tuesday morning left three firefighters unaccounted for and another six taken to hospital. The fire spread to at least 16 tanks, most of them storing petrol and next to Hlevakha airbase and near the village of Vasylkiv. The army has been clearing a munitions storage facility, located about 50m (164ft) away, amid fears that the fire could spread. It was not immediately clear what might have caused the blast.
HSBC (HSBA.L) agreed to pay Geneva authorities 40 million Swiss francs to settle a money- laundering investigation at its Swiss private bank, one of a number of probes facing its Geneva-based wealth manager. Leaked files published earlier this year sparked allegations that HSBC's private bank may have enabled clients to conceal millions of dollars of assets and dragged Europe's largest lender into the sights of regulators including Geneva's public prosecutor. Following four months of inquiries, Geneva authorities said they had closed their investigation after HSBC agreed to pay 40 million francs for wrongdoing, the largest such figure imposed by local prosecutors. Olivier Jornot, Geneva's attorney-general, told reporters, ‘This affair shows the weakness of Swiss law in fighting the entry of criminal funds into the financial circuit.’
Online there is a Swedish Prayer Network that provides a global opportunity for the Church to connect and partner with individuals and businesses, to provide answers to any and every need. They desire to agree with the will of God on behalf of anyone seeking to find biblical spiritual help for the problems in life. They are not a counselling service, but are a faith-based prayer service. They receive free-will financial offerings that help support their Affiliate Prayer Partners around the world. They meet people every day looking for someone to encourage them and others looking for someone to encourage. This is the driving force of Open 4 Prayer. Each of their Affiliate Prayer Partners agrees to keep every prayer request confidential. Jesus Prayer Network is working to be the largest Social Prayer network of its kind. It’s their goal to be available in every translatable language and accessible in every country.