On Wednesday in Iraq, an IS booby-trap killed a family of twenty-three, including pregnant women and children. In Indonesia, two suicide bombs detonated outside a bus terminal, killing three guards. In Somalia, five people were killed by a Shahid suicide bomber, and in Syria children were among fifteen civilians killed by IS. Last Saturday Islamic terrorists opened fire on Nigerian villagers, killing at least seven. The list goes on. Manchester brought terrorism to the UK, but so far this year there have been 496 terrorist attacks globally, with 3,292 fatalities. We can’t remove terrorism, but God can change hearts, situations and nations. He can use situations and circumstances in Iran, Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia, Bangladesh and other nations being shaken to achieve His purposes. Terrorism is a big concept, but our God is bigger.

Recently, members of the Sudan Church of Christ gathered for worship in the Khartoum suburb of Soba al Aradi. Before the service began, a bulldozer rumbled toward the church and demolished it, the last church still standing in the area. In 2011, the Sudanese government demolished twelve churches in the same suburb, as part of its announced plan to destroy 27 churches. Sudan’s president, Umar al-Bashir, has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes. Nevertheless, he continues his campaign to rid Sudan of Christians, demolishing church buildings around Khartoum and routinely bombing Christian villages in the Nuba Mountains to the south. Pray for pastors who are experiencing persecution and have had property confiscated, for Christians in various prisons throughout Sudan, and for Christian communities experiencing bombing campaigns in their schools and hospitals.

Monday night a suicide bomber killed 22 people, including children, and injured another 59 in an explosion that targeted fans leaving a pop concert in the Manchester Arena. By Tuesday lunch time a large cordon was still in place around the area. Pray for the police carrying out forensic work to have the support they need to perfectly complete their task.  Ask God to heal and bring comfort to the young people and their parents whose bodies and emotions have been damaged by a bomb of nuts and bolts and a terrifying experience. Lord, we ask for healing, comfort and strength to every person injured and the relatives of all those killed. Father we ask you to provide a powerful spiritual hedge around our nation and the key targets for terrorists within our borders. We ask for you to give incredible wisdom to Cobra, Police and government at this time. Ask God to strengthen doctors and nurses saving lives and caring for the wounded.  Pray for the friends and relatives experiencing unimaginable worry over people who are missing and not yet identified. And Lord God we your watchmen stand at the gates of cities, towns and all high profile locations and raise our voices for protection in the  Name of Jesus Christ. We declare protection over shopping malls and transport systems in the Name of Jesus.

As many of us have woken today hoping the news from Manchester last night was just a horrible nightmare, we ask you to share and mobilise so that we can respond prayerfully and effectively.

First and foremost please remember Manchester in your prayers:
For those who are now fighting for their lives and for those who are caring for them.
For the families, friends and colleagues of the 22 who have died (we understand many of them are children).
For those shocked and traumatised.
For the Paramedics and those at the hospitals who have to respond to this emergency.
For the Chief Constable Ian Hopkins and GMP Police as they gather evidence and deal with the public.
For the staff of the Manchester Arena who will be traumatised and deeply affected.
For Andy Burnham and the officials of Manchester as they respond.
For COBRA and the government as they meet this morning.

PRAY FOR THE UK DURING THIS TIME OF VULNERABILITY:
That the Lord will expose all future evil agendas before they are actioned.
For those involved in terrorist activities to be caught ASAP.
For governments and security forces to liaise and share important security information.
God's love will draw all people to salvation.

PRAY AT HOME, IN YOUR CHURCH OR IN GROUPS

A number of national Prayer Ministries have joined together to call the nations to prayer. 

We suggest you may like to pray every day, covering the issues that are locally, nationally and internationally relevant. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as to what to pray for and how to pray. Keep an eye on the news and respond in prayer.

What?
We are looking to mobilise effective informed united prayer across our nations by praying for God’s wisdom, revelation, insight and protection for:
1. Government and World Leaders.
2. Police and Emergency Services
3. Armed forces
4. Intelligence Services
5. Media and communications
6. ISIS and others who may wish to cause danger.
7. Angelic protection.
8. An unprecedented move of God across our communities and nations.
9. Vulnerable areas - tunnels, stadiums, airports, the Euro tunnel, theatres, schools, colleges and shopping areas etc. Anywhere that large numbers of people gather.

Why?
1. To provide mercy and protection to reduce the danger to life and limb from attacks for our communities and nations.
2. To release a clear trumpet call to those in the valley of decision.
3. To reduce fear and hopelessness - The aim of terror is to bring fear, confusion, hatred – we stand against that in the name of Jesus because his perfect love casts out fear.
4. To bring any plots into the light before they are actioned.
5. To see the Church arise and stand united around Jesus love.

Download the UK prayer protection strategy

Source:  Coastlands & Gateways