Philippines: Christians as human shields
30 Jun 2017
Rebel fighters in the Philippines are reportedly using dozens of Christians - including a priest - as human shields, amid an ongoing battle to retake Marawi City. The IS-linked Maute group is believed to be hiding behind 100 Christian hostages after President Duterte ordered intense bombing raids on the rebel zone. Abdullah Maute, one of the group’s leaders, said he would free Father Suganob in return for his parents, currently held by police. His request was refused by the president, who said that any bargaining with terrorists was ‘against government policy’. Most people fled from the city in May; those left have been forced to convert to Islam and be lackeys to the Mautes. The women and girls have become sex slaves and lost all dignity. The White House said, ‘These cowardly terrorists killed Philippine law enforcement officials and endangered the lives of innocent citizens. The US is a proud ally of the Philippines, and we will continue to work with them to address shared threats to the peace and security of our countries.’
A CALL - 10 days of concerted prayer
28 Jun 2017
There is an escalation of turbulence across the globe, evidenced in a series of significant events. We are particularly aware of this in the UK having suffered two terrorist attacks in London, one in Manchester and, what appears to be a revenge attack in North London, as well as the shocking towering inferno in Kensington, with the loss of many innocent lives. All these events have taken place within the period of a remarkable General Election. The Lord has already positioned and mobilised His people and prayer is rising across the nation.
WE SENSE THERE IS A HEIGHTENED CALL TO WATCH AND PRAY IN THE COMING TEN DAYS. This is not based on any understanding or interpretation of what is happening, but rather, a simple response to the prompting of God’s Spirit. In obedience, we are sharing this prompting with as many as possible.
We have been led to pray for God’s Word to be released across the UK. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrows; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”. (Heb. 4.12-13). The eyes of the world are on Britain right now. As we, through our prayer contend for these islands, we believe this will also impact the nations of the world.
We are not proposing a specific strategy for prayer. We believe God’s Spirit will lead people in how to pray on a day to day basis and that during this time He will bring revelation. We are aware that the Queen’s speech, a cause for contention, is tomorrow, the day of a major pagan celebration. If you prefer to have a written form of prayer there is one overleaf, written by one our members several years ago. We were reminded of this having recently received a prophetic word, which may also inform our prayers:
“I equip you with the sword of the Holy Spirit. Use it to cut the strings connecting the puppets to the puppet-master. Keep doing this until they fall. Then you may restore my name to people’s lips and my authority to the structures of human authority. My people, I would remove those who exercise power without my authorisation and replace them with those whom I endorse. Whatever they say or do, you retain the power of prayer and the gifts only faith can receive. You do make a difference – so use these gifts for me.”
For those in the Manchester area, there will be a Maranatha ‘First Sunday’ gathering on 2nd July, immediately following this period of concerted prayer. Our theme will be ‘Contending for the Nation’. We encourage you to share this call with all those who are concerned for Britain at this time.
Jesus says “I will l give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matt.16.19). “In fact no-one can enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man” (Mk.3.27).
A PRAYER
for each nation of the United Kingdom
In the Name of Jesus and by His Power and Authority:
We bind our nation to the Blood of Christ Jesus.
We bind the Church, the Body of Christ, to the control of the Holy Spirit,
to the Cross and its Truth
We bind all unborn babies to the care of Almighty God.
We bind the Judaeo-Christian family tradition and all communication between
parents and children to the divine control of the Holy Spirit.
We bind all marriages with cords of God’s Supreme Love.
We bind the sexuality of the people of this nation to the purity of Jesus Christ.
We bind the media and all art forms to the righteousness of Jesus.
We bind our Government to the sovereign control of the Holy Spirit
and the will of Almighty God.
We bind the feet of our nation’s people, to the control of the Holy Spirit
and the Light of God’s Word.
We bind the strong man’s power over our nation and take back his plunder.
In the Name of Jesus Christ – the Name above all names:
We loose from our nation the spirit of antichrist.
We loose from our nation all lying spirits.
We loose from our nation’s unborn babies, the spirit of death.
We loose from all who are vulnerable to suicide and euthanasia, the spirit of death.
We loose from our nation all spirits of adultery and promiscuity.
We loose from our nation spirits of distorted sexuality.
We loose the peoples of this nation, from witchcraft, sorcery,
and all contact with the occult.
We loose from the Church counterfeit gospels and spirits of idolatry.
We loose from our land spirits of rejection.
We loose all illicit trade from our shores.
We claim purity, truth, justice and righteousness for our land.
We thank you Almighty Father that whatsoever is bound and loosed on earth is bound
and loosed in heaven in Jesus’ mighty Name.
AMEN
Download the call as a PDF document
Source: Maranatha Community
Praying for our youth over the Summer
28 Jun 2017
The summer holidays are almost upon us, heralding the start of a wide range of Christian activities involving our young folk across Scotland. There are 25 Scripture Union holiday clubs and missions planned in association with local churches which will reach many hundreds of children and youth. Many local churches will also be running their own week-long holiday clubs and other summer events drawing in thousands.
There are 46 SU holiday activity events which, based on previous years, will involve around 1,500 young folk, and several hundred youth and young adults will be at Lendrick Muir in Kinross in the first week of August for Soul Survivor Scotland 2017.
These and many other events and activities provide a rich opportunity to impact our young generation for the Gospel and introduce them to Jesus. There are hundreds of testimonies over many years of how important being at one of these camps has been in a person’s journey of faith, of how they were helped and guided into making a decision to commit their lives to Jesus.
Please pray:
- for the safety and security of everyone involved in organising and taking part in every club, camp, event or other activity – if there is one happening in your church or near you – commit to pray for it each day it is on;
- for health, strength and energy for the teams leading each club, camp etc.;
- for wisdom and discernment to handle all the situations that will no doubt arise, and that each team would model and demonstrate the love of the Father to each child and young person attending;
- for a wide variety of creative ideas to interest, excite and engage all ages;
- that each club etc. would be more successful than the organisers dared to believe, with significant numbers either making a commitment to or wishing to know more about Jesus, and developing a hunger to get to know God’s Word;
- that the transforming of many young lives would in turn contribute to transforming their homes, schools, colleges and communities.
Source: Pray for Scotland
JustOne Day with J John
23 Jun 2017
On Saturday 8 July 2017 at 3 pm, over 40,000 people of all ages will gather at the Emirates Stadium in London. Thousands will hear how the Good News of Jesus can transform lives and bring purpose. The simple idea is that JustOne will enable 20,000 people to invite a ‘plus one’ - a relative, friend, neighbour or colleague. The event is being led by J John - born less than two miles from the Emirates Stadium - who will talk about the relevance of Jesus and what he can do in our lives today. Worship will be led by Matt Redman, Hillsong London, Dr Noel Tredinnick with a large children’s choir, Noel Robinson. and the London Community Gospel Choir. Canon Andrew White (Jerusalem Ministries), Julia Immonen (Sport for Freedom), Lord Michael Hastings (KPMG) and Linvoy Primus (Faith and Football) will be among a number of people sharing their testimonies.
Family forgives murderer
23 Jun 2017
On 15 June Jacob Stockdale, 25, allegedly used a shotgun to kill his mother and younger brother at his family's farm in Ohio. When deputies went to investigate, he shot himself, and is now in a critical condition in hospital. His oldest brother Calvin said: ‘I don't know why Jacob did what he did, but I do know he is my brother; I speak for our family when I say we love him and forgive him. The prayers and support for my family have been deeply appreciated and we ask for continued prayers for Jacob's healing - body, mind, and spirit.’ The reasons for the shooting are not clear. The Stockdale family are members of the Zion Reformed Church, part of the Presbyterian Church in America, The church is now accepting donations to help the family, and already more than half the $40,000 goal has been raised.
Friday Focus: discipleship
23 Jun 2017
The apostle Paul gives us an interesting insight on discipleship. It does not begin in the will but in the mind where we store our beliefs and values. One area for discipleship is our missionality; how we reach out to other people, and this also begins in the mind.
(written by Laurence Singlehurst, Cell UK and HOPE)
Finsbury Park attack
23 Jun 2017
Right-wing extremists have defended the attack in London on 19 June, in which a man deliberately drove a van into a group of Muslim worshippers after late-night Ramadan prayers, by claiming: ‘This is war: we have the right to fight back’. There are concerns that British authorities are ‘way behind’ the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by such extremists to radicalise followers online. They now cover their tracks by using untraceable mobile phones and services that conceal their computer’s location - leaving the police unable to find them. They have also used less regulated social networks like the Russian-based VKontakte (VK) service to build up ‘spider’s web’ groups of like-minded individuals who then support and radicalise each other. Meanwhile, many Muslims have expressed fears that they are not safe, and the Muslim Council of Great Britain has called for extra security around mosques, describing the attack as ‘the most violent manifestation’ of Islamophobia.
Lord Adonis urges support for ‘soft Brexit’
23 Jun 2017
Former Labour Cabinet minister Lord Adonis has called on his party to give its 'full support' to Philip Hammond's vision of a 'soft Brexit' instead of the 'ideologically crazed' alternative. He described himself as a 'progressive Christian' as opposed to the 'bigotry' of some conservative strands of the faith. Speaking on the same day as the Queen's Speech, he said, 'The overwhelming issue of importance is Brexit. There is clearly a battle going on between hard and soft Brexit, and it is entirely unclear at the moment where this might end up. But it seems to me vital that Britain doesn't leave the customs union or the single market.' On his faith, Lord Adonis said: 'I'm what I like to term a progressive Christian: I see no incompatibility at all between a strong Christian faith and being entirely liberal on social issues.' He also disapproved of Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron’s decision to resign last week, adding that it is perfectly possible to be a Christian and the leader of a progressive party.