Thousands of people continue to flee the fighting in Raqqa between Syrian forces and IS which is intensifying. According to humanitarian agencies on the ground, 108,000 people have been displaced from Raqqa province - the majority from the city itself - while a further 100,000 people are still believed to be under IS control. Due to a lack of diesel to operate generators and a damaged pumping station, the water supply inside the city is limited. Civilians have reportedly resorted to drinking water taken from the Euphrates, exposing residents to the risk of waterborne diseases as the water is unfit for consumption. Only nine doctors remain in the city, and medicine and medical services are severely lacking. Many IDPs speak of a lack of basic necessities including food and water.

One journalist was killed while resting in a hammock at a carwash. A second was dragged from his car and shot dead near the newspaper he had co-founded. When another was killed in front of her son, the criminals left a note, 'For your long tongue'. Human rights groups say Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries for reporters. More die here than in any other nation at peace. But even for a country so used to drugs-related violence and organised crime, the recent bloodshed has been shocking. Seven journalists have been killed in the country so far this year, most shot by gunmen in broad daylight. Yet virtually all cases of attacks on the press end up unsolved and, in many, corrupt officials are suspected of partnering with criminals. As the killings mount, is there anything that Mexico can do to save its journalists?

Jane Holloway the National Prayer Director at World Prayer Centre gives her unique perspective on prayer and mission flowing together and God is moving.

In this year of the extraordinary and prophetic promise for harvest, we are hearing afresh the call by the Holy Spirit for His Church to rise up and stand where He has positioned us to pray and work for His Kingdom to come. As we see the fault lines being more sharply exposed across our society, across our UK nations and within the body of Christ, the invitation to ‘stand in the gap’ and intercede for the broken, the lost and those without hope and offer the good news of Jesus is becoming more and more urgent.

We give thanks for all that is happening as we see prayer and mission flowing more strongly together. For example:

Thy Kingdom Come 25 May-4 June 2017
We saw millions of Christians around the world joining in unity to pray Thy Kingdom Come... Come Holy Spirit. See Archbishop Justin Welby’s report: https://vimeo.com/221257778 

Pray that every person, group, church, group of churches, Diocese which took part will recognise the vital role of prayer in their rhythm of mission and ministry and that all will continue with the pledge2pray for 5 people known to them to come to know Jesus as the year unfolds.

The Turning

They have just released its annual report https://www.facebook.com/theturning.eu/
‘We have had an incredible first year at The Turning and we are so excited for what is to come!  We have seen 'ordinary' Christians do extraordinary things as they step out to tell people of the love of God. We have seen amazing unity between churches. We have seen many, many people respond on the streets in towns and cities across the UK and France.

The Turning’s national Mission to Wales is this week: 6 - 15 July, 2017 across 18 locations in Wales, with 125 churches involved.
A testimony: ‘Today I’ve been out with about 30 people from The Turning in East Bristol, people of all ages, including children excited and prepared to go to tell people on the streets about Jesus. How inspiring! What was also inspiring was, that indeed, people DID want to hear about Jesus and responded in prayer, and to his tough. One man said to me “I felt God touch me”.

Pray for God’s continued protection and provision as churches get ready to link up with The Turning and its training and follow up and especially for Wales this week!

HOPE 2018
What a privilege it has been to be on the Leadership Team since 2006 when we first started out with HOPE08. Many thousands are praying each Friday with Friday Focus to see God’s kingdom break out in our communities as we prepare for the year of mission in 2018. There is a new HOPE 2018 video to help us spread the word. You can download it here to share with your group, church and groups of local churches.

Pray for every church to be involved in prayer, action and word mission in 2018!

Great Commission Website
This is an answer to many of our prayers enabling so many resources for prayer and evangelism as well as access to real stories of how people across the UK are having their lives turned around by Jesus https://greatcommission.co.uk.

Pray for much fruit to result from this website and all the partners working with this so that many people find faith in Jesus and are equipped to talk about Jesus.

JustOne - Emirates Stadium 8th July

Join us in praying for J John and his team as they introduce people to the Prince of Peace and the hope He offers. www.justone.co.uk

St Paul’s exortation

In 2 Timothy 1-4 encourages us so we can encourage others to:

Keep prayer a priority (v1) and not allow our walk with God to get squeezed and reduced by the demands made upon us.
Ensure our prayer is creative and resourced by the Holy Spirit (v1) as He guides from His word and prays through us using the different giftings .
Remember that prayer is a vital part of God's plan to bring in His Kingdom, as we:

• Take up our responsibility to pray for all leaders (v2)
  • Especially for those involved in Northern Ireland Assembly talks in these days and weeks so that His Kingdom is worked through in every decision made .
• Play our part through our prayers and actions so that His presence may be made known in our communities (v2)
  • A number of us in the Houses of Prayer network have felt led to have some designated times of worship and prayer in these next weeks as we call out for protection for our nations in light of the terrorism threat especially with so many people on the move and at events during the summer holidays. Do continue to use the Coastlands and Gateways strategic call to pray..
• Persevere in praying for those we love, know and meet (v4) – that they would come to know Jesus

Caleb Prayer

O High King of Heaven,
Have mercy on our Land.
Revive your Church.
Send the Holy Spirit for the sake of the lost, the least, and the broken.
May your Kingdom come to our nation.
In Jesus’ mighty name.
Amen.

Copyright www.ffald-y-brenin.org

Last week, I was at a city prayer breakfast for the business community. One of the speakers had run London Underground, where he would get regular night time calls about potential terrorist threats and a range of other issues. Now he leads the UKs largest rail franchise facing regular passenger complaints, constant Government contact and serious disagreements with some belligerent unions. The guy is a committed Christian in one of the most demanding jobs in the country. He depends on people supporting him in prayer, and being prepared to stand with him when the pressures mount.

It is easy to see him as being on the front line. He is constantly watched, his behaviour is commented on. People are asking – “can we see Jesus in his life”? Many Christians in the workplace are finding the going is tough. The hours continue to grow, the pressures mount and people fight desperately to balance their commitment to work with their commitment to family and church. We believe that Christians in the workplace have a ministry. They are on the frontline with hurting people, whose marriages are crumbling, finances are stretched, they have ageing parents, they suffer stress and uncertainty.

At last week’s prayer breakfast we were reminded that “whole people” go to work. They are more than their job description. They have hopes, fears, concerns and aspirations. The workplace can be God’s place. For many years I exchanged email messages every week with a small group of other business people so we can pray for each other in work. There are many times when I have sat in demanding meetings thinking “the guys are praying for me, I should expect wisdom, bless this meeting Lord.”

3 things to do to see a change in your working life:

• Get regular prayer support - The model of a small group meeting from time to time and praying for each other by phone, email or Whatsapp works brilliantly. I have seen so many miracles in the workplace and sometimes I have just been able to stand with colleagues as they hit hard times. My prayer partners have stood with me through job and career changes and blessed me every week. God cares about the workplace.
• Offer your working week to God in prayer – invite God into your working week and every morning can make a huge difference. Asking God to show you what you need to do when, who to speak to and who not to. God shows up and it makes a really impact when we are led by Him in our working days.
• Pray for the business sector and friends who work in business – We reap what we sow, so when we pray for the business sector and our work colleagues, we will also reap the rewards of those prayers as we begin to see God move.

Steve Botham is the Director of World Prayer Centre and he comes from a business background, having worked in senior roles in HR and Training in the Motor Industry and Financial Services.