Germany: G20 summit (7 to 8 July)
07 Jul 2017Hamburg's police have already had to deal with violent protests at the G20 summit. Hi-tech water cannons were used to disperse crowds on 4 July, injuring five people. Protesters are expected to hoard weapons at secret locations ahead of the summit where global trade, terrorism, climate change, North Korean missiles, Brexit, digitalisation and empowering women will be on the agenda. Body language will be scrutinised in the first face-to-face meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin: pray for a working dialogue between these two leaders. US attitude to trade following Trump's 'America First' policy could be a bone of contention, as will climate change after President Trump pulled out of the Paris climate change agreement. Pray that globalisation and climate solutions are negotiated with a win/win attitude. Angela Merkel has based the talks around an 'interconnected' world, and will address differences between countries.
Iran: demolition and new life
07 Jul 2017Historical Christian legacies are unprotected and are being demolished almost daily, due to IS's aim of removing all signs of Christianity and Christian history. Apart from Syria and Iraq, there is no other country like Iran that destroys its own historical sites on purpose. In spite of this, Iran leads the world for church growth and influencing the region for Christ, according to Mission Network News, the mission research organisation. There is a 19.6% rise in the Christian population annually, but this does not go without persecution. Please pray for four Iranian converts facing up to six years in prison on charges of 'acting against national security'. According to human rights activists, their verdict is expected soon after numerous delays. See
Nigeria: Fulani conflict escalates
07 Jul 2017Africa's Sahara desert is increasingly encroaching upon traditional farmlands. Muslim Fulani herdsmen, the largest nomadic tribe in Africa, are desperate for grazing land and water for their cattle, but farmers can't tolerate their crops being eaten, trampled, and destroyed by those cattle. This conflict for survival gives rise to violence. The mainly Christian Nigerian farmers have no defence against marauding herdsmen wielding guns and machetes. The central Christian area of Nigeria was once the main target, but with increasing desert encroachment, more areas are targeted. The Fulani are now even more of a threat than Boko Haram insurgents. Farmers are being slaughtered, and some are considering abandoning their farms. AK-47 assault rifles from the conflicts in neighbouring Libya and Mali come across porous borders. A recent anti-grazing law has failed to stop the Fulani. President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani, has ordered military crackdowns on them. Pray for God to destroy their sources and stockpile of weapons.
North Korean missiles, Trump, and the G20
07 Jul 2017Donald Trump ordered a ballistic missile drill with South Korea on 5 July, firing missiles north in response to North Korea's launching a test ballistic missile, which could reach Alaska, the previous day. At the G20 summit in Hamburg, Trump will come face-to-face with his Chinese and Russian counterparts following their recent joint statement on North Korea. In it they vowed to work together on a diplomatic solution to Pyongyang's nuclear threat. Onlookers are wondering if Mr Trump will personally repeat his recent tweet which attacked China's trade with North Korea and questioned Beijing's loyalties. The US secretary of state said the missile test escalated the threat to the USA, the region, and the world; Trump said he is 'prepared to retaliate against North Korea ALONE'.
G20: Evangelical Alliance prayer request
07 Jul 2017The G20 results will influence the world. It is the first time that leaders like Trump and Putin will unite and attempt to create a major shift to nationalism and individualism with regards to hunger, climate, war, terror, and refugees. All kings and powers are installed by God and we, the body of Christ, have the responsibility to intercede for our leaders. Will you join us to pray while our political leaders meet together? The presidents of China, Japan, Korea, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia will be there. Danger is also coming from international protest movements. Anti-fascism, anti-capitalists, militant socialist, Marxists, communist, militant Kurds and people against President Trump are preparing to block the summit and bring violence and chaos to the streets and infrastructure. Nearly all of Hamburg's denominations and prayer movements will be praying in churches and on the streets. We also need your prayers for peace.
Iraq: 100,000 trapped in Raqqa
07 Jul 2017Thousands 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.
Mexico: media attacks, journalists killed
07 Jul 2017One 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?
Prayer and mission flowing together
06 Jul 2017Jane 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