Paint a prayer for the nations
22 Dec 2016
On Sunday we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, but peace is missing in so many places. Central African Republic is experiencing armed clashes between Muslims and Christians. Democratic Republic of Congo is warring against rebel groups. Egypt is has militant branches of Islamic State. Libya still has an ongoing civil war. Mali citizens are burdened with clashes between army and rebel groups. Mozambique is contending with RENAMO rebels. Nigeria is battling militants. Somalia is struggling against al-Shabaab. South Sudan is suffering continual atrocities between opposing groups. Praying into so many situations can be overwhelming, but this Christmas perhaps we could offer our imaginations to the Prince of Peace and have our thoughts inspired by the Holy Spirit. Let us paint a prayer based on ‘What would it look like if God touched this place, this situation, this nation, with His glorious colours of salvation and restoration?’ Let this Holy Spirit-inspired image fuel our prayers for 2017.
Syria: the future costs
22 Dec 2016
As the war in Syria rages on, Chatham House calls us to consider the humanitarian, cultural and political costs of the war, the domestic politics of Syria, and the response of Syria’s neighbours and Europe to the refugee crisis. They remind us, ‘The conflict in Syria has also placed an enormous strain upon its immediate neighbours, as they not only seek to accommodate Syrian refugees, but also manage the spill-over effect on existing social, political, demographic, economic and security challenges.’ Pray that next year surrounding countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Israel) and the West will take on some of these challenges more positively and effectively. The murderous activity in Syria evolves hour by hour and is documented by the media. Let us pray for future accountability and prosecution for all perpetrators of war-crimes, through the presentation and validation of actual events recorded on internet outlets.
Good news from Amnesty International
22 Dec 2016
It seems that wherever you look, people have written 2016 off as a terrible year. But Amnesty International says that thanks to their supporters, they have found a lot to be positive about. They report that this year more than 650 people (nearly two a day) have been freed by them and their supporters from unfair and often abusive imprisonment. They have helped change laws in forty countries, brought football’s global governing body to account, and helped convict war criminals. In a year of so many uncertainties they found one thing they could be certain about: outrage is not enough, and change will happen when we take action together.
Indonesia: blasphemy trial
22 Dec 2016
Indonesia's reputation as a stable, tolerant democracy is threatened as radical Islamists claim blasphemy in the trial of Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok. He is the first Christian in fifty years to govern Jakarta. Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population, but it also has sizeable influential Christian, Hindu, and Buddhist minorities. In the 1960s President Suharto signed a decree banning provocative political discourse on ethnicity, race and religion in an attempt to maintain public order, and racial and religious harmony. A minor comment by Governor Ahok has been taken out of context and construed as blasphemy by political opponents seeking to discredit him. His Chinese ethnicity has also been used against him with chants such as, ‘Go back to China.’ Ahok has been praised for reforms he accomplished in Jakarta. He is supported by Indonesia's president Joko Widodo.
Vanuatu: the Navut people
22 Dec 2016
Vanuatu is a Pacific island beyond most cruise-ship ports or holiday resorts. It is an ancient culture, in remote and rugged islands of a scattered 80-plus island archipelago. There are an estimated 1,100 speakers of the Navut language, one of 115 languages spoken across Vanuatu. Navut speakers live in the west central part of Espiritu Santo Island, the largest island in Vanuatu. Approximately 40% of Navut speakers profess Christianity. The remaining 60% follow ethnic religions of the islands. Access to Scripture in their own language will help all Navut speakers to learn about God’s love for themselves. Pray for God to provide a team of translators to begin work for the Navut, and for more of them to come to know Christ.
Turkey: Russian ambassador assassinated
22 Dec 2016
A Turkish policeman murdered the Russian ambassador to Turkey at Ankara’s Contemporary Arts Centre. He passed through security using his police identity card. Russia and Turkey are on opposite sides of the Syrian war, and there is a lot of public anger in Turkey about Russia’s most recent actions. Many believe the direct rivalry between Russia and Turkey is prompting more animosity on the streets in many countries touched by the fallout of this bloody war.
Prayer Promise for 2017
20 Dec 2016
Are there issues, people or situations that you would like to see God move in 2017? It could be that you want to change job, a family member needs healing, or you want to see a change in your community.
We would love you to join us for our 'Prayer promise' campaign. It's simple.
- Make time in the New Year to spend time in prayer with God.
- Write down a list of your prayer points for 2017. Download a prayer promise form.
- Commit to pray regularly for the prayer points throughout the year.
- Cross off the points as God answers them.
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. your testimonies of answered prayer.
We hope you will be encouraged and inspired by what God does in 2017!
Revolutionise your prayer life in 7 days
20 Dec 2016
Do you know someone who is new to prayer, or who needs to kick-start their prayer life?
Many people use the New Year to kick-start a New Year's resolution. It might be healthy eating or going to the gym, but wouldn't it be good to go deeper with God and revolutionise our prayer life.
World Prayer Centre has created a simple 7 day course where you will receive a daily email to help you to transform your prayer life!
If you want to make 2017 your year of prayer, press the spiritual refresh button or take the first steps as a new Christian, now is the time to begin a prayer resolution and start that new prayer habit.
We believe prayer is a great adventure, walking closer and closer to Jesus. Whether you’re new to prayer or just stuck in a rut, commit to revolutionising your prayer life at the start of this New Year.
Take that step to revolutionise your prayer life for 2017. Click here to sign up now for a free daily email for 1 week.