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Topic: Europe Prayer Alert!
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Posted: 09/03/2015 at 9:41am
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‘If my people….will humble themselves and pray’ 2 Chr 7:14
Informing and equipping Christians - Online and to
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Issue
35-2015 |
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European Trumpet Call |
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Dear Ron,
 We are
pleased to bring you Prayer Alert, which for this week is focussed entirely on
Europe. Our team is being represented at the European Trumpet Call
in Timosoara, Romania, where many people are gathering to pray for Europe.
There are countless issues affecting Europe - migration, people trafficking,
corruption, struggling economies, hostilities, ISIS and antisemitism to name
just a few.
We would invite readers to join us from wherever you are, so that as we
declare the Supremacy of Christ and sound the trumpets, we will see strongholds
broken down and transformational shift changes across the continent.
As well as bringing you an article for each member state, we have prepared
Insight Articles on 'Migration
and Human Trafficking' and 'Terrorism',
which are available for download from our website.
At the request of readers, the print
version is limited to 4 pages, with links provided to the remaining online
articles. We are also keeping the email to its usual length, and providing links
to a number of additional online articles relating to Europe.
We would like to highlight the World Prayer
Centre's Online Prayer Map, which includes a number of prayer pointers for
each member state.
Thank you for standing with us in prayer over the nations.
David Fletcher - Interim
Editor | |
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Andorra: On the brink of Europe's next crisis |
| The tiny principality of Andorra nestling in the foothills of the
Pyrenees between France and Spain has been rocked by allegations of
money-laundering in its oversized banking sector. Andorra conjures up images of
medieval churches and duty-free shopping. However, in the last three weeks the
state has been gripped by a banking crisis that threatens to take it to the
brink. Bankers have been thrown in jail, savers’ deposits have been restricted,
and the country’s government is scrambling to convince powerful regulators
thousands of miles away that the country is not a haven for tax evasion. In
March the US Treasury Department’s financial crime body, FinCEN, accused the
country’s fourth-largest bank of money-laundering. The authority said ‘corrupt
high-level managers and weak anti-money-laundering controls have made BPA an
easy vehicle for third-party money-launderers’. The bank accepted bribes from
criminals in Russia, Venezuela and China to funnel money through the Andorran
system. Banking is Andorra's second biggest industry after tourism. |
| Pray: |
for all that is dishonestly hidden within banking and
other pillars of society in Andorra to be revealed. (Ps 51:6) |
| More: |
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfina nce/11500130/Andorra-on-the-brink-of-Europes-next-banking-cr isis.html |
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Austria:
Discrimination against Christians |
| In a new report, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination
expressed ‘serious concerns’ regarding the human rights situation in Austria for
Christians. They found a ‘very high’ incidence of vandalism and burglary at
Christian sites and denounced widespread anti-Christian discrimination and
abuses against freedom of expression, assembly and conscientious objection. Dr
Gudrun Kugler, the director of the Observatory, told Breitbart News that in
recent years there has been a shift both in public policy and the reigning
popular mentality that has made life for Christians increasingly difficult.
‘Ever more restrictive laws are squeezing religious freedom, while society
itself is growing more and more intolerant of biblical Christianity,’ she said.
The many instances of desecration include destroying crucifixes, candle holders,
paintings and statues; plus arson and burglary and graffiti such as ‘death to
priests’ scrawled on walls. The Observatory criticised the use of Austria’s
stalking laws to prevent prayer in front of abortion clinics, a move upheld by
the state court of Graz, Styria. |
| Pray: |
that God would protect the Church and strengthen her
to proclaim the Gospel boldly . (Ps.138:8) |
| More: |
http://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/fileadmin/user_up load/Submission_of_OIDAC_to_UN_UPR_on
_Austria__March_19__2015.pdf |
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Belgium: Christian outreach |
| There are a variety of mission agencies working in Belgium who need
our prayers. OMF has nine Chinese churches and the AoG has one couple working
among the Chinese. BEM has a Japanese couple working within the Japanese
community and have planted a Japanese church. A number of other Asian
communities (Korean, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Iranian, Filipino) have at least
one church each. The Eastern European population is rapidly growing – Poles,
Russians, Bulgarians, Kosovars, Romanians and others. Only the Romanians have a
significant number of evangelical congregations; the Polish and Kosovars have
none. There is little or no outreach to these peoples. There is a student
population of over 250,000 in 17 universities and numerous colleges. Outreach to
the student community is a major challenge. IFES has a ministry in seven Flemish
universities (Ichthus with 150 students involved) and in several French
universities. The small work grows very slowly. (Source: Operation World
2015) |
| Pray: |
for God to ignite evangelistic operations across
Belgium; pray for Christian coffee houses, Bible studies and conferences.
(2Cor.6:2) |
| More: |
http://www.ywambrussels.be/nl/ |
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Bosnia: The cradle of modern jihadism? |
| In the 1990s something happened in central Bosnia-Herzegovina that
inspired people to this day and helps explain why that country now has more men
fighting in Syria and Iraq (over 300), as a proportion of its population, than
most in Europe. The formation of a ‘Mujahideen Battalion’ in 1992, composed
mainly of Arab volunteers in central Bosnia, was a landmark. Today the dynamic
of jihad has been reversed and Bosnians travel to Arab lands. ‘There is a war
between the West and Islam,’ says Aimen Dean, who, as a young Saudi Arabian
volunteer, travelled to fight in central Bosnia in 1994. ‘Bosnia gave the modern
jihadist movement that narrative. It is the cradle.’ |
| Pray: |
against IS now trying to start a ‘new front for the
Caliphate’ in the Balkans; ask God to protect vulnerable Bosnia because it
remains weak and fragmented even 20 years after war ended. (Mt.5:3) |
| More: |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33345618 |
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Bulgaria: Unreached people, Islam and terrorism |
| There are sixteen language groups in Bulgaria - the three main ones
are Romani, Turkish, and Bulgarian. Gypsies are one of the major ethnic groups
who, under the communist regime, were sent to ghettos to live without
electricity or running water. Today, because of their isolation and poor living
conditions many Gypsies are not educated and unable to find jobs. Islam in
Bulgaria dates to the Ottoman era and is practised today with folk magic.
Muslims are largely unaware of Islamic teachings, and Muslim missionaries (who
outnumber Christian missionaries) are funded to teach Bulgarian Muslims a
‘’purer Islam’ and to push for greater Islamic influence. 24% of Bulgarians have
never heard of Jesus. Meanwhile the English Government’s foreign travel advice
warns, ‘There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Bulgaria’. See: Tourist
here and
here |
| Pray: |
for God to protect those without jobs or hope from
becoming another statistic of enrolments for IS and pray that Bulgaria’s 900,000
Muslims would discover Jesus as the true light and Lamb of God. (Eph
6:5-9) |
| More: |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Terrorism_in_Bulgaria |
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Estonia: The least religious country in the world? |
| Not so long ago Estonians were asked whether religion played an
important part in their life - only 20% said yes. It suggests that the Baltic
country is, statistically, the least religious country in the world. At
Tallinn’s large Lutheran Dome Church one Sunday 70 congregants were tourists and
15 were regular Estonian church-goers. Although the Lutheran Church is the
largest in Estonia, it accounts for only 13% of the population. Fewer than one
in five Estonians say any religion plays any part in their lives. In schools
religion is not on the curriculum. This does not mean Estonians do not believe
in anything at all. Many are nature worshippers, pagans, who define their
religion as Maausk - a form of Estonian nature spirituality - in which the trees
and earth are cherished objects that possess power. There are eight unreached
people groups in Estonia and three of the main religions are Islam, Ethnic and
Hinduism. See
also. |
| Pray: |
for the Church trying to define its role where
Christianity is bottom on the list of priorities. (1Pe.2:2) |
| More: |
http://eurasianorthwest.org/estonia-unreached-people-groups/ |
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Finland: Europe’s other sick man |
| Erkki Liikanen, Finland's central bank governor, says the country will
need stamina if it is to dig its way out of its ‘grave’ situation. At 64, the
governor of Finland's central bank has faced a few challenges in his lifetime:
first as finance minister in the years before the collapse of the Soviet Union,
one of Finland's key export markets, and in his current job, where he has seen
the economy go from leader to laggard in a decade. Finland is in trouble, and in
the words of the central bank, the situation is grave. While France has often
been branded Europe's sick man and Greece's problems are well known, Finland's
economy is still 5% smaller than before the financial crisis. The country will
barely crawl out of a three-year recession this year, while unemployment is
forecast by the OECD to grow in 2015. Faced with a bloated state, below-par
growth, and prices and costs that have risen at a much faster pace than the rest
of the eurozone, the medicine is a familiar one. |
| Pray: |
for God to direct Mr Liikanen through financial
structural reforms and economic consolidation. (Pr.1:5) |
| More: |
http://www.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_k2&view =item&id=4673:finland-europe-s-other-sick-man&Itemid =167 |
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France: UK and France agree new migrant measures |
| The UK and France have agreed new measures that they hope will help
alleviate a migrant crisis at Calais. It’s a ‘control and command centre’ which
will be jointly run by British and French police to ‘relentlessly pursue’
people-smuggling gangs. There is a risk this security measure will push illegal
migrants elsewhere. Meanwhile, a demonstration by migrants chanting, ‘we are not
animals’ brought cars to a halt on a motorway. Riot police were sent to disperse
them. About 3,000 migrants are thought to be camped in Calais in the hope of
crossing the Channel to the United Kingdom. Aid agencies say the problem of
migrants camping in Calais has risen to a level of crisis not seen before.
Calais has a history of similar refugee camps. In 1999, the controversial
Sangatte refugee camp attracted thousands of would-be asylum seekers and people
traffickers. Its closure led to riots. Since then, migrants have continued to
arrive in Calais and build makeshift camps near the port. |
| Pray: |
for governments to work together to provide the best
possible care and provision for those currently fleeing, who are mostly from
war-torn Syria, Eritrea, Somalia and Afghanistan. (Pr.9:9) |
| More: |
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33992952 |
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Germany: Prayer needs |
| Pray for the networks of relationships developing all over Germany
which are leading to many conversations about a personal relationship with God.
There is unrest with demonstrations being held by groups in several main cities
over the perceived lack of ‘voice’ in political and economic decisions. Pray for
godly responses to these activities and that a ‘soft or gentle answer turns away
wrath’ as it says in Proverbs 15:1. Pray also for Campus für Christus as the
need is high for additional staff to work in ministry. Every summer individuals,
young and old, travel to Germany on short-term mission trips. Pray that God will
grant divine appointments and that the spiritual impact will be felt by both the
visitors and the locals. Continue to pray for Angela Merkel and other German
leaders who are trying to work toward a peaceful resolution to the
Russia/Ukraine conflict. |
| Pray: |
that God will bless the country’s leaders - President
Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel. (1Tim.2:1,2) |
| More: |
http://prayeurope.com/countries/germany/ |
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Iceland: Icelanders have started worshipping Norse gods
again |
| Icelanders will soon be able to publicly worship publicly at a shrine
to Thor, Odin and Frigg. Construction has already started in February on the
island's first major temple to the Norse gods since the Viking age. Worship of
the gods in Scandinavia gave way to Christianity around 1,000 years ago but a
modern version of Norse paganism has been gaining popularity in Iceland. ‘I
don't think anyone believes in a one-eyed man who is riding about on a horse
with eight feet,’ said Hilmar Orn Hilmarsson, the high priest of
'Asatruarfelagid', an association that promotes faith in the Norse gods. ‘We see
the stories as poetic metaphors and a manifestation of the forces of nature and
human psychology’. There are approximately 2,400 members, out of a total
population of 330,000. The temple will be circular and 13 feet down into a hill
overlooking the Icelandic capital Reykjavik. |
| Pray: |
against this temple’s spiritual influence over
Reykjavik; ask God to strengthen His Church and encourage them in their stand
against powers and principalities. (Rom 1:22-23) |
| More: |
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/02/03/uk-iceland-religion -pagans-idUKKBN0L70FN20150203 |
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Ireland: Concerns about ‘lone wolf’ terrorist attacks |
| A Draft White Paper on defence policy outlines main security threats
over the next ten years. Authorities in Ireland are concerned about the threat
of ‘lone wolf’ terrorists. The document details security concerns to which the
country is or could be exposed, including cyber-attacks, the re-emergence of
domestic terrorism and the risks of organised crime. The paper which went before
Cabinet on Tuesday says the emergence of extremist groups in Syria, Iraq and
Libya is playing a major part in the evolution of terrorist threats. There is
also concern regarding the process of radicalisation through a range of
influences, including the internet. In addition, Ireland has a responsibility to
seek to prevent transnational terrorist groups from using the State as a refuge
or as a base from which to direct their activities against targets in other
countries. |
| Pray: |
that the paper, when processed past the draft format,
will enable the Irish Government to enlarge its current limited control over the
possibility of attacks. (Pr.12:20) |
| More: |
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/state-concerned-abou t-lone-wolf-terrorist-attacks-1.2267396 |
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Luxembourg: Stronger stance on modern slavery practices |
| Building sites could be partially or totally closed if modern slavery
practices are found under new powers to be given to Luxembourg's ‘Inspection du
travail et des mines’. This body is responsible for checking that employers obey
the law when it comes to workplace practices. The new EU directive aims to end
criminal exploitation in the workplace where people are paid below minimum wage.
Responding to a parliamentary question, employment minister Nicolas Schmit said
that in addition to increasing powers to close down sites which illegally
exploit workers, the new law will define who is responsible when work is
subcontracted. A report claimed that Portuguese construction workers were being
routinely exploited. One worker said he worked ten hours per day for 7.50 euros
per hour. |
| Pray: |
for speedy implementation of fundamental rights and
an end to modern slavery employment practices. (Pr.18:5) |
| More: |
http://www.wort.lu/en/business/site-closure-powers-luxembour g-to-take-stronger-stance-on-modern-slavery-practices-559be1 230c88b46a8ce5c5b1 |
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Montenegro: A European harvest field |
| The nation’s government, a parliamentary democracy, has many political
parties. Its recent independence has brought a renewed sense of hope and
optimism, giving this small nation a greater sense of potential. Joining the
European Union and adopting the Euro will hopefully open up many economic
opportunities for Montenegrins. But, in the midst of progress, the economy still
faces many obstacles. Despite a difficult history of ethnic division, Montenegro
desires to step into the future with a strong national identity. Deep divisions
remain between the Serbian and Montenegrin Orthodox Churches, and the Christian
population remains predominantly nominal. Additionally, Bosniak Muslims residing
in the nation harbour bitterness towards Christians for the way they
historically treated the Muslim population. Prayer is needed for sensitive and
effective outreach to Muslim Bosniaks. Evangelicals claim .03% of the
population. Portions of the country remain largely un-evangelised. |
| Pray: |
for those who practise cultural Christianity to focus
on pleasing God rather than men. Pray also for genuine forgiveness between
ethnic groups that have been at war for decades. (1Th.4:1) |
| More: |
http://www.prayercast.com/montenegro.html |
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Poland: Cool spiritual temperature |
| It was the Catholic Church that kept Polish culture from crumbling
under the Communist regime. Now in 2015, Saudi Arabia, one of the most hostile
nations towards Christianity and boasting to have a 100 percent Muslim
population, has more evangelical Christians than Poland. The Catholic Church
still holds sway over Polish culture, but personal faith is nominal and morality
is being chipped away from the foundations of Polish society. There is a
desperate need for evangelical witnesses (90% of municipalities have no church).
Pagan, Wiccan, and New Age religions are gaining followers and there are two
Jehovah's Witnesses for every evangelical Christian. Poland has the potential to
change the spiritual well-being of Europe, but it is in need of guidance to be
redirected toward Christ's glory. God has carried Poland through the years of
tragedy and poverty, and He will lead them into the light He shines for
them. |
| Pray: |
for Catholics to focus on the redemptive work of
Christ on the cross and the personal relationship that He desires. Pray for
hearts to be open to the message of salvation among the materialistic youth.
(1Cor.1:17) |
| More: |
http://prayercast.com/poland.html |
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UK:
decline of Christianity |
| Christianity is increasingly marginalised by a hostile media and
public mood. Christian morality and belief in the uniqueness of Jesus are
labelled ‘intolerant’. Government regulations make it increasingly difficult to
minister in the public arena. Many believe serious persecution is not far off.
Pray that believers may recognise and address the decline of Christianity in the
public sphere. Pray that they may recover confidence in the gospel and boldness
and passion to share it - lovingly and unapologetically - with the majority who
have little concept of its content. See also THE
MILL STATEMENT |
| Pray: |
for God’s people to unite so that the world may see
Jesus in His Church. (James 5:19-20) |
| More: |
http://www.operationworld.org/unki |
The following additional
European articles (and many more) are available on the Prayer Alert website:
INSIGHT: Migrant
Crisis & Human Trafficking | INSIGHT:
Terrorism
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Prayer
Alert is distributed free of charge – Donations towards running costs are
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Please feel free to distribute Prayer Alert to
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The views expressed in Prayer Alert and on our
website are those of the authors, organisations and websites named, and are not
necessarily those of the Prayer Alert Editorial Team, the Prayer Alert Steering
Group or the World Prayer Centre or any of its employees or trustees. While we
try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and
we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. If you do notice any mistakes
then please let us know. Europe Map Image © Ekler
Prayer Alert is produced in
association with The World Prayer Centre: Cornerstone House, 5 Ethel Street,
Birmingham, B2 4BG |
Edited by News Room on 09/03/2015 at 9:53am
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