Jesus set him free of cannabis by means of a dream

South African revivalist Lindy Ann Hopley recalls an incredible testimony of God’s faithfulness, mercy, kindness and love. ‘A month and a half ago at a meeting where I was preaching, Amanda Van Der Bank came to the front with her phone in her hand. She showed me a picture of her son and asked me to pray for him - he was addicted to marijuana. I prayed and asked God to reveal Himself in a dream. The next day she messaged to say, ‘He had a dream about Jesus!!! In the dream a man came and told him to remove a green bush from his back garden. It was difficult but it came out, leaving a large hole which he was concerned about. The man gave him a fully-grown palm tree to plant in its place.’ When he woke up he told his mother the dream, and that day he stopped doing drugs.’

Praise:

God for life-changing encounters with Jesus. (Tit. 2:14)

'International Day of the Bible' on 23 November

‘International Day of the Bible’ is organised by the American Bible Society, Bible Gateway, Scripture Union, YouVersion, Bibles for the World, and the National Bible Association. It will take place this Monday, 23 November, giving Christians the opportunity to set aside a day to honour God's word and to show solidarity despite differing backgrounds, denominations, and political beliefs. A variety of events will take place - public readings of Scripture, breaking into a flash mob to read the Bible in unusual locations, singing and dancing Scripture, painting or drawing a picture with a few lines of verse, or capturing God's creation in photos (selfies included) and sharing them along with a psalm. A public Bible reading at the Capitol has already taken place, last Tuesday.

Praise:

God that the observance of ‘International Day of the Bible’ is creatively growing. (Mt.4:4)

Scotland: guard the gates

The following is a portion of Scotland’s ‘The Stand’ monthly prayer letter regarding recent events in Paris. ‘At such times the inevitable questions are 'Why now? Why there? Why them?' and the danger is that we focus so much on the tragedy that we start to lose sight of the One who holds the nations in the palm of His hand - the One who knows the end from the beginning - Alpha and Omega - El Shaddai! We know Jesus broke the power of evil on the Cross, but we are still in that timeframe awaiting the ultimate end of our enemy, Satan, who is out to ‘steal, kill and destroy’. In the meantime we see lawlessness increase in every sphere of society, so what should our response be? PRAYER! Pray with an intensity as never before! Pray without ceasing - crying out to God to uncover and defeat the enemy’s plans.’

Pray:

for the protection of the ‘gates’ into our nations, cities, communities and households. (Is 52:10 & 12b)

The so-called Islamic Human Rights Commission

An erroneous and seditious report published on 17 November claims that Muslims in the UK live in ‘an environment of hate’, and that the Government is to blame. The so-called ‘Islamic Human Rights Commission’ launched a report called ‘Environment of Hate’. It describes the UK as an ever-developing ‘Stasi’ state that is rife with hatred for the ‘suspect’ Muslim community, and says, ‘The authors examine the construction of an environment where Muslims are feared and loathed.’ They claim that the UK is like East Germany in its treatment of Muslims and Islam. This ‘Commission’ has been developing what it calls the ‘Domination Hate Model of Intercultural Relations’.

Pray:

against this pressure group and all invalid literature being propagated at home and abroad, in mosques, online and by word of mouth. (Is.59:5a)

Bishop of Birmingham’s and David Cameron’s views on attacking terror

Rt Revd David Urquhart, Bishop of Birmingham, spoke about Friday’s terror attack from the House of Lords, where he is sitting this week. He said, ‘We have to face up to the next stages of rooting out the evil which is perpetrated through IS’. The Bishop said that Christians can help most in the local communities by making good personal relationships with those of other faiths and explaining how God and religion can promote peace and harmony. The Bishop’s comments follow David Cameron saying that Britain should attack the ‘head of the snake’ and that Raqqa (in Syria) is that head. He added that we should be doing more than supporting our allies with intelligence, surveillance and refuelling, and there needs to be comprehensive military counter-terrorism as well as ideological approaches.

Pray:

for God to crush the heads of the Leviathan, through the prayers and actions of His people, giving the Church prayers from his throne room and politicians supernatural wisdom in decision-making. (Ps.74:14)

UK: praying for Paris must be more than an afterthought

As the world mourns with the people of France because of the devastation from these insidious attacks, let us engage in sincere, specific and faith-filled prayer for the healing of the victims. The road ahead for those who have been wounded is long. The road for those who have lost loved ones is even longer. As the personal stories of victims begin to emerge over the coming days and weeks, we can stop for just a moment and pray for the person by name. Ask that, if they have a faith in the Lord, it will be renewed; and pray that, if they are without a relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will lead them into one. We Christians know that the only way to experience true healing from such trauma is through knowing Jesus. Let’s not pray generally for healing but - as much as we are able - pray for people by name.

Pray:

for those who bring comfort, and also for the vulnerable Muslim-background residents of Paris. (Mt.6:9,10)

More people being helped by UK foodbanks

The Government is proclaiming that our economy is doing well, but there are still many thousands of people in the UK who are forced to rely on charities for food and clothes. This type of report has been repeated in Prayer Alert over a number of years, and still the main issues are low wages and government cuts. With winter around the corner, we are going to see an even larger rise in numbers of people needing foodbanks, as they face choices between eating and heating; last year this number was much higher in December than in other months. The latest figures show that use of foodbanks in the UK is still increasing. Benefit delays and changes remain the biggest cause of foodbank use. Also, some agencies and charities who would normally refer people in crisis to foodbanks have been unable to do so because funding reductions have caused their services to be squeezed or closed.

Pray:

that councils and agencies will develop ways to meet the challenges facing our poor. (Mt.25:35,36)

Junior doctors overwhelmingly vote for NHS strikes

Non-urgent services will be cancelled on three days in December, after 98% of junior doctors backed strike action in a British Medical Association ballot. Dr Mark Porter, chair of the BMA council, said, ‘We regret the inevitable disruption that this will cause, but it is the Government’s adamant insistence on imposing a contract that is unsafe for patients in the future, and unfair for doctors now and in the future, that has brought us to this point. Patients are doctors’ first priority, which is why, even with such a resounding mandate, we are keen to avert the need for industrial action. That is why we have approached ACAS to offer conciliatory talks with the health secretary, and NHS employers to clarify the conflicting information coming from the Government over the past weeks.’

Pray:

for both sides to step back from the brink, re-enter negotiations, and agree in good faith. (Jdg.11:10b)

Nigel Farage accuses Muslims in UK of 'split loyalties'

Nigel Farage has said that some British Muslims are ‘conflicted in their loyalties’ between the UK way of life and what some elements within their faith are telling them. He said there must be a battle for hearts and minds within the Muslim population, and there was a problem with some Muslim communities in this country. He said, ‘Research suggests that British Muslims experience a tremendous conflict and a split of loyalties. The thing that makes me angry about what happened in Paris is frankly the fact that it was so utterly and entirely predictable. I think we’ve reached a point where we have to admit that in Britain, France and much of the rest of Europe, mass immigration and multicultural division have been a failure.’ He also claimed there was rising public concern about immigration, partly because people believed there were some Muslims who wanted to form ‘a fifth column and kill us’.

Pray:

that fear of Muslims will not take root, but rather that an outpouring of wisdom and truth into the Church will enable us to reveal the love of Christ to those who have fled hatred. (Lk.4:18)

INSIGHTS: into the various faces of IS

The organisation called Anonymous has ‘declared war’ on IS in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks. They are leaking on to the internet the personal information of suspected extremists and have taken down thousands of accounts and sites associated with the terrorists. Globally the media and politicians are verbally and physically attacking IS, and the global Church is taking a spiritual stand against the evil of terrorism. What is needed at this time? Informed, wise, Spirit-led pray-ers, praying into terrorism’s sources of finance and the histories and mindsets of the primary game-changers. We need to be aware of the influences of various Islamic sects, and the different ideologies of individuals and groups such as IS. This week an INSIGHT article has been prepared that will give some of this information in concise facts to help with informed prayer. To read/download it click the ‘more’ link.

Pray:

that the activity of Anonymous will not drive the terrorists further underground and make it even more difficult for the security forces to find them. Pray for the Church to wake up to the spiritual battle she is in. (Eph.5:14)

France: Church, arise - and pray

Pope Francis condemned the Paris attacks. President Francois Hollande called them an ‘act of war’. We can join our brothers and sisters in France and pray for God's great mercy and compassion to be poured out on those who have lost a family member, friend or colleague. We can pray for this evil to be turned into a wave of salvation for the French. God has told French intercessors that there are other terrorist cells active in France; we can pray that they would be exposed to the authorities and dealt with adequately. Also, the intercessors believe that God has called His Church in France to repent for their silence as they have stood back and watched society slide into moral decadence. They believe God is saying that the ‘normalisation’ of immorality has destroyed His protection over the French nation, and He is calling His Church to repent. We are hearing of some French churches calling on the Body of Christ to repent and pray.

Pray:

that ALL the Church in France will hear God’s challenging and convicting call; that they would encounter the Holy Spirit and step out, act and speak however and wherever God directs them. (Gal.2:20)

The western hemisphere: IS wakeup call

‘What we have to come to realise is IS has a stated purpose,’ said David Curry, the president and CEO of Open Doors USA. ‘They’ve told us what they’re all about. We’ve got to believe them; they are carrying out their plan to make extremist Islam the religion of this world. These are desperate times, but Christians can make a difference. It’s important for Christians to make their voices heard, especially for their persecuted brothers and sisters.’ Meanwhile Franklin Graham reiterated the same theme on his Facebook page, ‘Islam has declared war on the world, and it’s high time we acknowledge it and respond decisively. We must take IS at their word. They have told us what they plan to do. Their goal is world domination. They want to control and destroy us. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live under Islam. I will bow my knee to no one except God. See also

Pray:

that throughout the nations God will make His presence felt and His purposes fulfilled, through powerful persevering prayers and acts of compassion and boldness by His people. (Ro.14:11)

Pakistan: Christian raped, forcibly converted and married to Muslim man

Sana Bibi, aged 13, was abducted on her way to school by a Muslim man, Waheed Akhtar, known locally as Rambo. Her sister noticed her absence and, with her family, went to Akhtar's house with the police but received no response. Later Bibi's father, Shahid Jaan, received a call from Akhtar who told him, ‘I am married to your girl and she is Muslim now so you can do nothing. The law is on my side; you are just kaffir (non-Muslim).’ Bibi is below the legal age of consent for marriage in Pakistan, which currently is 14 years. Every year about 700 Christian girls are forcibly converted into Islam by rapists who use Sharia Law to act with impunity. Sadly these cases go to Sharia courts where Christian lawyers are not allowed to defend victims and Muslim lawyers notoriously provide shallow prosecution services, meaning Bibi is more than likely going to remain in an abusive relationship for the rest of her life.

Pray:

for God in His mercy to release Pakistan from the dark age of spiritual oppression, and for justice for Sana Bibi. (Is.59:1)

Pakistan: a prayer request

A Christian brother in Pakistan writes, ‘If you are asking for prayer requests from Christians in Pakistan, one of the first things mentioned is the repeal of the blasphemy law. The easiest way of persecuting Christians is to simply accuse them of saying something against the prophet Muhammad, which results in the death penalty with no possible pardon or waiver. Please pray for the safety of people in Pakistan. As tragic as the Paris incident was, is it only when terror happens in western nations that it makes headline news? Who heard of what happened in Lebanon at the same time? or in Pakistan where three busloads of people were blown up and there were several other attacks throughout the country? Most Pakistanis, particularly Christians, live with daily fear of going out of their homes on the street. Please pray for your Christian brethren in Pakistan. Thank you.’

Pray:

that persecution, in Pakistan and elsewhere, might be thwarted. (Lk.18:7)

Nigeria: blast in Nigeria kills 32, wounds 80

Not long after IS terrorists hit Paris, Boko Haram terrorists hit Nigeria. An explosion hit a fruit and vegetable stand in the city of Yola in northeastern Nigeria. Thirty-two people lost their lives and eighty were wounded, according to reports from the Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Agency. The attack bore all the hallmarks of Boko Haram, who have killed thousands in Nigeria and surrounding countries in its quest to enforce Sharia law. Just as President Obama had commented that IS had been ‘contained’ days before the Paris attacks, a few days before the Nigerian attacks President Muhammadu Buhari visited Yola and stated that Boko Haram was losing strength and would soon be defeated. Both attacks serve as a reminder that terrorism remains a real threat that must be addressed. According to Christian Today, Boko Haram began its military campaign in 2009 and has recently joined IS as its African arm.

Pray:

for all those affected by this latest attack, especially those who have lost relatives. Pray for God to protect Nigeria’s public places, bus stations, markets and churches. (Is.31:5a)

Philippines: large protests against APEC in Manila

On Thursday anti-globalisation protesters were calling for APEC (American-Pacific Economic Cooperation) to be dismantled. They are accusing the trade bloc of taking advantage of poorer countries. The protests are taking place on the streets of Manila, where leaders are attending the APEC regional trade summit. Hundreds of people from indigenous, student and labour groups clashed with police, who deployed water cannon. Some protesters managed to break through police barriers. A protest leader, Renato Reyes, said, ‘APEC and globalisation have only benefited the rich countries while further impoverishing developing countries like the Philippines.’ At the time of writing, tens of thousands of soldiers and policemen are in place in the sprawling city to guard against disruptions and attacks while demonstrators carrying big placards under the hot sun are chanting slogans such as ‘down with APEC, down with America’.

Pray:

that world leaders discussing regional economic co-operation will hear the cry of the poor. (Ps.9:18)

USA: proposal to promote Judeo-Christian values

Republican presidential candidate John Kasich has called for the formation of a new government agency to promote Judeo-Christian values and defeat radical Islam. Kasich said, ‘We need to beam messages around the world about what it means to have a Western ethic, to be a part of a Judeo-Christian society - it means freedom, opportunity and respect for women.’ He compared the idea of the new agency to when America used to beam messages to the former Soviet Union. The new agency would promote Judeo-Christian values to China, Russia, and the Middle East. When questioned about the implications this agency would have on Americans who do not ascribe to the Christian faith, Kasich responded that this agency would also benefit them because supporting Judeo-Christian values ‘involves building up tolerance’. He also implored the West to begin again to embrace our Jewish-Christian ethic rather than running from it.

Pray:

for all methods of communicating God’s values and the powerful message of salvation. (1Co.16:23)

Iran: stockpile of uranium grows despite nuclear deal

According to a report by the International Atomic Energy Agency seen by Reuters on Wednesday, Iran's stockpile of low-enriched uranium has increased in the past three months even though Tehran is supposed to reduce it significantly under a deal with major powers. This isn't the only recent piece of mixed news. Last month October Iranian state media announced that the country had tested a new model of the Emad missile, a mid-range ballistic missile with the ability to deliver a nuclear warhead. The test violated a UN resolution. Iran also released five high-value al-Qaeda prisoners in September, including the interim head of the global terrorist network. Also, Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, a US-Iranian dual citizen, was convicted of espionage by a secret court in October, while Iranian-American businessman Siamak Namazi was arrested in Tehran in mid-October.

Pray:

for Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei to stop altering international agreements. (Pr.18:12)