News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Printed From: OpenHeaven.com
Forum Name: TOP NEWS - Worldwide Kingdom/Revival NEWS
Forum Discription: Daily News of What God is Doing Worldwide - Read and Comment
URL: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=55334
Printed Date: 01/17/2017 at 1:51pm
Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Posted By: News Room
Subject: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Date Posted: 07/05/2016 at 2:05pm
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News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
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Jesus film in eight new
languages |
The Jesus film, which is
often used as an evangelistic tool and has drawn many to Christ around the
world, has been translated into eight new languages, which means that 6.5
million more people can be reached with the Gospel in their own language. Jesus
Film Project spokesman Joe Class said that people from all eight language groups
have been given a screening of the film in their respective language. It was
utterly amazing to go to this location and have community members from eight
different language groups gathered together. All of us thanked God for what He's
done - to Him be the glory. Our hope and our prayer is that there will be
transformation and that churches will be started as a result of this, said
Class. |
Praise: |
God for
these Jesus films; may they be a catalyst for many church plants.
(Mt.16:18b) | |
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Fifty-four enforced slaves finally
home |
After four months as slave
labour on fishing boats, 54 men are finally home. International Justice Mission
(IJM) started a project earlier this year to combat a slave trafficking crisis
in Cambodia. Traffickers use deception, threats or violence to trap people into
forced labour slavery. Men are trafficked across borders and trapped on fishing
or shrimp vessels. In this case, 54 Cambodian men took jobs to work legally on
Thai ships fishing in Malaysia. Instead they were carried into Indonesian
waters. Authorities seized and detained them for illegally poaching fish. They
were bewildered, hungry, and stripped of their phones and documentation papers,
in a cramped detention centre. One month later, in June, a coordinated
multi-organisational effort repatriated the men. IJM is working with authorities
to trace the Cambodian recruiter who might still be preying on impoverished men
and women seeking work outside the country, and to ensure that all the men are
reunited with their families and find safe jobs. |
Praise: |
God that
cross-border slavery and human rights abuses in the fishing industry are being
addressed. (Pr.21:15) | |
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Brexit: a significant spiritual
moment |
The WPC writes, We are at a
historical moment as a nation. We may be entering a long period of political and
economic uncertainty. We also believe we are at a very significant moment
spiritually. Jesus is Sovereign! Colossians 1 says, 'In Him all things were
created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or
dominions or principalities and authorities. Some in the WPC team backed
Remain, others backed Exit, but all are united in saying we have prayed Your
will be done, and we have a deep peace that it has been. We have prayed so
often for God's spirit to break out. There have been extraordinary signs of this
as God visits towns and cities, stirs up prayer, and uses ordinary people to
take the gospel onto the streets, into the schools, workplaces and universities.
So this is a time for renewed prayer for the protection and blessing of our
United Kingdom and Europe. |
Pray: |
for grace
and integrity for every Christian MP, that they will hear God's voice and be
people of influence. Pray also for protection from evil intent or greed and
integrity to those who manage our finances, and for God to move in our nation.
(Col.1:16) | |
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Christian bids to be next PM |
The Work and Pensions
Secretary, Stephen Crabb, who is a committed Christian, is one of five
Conservative MPs who have been nominated for the party leadership. He has teamed
up with Business Secretary Sajid Javid in what Mr Crabb dubbed a blue collar
ticket. Mr Crabb has lined up Attorney General Jeremy Wright to act as the
manager for his campaign. Hugely popular among colleagues, Mr Crabb comes from
an ordinary background that chimes with many voters. Mr Crabb has said God's
care for widows and orphans in the Bible is his guiding star for social
policy. In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, he said, There's something
unattractive about politicians who wave a flag called faith, but at a personal
level it's important for me. He received criticism for his links to the
Christian lobby group CARE, and for voting against same-sex marriage in 2013.
The new Tory leader will be in place by 9 September. |
Pray: |
for God to
direct and inspire all those involved in the election of a new Conservative
leader. (Gen.18:19a) | |
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Brexit and the fight against
corruption |
A new government focussed on
leaving the EU will have many things on its plate. Those are exactly the
conditions in which corruption can take hold in public institutions and the
private sector. Once it takes root, eradication is much more difficult .
Transparency International have outlined possible Brexit consequences and
pitfalls that we can ask God to intervene in, such as directives on
anti-money-laundering and transparency over corporate reporting. Without the EU
backstop the UK will rely on the quality of its government. Pray that the
Government will allocate resources wisely. Exports will rise, raising the risk
of bribery and undesirable partners and companies eager for investment in an
emerging infrastructure with corrupt assets. Pray for leaders to put ethics over
economic gain. During the financial crisis senior corporate managers and
directors cut ethical corners. In economic uncertainty, this attitude could
return. Pray for stability and honesty in the banking sector. The Government
will have challenges ahead on the corruption front. Pray for political will to
prevent slipping standards. |
Pray: |
for hope to
replace uncertainty in mens hearts and Godly design to replace political
unrest. (Job 5:16) | |
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We are at a tipping point |
Following the referendum
result the Bishop of Exeter said, We are at a real tipping point in the life of
our nation, in terms of our place in Europe and in terms of what we want our
country to be. He added that whether we are elated or depressed we need to
unite and move forward against a background of a divided nation. Large numbers
of ordinary people feel that their concerns have been ignored. There is a divide
between London and Northern England, and between England and Scotland. Our
largest political parties are ripping themselves apart in acrimony and
recrimination. The cost is being counted, and not just in finance. However, he
also said that first and foremost we must resist being controlled by fears,
continue to make this country a place of tolerance and welcome, and work across
national boundaries to build a safer, more united future. |
Pray: |
for a spirit
of reconciliation and healing on our nation, for God to guide our elected
leaders to come together with a vision that will unite us as a nation.
(Lk.1:17) | |
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At a tipping point - we can
pray |
At this time of uncertainty
we can pray. Father, we ask You in the name of Jesus to release a spirit of
forgiveness and reconciliation over our land. We ask for Your anointing on the
Church as never before so that we can declare your blessings upon the United
Kingdom. We pray that You will bring about forgiveness in peoples hearts for
the words that caused offence, fear or anger and in the name of Jesus, we speak
healing and reconciliation into every generational and political divide, either
historical or recent. Father, we ask You to pour out a new spirit of respect,
love and cooperation across political and generational divisions. We pray for
the Church to carry and model Your message of reconciliation and unity with
sensitivity; and we call out the spiritual fathers and the mothers God has
prepared for such a time as this. |
Pray: |
In the words
of Jesus, Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is the Fathers good will to
give you the Kingdom. | |
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Cardinal condemns racist
attacks |
The National Police Chiefs
Council said that hate crime has increased by 57% since the referendum. Cardinal
Vincent Nichols said Catholics must stand together with migrants to create and
fashion a society that works toward the common good. There are 850,000 Polish
people in Britain. Racist graffiti was left on the entrance of the Polish Social
and Cultural Association in west London. In Cambridgeshire laminated cards
saying No more Polish vermin have been posted through letterboxes. In
Newcastle people have been confronted by racist banners. The cardinal said, If
a victory in a referendum remains a point of division, then we become weaker as
a nation and do not play a part on the international scene tackling the worlds
problems, which are great and challenging. The Bishops Conference of England
and Wales has called for people to respect the outcome of the referendum and to
act with mutual respect and civility. |
Pray: |
for the
Church across the nation to stand together, support parliament, and love our
neighbours. (Eph.6:14) | |
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Christians and Brexit |
Polling from Lord Ashcroft
showed that nearly six in ten of those who identified as Christian voted for
Brexit. This is significantly higher than the 52% who voted for Brexit across
the nation. It is particularly stark when compared to Muslim and Hindu voters,
seven in ten of whom voted to remain. An undercurrent of Christian suspicion of
the European Union has grown in the UK and some say it has nothing to do with
immigration, sovereignty, the economy or democracy, the typical concerns
identified by voters in the campaign. A host of Christian blogs and websites
have fuelled a fear of the EUs spiritual side. Many websites, some bordering on
conspiracy theories, warn of a darkness in the EU project. In Lord Ashcroft's
poll 54% of respondents identified as Christian. Whatever the reasoning, a
majority of Christians were suspicious of the EU, voted to leave and have
changed the face of the UK forever. |
Pray: |
for Gods
Holy Spirit to brood over the United Kingdom and Europe to achieve His purposes
through His Church.
(1Cor.12:13,14) | |
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Europe post-Brexit |
After talks in Berlin this
week, the leaders of Italy, Germany and France have ruled out any informal talks
with Britain on leaving the EU, raising the prospect of a lengthy political
vacuum within the EU. Pray for God to dispel anger and selfish ambition from the
spiritual and emotional atmosphere of the 27 nations. Over the past week the
media has been suggesting that European political chiefs will take advantage of
Brexit by unveiling a long-held plan to morph the continents countries into one
giant super-state. Pray for God to thwart any plans rooted in mammon and for
the wellbeing of all areas of society to be well thought-out by politicians.
This week the US secretary of state, John Kerry, visited the UK to meet David
Cameron and the foreign secretary Philip Hammond. He urged all EU leaders not to
lose their heads and take revenge on the UK after its decision to leave,
saying there is a need for wise choices or else the pressure for EU
disintegration will intensify. |
Pray: |
for God to
inspire European leaders with wise choices.
(Lk.12:42) | |
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Ukraine: historic national day of
prayer |
For the first time in
Ukraines history, all the churches of the country came together for a National
Day of Prayer for their nation in Kiev. It was attended by thousands and
broadcast live by three national TV channels. An especially enthusiastic
welcome was given to East Ukraine church leaders and the leader of Ukraines
Messianic Jewish Community. It was a far cry from the media images of
politicians fighting in parliament, Russian tanks, corruption, economic
stagnation, and a civil airliner being shot down. Ukraines history, culture and
language are closer to Russia than any other country. The Russian Orthodox
Church comes from what is now Ukraine. Thousands of Ukrainians prayed for Russia
and President Putin! For Russia, Ukraine is in the blood. For Ukraine, Russia is
in the blood. Even Mr Putins first name, Vladimir, is Ukrainian in origin.
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Pray: |
for both
countries to forgive, agree to be reconciled and together restore their mutual
economies. (Eph.4:2) | |
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Lebanon: suicide bombers attack Christian
village |
Eight suicide bombers
attacked a Lebanese Christian village in the latest violent spillover of the
Syrian war into Lebanon. Security sources believe IS was responsible for the
bombings in Qaa village, on Lebanons border with Syria. The first wave of
attacks involved four suicide bombers at 4am, killing five civilians. A bomber
blew himself up after being confronted by a resident, then the other three
detonated their bombs as people arrived at the scene. Four soldiers were among
the wounded. A second series of attacks, involving four bombers, took place in
the evening as residents were preparing the funerals of those killed earlier.
Two blew themselves up outside a church. Residents were urged to stay at home
and shoot anyone suspicious. There is now a curfew on Syrian refugees in the
area. Medics said five were killed and fifteen injured and that they had entered
an episode from hell, On 24 June Hezbollah warned of car bombs being prepared in
the border area between Syria and Lebanon. |
Pray: |
for Gods
protection of Lebanese civilians from Hezbollah and IS.
(Ps.5:11b) | |
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India: rise of Hindu extremism |
The Daily Express has run a
series of stories highlighting the plight of persecuted Christians. In a recent
incident Hindu extremists demanded that Christians attend a specially convened
village meeting; when the Christians refused to convert at this meeting, men,
women and children were beaten and forced to flee to safety. They returned to
the village after the authorities assurances of safety, but villagers drove
them away again. Charities later provided medical aid, clothes, food and a safe
haven. Persecution of Christians in India has increased by 34% since 2013.
Christians are prevented from getting certain jobs, or buying or developing
land; even distributing Christian literature can lead to arrests in cities. A
Delhi reporter said on 29 June, Delhi Christians are living in fear. Hindu
extremists forbid them to worship, boycott them economically, and threaten to
kill them. Police fine them if they worship publicly. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FfAAetlBiEi-zz72CAEpn_uKMowEE HKxA3lbFkPz4P8fRK5Q54bRNSOgLI3GUVIKhxsrUvlgeQ16zdFk3HW9291Iw WTj75YZ1NHgxPSLNgkLtrgWzg1sH1JBeNnF2r1uCgmWD-cqxqpjPGKVW4S-b y9iQZKl5Qi3xMScW5n-M1_Suacn7wpf_ggvvn3oLWRTeUP2XpaRVvCrfLLzT FwLqouJ1gpxcdS5ovpL7YEfP8W-AztCllZk6hqToAJAX9pB0HhlO6lnaV0qD viGrkBmE14RzZdKApTWHI33LKk30co=&c=1om-jlJT9kdexwkHqL80rx cxGSD3Yb9IZQoHkMfzNwqvIOsKIFB4EA==&ch=8hAU7VvPmSAlVxhSPo -NVs37WLJi3Zwd7Xc3BIfoDWtSwanas1TkwA==" alt="http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/police-in-india- threaten-to-fine-christians-attacked-by-hindu-extremists.htm l - See
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Pray: |
for Gods
protection over vulnerable Christians, and for authorities to respect religious
liberty. (Ps.20:1) | |
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USA: Trump a 'baby Christian'? |
One of America's leading
evangelicals, James Dobson, claims to know the person who fairly recently led
presidential candidate Donald Trump to accept a relationship with Jesus Christ.
This week Dobson called Trump a baby Christian and said, We all need to be
praying for him. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and one of the most
prominent social conservatives in the United States, gave his account at a
meeting Trump had in New York on Tuesday with hundreds of evangelicals. Dobson
was part of a small group that met privately with Trump later on Tuesday and
said that if he has had a religious rebirth he is still learning the ropes: He
refers a lot to religion, and not much to faith and belief. This claim has been
compared to how former US President George W Bush captured vigorous support from
evangelical voters by his claim of having been born again. |
Pray: |
for God in
His mercy to lead both presidential candidates. (Nu.14:8a &
Ex.20:7a) | |
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Turkey: airport suicide bombings |
On Wednesday, Europes third
busiest airport, Ataturk, was attacked by three suicide bombers, leaving 41 dead
and 239 wounded. They were in the arrivals hall when Turkish security officials
stopped them. When they began shooting AK-47 rifles, the officers returned fire.
A police officer wrestled one to the ground before he blew himself up in a
bombing coordinated with two other suspects. The gunmen appeared to be trying to
reach the area where the planes are. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama was due to
land there when the attack occurred. Rama is overseeing a crackdown on a small
but devoted group following IS. A hundred or so Albanians have travelled to the
Middle East to join IS. Airports are tantalising targets as they are designed to
allow international access, with open planning that has many people in a
confined space. An attack creates headlines and fear into people globally.
President Erdogan proclaimed the attack will not divide or split our country.
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Pray: |
for God to
step in and comfort all victims and give astuteness to international airport
security services.
(Ps.60:11) | |
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Iran: Christian back in prison after
treatment |
On 4 December we highlighted
the plight of Maryam Naghash Zargaran, a Christian believer from a Muslim
background who had been in Evin prison for three years and urgently needed
medical treatment which the prosecutor refused to grant. However, following a
hunger strike to protest against the lack of medical care, Maryam left prison on
6 June to receive treatment on a bond of 350 million toman. On 19 June the court
ordered Maryam to return to prison. She was still not well enough and her family
applied for an extension. However, the prosecutors office refused to extend her
leave and threatened to retain the money submitted as a bond. Last Tuesday she
was back in Evin Prison. Shes suffering from many health issues, to the concern
of family members and fellow-prisoners. Pray for the continuation of her medical
treatment by the prison authorities and a speedy return to health. Pray also for
the spiritual and political climate inside Iran. |
Pray: |
for God to
move the Iranian authorities to help Maryam with unconditional release from
prison soon. (Micah 6:8) | |
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Afghan: suicide
bombers |
Taliban bombers attacked a
police convoy of buses outside Kabul, killing more than thirty and wounding
fifty. The convoy was carrying graduates from a ceremony on the city's western
outskirts. All but two of the dead were police cadets. The cadets were returning
to Kabul from a training centre and were about to go on leave. According to the
districts governor, a suicide bomber struck first, followed by a second car
bomb explosion detonated between two buses in the convoy. At the time of
writing, officials are still trying to confirm the precise number of dead, but
witness and sources describe a scene of carnage. In a similar attack last week,
fourteen were killed, including some Nepali security guards working for the
Canadian embassy. |
Pray: |
for
appropriate solutions to ongoing threats of violence, for protection and
perseverance despite suffering.
(Ps.35:10) | |
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USA:
thousands homeless after floods |
Parts of West Virginia are
facing a prolonged clean-up effort after widespread flooding killed 23, left
thousands homeless, and prompted Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to declare a federal
disaster. The inundation swamped entire areas of the state, washing out roads,
flooding and destroying structures and cutting off power to thousands. More than
1,200 homes were severely damaged or destroyed in the state. In a single county,
Roane, 500 homes were lost to the deluge. The Federal Emergency Management
Agency is accepting applications from residents in the three hardest hit
counties and climatologist Kevin Law said that this is the third-deadliest
flooding event on record for the state and the worst since a 1985 flood that
killed 38. |
Pray: |
for the
church and NGOs to share Gods love and compassion and support those needing to
rebuild homes and lives.
(Is.41:13)
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