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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=56644
Printed Date: 01/17/2017 at 12:16pm


Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

Posted By: Ron McGatlin
Subject: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Date Posted: 12/29/2016 at 8:12am



News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

#TOP" alt="#TOP">Praise Reports - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


250 million downloads of Bible app

The free YouVersion Bible App, which lets the user read, watch, listen, and share the word of God, has reached 250 million downloads. ‘We are humbled by how many people use the Bible App on a regular basis,’ stated Rev Bobby Gruenewald, who devised it. ‘When we made the Bible available as an app, we never imagined how much it would revolutionise the way people engage with Scripture.’ Statistics estimated 13 billion Bible chapters have been read and listened to and there are more than one billion highlighted bookmarks. The most popular verse of 2016 is Romans 8:28: ’And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.’

Praise:

God for all the translators, publishers, Bible societies, churches, authors, and hundreds of volunteers who helped make this feat possible - the Bible reaching people in a modern world . (Heb.4:12)

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Belfast Cathedral’s ‘Black Santa’

Back in 1976, concerned at the emphasis being placed on necessary and costly building programmes at Belfast Cathedral, Dean Crooks decided to stand in front of the cathedral with a small barrel for donations to charitable causes. Dressed in the familiar black Anglican clerical cloak, Dean Crooks ‘sat out’ each day of the week before Christmas and began the tradition of deans sitting out for charities. The local press described him as ‘Belfast's Black Santa’, and the description struck a lasting chord with the public. His successor, Dean Jack Shearer, involved members of the Cathedral Chapter in the ‘sit-out’. The event has continued to develop; the current Dean, John Mann, is ‘sitting out’ this week to collect money for local charities, with a proportion going to Christian Aid.

Praise:

God for the media coverage this attracts each year to raise the profile of giving at Christmas. (Jn.5:11b)

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#TOP" alt="#TOP">British Isles and Ireland - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


Friday Focus

The World Prayer Centre, in partnership with HOPE and the Prayer Magazine, invites you to join in with Friday Focus prayer every week,starting on Friday 6 January 2017. Friday Focus 2017 provides the opportunity for us to pray where we are and unite across our nations, supporting all ongoing mission and preparing the way for future mission. HOPE’s aim is to see the entire Church mobilised during 2018 to make Jesus known. Each week Friday Focus will take a different theme: supporting national initiatives of prayer and mission; key seasons in the church’s calendar; different people-groups highlighted in the Talking Jesus report; and prompting us to pray for those we know and meet and the communities we are part of. Will you join us in seeking our Father for His ways?

Pray:

for God’s will and His kingdom to be seen more and more in our land through this initiative. (Mt.6:10)

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A pro-Israel prime minister

Let us give thanks that Prime Minister Theresa May has made no bones about the fact that she is a keen supporter and ally of Israel, which she called ‘a remarkable country’. In a firm speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel, our Prime Minister described Israel as ‘a beacon of tolerance, an engine of enterprise, a thriving democracy, and an example to the rest of the world for overcoming adversity and defying disadvantages.’ She talked about the shared values and positive relationship between Israel and Britain, emphasising her hopes for an even stronger friendship between the two countries post-Brexit. Crucially, in the face of parliamentary and civic attempts to derail the 2017 Balfour Centenary celebrations and force Britain to apologise for her role in creating the Jewish homeland, the PM staunchly defended the document as ‘one of the most important letters in history, which demonstrates Britain's vital role in creating a homeland for the Jewish people.’

Pray:

for Theresa May to continue under God’s anointing as she takes the British Isles forward.

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Seasonal potential threats

The threat of a terrorist attack in the British Isles remains high, and more police have been deployed in sensitive areas after the Berlin truck massacre. Many of us are boarding planes and ferries to visit family and friends, shopping, and singing carols in prominent places - all soft terror targets. Please pray for God’s protection over all ‘gateways’ into this country: airports and aircraft, cruise liners, ferries and ports; railway stations and peak train journeys; motorways and tunnels (especially the Eurotunnel); places where large crowds gather such as sport stadiums, shopping centres, Christmas markets, theatres and concert halls; schools and colleges; and all churches. We can pray for God’s plans for peace, mercy and hope to blot out every plan and purpose of terror, death or destruction. May the British Isles be safe under God’s authority and canopy of prayer over Christmas and into 2017. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001oaeZDdtO4zZ2gbUzr-Sbz_EXl8cP5 Fkgv7-ua2SW49Nx5CMBuXkcbw5CD8lXvtOYyht6_8iXYZLfypCX2tEa8MgzV gJhFrVb6QQNrTOHESoM14xN4kcacxNROTHdneY591bGZfaS-wLxF5oGPHxXC lBsz8p6nGod7VBxV8AXtxHtgq2Jm-EVvhJ-QVtMRYQ1x5l016rk9qjTkLq1Q l7fQRmFIHsunwFv&c=kha48kIUIwlBlGPdlX4m8NKy4wh84MmlASSwZB a-c6TWTRNeDYZY7g==&ch=IPy0UBDRMvBX9SOhi94bg9ogRNtjGCLKbf XjtWxHVqB9WGSvo1ZStg==" alt="https://www.rt.com/uk/370961-christmas-market-police-nu mbers/ - See also

Pray:

for wisdom, protection and insight for our government, intelligence services, police and armed forces. (Ps.91:1,2)

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Prince Harry 'wants to make a difference'

In a TV programme broadcast last Monday Prince Harry said it was ‘fun to be good and boring to be bad’. And ‘If you're me, if you're your Average Joe, whoever you are, if you can't affect politics and change the big things in the world, then just do whatever you can do. Whether it's in your local community, your village, your local church, walking down the street, opening a door for an old lady, helping them cross the road. Whatever it is, just do good. Why wouldn't you?’ Prince Harry said he no longer struggles with his royal role and wants to ‘make something’ of his life. He made these comments while speaking in a documentary about his charity work in Lesotho.

Pray:

for many to catch the sentiment behind Harry’s words and look again at how they use their time and resources. (Dt.6:18a)

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‘But there was no room for them at the inn’

This Christmas please pray for those sleeping rough or in temporary B&B accommodation, and ask God to work through society to bring about more housing and adequate places for the vulnerable to settle into. Pray for the unemployed, and especially for homeless and vulnerable people selling the ‘Big Issue’ magazine on street corners. One vendor said, ‘It’s great when people stop and say hello, it’s nice to feel part of the community and feel that people actually care.’ May God’s mercy flow so that they will soon be housed adequately in a place they can call their own. Give thanks for the many churches and charities providing shelter, warmth and food for ‘rough sleepers’ over the winter; pray God’s blessing on everyone involved, and for the provision of every resource they need.

Pray:

for the safety of the homeless, and for authorities to make adequate provision for those who need to settle and prosper in a home. (Ps.66:9)

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Some face a painful Christmas

The death of someone we love, who matters to us, is a devastating experience. We are faced with the painful and daunting task of coping with all that bereavement brings and with the challenge of finding a new sense of life and purpose. All of this takes time - nearly always longer than we think - and help of many kinds may be needed. At Christmas many widows, widowers, orphans, brothers and sisters of close relatives experience a particular pain mixed in with seasonal celebrations. Please pray for all those for whom Christmas is not a time of rejoicing and ‘making merry’, but a time of sorrow due to loss of loved ones at this time.

Pray:

for those recently bereaved to know the love and comfort of the Father. (2 Cor.1:3-4)

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#TOP" alt="#TOP">Europe - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


Europe’s political changes

Canopy of Prayer over Europe recently wrote, ‘When we look back on this year 2016, the most outstanding events for Europe were the Brexit vote of Great Britain, the victory of Donald Trump, the breakdown of the cornerstone of the EU - the solidarity of her members - and therefore the endangering of the EU as a Union. All these events have to do with the fear of migration: from Mexico to the USA, from the Near and Middle East into Europe. These anxieties were readily used by all European populist parties to fuel fear, envy and negative prejudices; cheering Brexit, congratulating Trump, and supporting every opposition against Europe.’ In 2017 there will be significant leadership elections in many discontented European countries, and within the hierarchy of the EU. Pray about the elections and situations that could bring about political changes in Europe next year.

Pray:

for God to bless next year’s new leaders with wisdom, unity and vision and for hope not fear to dominate Europe's reorganisation during 2017. (1 Tim. 2:1-3)

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Security in Europe threatened

In the week before Christmas a truck was used as a weapon of terror in Berlin. The Russian ambassador to Turkey was murdered (see separate article), and in Switzerland a gunman shot three people at a Zurich Islamic centre and then was found dead by police. Pray for European countries to continue to invest significant resources in maintaining and developing security, and effective information-sharing and networking.

Pray:

for God to inspire governments with workable strategies to protect citizens. (Rom.13:1)

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#TOP" alt="#TOP">Worldwide - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


Paint a prayer for the nations

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.

Pray:

for the Holy Spirit to give us renewed, inspired prayers that usher in winds of change in 2017. (Jn.14:26)


Syria: the future costs

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.

Pray:

for internationally-coordinated and holistic policies that address the region’s long-term future. (Pr.10:28)

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Good news from Amnesty International

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 only happens when we take action together.

Pray:

for even more positive change in 2017 in every region of the world. (Eccl. 8:1)

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Indonesia: blasphemy trial

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.

Pray:

for hardline Muslim groups to stop staging protests against Ahok, and for a just trial. (Dt.28:11a)

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Vanuatu: the Navut people

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.

Pray:

to God to begin to capture hearts of the Navut people for His glory. (Mark 13:10)

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Turkey: Russian ambassador assassinated

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.

Pray:

for diplomatic words from Turkey, Russia and Iran to be followed by peaceful actions. (Ps. 34:14)

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Source: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0018ixUoOHHUcHXkdkQp3rbY6lYYncs_ c_O6CnVXz9l1tBVxsjPgOjnKGDQEvLJ_T74BLWciNIcNjbtcBGWGkmvnPAjS iVZjBZk4N9mSrBSxWDDMbG6t6x4hDeRLEhll02anQNItUiJ1Hev5n4PHqbjI eoM48rujsVhpYWNsMGVjR120IG9cgQr0Q==&c=nR1YdD4EbUSmNDbOVP 8-5QVoEa2YjjFvnsZ6JSY5Z4uXpUsYZbImzw==&ch=YkeoIPmA1uBjog GzCTkIZz59Dt-RBXQT27MFdEDyT6EUZaw8qLDQ1Q== -




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