God’s big society
The new Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, has issued an Advent challenge – make a difference with ‘God’s big society’. Bishop Stephen is one of the authors of Church House Publishing’s 2010 Advent book Ready Steady Slow, which includes contributions from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Preaching at his installation service the day before Advent Sunday, in Chelmsford Cathedral, Bishop Stephen said: ‘If we live prayerful, faithful lives, if we shine with the light of the risen Christ, then our world will be changed. For God’s big society is made up of a thousand little deeds of sacrifice and kindness.’ The pocket-sized Ready Steady Slow urges readers to take five minutes to change the world by following the daily ‘tread gently’ challenges. Examples include making your own compost, taking a go-slow coffee break, having a paperless party and slowing down on the roads. All the challenges are accompanied by a reflection and prayer.
Pray: for a huge response to this initiative and that it will contribute to a positive change in the world. (Php.4:5)
Climate change failure is moral outrage
Scotland's religious leaders have described the West's failure to help developing nations cope with climate change as a ‘moral outrage’. Senior members of the country's Christian and Islamic communities outlined their position in a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron. They urged the UK government to do all it could to ensure progress was made at the UN climate change conference. The summit is due to open in Cancun, Mexico, on Monday. The letter to Mr Cameron has been signed by the Moderator of the Church of Scotland's General Assembly, John Christie, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, Cardinal Keith O'Brien, the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, David Chillingworth, and Shaykh Ruzwan, a senior figure in the Islamic community. It adds: ‘It is a moral outrage that as yet developed countries appear unwilling to find the money so urgently needed to deal with this issue.’
Pray: for the Cancun summit and that world leaders will strive to make significant progress. (Job.22:28)
David Cameron’s wellbeing index
The Prime Minister announced that from next April the Government would be measuring how much the lives of British people are improving ‘not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life’. His plan for a wellbeing index has come under fire from critics who have already written it off as ‘airy fairy and impractical’. However, the cynicism is not shared by everyone. Emrys Jones, of Care for the Family, said the index could give a clear indication of what matters most to people and enable the Government to prioritise areas that impact most strongly on people’s happiness levels. ‘Economic growth is vital, as without jobs people can struggle to take care of their families, but it’s also important to consider our wellbeing as a nation and identify what makes us truly happy, such as investing more quality time in our families,’ he said.
Pray: that the nation’s quality of life improves despite our economic hardships.(Is.32:18)
GAFCON Primates’ boycott meeting in Dublin
At least ten Primates from the Global South are now expected to boycott the Primates’ Meeting in Dublin in January. Five African Primates, members of the GAFCON Primates’ Council (See http://www.gafcon.org/ ) confirmed that they would not attend the two-yearly meeting. In addition, it is understood that the Primate of South-East Asia, the Primate in Jerusalem & the Middle East, and the Primate of the Indian Ocean, will not go to Dublin. Furthermore it is expected that two new Primates, Primate of the Southern Cone, and the Primate of Rwanda, will also boycott the meeting. Five further Primates, from West Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, and Kenya — say they ‘join with other Primates from the Global South in declaring that we will not be present’. They acknowledge the Anglican Covenant is ‘well-intentioned’ but say they ‘have come to the conclusion the current text is fatally flawed’. In response, Canon Kenneth Kearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, said: ‘The decision whether to come remains a matter for the Primates’.
Pray: for the Anglican Covenant to succeed in representing the broadest sense of Anglicanism. (1Co.13:1)
Roma unwelcome throughout Europe
Unwanted and marginalized, the Roma people have become the target of governments across Europe. In 2010, France launched a campaign against them, expelling 13,000 - many of them landing in Romania. (See Prayer Alert 4010, 3810 & 3510) The problem is that life is worse in Romania and other eastern countries where Roma tend to concentrate. Unemployment in Roma towns has soared. Opportunities are so scarce that a once-itinerant people are on the move, suspicion following them wherever they go. Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries have started two significant ministries with the Roma: ‘From Everywhere To Everywhere’ trains Roma believers to go across Europe and share the Gospel with other Roma. ‘Far Away Romany Missions’ is a summer programme dedicated to providing biblical and evangelism training to the Roma. ‘Burning Bush’ is a rapidly growing Roma church with 3,000 members - located in a Romanian town with a population of 7,000.
Pray: for the work of IMB missionaries and for the openness of the Roma people to the Gospel. (Is.52:7)
Roma unwelcome throughout Europe
Unwanted and marginalized, the Roma people have become the target of governments across Europe. In 2010, France launched a campaign against them, expelling 13,000 - many of them landing in Romania. (See Prayer Alert 4010, 3810 & 3510) The problem is that life is worse in Romania and other eastern countries where Roma tend to concentrate. Unemployment in Roma towns has soared. Opportunities are so scarce that a once-itinerant people are on the move, suspicion following them wherever they go. Southern Baptist International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries have started two significant ministries with the Roma: ‘From Everywhere To Everywhere’ trains Roma believers to go across Europe and share the Gospel with other Roma. ‘Far Away Romany Missions’ is a summer programme dedicated to providing biblical and evangelism training to the Roma. ‘Burning Bush’ is a rapidly growing Roma church with 3,000 members - located in a Romanian town with a population of 7,000.
Pray: for the work of IMB missionaries and for the openness of the Roma people to the Gospel. (Is.52:7)
Free speech and religion in Russia
A survey by a Russian think tank shows that the Russian people are conflicted over freedom of expression and perceived attacks on Christianity. This past summer, sociologists at the Levada Centre found that 58 percent of Russians believe people should enjoy freedom of speech, which means they have the right to publicly criticize religion. At the same time, 21 percent believe that the authorities should have the right to fine or imprison people who publicly criticize religion because such criticism could ‘undermine the reputation of the church.’ The survey comes in the wake of a high-profile trial of two Russian intellectuals who organized a 2006 exhibition called ‘Forbidden Art', and were subsequently charged with degrading and insulting the Christian faith and believers. The art depicted an Orthodox icon of the Virgin Mary made out of caviar. Western-style freedom of speech is still scarce in the former Soviet Union.
Pray: that such controversies will open up opportunities for the Gospel and so transform the hearts and lives of many people. (Jn.15:18)
To live a lifestyle of 24/7 prayer does not mean praying literally 24 hours a day. A 24/7 lifestyle of prayer is a ministry of availability:
1. being available to listen to the Holy Spirit and
2. praying according to the prayer burdens that He lays on your heart.
24/7 Prayer is to live as a priest appointed by God: being in constant fellowship with God through praise and worship and also to intercede for the world.
To grow in your own prayer life, we are giving two different ways on how to pray.
1. Guidelines (2 models) on how to pray for one hour.
2. Guidelines on how the use the Bible/Scripture for prayer.
Practical guides on how to pray for One Hour
Many people struggle to spend more than 5-10 minutes in prayer. By following the link below you will find two models that will help you to pray step by step for one hour. We have divided an hour into 12 x 5 minute blocks and this easy way of praying will help you to spend your prayer time more effectively.
One of the models is a prayer pamphlet, available in 20 languages, called Seek My Face. These models are completely adaptable to your needs, e.g. should you have only 20 to 30 minutes available, then you simply take 4 to 6 of these 5 minute blocks to pray. You can also change any of the blocks of information to make it more suitable for your own situation. It is important to understand that you can use this as a guideline, and it certainly does not mean you have to pray for one hour every day.
www.jwipn.com/articles.asp (Look for the articles Hour that Changes the World and Seek My Face under 24/7 Prayer in the English section.)
Guidelines for praying the Word
One of the most neglected but most fruitful ways to pray is by simply using your Bible. It is time to make our Bibles our prayer book. There are many ways to do it by simply reading the Word, reading and praying the Psalms, praying God's promises, praying God's will, purposes and commands, or contemplatively praying through one Bible book at a time. Follow this link for more info:
http://www.jwipn.com/articles.asp (Under the section: God and His Word, you will find several helpful articles.)
24/7 Prayer for churches and communities
Guidelines on how to mobilise 24/7 prayer for churches and communities, you will find at www.globaldayofprayer.com/res_247.html
When the protests began in Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations, World Evangelical Alliance (WEA, http://www.worldevangelicals.org/) and Evangelical Fellowship of Egypt called on believers around the world to pray. We still need to be in prayer because the protests in Egypt, now almost three weeks old, may have reached their most critical and dangerous stage. President Mubarak has appointed a vice president—the first time to do so in 30 years of power—and his government is offering reforms that are not acceptable to the protesters, so the movement continues to grow and demands his ouster. The latest, as of February 10, is that Mubarak refuses to step down as president though he has handed over some powers to his new vice-president.
Two Egyptian prayer leaders that have been affiliated with the IPC walked around Tahrir Square, the epicenter of the protests, earlier today and sensed strongly the presence of spirits of rebellion and oppression. Please pray that violence may be averted on Friday, February 11th, the Muslim prayer day, that is being called the “Day of Martyrs” and in the days to come. May there be an orderly and peaceful transition of power to those democratic reforms and government that the people are calling for. Pray that radical elements such as the Muslim Brotherhood will be stopped from subverting this process and taking power as they did in Iran.
On February 2, 2011, WEA issued a news release calling urgently for global prayer for Egypt that is still relevant:
“The WEA communicated to the Evangelical Fellowship of Egypt (EFE) its concern over the current unrest in the country and asked how the WEA community can effectively pray. The EFE confirmed that the church all over Egypt is united in prayer for the country and called on the church globally to pray with them. Since WEA’s contact with EFE, the situation has become more violent and unstable. Nobody knows what the changes in Egypt will be, but evangelicals in Egypt know that God is in control. Though they are a small minority, they are deeply committed to being good citizens and contributing positively to the future health and development of their nation.
They are asking prayer for:
• wisdom for all leaders in Egypt – both for the present government and for the future leadership of the country
• safety of the young people in Tahrir Square – some of them are Christian; some of them are Muslim. The Christians believe strongly that most Muslims and Christians are united in their common concern for the welfare of the nation.
• peaceful change
• positive outcomes that will benefit the country as a whole and will bring glory to God
• positive impact on the region and the wider world as a result of the change in Egypt”
The World Evangelical Alliance is made up of 128 national evangelical alliances located in 7 regions and 104 associate member organizations and global networks. The WEA is the world’s largest association of evangelical Christians serving a constituency of 600 million people. The WEA is a voice to governments, media, and other faith communities and holds consultative status at the United Nations.
Also, pray for the overthrow of evil that is secretive, deceptive, and subtle that will try to take advantage of the vulnerability of the government and those who are protesting their lack of justice and freedom.
Gambian jail nightmare over for mum
A South Devon Christian missionary, jailed for sedition in the Gambia, has been released. Fiona Fulton, from Torquay, and her husband David, originally from Troon, Ayrshire, were sentenced to 12 months in prison with hard labour last December. The Foreign Office has now confirmed Mrs Fulton was deported back to the UK on Tuesday after being released from the Gambian jail. Mr Fulton remains in prison after three more years were added to his jail term. Friends and family of the South Devon-based couple were last night celebrating Mrs Fulton's release after campaigning relentlessly to see her and David freed. Martin Speed, pastor of the Westhoughton Pentecostal Church in Bolton which supported the couple's missionary work in the Gambia, said the community's prayers had been answered. The couple were arrested in November 2008. They were sentenced to one year in prison with hard labour. The couple always denied the charges against them. Pray: God that Fiona has been released and pray that David will be able to join her soon. (Is.42:6-8)