The 70-day cascade of prayer and praise will come to an end with the prayer relay finish in East London on the evening of the 26th July, and the Praise Bus will complete its journey on the 27th July.
We want to invite everyone everywhere to prayer 8:12 a.m. on 27th July - please forward this invitation on.
At 8:12 a.m. on 27th July 2012, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games are calling for bells to be rung across our nations: any bell, anyone, anywhere. www.allthebells.com
We feel this is a very significant moment and want to invite everyone to pray wherever they are on that day! We long to see a spiritual turning in our nation.
It is 70 years ago to the day when Winston Churchill called for the bells to be rung after the first battle of El Alamein ended on 27th July 1942 with a stalemate. The bells marked a turning point. After the second battle of El Alamein which ended on 3rd November 1942, there was victory. He recalled ‘before El Alamein, we never had a victory; after El Alamein, we never had a defeat’.
Bells were rung on 3 June at the Jubilee Pageant carried on the bell barge and were answered by church bells along the Thames. Bells will ring on 27th July 2012 at 8:12 a.m. A 27-ton bell will ring at 9:00 p.m. on 27 July. It is twice the size of Big Ben and the largest tuned bell in Europe and will ring in the Olympic Stadium to start London 2012. It will carry the quote from The Tempest, ‘Do not be afeared; the isle is full of noises’. A number of people have been carrying words about the significance of bells:
1. Jonathan Bellamy http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/life/The_Bells_Of_Change/47694/p1
2. Benicar Johnson of Bethel Church had a recent word about the bells ringing in England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=it3acc9XwAk&feature=em-share_video_user
3. Kathie Walters (http://www.kathiewaltersministry.com) who has mobilized thousands around the world to pray during the Jubilee and for the start of the games.
World Prayer Centre has put together some scriptures and prayers for you to use; but feel free to pray how the Lord leads on that morning. Download the Call to Prayer 27th July sheet (http://www.worldprayer.org.uk/files/2012/07/Call-to-Prayer-27-July-8.12am-WPC-27_07_12.pdf)
Please invite all you know!
Defence cuts for the British Armed Forces
The announcement of yet more defence cuts comes at a time when the Armed Forces are stretched beyond reasonable capacity, with those deployed working round the clock with little down time. The commitments given to our Armed Forces are great, from overseas to the home front, including currently the Olympic Games. Our Armed Forces are second to none but with each reduction, their capacity gets eroded. An army can be debilitated by a stroke of a pen, but to restore it again can takes years.
Pray: for wisdom for our Government and those in authority that the defence of the realm will remain secure. (Ps. 91:4)
Prayers scrapped at Edinburgh City Council meetings
The BBC is reporting that Edinburgh City Council in Scotland is to stop holding prayers during its meetings, reports Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries. ‘The local authority will instead introduce a 10-minute ‘Pause for Reflection’ sessions before meetings of the full council,’ said their story. ‘Group leaders and the Lord Provost agreed unanimously to the move. The sessions will be open to all staff, councillors and visitors who would normally be attending the full council meeting.’ The BBC said that the sessions will take place in the main council chamber 10 minutes before the monthly Thursday meeting. The BBC Scotland news website revealed that the sessions will be delivered by representatives from a wide variety of civic and community interests, including faith and belief groups, civic institutions, community and voluntary sector organisations. ’After this, the city officers will bring in the ceremonial mace and sword to mark the official start of the meeting.’
Pray: against any further moves by local government to stop holding prayer sessions before meetings. (Ps.119:169-170)
Weather and its consequences
The recent wet weather is caused by a high-altitude river of air called the Atlantic jet stream flowing from west to east separating the cool, wet and windy weather of the northern ocean from the stable, settled and warmer air to the south. In a good summer the jet stream lies north of Britain shielding us from the inclement weather closer to the NorthPole. But this year it has shifted south so that cool damp air has settled over the British Isles. Rain has destroyed numerous potato and apple crops and our farmers are struggling to meet supermarket quotas of various fruits and vegetables. The Summer Olympics are full of events meant to be played outside. Track and field events can quickly become hazardous in the rain and sailing can be downright dangerous in poor weather; Poor weather conditions will affect thousands of people attending New Wine and similar events this year.
Pray: for God's mercy on the weather patterns we are experiencing; may they not harm our agriculture, tourism, sporting activities and economic situation. (Ps.24:1,2)
Europe: Eurasian Union negotiations
Negotiations between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are advancing over the creation of a Eurasian Union, which would abolish customs duties and unify economic policies amongst participating countries. In February a Eurasian Economic Commission was established, with the fully ratified economic union expected to enter into force by 2015. The lengthy process of legal codification and harmonisation is under way. The Russian Permanent Mission to the EU held an informal presentation on Thursday 5th July aimed at clarifying the details of the union and reassuring EU businesses, concerned that the new union could become a ‘Soviet empire through the backdoor’. Representatives from the Economic Commission did not respond to questions over whether the Eurasian Union could be used by the EU to put political pressure on its members, especially Belarus, considered to be the 'last dictatorship in Europe'. The common economic space will see EU-style reforms, such as subsidies and state support for agriculture and handling of monopolies.
Pray: for a Eurasian Economic Union to be built on fair, honest and just trading, with consideration for the poorer communities. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780
Europe: Eurasian Union negotiations
Negotiations between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are advancing over the creation of a Eurasian Union, which would abolish customs duties and unify economic policies amongst participating countries. In February a Eurasian Economic Commission was established, with the fully ratified economic union expected to enter into force by 2015. The lengthy process of legal codification and harmonisation is under way. The Russian Permanent Mission to the EU held an informal presentation on Thursday 5th July aimed at clarifying the details of the union and reassuring EU businesses, concerned that the new union could become a ‘Soviet empire through the backdoor’. Representatives from the Economic Commission did not respond to questions over whether the Eurasian Union could be used by the EU to put political pressure on its members, especially Belarus, considered to be the 'last dictatorship in Europe'. The common economic space will see EU-style reforms, such as subsidies and state support for agriculture and handling of monopolies.
Pray: for a Eurasian Economic Union to be built on fair, honest and just trading, with consideration for the poorer communities. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780
Russia: 24,000 affected by floods
Russian officials failed to give adequate warnings before flash floods killed at least 171 people in the southern Krasnodar region. Record torrential rain was blamed for the floods. The town of Krymsk was devastated and the district boss was sacked. Seventeen people are still missing, 210 people are in hospital including 48 children. Local officials say flood warnings were given but many people were asleep at the time and did not hear them. TV pictures showed thousands of houses almost completely submerged, with people scrambling on to their rooftops to escape the rising waters. Hundreds of people are in temporary accommodation. More than 24,000 people have been affected by the floods and more than 5,000 houses were inundated. Russian newspapers (normally considered pro-government) were scathing in their criticism of authority and said, ‘the tragedy of Krymsk is a perfect demonstration of what slovenliness and hoping against hope can lead to’.
Pray: for the bereaved, the homeless and those trying to clean up after the disaster to receive the comfort support and assistance needed at this time. (Ps.25:6)
Russia: 24,000 affected by floods
Russian officials failed to give adequate warnings before flash floods killed at least 171 people in the southern Krasnodar region. Record torrential rain was blamed for the floods. The town of Krymsk was devastated and the district boss was sacked. Seventeen people are still missing, 210 people are in hospital including 48 children. Local officials say flood warnings were given but many people were asleep at the time and did not hear them. TV pictures showed thousands of houses almost completely submerged, with people scrambling on to their rooftops to escape the rising waters. Hundreds of people are in temporary accommodation. More than 24,000 people have been affected by the floods and more than 5,000 houses were inundated. Russian newspapers (normally considered pro-government) were scathing in their criticism of authority and said, ‘the tragedy of Krymsk is a perfect demonstration of what slovenliness and hoping against hope can lead to’.
Pray: for the bereaved, the homeless and those trying to clean up after the disaster to receive the comfort support and assistance needed at this time. (Ps.25:6)
World: Ramadan starts Friday 20th July
It is believed, ‘When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell Fire are closed and the devils are chained.’ (from Islam’s sacred text of Bukhari) Muhammad first learned about an alternative ‘feast’ and ‘fast’ from Christians in 7th century Arabia. Ramadan releases emotional excitement and religious zeal among Muslims. Fasting is mandatory during daylight and is broken at sunset when a special evening feast is celebrated. Adults appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from God and seek forgiveness for past sins. Muslims change their physical and emotional selves during 30days of fastingo not only abstain from food, but also refrain from all vice and evils committed consciously or unconsciously. May Ramadan remind us of our own need to pray, fast, and celebrate God’s sovereignty and the gift of his Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Pray: for Almighty God to show His grace and mercy for the 1,000,000,000+ Muslims around the world. May many encounter Jesus Christ at this time. (Jn.1:17)
More: http://www.30daysprayer.com/
Iran: Reporting impact of sanctions
Iran has warned the media against the publication of reports concerning the impact of Western sanctions, urging it to cooperate so that ‘the country is not hurt,’ Mohammad Hosseini, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said. ‘Our country is not in a position to allow the media to publish any news or analysis which is not compatible with the regime's and national interests.’ The media are closely watched in Iran and authorities regularly warn against the publication of ‘negative’ information in the economic and social fields. Meanwhile Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported, ‘Iranians are abandoning traditional eating habits and giving up chicken, red meat, fruit and sugar, being thrown out of work at alarming rates because factories are unable to import goods and equipment and the country faces running short of medicines. Sanctions have become a humanitarian issue. Undercover researchers discovered 10 basic foods had risen in price by 70% since March while the average family's food basket shrunk by half. See:
Pray: that the sanctions would have the desired effect on the government and may the people of Iran experience a better quality of life physically, emotionally and spiritually. (Tit.3:1-2)