NIGHTWATCH FOR EUROPE: week beginning Sunday February 11th 2007
‘Could you not watch with me for one hour?’ (Mtt26: 40)
WELCOME TO THE NIGHT WATCH FOR EUROPE
We had some good feed back again this week for which we thank you. We will begin the watch by praying into a response to Monika’s experience in Pozzuoli. We will continue to pray into Sue Mitchell’s word and then into some insight over Belgium that we received at the Nightwatch training weekend. Finally we will pray over the fiftieth anniversary celebrations of the European Union.
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We will send you a brief outline for prayer each week according to the prophetic direction coming from the contemporary prophetic movement in Europe. You will not always agree with everything in the watch material. Go with what you can and trust the Lord to help you with the rest. We are looking to carry on for another year and ten months, while realising that some can’t commit right now for as long as that. We are pleased for you to enlist for as long as you can. If you have to miss an occasional watch it’s OK as the rest of us will carry it. A six-month commitment is probably a good start.
THE CONTENT OF THE WATCH FOR THE WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 11th 2007
1. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY AND REFLECT OVER DAVID’S RESPONSE TO MONIKA’S EXPERIENCE
Monika said: “Coming to Naples I knew that I had to go to Pozzuoli. This was confirmed a few days beforehand at the Ashburnham meeting when Mike reminded us of what an African brother said on the EARP conference in Berlin Nov, 2005: We Europeans have to go back to the place where the gospel first got on European ground.”
David responded: “This marvellous story and the phrase “where the gospel first got on European ground” reminds me a bit of the historical revelation that the theologian NT Wright often shares about the word ‘gospel,’ and also of the history of ‘government’ on this continent. NT Wright shares that the Latin word ‘evangelium’ that we translate ‘gospel’ was used in a secular/political context as the announcement of the ‘good news’ that a new Caesar was in place, and that the announcement of Jesus is Lord is not made in a vacuum but that it is, in fact an announcement of a Christian gospel over against the political gospel or gospel of empire. It is not just a declaration of the good news that Jesus is Lord, but, taken in its context, the complete declaration of good news is: Jesus is Lord and Caesar isn’t.
Of course the implications of that are quite challenging to modern-day ‘western’ Christian experience.
Additionally, while I can’t really prove it due to my historical ignorance, I would not be surprised to find that Europe, over against other continents, in the last 2000 years has had more conflict, change and permutation of governmental structure and geopolitical boundaries than any other large region in the world (it certainly has had its fair share). It makes me think that the declaration of the Christian gospel, and not the least in Italy (Rome), was, in fact, received in the spirit realm as the provocative declaration that it was meant to be. We are, in Europe, in the midst of a wrestling match of who will govern? Who is in the position of Lordship? Who is King and what is His Kingdom?
2. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY AND REFLECT OVER THE NEXT EXCERPT FROM SUE MITCHELL’S WORD FOR THIS YEAR
The parable of the 5 wise and 5 foolish virgins was a word of preparation along these same lines for 2005 and should now be fully part of our armoury, to make right, rather than comfortable judgements and to make strong, Godly relationships rather than act out human responses based on false loyalty, emotion, and all other power plays. Only this will make full room for the Holy Spirit’s new initiatives, his fresh oil! Otherwise I foresee an increasing natural weariness, depression and physical weakness, to which God will then also add his own weight, coming to those who continue to try and manage ‘peace, peace’ where there is no peace (impossible in a time of urgent change) in Christian communities and organisations. There came a point for Samuel when he re-orientated his thinking, when he struggled with God concerning the sons of Jesse, until he turned the tide for the nation by aligning his priorities and choices with God’s and looked not for the imposing Saul look-alikes, but for one ‘out in the field’, unlikely, unlooked for, except by One who sees differently.
As the second example of the Nazarite he gives us a pointer of the second, middle phase of a Nazarite season. As Samson only succeeded in first provoking and then expediting the passing of the old order, Samuel turns from the old and calls a new order into place. The war between the two is won firstly in his own soul (he cast down vain imaginations…) and then he could call the public situation into change. The winning of this personal struggle among those called to leadership must, in my opinion, be decisively won in the months leading up to September next year. There is, since September this year, fresh grace and calling for breakthrough and fresh angelic release to overcome in areas of long-term captive thought and behaviour patterns, with many outside our church walls watching now, but ready to walk alongside those with the grace to break out to a new level of hope and holiness (servant-like sacrifice).
3. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR BELGIUM
Belgium, like the United Kingdom and Switzerland is ‘a little Europe’ – a nation made up of several different national identities. As such it has the prophetic and practical power to embody the unity in diversity that wider Europe needs. It is one of the main homes of the European Union, so this is especially important. Pray that the gaps between French, Dutch and German speaking Belgium will be filled with mutual honour, repentance for past sins and healing of past wounds. The Europe Africa reconciliation Process has focused on Belgium’s terrible sins towards Africa. pray that as the load shifts from them there will be renewed partnership internally and Belgium will be a wonderful sign of corporate unity! If you have time, find a map of the country and pray over it as the Lord leads you.
4. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION’S FIFTIETH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION THIS YEAR
As watchers we have a variety of different views about the EU. However it is a reality that God acknowledges and challenges to make room for his kingdom. The points that follow are taken directly from the EU 50th anniversary website. Try to focus on and celebrate the good things that have the potential to make room for the kingdom.
The Fiftieth Anniversary of the EU
The signature of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957 created our European family. Fifty years later, we are coming ever closer together. While remaining diverse in culture, language and traditions, our unity is based on common values: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and equality. Fifty years later, we have a lot to celebrate.
Peace and stability
Fifty years without war between any of the countries which now make up the EU is unprecedented in history. Integration, and expansion from six to 27 countries, has played a major part in that. The EU has at the same time become a force for peace in the world.
Freedom and democracy
Democracy is one of our core shared values. Among these values, the EU has entrenched freedom by adding new freedoms – freedom for people and goods to move across its borders. We can study, work or live in another EU country with a minimum of red tape, and enjoy health and social benefits everywhere. Travel across the EU is increasingly passport-free. The EU has also laid the foundations of an area where borders are not an obstacle to justice or security.
Prosperity
Citizens of the EU enjoy some of the world’s highest living standards, while enjoying some of its highest social standards. This is the European way: to balance increasing prosperity with the European social model. Combined economic strength has also brought global responsibilities, which the EU reflects in its trade and aid policies.
Jobs and growth
Working together has brought a single market – the world’s largest free trade area, a single currency shared by the majority of the EU’s citizens, and common standards of environmental protection and product safety. This has created jobs and growth and expanded our choice of competitively priced goods and services.
These are unique achievements worth celebrating, but this is not just about the past. It is a unique opportunity to better understand the present and to look towards the future, to discuss what Europe we want.
Such an anniversary deserves more than a single day. A wide variety of events will be organised all over Europe throughout the whole year. We hope you will enjoy them!
With God all things are possible!!!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN THIS WATCH,
