NIGHTWATCH FOR EUROPE: week beginning Sunday 15th April 2007
‘Could you not watch with me for one hour?’ (Mtt26: 40)
WELCOME TO THE NIGHT WATCH FOR EUROPE
This week we will take time to pray into several more of the Berlin declarations for the EU fiftieth anniversary and then focus again on the French elections that take place in two weeks time. We will use this all this as a window to pray into the foundations of European politics and to look for the kingdom of God that is coming.
If you know of anyone who would also like to receive this night watch prayer bulletin each week, they can subscribe by going to www.passion.org.uk/announcemail and submitting their details on the web form. Alternatively they can email us at admin@passion.org.uk
IF YOU ARE A REGULAR YOU CAN SKIP THE NEXT 2 PARAGRAPHS
If you are receiving this material unexpectedly it is because someone has suggested that you may be interested to join in. If you do not want to keep receiving it please inform us immediately and we will stop sending it to you. We want to let those of you who are newcomers know that we are very pleased to have your partnership in this watch. We are simply asking for a commitment of an hour a week some time between 9pm and 6am whatever time zone you are in.
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. This Nightwatch began in November 2003 and We are looking to carry on for another year and seven 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 15th April 2007
1. Take 15 minutes to pray into the second of the three declarations that make up the 50th anniversary statement of the European Union.
You won’t agree with it all! Please make a note of those things that you sense that God disagrees with, pray about them and let us know what they are please: email us at admin@passion.org.uk
“We are facing major challenges which do not stop at national borders. The European Union is our response to these challenges. Only together can we continue to preserve our ideal of European society in future for the good of all European Union citizens. This European model combines economic success and social responsibility.
The common market and the Euro make us strong. We can thus shape the increasing interdependence of the global economy and ever-growing competition on international markets according to our values.
Europe's wealth lies in the knowledge and ability of its people; that is the key to growth, employment and social cohesion. We will fight terrorism, organized crime and illegal immigration together.
We stand up for liberties and civil rights also in the struggle against those who oppose them. Racism and xenophobia must never again be given any rein.
We are committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the world and to ensuring that people do not become victims of war, terrorism and violence.
The European Union wants to promote freedom and development in the world. We want to drive back poverty, hunger and disease. We want to continue to take a leading role in that fight.
We intend jointly to lead the way in energy policy and climate protection and make our contribution to averting the global threat of climate change.”
2. Continue to take time to declare the Lord’s promises and resist the devil during these times of transition (15 minutes).
One of the key things we have noted in past watches is the importance of biblical statements over Europe that reveal part of the redemptive purpose and destiny of the European nations. Some of these are listed below. You may find it helpful to declare them and resist the devil away from them.
Over the Balkans:
“In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum (former Yugoslavia) I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” (Rom 15:19)
Declare that the Balkan region is a place whose destiny is the fullness of the gospel.
For Rome:
“And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” (Act 28:30-31)
Declare Rome a city whose destiny is to have no hindrance and complete openness to the good news of the kingdom of God.
Declare Turkey a place whose destiny is to be a land of overcomers against everything set against the kingdom of God
3. Take 15 minutes to pray again for the forthcoming French presidential elections
Use the following information as the Lord leads you:
Official campaigning has begun ahead of first round of polling on 22nd April. Twelve candidates are vying to succeed veteran centre-right leader Jacques Chirac: Nicolas Sarkozy of the centre-right UMP remains the frontrunner, with Socialist rival Segolene Royal in second place. Polls show centrist candidate Francois Bayrou not far behind, with far-right leader Jean-Marie Le Pen - who reached the second round in 2002 - fourth.
Candidates are accorded strict equality in terms of air time on radio and television. Each one has 45 minutes of broadcast time. They can use three types of campaign clip: one-minute, two-and-a-half minutes and five-and-a-half minutes. The election is expected to go to a second round between the two leading candidates on 6th May, as no candidate is considered likely to win 50% or more of the vote on 22nd April. A survey by CSA in Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday indicated that 42% of voters were still undecided.
On the basis of the latest opinion poll by Ifop shows Mr Sarkozy the likely winner of the second round with 54%, compared with Ms Royal's 46%. In the first round, Mr Sarkozy is credited with 29.5%, Ms Royal with 22%, Mr Bayrou with 19% and Mr Le Pen with 14%, according to Ifop. Election officials say record numbers of people - more than 44.5 million - have registered to vote.
4. Take 15 minutes to pray into the foundations of European politics keeping in mind the following:
i) God appointed people to live in various lands. This doesn’t mean that he planned the kind of nation states and political system that we are used to today. (Acts 17:26)
ii) Jesus told his followers not to lead over humanity but to serve among them, and to be a radical example to the people groups. (Luke 22:25-27)
iii) Paul and Peter told us to be subject to the ruling authorities for the purpose of making them more just, not just because they are in charge. In the case of Paul compare Rom 13:3 with Acts 23:1-5 (Paul went to school with this man!). In the case of Peter compare 1Pet 2:13-17 and Acts 4:18-20.
iv) Europe’s current political system will not last. (Rev 18:1-3)
v) By ‘come out from among her’ the Lord does not mean living in a Christian subculture but living fully in the world by the way of the kingdom of God. (Luke 12: 29-31; John 17:11)
