NIGHTWATCH FOR EUROPE: week beginning Sunday 20th May 2007
‘Could you not watch with me for one hour?’ (Mtt26: 40)
WELCOME TO THE NIGHT WATCH FOR EUROPE
One or two people, (only one or two I am glad to say) have suggested that this watch material is rather too political. They would rather pray for more people to come to know Jesus personally and leave it at that. It is our conviction that the kingdom of God affects the kingdom of this world at every level. We enter it when we get saved and from then on our purpose is to effect this world on every level too. This makes the gospel bigger and our responsibilities greater than we may have at first thought. The first meaning of the word ‘ecclesia’ which is translated as ‘church’ in the English language, was the word for the people with the legitimate mandate to represent the city, the closest to it today is the city council. The church is intended to operate as an intercessory city council, to support the humanly appointed one in prayer where possible, and to stand in the gap for it where not. Jesus’ instructions to his followers are not simply good ideas that are impossible to live out; they are his intention for the human race. ‘Love your enemies’ is not only for Christians but God’s will for the whole of mankind, now. If you notice that this provides an important context for interpreting prophecies and opinions about Iraq and other world events you are right! What is true for the church locally is true continentally. We are the Lord’s continental intercessory council too. So this week we will be praying particularly for Europe’s relationship to what is happening on a worldwide level.
We mention one final time the expenses associated with preparing and distributing this Nightwatch material. If any of you are in a position to give this would be a good time to do so! Account details are available on our website (www.passion.org.uk) via the partnership button on the homepage. This give details of our Euro and Sterling accounts for a direct payment.
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 five 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 20th May 2007
1. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER NEXT SUNDAY (May 27th)
In many parts of the world this week is prayer week, and nearly everywhere next Sunday is the global day of prayer. Pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s direction for all concerned.
Graham Power, the Chairman of the Global Day of Prayer writes:
“In 2005 (the first Global Day of Prayer), 156 nations joined in prayer. Last year 199 nations participated, and now we are trusting GOD for the ‘miracle’ in which all 220 nations of the world will join on a day of Repentance and Prayer on Pentecost Sunday 2007. Of the 21 nations which did not participate in 2006, good progress is being made (for a full list please go to www.globaldayofprayer.com). If you have contacts within these Nations, please do assist in encouraging them to make contact and to join in this God given vision. Will we see, (for the first time in the history of the world), that All Nations join together for a day of Repentance and Prayer?
I am reminded of a dream which a friend has shared with me a few months ago, in which God showed him how a dark cloud was hovering over the Globe, and that at every one of these prayer gatherings on GDOP, an opening, like a cylinder of light was opened from Heaven to each of these gatherings, that Angels were ascending and descending freely, and that warring Angels were protecting and guarding this cylinder of light, such that it would never be closed again. What an awesome message from God.”
3. TAKE 25 MINUTES TO PRAY INTO GLOBAL EVENTS USING THE FOLLOWING EXCERPTS FROM THE INTERACT NEWSLETTER:
“A Global Re-distribution of Power
The current political/economic system of global governance represented by the United Nations, World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organisation, the G7/8 summit of nations and other global organisations has been based squarely upon the dominance of the United States in economic and military terms, in alliance with key European nations. This was strengthened by the demise of the Soviet Union in 1989, when the US became the sole superpower. However, this dominance is on the decrease. The rise of China and India in particular along with the resurgence of Russia is causing a significant re-distribution of power.
This is most clearly seen in economic terms. Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank calculate that by 2010, the annual growth in the combined national incomes of Brazil, Russia, India, and China, (the so-called BRIC countries), will be greater than that of the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy combined. So what does this mean? There are a few possibilities.
1. These new rising powers need to be incorporated into the current framework in a way that allows them to be full partners in decision making. Much effort has been made by the US and Europeans to incorporate China, India and Russia in new ways…
2. The new powers out of their strength will set up their own global institutions and seek the allegiance of other nations. Nationalists in these new superpowers powers seem to be eager to exploit matters of tension that may develop between their countries and the United States. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), for example, which consists of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (with India, Iran, Mongolia, and Pakistan as observers), has facilitated military and energy cooperation among its members….
3. A muddled situation develops with no global institutions and the globalisation process falters. A new 'cold war' could develop with no dominant power. These superpowers would fight for dominance on the territory of other nations…
4. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO GIVE THANKS OVER THE RECENT MACEDONIAN PRAYER EVENT:
The following is an extract from the report of the event (full report available from praymacedonia@gmail.com
“… There we were, about 45 people gathered together from about 9 different countries, believers from Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Poland, Germany, Holland, Norway, America, and England! Different languages, different cultures, different continents, BUT one Lord!
What did we DO for 3 days? We heard the call of ISAIAH 62, and we gathered as watchmen on the walls of Macedonia who determined that we would not give ourselves rest OR give our God rest.......until he established Macedonia and makes her the praise of the earth!
…We prayer-walked through 3 parts of the cities, looking into the eyes of people, praying prophetically over them, and in some cases stopping to pray for them right then and there!
We had a 2 hour "Praise Fest" in which we worshiped the Lord continuously in Albanian, Macedonian, and English. We sensed God's pleasure and joy as our praises rose from that place.
We prayed for the Macedonian Church, for Pastors and their families, for unity and passion for Jesus to ARISE in His Church NOW! And we prayed for the upcoming plans of the Global Day of Prayer - even preparing the House of Prayer where for 10 days will be 24 hours of prayer starting May 17-26 in Skopje, and we prayed for the city-wide church-wide Prayer Gathering on May 27, the GDOP!
…We prayed for ALL the Balkan nations plus Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria....
Asking the LORD to break the curse of darkness and division that has been hovering over this entire region for FAR TOO LONG!
5. FINALLY TAKE 5 MINUTES TO REJOICE AND PRAY OVER THE FAITHFULNESS OF THOSE WHO RECENTLY GAVE THEIR LIVES TO CHRIST IN TURKEY
Here is part of a brief report of the funeral:
“In the closing moments of this incredible service, one of the pastors shouted “Afferin Necati!!! Afferin Tilman!!! Afferin Uður!!!---Which translated means--- “Well done Necati!! Well done Tilman!! Well done Uður!! We are certain the LORD echoed those same sentiments, as he received those precious men into HIS heavenly kingdom!!! Then, as Necati’s body was lovingly ushered onward to its final resting place, applause and praise resonated throughout the garden! As we looked up, we noticed that the media stood utterly dumbfounded!
We were quite certain they had NEVER witnessed anything like this before. Yet, as believers we knew we had been in the very presence of the LORD! It seemed as if we had observed church history in the very making. Most importantly, we believe that the precious blood of these saints was NOT shed in vain, but will be used to further GOD’S KINGDOM in a manner that has not occurred since the time of the apostles! So let it be written--- so let it be done!!!!!!”
