NIGHTWATCH FOR EUROPE: week beginning Sunday December 31st 2006
‘Could you not watch with me for one hour?’ (Mtt26: 40)
WELCOME TO THIS NEW YEAR NIGHT WATCH FOR EUROPE
This year is likely to be a year of trial for many of us, as is emphasized in the prophetic word we have been praying into over the last month or more. This should not discourage us but gives cause for rejoicing! We can gain very important ground this way and is the most practical form of intercession. We now have one year and 10 months remaining of our three and a half year watch and it is time to increase the level of engagement. So this week we will begin with the final excerpt of the prophetic word, pray into some important scriptures that strengthen us in it before praying again for Bulgaria and Romania that join the European Union this week, using the information provided on the official EU website. It may be that some of the technical information does not transfer well from the EU website to the system we use to send this watch to you. Please do the best you can with what you receive. You can simply go to http://europa.eu/abc/index_en.htm yourself and click on your preferred language and then Bulgaria and Romania to get the information properly.
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. 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 DECEMBER 31st 2006
1. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY OVER THIS FINAL EXCERPT FROM ‘A TIME TO LIVE IN HOPE’
“Previous moves of God have been known sometimes by a key prayer offered by those involved. I believe it was Evan Roberts who prayed in the Welsh revival of 1906 that the Lord ‘bend’ him, Wesley in the eighteenth century who wanted his heart to ‘burn’, others like those in the East African revival that cried out for their hearts to be ‘broken’. I hear a cry in the Spirit for the Lord to ‘try’ us this time.” The full text of this prophetic word can be found by logging on to www.passion.org.uk
2. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR THE COMING YEAR AS YOU REFLECT OVER THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5) (5 minutes)
"Behold, I am going to send my messenger, and he will clear the way before me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, he is coming," says the LORD of hosts.
But who can endure the day of his coming? And who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness.” (Mal 3:1-3) (5 minutes)
"But he knows the way I take; when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) (5 minutes)
3. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR BULGARIA
This is how it is described on the official EU website:
Member States of the EU
Bulgaria
• Year of EU entry: 2007
• Political system: Republic
• Capital city: Sofia
• Total area: 111 000 km²
• Population: 7.8 million
• Currency: Lev
Located in the heart of the Balkans, Bulgaria offers a highly diverse landscape: the north is dominated by the vast lowlands of the Danube and the south by the highlands and elevated plains. In the east, the Black Sea coast attracts tourists all year round.
Founded in 681, Bulgaria is one of the oldest states in Europe. Its history is marked by its location near Europe’s frontier with Asia. Some 85% of the population are Orthodox Christians and 13% Muslims. Around 10% of the population are of Turkish origin while 3% are Roma. Similarly, its traditional dishes are a mixture of east and west. The most famous Bulgarian food must be yoghurt, with its reputed gift of longevity for those Bulgarians who consume it regularly.
The Bulgarian National Assembly (the single chamber parliament) consists of 240 members who are elected for a four-year period.
Bulgaria’s main exports are light industrial products, foods and wines, which are successfully competing on European markets.
Bulgaria is famous for its folk music. A Bulgarian folk song was recorded on the Voyager Golden Record which was sent into outer space by NASA. Famous Bulgarians include philosopher Julia Kristeva and Elias Canetti, Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1981 and Christo Javachev (“Christo”), the creator of many unorthodox outdoor sculptures.
4. TAKE 15 MINUTES TO PRAY FOR ROMANIA
This is how it is described on the official EU website:
Member States of the EU
Romania
• Year of EU entry: 2007
• Political system: Republic
• Capital city: Bucharest
• Total area: 238 000 km²
• Population: 21.8 million
• Currency: Leu
Romania, in southeast Europe, is mountainous in the north while the main feature in the south is the vast Danube valley. The river forms a delta as it approaches the Black Sea, which is a wildlife reserve for countless native and migratory birds.
The Romanian parliament consists of two chambers, the Senat (Senate), which has 140 members, and the Camera Deputaţilor (Chamber of Deputies), which has 345 members. The members of both chambers are chosen in elections held every four years.
Ethnically, the population is 90% Romanian and 7% Hungarian. The Romanian language, like a number of others in southern Europe, is directly descended from Latin, although Romania is separated from other Romance-language countries by Slav speakers. Romania has considerable natural resources – oil, natural gas, coal, iron, copper and bauxite. Metal-working, petrochemicals and mechanical engineering are the main industries.
Romanian specialities include grilled meatballs, pork stew with garlic and onions and doughnuts made with cream and cheese.
The spine-chilling tale of Dracula is based on the 15th century Romanian Count Vlad Dracul whose son was famous in wartime for impaling captured enemies. Well-known Romanians include the writer Eugene Ionesco, the gymnast Nadia Comaneci and the composer George Enesco.
