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Prince Philip, 99, had already spent 16 nights in hospital, being treated for an infection. He was then moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for tests and observation on a heart condition. On 3 March a surgical procedure was performed. The duke will remain in hospital for treatment, rest, and recuperation for a number of days.
Praise: God for Prince Philip’s healing, and continue to pray for his condition to improve in the coming days. Pray also for the Queen and all the royal family to know God’s peace amid difficult times. (John 14:27)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56278445 |
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A recent survey shows that during the pandemic Christians are reading the Bible more; it is having a positive impact on their mental health, wellbeing and hope in the future. Many also found it helped with loneliness, and amazingly 97% of respondents found that it had completely or partly met their reasons for engaging with the Bible. The answers to the multiple open-ended questions in this survey provided a plethora of rich data. Since the pandemic started, 35% had seen their engagement with the Bible increase while only 5% had seen it decline. This was also reflected in the length of time spent with the Bible, which had increased for 27%. Interestingly 54% of those who were engaging more said they were also discussing it more with others.
Praise: God for the power of His word, lighting our path when darkness surrounds us. (John 1:5)
More: www.christian-research.org/reports/recent-research/hope/ |
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Naomi and other refugees ate edible leaves while fleeing Boko Haram. She was desperate. ‘I had only God, and I talked to Him. He gave me the strength I needed.’ Naomi, her children and several thousand other refugees hid on a mountain for two years before Boko Haram chased them, with guns and bombs, to Cameroon. After leaving Cameroon, she found a camp for internally displaced people, but again they were told to leave. ‘I did not know where to go, so I cried to God.’ Next, Voice of the Martyrs workers found her – an answer to her prayers. They helped her children start school, and helped them move into their own house. ‘Since the passing of my husband, God has kept me. The attack only made me stronger in my faith.’
Praise: God for the work of mission agencies as they deliver His love, rescue the lost, and provide for the vulnerable. (1 Peter 5:7)
More: www.persecution.com/2021-02-naomi-story/ |
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Rishi Sunak has set out tax and spending plans to help business and people through the pandemic and support long-term economic recovery. Although the economy shrank by 10% in 2020, it is forecast to rebound in 2021, with projected growth of 4% and a return to pre-Covid levels by the middle of 2022. Pray that these projections will be met or exceeded, and the Government’s actions will fulfil the promises of recovery for those remaining on furlough. Pray for easy access to the promised increased Working Tax Credit and Universal Credit for those in need. May the budget bring relief to the 700,000 unemployed. We can thank Him for £1.65bn to support vaccination rollout and £19m for domestic violence programmes and networks of respite rooms for homeless women. However, the shock of coronavirus on our economy won’t be fixed overnight. May God give our Government wise strategies progressively to reduce debt.
Pray: for God to bless the actions released through this budget so that people can begin to restart their lives. (Romans 15:13)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56266773 |
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Christian MPs have shared their views on the Chancellor’s economic plan. Shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, ‘What are we going to do to help 16-24 yr olds who have not even gone into the labour market yet? I didn’t hear enough on that. I don’t think there was any mention of the NHS or social care; nor of teachers and schools, when we have this massive educational challenge ahead of us. I felt it wasn’t looking long-term enough.’ Conservative MP Sir Desmond Swayne said Mr Sunak’s timetable was ‘masterful’, adding, ‘We will have to pay for it, and that was an important message to have got across’. Former Labour politician and Christian peer Frank Field said it was the best budget he had seen in his 42 years in politics, saying it met current needs and set out a plan for the future. For many more Christian insights, click the ‘More’ button.
Pray: for Christian MPs, charities and churches to develop workable strategies to help the homeless, debt ridden, unemployed and those struggling with their education. (Daniel 6:27)
More: premierchristian.news/en/news/article/christian-charities-and-mps-respond-to-the-budget |
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The Office of National Statistics reported overall crime rates have declined in 12 months, but there was a sharp rise in drug offences and anti-social behaviour. Knife crime is at its highest recorded level, having doubled in just six years. It soared by 25% after the first lockdown was eased last summer, sparking concerns of an ‘eruption’ of violence once current Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Pray for policing minister Kit Malthouse and all working to stop senseless bloodshed as restrictions are eased. With rising unemployment and poor job prospects, some young people are finding it hard to believe in a positive future. Many see no alternative but to turn to illegal and dangerous ways of making money, and carry knives to protect themselves.
Pray: for God to give the Government, churches, and agencies all they need to address the challenges facing unemployed youth with workable support and protection. (Nahum 1:7)
More: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9300795/Knife-crime-offences-soared-six-cent-year-50-000-time.html |
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Around half of police stations in the UK have been closed over the past decade. At least 667 stations with front counters allowing the public to speak with officers have been shut since 2010 to reduce costs. The Home Office said there are ‘a range of reasons’ behind the closures, including a rise in the use of online crime reporting instead of members of the public approaching police at a station counter. David Lammy, shadow secretary of state for justice, said over half of Britain’s police stations have closed in ten years, and more than half of the courts in England and Wales are closed. He accused the Conservatives of causing lawlessness and disorder.
Pray: that there will be more police present in the streets, and for God’s protection in vulnerable areas without a police station; and for the police to get access to vaccination. (Exodus 14:14)
More: www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/lawlessness-and-disorder-around-half-of-uk-police-stations-closed-in-past-decade-222853/ |
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In recent weeks we have heard of declining mental health and increasing suicide among many, including young people and those working in farming. Pressures on the latter have been immense over the last year, due to weather, Covid, Brexit, bovine TB and bird flu. Continue to pray for all working in farming and on the land and for those ministering to them in any way. Pray for their physical and emotional protection and for them to cry out to the Lord, come to know Him, and experience His love for the first time. A good maxim for the countryside is ‘Leave only footprints, keep to the paths, take only photographs, kill nothing but time’. In recent years, public concern for the environment and wildlife and appreciation of farmers and farming have grown. As lockdown eases and the weather improves, visitors will head to the countryside; may they remember this motto.
Pray: for concern and countryside appreciation to translate into respect for both the natural and human inhabitants of the countryside (Psalm 24:1)
More: www.worldprayer.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=76cbd1d0-521d-42f6-88dd-ae7932a8cd7d |
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Millions have experienced loneliness in our efforts to stay safe and save lives. A survey of UK adults nine months into Covid-19 revealed 24% had feelings of loneliness in the previous fortnight. By March 2021 depression had increased by 240%. Pray for God to watch over the nation and give us perception and peace as we continue to adapt to keeping safe as we come out of lockdown and begin contacting more people. Doing good is good for our mental health. As restrictions ease, may more of us take the opportunity to help someone else feeling lonely. Pray for hope to arise as more people are immunised and as science prepares the way forward for physical and emotional healing, and pray for God to minister spiritual healing.
Pray: for the Lord to help us nurture, cherish and build up the relationships that have been put on pause. (Psalm 133:1-2)
More: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/coronavirus/loneliness-during-coronavirus |
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A former Labour first minister of Scotland, Henry McLeish, has criticised the Scottish Government for a failure of responsibility over its unlawful handling of sexual harassment complaints against Alex Salmond, and branded it ‘bizarre’ there had been no resignations. Conservatives had already declared Nicola Sturgeon guilty and wanted her to resign before she gave evidence on 3 March. There are still significant issues to be resolved and concerns about the ability of the committee investigating the government’s actions to complete its work before parliament breaks for the election campaign on 25 March.
Pray: for evidence given by both sides to be wisely and justly examined, and for misinformation to be recognised. (Ephesians 4:25)
More: www.scotsman.com/news/politics/alex-salmond-inquiry-former-first-minister-mcleish-says-its-bizarre-no-one-has-resigned-3153772 |
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The following is from Prayer Canopy over Europe: ‘Pray for more Christians to serve the world of politics as advocates and lobbyists in a holistic way. In the past British lobbyists have been the backbone of the profession in Brussels and highly sought after. Pray that Brexit will not diminish the Christian voice in Brussels, but that Christians from other countries will step into the breach. Please pray for Christian politicians to see clearly when their Christian calling needs them to depart from their party line, and for God to send them people to give godly unbiased counsel and to pray for them. Pray that they may be given the strength to resist the temptations which come to those who have an onerous and influential job to do whilst living a private lonely existence away from home and family.
Pray: for any political issues to be overcome in Covid vaccination programme so that all who want to be vaccinated can do so very soon. (Proverbs 11:3)
More: mcusercontent.com/ffd99da83edd4244458b59317/files/8f20064b-f606-4fd7-8eaf-87df1115018f/Canopy_103_English.pdf |
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A March prayer letter for Germany addresses intercessors everywhere to view our identity. Does it come from what we achieve (outwardly) or from our relationship with God (inwardly)? May our identity lie in being sons and daughters of God, hidden with Christ. The significance that He attributes to us could not be greater: chosen by him, created for good works, partakers of his divine nature, raised with him from the dead, seated in the heavenly realms. We are also challenged to consider how we prepare ourselves for the future, especially as we continue to live under the restrictions of the pandemic. Pray and care for those in special need; pray for the kingdom of God to be established within Germany and also in your country.
Pray: for encouragement and many answered prayers in these challenging times. (Colossians 3:3,4)
More: www.waechterruf.de/gebetsbriefe/gebetsbriefe/gebetsbrief/ |
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Over a dozen lives are claimed in nightly raids in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 1 March Italian diplomats and World Food Programme workers were killed in an attack on a UN convoy. Officials blame the Allied Democratic Forces, or ADF, for this incident – the latest in a disturbing trend. Armed groups have killed over a thousand civilians in eastern DRC since late 2019. ‘In 2021, we’ve seen mass attacks by these Muslim extremists,’ said Voice of the Martyrs Canada. There are more than 100 armed groups operating in DRC. Not all of them are Islamic, but those that are have one goal in mind. They are radical, and even though they may have lost some control in places like Iraq and Syria they’re doing whatever they can to cause destruction, particularly where a large majority of people are Christian.
Pray: for God to move powerfully in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Pray for believers’ protection and safety as they continue to spread the Gospel. (Isaiah 41:10)
More: www.mnnonline.org/news/dr-congos-2021-death-toll-includes-100-believers/ |
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Four Christian men were beaten and scarred by knives carving Xs on their skin, and forced to eat sheets of the Bible in a recent shocking incident in Venezuela. The perpetrators are believed to oppose the work of Restoration House, a church-led drug rehabilitation programme in the city of Libertador, which the four victims had joined. Threats had been made against the house before the attack. In Latin America, the illegal activities of drug gangs are endangered by churches who deter people from criminality. This can lead to opposition, which explains this latest Venezuelan incident. The men have since been discharged from hospital. One remains in particularly poor health, with injuries to his lungs and head and two broken ribs. Two others have their legs and arms in casts. Pray for God to surround them with His healing presence, and that they will continue their recoveries from drug addiction and grow in their walks with Jesus.
Pray: for wisdom and courage for Pastor Dugarte and his wife as they lead the centre, and that there will be no further attacks. (Psalm 34:7)
More: www.opendoorsuk.org/news/latest-news/venezuela-christians-bibles/ |
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Myanmar’s military fired the country’s ambassador to the UN after he called for the army to be removed from power. The security forces are intensifying their crackdown on protesters with live ammunition, killing many. A police major resigned in a show of solidarity with anti-coup protesters, saying, ‘I don’t want to continue serving under the current military regime.’ He had been with the Special Branch since 1989. See Christians in the country are asking for help because they have lived under military leadership for decades. They don’t want it back. But the church is not all aligned. Some think they need to be peaceful; others are more activist in nature. Please pray for the safety of Christians in Myanmar. Asian Access said, ‘If you have any way of connecting with people there, sending them words of encouragement is a huge help. You could even send messages to asianaccess.org. We could send those messages along, and say, “People are praying for you, they care about you”.’
Pray: for justice to reign and the junta to step back, for the release of Ms Suu Kyi and all illegally held prisoners and for the elected government to be restored. (Isaiah 61:8)
More: www.mnnonline.org/news/military-kills-dozens-of-civilians-in-myanmar/ |
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Handicap International’s involvement in Thai refugee camps gives children the opportunity to be a cared-for child. Being a child in poverty and stress is particularly challenging if you are disabled. Since 1984, Thailand has sheltered people fleeing Myanmar’s violence in camps along the border. Some refugees were born in the camps and have never set foot outside. Most are Karen, a mixed people group without a shared language or religion. Since the 1940s, ongoing conflicts between Karen separatists and the Burmese army have forced many to flee. 400,000 Karen people are homeless. Camp conditions are extremely poor; in the past cholera and malaria have occurred. Children suffer from chronic malnutrition and respiratory infections. There is no electricity, phone signal, healthcare, or education.
Pray: for the refugee families with an uncertain future to receive the aid needed to rebuild their lives, for adults to find work, and for children to have the freedom to play. (Proverbs 23:18)
More: humanity-inclusion.org.uk/en/news/mae-la-refugee-camp-in-thailand-a-difficult-place-to-be-a-child |
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From Belarus and Portugal to Sri Lanka and Suriname, Bible Societies are facing financial collapse in countries hardest-hit by the pandemic. Two thirds of Bible Societies around the world now face significant survival challenges: 20% risk immediate closure. However, we can thank God for $4.1 million given to them by a global Solidarity Fund, to provide finances for staff salaries, Bible translations, and continued work on essential outreach projects.
Pray: for fundraising for Bible work to receive many miraculous injections of funds. (Philippians 4:19)
More: www.eternitynews.com.au/world/on-the-brink-of-closure-bible-societies-supported-by-new-global-fund/ |
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Egypt will now allow Muslims to build Christian churches as paid labourers. In the past, Muslims have often seen this kind of work as taboo. The pronouncement allows them to help build any of the 44 churches now under construction around Egypt. They can also join the work on 16 historic Coptic churches now being restored. Tom Doyle of Uncharted Ministries says, ‘This is a big step. This is the government saying, “We are giving our okay for this”. And that’s another good sign. So we are thankful for that, and pray that there will be better relations between Muslims and Christians. We know as Muslims become exposed to the Gospel and see the joy of the Lord in believers, it is attractive to them. They want to know more. Saudi Arabia is the heart of Arab Islam. But Egypt is the brains of Arab Islam.’
Pray: for this to be the beginning of a religious/political healing and an outpouring of Holy Spirit led conversions from Islam. (Hebrews 12:28)
More: www.mnnonline.org/news/egypt-allows-muslims-to-help-build-churches/ |
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The 2014 kidnap of 276 Chibok schoolgirls brought global attention to raids on schools in Nigeria. Now criminals are making money with copycat crimes. Nearly 300 girls were kidnapped from a boarding school last week, then released four days later after a ransom was paid. One girl said, ‘Most of us got injured, and we could not carry on walking. They said they would shoot anybody who did not continue walking. We walked across a river and they let us sleep under shrubs in a forest.’ Their release was secured through negotiations between government officials and the abductors. Kidnapping for ransom is a widespread criminal enterprise. Both rich and poor are seized by gunmen on almost a daily basis. Security personnel have also been held. The aim is to secure someone’s release by raising funds from friends and relatives – or even selling their assets.
Pray: for better security for unfenced schools without security guards and for the government to stop ransom payment and increase rescue efforts. (Psalm 138:7)
More: www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-56249626 |
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Prayer Alert is produced in partnership with
The World Prayer Centre, Cornerstone House, 5 Ethel Street, Birmingham, B2 4BG, England.
The views expressed in Prayer Alert and on our website are those of the authors, organisations and websites named, and are not necessarily those of the Prayer Alert Editorial Team, the Prayer Alert Steering Group or the World Prayer Centre or any of its employees or trustees. While we try to ensure that the information we provide is correct, mistakes do occur and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of our material. If you do notice any mistakes then please let us know.
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