EU Review & Call to Prayer (EURCP)

NEW FORMAT - SUMMARIES, ATTACHMENTS AND TRANSLATION OPTIONS

(By Praise & Prayer Ministries International   http://www.EUPrayer.com)

 

Our primary purpose is not to advocate issues, but a call to prayer about issues - issues that might impact the Christian community of Europe, and the rest of the world.  As the EU government agencies begin to define the rule of law for the new Europe, only through prayer and involvement can the Christians act effectively for their governing legislation and policies. Let us join in prayer that the following information will help make this possible. 

 

The Word to pray [1 Timothy 2: 1 "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence…”

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7 April 2005, EUReview & Call to Prayer Ministries – Hugh E. and Norma Jenson Davis

 

 ********* SUNDAY, 1ST MAY, 2005, PRAY FOR THE EU DAY *********

Join with Christians, prayer organization and churches across Europe – and the world – in united prayer for God’s will in the EU government. 

 

INDEX for prayer

A tribute to Karol Wojtyla [Pope John Paul II]

Africa invites the whole world to participate in a Global Day of Repentance and Prayer on Pentecost Sunday - 15 May 2005

European Union news review

Keep faith out of politics, says Blair ( but an active role in society)

Christian Media in Europe increasing

 

A tribute to Karol Wojtyla [Pope John Paul II]

Weekly Word,  04 April/05, Jeff Fountain –YWAM Europe
We don't have to agree with all Karol Wojtyla stood for to acknowledge that he was one of history's giants. The second-longest serving pope and the most-traveled by far in history, John Paul II was the first pope to visit a synagogue, the first to visit Auschwitz, the first to give diplomatic recognition to Israel, the first to celebrate mass with an Orthodox leader, the first to apologise for treatment of dissenters like John Hus and Martin Luther, the first to visit a mosque and the first to confess the sins of the Roman Catholic Church.

He spoke out boldly against atheistic communism. He attacked the false freedoms offered by western capitalism. He chastised American leaders for their choice of war as foreign policy tool. He cajoled European Union leaders opposed to inclusion of
Europe's Christian heritage in the proposed EU constitution.

He issued clear teaching to his global flock in times of rapid change and moral confusion. His fourteen papal encyclicals addressed social and economic issues, moral and doctrinal questions, the dignity and sanctity of life, global poverty and inequity, and many other matters of faith and reason.

 

PRAY: that the new pope will also speak up for true Christian values and freedom of religion in the European Union countries, and for all peoples of the world, and that he will fit into God’s purposes and plan for these times.

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Africa invites the whole world to participate in a Global Day of Repentance and Prayer on Pentecost Sunday - 15 May 2005.

http://www.globaldayofprayer.com/general.asp

 

 Phase 1  (6 - 15 May 2005)

The Global Day of Prayer will be preceded by ten days of prayer following the example set by the first followers who "joined together constantly" in prayer (Acts 1:14).

 

During these ten days (between the ascension of Jesus and the descent of His Holy Spirit on Pentecost) believers will be organising ways to pray together night and day beginning Friday 6 May through to the end of Pentecost Sunday, 15 May 2005.

For more information on this and other prayer information, please go to: "Prayer Information" 

Phase 2  (15 May 2005)

 It is time now for God's people to gather again in persistent, united prayer. What better way to unite in prayer than to consecrate ourselves to see God for ten days, as Jesus' first followers did, culminating on the day of Pentecost?

Would you like to know more about the Global Strategy of this event?

Please click on Global Strategy 2005.doc  File size (55 Kb)

Do you need more information or a manual on how to go about to organize a Day of Prayer in your town/country?

Please click on: Stadium Event Manual  File size (160 Kb)

For any more information on how to organise a stadium event in your area, please contact Low Bothma at low@transformationafrica.com

 

Phase 3  (16 May 2005 - 30 September 2005)

Following the Global Day of Prayer will be 90 days of community transformations and a compassionate Plan of Action.

Do you need more information and a manual on how to go about to organize 90 Days of community transformation in your town/country?

 

PRAY& PARTICIPATE: Beginning with “Pray for the EU day” on the first Sunday in May (2May), let’s plan to participate with Christians, Chris-tian organizations and churches around the world in this challenge to make May an annual GLOBAL PRAYER MONTH, followed by 90 days of reaching out in compassion and evangelism to the world around us. 

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EUROPEAN UNION NEWS REVIEW

Below is a news summary selected from The International Herald Tribune, The Telegraph (UK),. The Independent (UK), Euractiv and Euobserver 01/2005 through 04/2005

 

The news for Europe on the EU shows a time of struggle. France's enthusiasm for the new constitution has waned and criticism of the constitution and its lack of public support through the referendum process is increasing in France. It is already a toss up in the UK. The UK Labour government is losing support and that is not good for the EU referendum there.

 

There is growing concern over the low birth rate in all countries and the increase in immigration and its growing impact on all of the nations. The future new members such as Turkey are also causing difficult discussions. A fear among liberals and socialists that weakening social support programs is being proposed by the Commission is not helping EU support.

 

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Even though the EU constitution is having its trouble; the EURO continues to increase its impact on the world’s finances as opposed to the dollar. This is good for Europe in some ways, as far as its increased economic and social influence in the world is concerned.

Pray that the churches of Europe will be ready to take advantage of this opportunity to witness to the gospel in their part of the world and that liberal secularism will not be Europe’s message to the world.

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The European public's willingness to compromise national interests in the name of the European Union project is fundamentally weaker than in past decades and may threaten the pace of future integration, according to Jean-Claude Juncker, current holder of the EU's rotating presidency. (Bowley International Herald Tribune (Monday, March 21, 2005)

 

"People in all our countries are far more interested in seeing their own governments prevailing in Brussels rather than having the government coming back to London, Paris, Berlin or wherever, saying we had to do it because otherwise the EU would be blocked," Juncker said in an interview.

 

In the face of growing resistance by the European public to the idea of embracing Brussels, Juncker said, the present generation of European leaders, the first without direct experience of World War II, has a responsibility to forge ahead with closer European ties - most crucially, the adoption of the proposed new constitutional treaty - because future generations who are more distant from the war will not do it.

 

France's enthusiasm for the new constitution is waned and criticism of the constitution and its lack of public support through the referendum process is increasing in France. On 4 March, President Jacques Chirac announced that France will hold its referendum on the European Constitution on 29 May 2005. Chirac’s statement came less than two weeks after the Spanish people had voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Constitution, albeit with a low turnout. Just a few days before the announcement of the French date, the Dutch government had decided to hold its consultative referendum on 1 June. Referendum season is now well and truly open, and the campaigns running up to the votes in France and the Netherlands will be hard-fought and controversial. It is already a toss up in the UK. The UK Labour government is losing support and that is not good for the EU referendum there. This a part of the rise of a new Euroscepticism in all parts of Europe.

 

Europe’s leaders have promised a significant re-write of the services directive in a bid to save a looming French referendum on the EU constitution. French President Jacques Chirac managed to convince his colleagues that the directive should protect key public services from competition and that fears of ‘social dumping’ should be addressed.

 

He received support from Luxembourg Prime Minister and current head of the EU, Jean-Claude Juncker, who said the directive would not be accepted in its present form. The French press focuses on wider EU support for Paris problems over the directive. Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, and “undoubtedly” Italy are backing the French position, according to Liberation. “Chirac saves the situation”, proclaims the headline in Le Figaro, reporting that the services directive was one of the principle arguments of the French “non” campaign

 

There is growing concern over the low birth rate in all countries and the increase in immigration and its growing impact on all of the nations. The future new members such as Turkey are also causing difficult discussions. A fear among liberals and socialists is that the proposed modifying of social support programs as being proposed by the Commission is not helping EU support.

 

The representation of Catholic Bishops to the EU has given its backing to the Constitution and called on Christians to "put it into practice and make it work".In a meeting with President Barroso on 11 March, COMECE affirmed the backing of the Church for the goals and values of the Union. The Bishops approved the Lisbon aims of economic progress, the rule of law and a strong civil society and pledged support in particular for the creation of an EU fundamental rights agency.

 

Never before has a European treaty been subject to referendums in so many countries. A total of ten countries are currently planning to organise a vote on the issue, a surprising event considering that previously only three countries had held referendums on EU Treaties: Ireland, Denmark and France. Nevertheless, even though each country will have to decide on the same issue - whether or not to ratify the European Constitution - the content of each campaign will differ greatly according to national priorities and concerns. This Policy Brief considers in detail the positions of the main actors in the French campaign and examines how the political debate there contrasts with the discussion surrounding the Constitution in the UK.

 

PRAY: that Christians who have a national referendum in their countries will use the opportunity to vote and express their concerns or agreement, according to what is best for God’s plans and purposes, not only for their personal concerns. 

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CONSTITUTION NATIONAL STATUS  070405

http://www.euractiv.com/Article?tcmuri=tcm:29-130616&type=Overview&_lang=EN&email=7581

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Keep faith out of politics, says Blair ( but an active role in society)

[partial excerpt ,Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent]

Wednesday March 23, 2005 The Guardian

 

Tony Blair chose a faith audience in south London yesterday to proclaim his belief that he was opposed to US-style faith politics in British public life. The prime minister, battered by Tory tabloid pressures on abortion, insisted: "I do not want to end up with an American-style of politics with us all going out there beating our chest about our faith... Politics and religion - it is not that they do not have a lot in common, but if it ends up being used in the political process, I think that is a bit unhealthy."

 

The remarks were made as Mr Blair addressed a packed meeting of several hundred, mainly evangelical Christians, in a church in Lambeth with more watching by a webcam link across the country. He did little to discourage expectations that the election is only a few weeks away. Indeed, although he refused to name the date, he did speak of the coming campaign.

 

In language similar to a speech he gave to an almost identical audience exactly four years ago, just before the 2001 general election campaign, Mr Blair said he valued Christian and other religious groups' contributions to voluntary services and called on them to get still more involved.  "I would like to see you play a bigger not a lesser role in the future," he told them.

 

"I say this because of the visible, tangible difference you are making for the better in our society for so many people. That is the proof of your faith in action in the service of others."

PRAY: that God will guide in the coming election in Great Britain, and that Christians will respond to PM Blair’s challenge to live and express their faith in service to others, as well as in other ways.

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Christian Media in Europe increasing

 

Netherlands: A new Dutch Christian Radio station, Bright FM, began broadcasting at the beginning of February 2005. Visit www.bright.fm

to listen in. They have a contract with two cable stations already and hope to negotiate more, as well as being available online.

 

Europe: The European Commission is to propose the expansion of the EU's "European Neighbourhood Policy" to five new countries. Next month the Commission will produce its initial analysis on the state of relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Lebanon and Egypt with a view to starting bilateral talks. For more information contact Ger de Ridder gderidder@filternet.nl

 

UK: It is now possible to listen to TWR-UK 24 hours a day via their new internet service on www.twr.org.uk and clicking on the "Listen Live" button. The internet broadcast goes out simultaneously with their satellite broadcast. Programme schedules are also available on the website.

 

Europe: Alpha Switzerland, TopChretien from France, Alpha Belgium and Evangelical Broadcasting Organisation (EO) from the Netherlands are working on a joint project to translate the successful interactive Internet course “Waarom Jezus?” (“Why Jesus?”) into French. E-coaches (volunteers who help the students) will be recruited by each organisation. The translation of the course Pourqoui Jesus?” will be available in April, according to project coordinator Joseph Hoquet (oneway@tvcablenet.be). The pilot of the course is expected in September 2005. EO is willing to organise more translations of the course. More information is available from Richard Post (richard.post@eo.nl).

 

Bulgaria: Little Samaritan Mission radio network are planning to start broadcasting in Bulgaria, following successful broadcasting in Moldova, Romania and parts of the Ukraine. They opened their first radio station in Moldova in 1994, and have since increased this to 13 stations in Moldova and 21 in Romania. For more information visit www.littlesamaritan.org

 

PRAY: that those who tune in to these stations will find a refreshing clarity of the Good news of the Gospel and be encouraged and built up. 

 

 

REMEMBER MAY 1 2005 is PRAY FOR THE EU DAY

 

PPmi (Praise & Prayer Ministries International - Hugh & Norma Jenson Davis) is conducting this multi-denominational ministry under the mission program of the Assemblies of God Western Europe office outside of Brussels, Belgium. The mailing address there is: EMC/EURCP (Gerald Branum.) 45 Chaussee de Waterloo, 1640 Rhode Saint Genese, BELGIUM

(Your comments are welcome. Your assistance is needed. Can you help mobilise Christians to pray and participate? This call to prayer needs to be prepared by Europeans in other languages and with greater distribution!)


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Our email is: ptlhed@aol.com  eurcp@EUPrayer.com or NjensonDavis3@aol.com

 

 


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