EU Review & Call to Prayer (EURCP) - December, 2003

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

 

Special Issue - The mention of God in the European Union Constitution


The Word

1 Timothy 2: 1,2 "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." [Your prayers implement God’s Word]

John 15: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who ABIDES in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 7. If you ABIDE in Me, and My Words ABIDE in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”

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3 December 2003, Praise & Prayer Ministries International – Hugh E. and Norma Jenson Davis

[EURCP position on this question: We do not want to advocate anything except to encourage you to ask God how you should pray and act toward the development of the European Union Constitution; since it will run your life for an unknown number of years. What we want to do is give you information on what Christians in Europe are advocating in this area. We will be glad to hear from any of you who think differently give you coverage as well.]

Some persons have told us that they believe that the biggest problem in the Western World today is the intolerance shown towards the Arab-Muslim world by the Western Christian world. A Statement that Europe is Christian would only deepen the wound. They say that what we need now is healing, not a further opening of that wound. Along that same line, they believe that Turkey should be included in the European Union.  Let us know what you think.

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INDEX

Support for a Reference to God in the European Constitution

Action-Day of the European-Referendum-Campaign (ERC) on 6th of December!

Turkey calls for Islam and Judaism in Constitution

Proposed EU Constitution Preamble Amendment

Letter to Russian Orthodox Church from the President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi

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PRAY that this European Union Constitution will not be approved until God is satisfied with it. You ask God what you can do to help and how to pray. John 15: 5 .& 7

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Support For A Reference To God In The European Constitution

[Below is a copy of a portion of an impressive pdf publication. Original issue of 44 pages on the link below]

 

 http://www.beter-im-aufbruch.de.vu/

“This publication originated in Germany. Thus, all the examples are from Germany. There are certainly similar examples of support for a reference to God in the European Constitution from other European countries that could be cited. The author would be definitely interested in such quotations, including details of the author and source, in the original language and a German translation (if possible).Thank you!

 

Pray and work!

For everyone who wishes to take the next steps following “Europe – which way??”

 

04 How we can pray

1.Gratitude that Europe is growing closer together

2.Lamentation and repentance over the state Europe is in

3.Listen when God speaks

4.Intercession for the government

5.Worship God

6.Proclamation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ

 

05 What we can do concretely

1.Self-committment

2.Letters to responsible persons

3.Echo-Card and “Personal declaration ”

4.Multiplication within the church

5.Internet

6.Prayer Meetings

7.Information stand

8.Talks with polititians

9.Advertisement in local official gazettes

10.The media

09 Adresses of European State and Government Leaders

02

 

Pray and work!

“I think that the kind of initiative that you have started, does not have a good chance but it is also not hopeless.”

 

The man who wrote these words … should know what he is talking about because he was at the front for the Evangelical Church in Germany. To be totally realistic, the chances that a reference to God, which has already been denied, will be included, are very slim. However, this time, there are not 105 delegates who will vote, rather only 25 government leaders; and these are approachable. The meetings will start in the beginning of October and end, at the latest, in mid-December 2003.”

(EURCP Note: Although the 13 December date is the one proposed for accepting the draft Constitution; there are those who believe it will be delayed for some months, or longer.)

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Action-Day of the European-Referendum-Campaign (ERC) on 6th of December!

 

Activists of the European-Referendum-Campaign (a Europe wide network of about 250 NGOs) are in the streets of Europe in 40-50 cities in more than 20 countries, symbolizing the demand of the people to decide on the EU-Constitution in fair referenda in all countries concerned. NGOs and individuals from Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Malta and Spain, if you want to join the ERC-Action-Day, please contact Marian Zdeb: zdeb@european-referendum.org

 

More about ERC Action-Day:

http://www.european-referendum.org/action/day5.html

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Turkey calls for Islam and Judaism in Constitution

Article >> http://euobs.com/?aid=13737&rk=1

Abdullah Gül, Turkey's Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, has stoked up the debate on religion in the Constitution by saying that a reference to Islam and Judaism should be included in the text if Christianity is to be mentioned.

 

Speaking at the Foreign Ministers' "conclave" in Naples, Mr Gül said - according to Turkish Daily News - "I told those who want a clear reference to Christianity that the history of Europe had to be examined, because there were not only Christians, but Muslims and Jews in the history of Europe".  "Therefore if the Constitution has to mention Christianity, it should also refer to Judaism and Islam".

 

Despite this, Mr Gül repeated his conviction that the Constitution should remain free of references to religion.  "But we prefer the draft to remain with its existing form as a secular constitution", he concluded.

The argument over religion is one of the most difficult to resolve in the negotiations over the EU's draft Constitution and Foreign Ministers were unable to make progress on the issue over the weekend in Naples.

 

France and Belgium have traditionally objected most strongly to any reference to Christian heritage. But others, notably Poland, insist that such a clause be inserted into the text. 

  Written by Richard Carter 

Article published 01.12.2003 - 09:29 CET

Printed from EUobserver 02.12.2003

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Proposed EU Constitution Preamble Amendment

 

[Suggestion for amendment of] PREAMBLE:

Printed from EUobserver 02.12.2003

http://www.euobserver.com/?aid=13266

 

By Mr Brok on behalf of the EPP Convention Group

Co-signed by Mr Antonio Tajani, member, and Mr Martikonis, member

Status:

Legend: [proposed amendment language]

 

PREAMBLE

X µ γάρ πολιτεία ... καί όνο µ µ διά τό µ ές ολίγους áές πλείονας οικεĩν δη µ

κέκληται ...

 

[Our Constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the

whole people.]

 

Thucydides II, 37

 

Conscious that Europe is a continent that has brought forth civilisation; that its inhabitants, arriving

in successive waves since the first ages of mankind, have gradually developed the inalienable values

underlying humanism: equality of persons, freedom, respect for reason,

 

Drawing inspiration from the cultural, religious and humanist inheritance of Europe, which, nourished

first by the civilisations of Greece and Rome, characterised by spiritual and for example

judeo-christian impulse always present in its heritage and later by the philosophical currents of the

Enlightenment, has embedded within the life of society its perception of the central role of the human

person and his inviolable and inalienable rights, and of respect for law, and the respect for

conscience and belief,

 

Believing that reunited Europe intends to continue along this path of civilisation, progress and prosperity,

for the good of all its inhabitants, including the weakest and most deprived; that it wishes to

remain a continent open to culture, learning, and social progress; and that it wishes to deepen the

democratic and transparent nature of its public life, and to strive for peace, justice and solidarity

throughout the world,

 

Convinced that, while remaining proud of their own national identities and history, the peoples of

Europe are determined to transcend their ancient divisions, and, united in an ever closer fashion, to

forge a common destiny,

 

Conscious of the unification of Europe which is the answer to war, ideology and dictatorship that

have brought immense suffering upon the people,

 

Convinced that, thus "united in its diversity", Europe offers them the best chance of pursuing, with

due regard for the rights of each individual and for their responsibilities towards future generations

and the Earth, the great venture which makes of it a special area of human hope,

Grateful to the members of the European Convention for having prepared this Constitution on be-half

of the citizens and States of Europe.

 

[Who, having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed as follows:]

Explanation: Self-explanatory

 

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Letter to Russian Orthodox Church from the President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi

http://orthodoxeurope.org/page/4/11.aspx  [Dec 2002]

Inclusion of Religion in a European Constitution: Dialogue Continues

 

According to Zenit International News Agency, the President of the European Commission Mr Romano Prodi says that the future European Constitution should not exclude cultural and religious traditions, especially the Christian, which forged the continent.

 

In a letter to the Convention of Christians for Europe, Mr Prodi expressed his appreciation and support of the meeting of the Convention, which was held in Barcelona on 6-8 December 2002 and culminated in the ‘Barcelona manifesto’. ‘In the process of construction of the new Europe, no one can remain on the margin or be unknown, to say nothing of excluded; the cultural and religious traditions cannot be neglected, especially the Christian, which has been and is indispensable for defining the memory and future hope of Europe,’ stated Mr Prodi. ‘In Europe, the future of Christianity is closely linked to that of the challenges of the Continent, as well as to its responsibilities before the world in this historic moment,’ he added.

 

The European Union ‘must demonstrate to the world that there is a democratic and civil way of administering globalization, stemming from democracy itself, stability and peace,’ said Mr Prodi in his letter. ‘In order for this to be possible, we need all the values of our tradition: the secular and religious,’ he concluded.

 

In response to those who believe that the Constitution should be ‘neutral’ and not mention religion, the Barcelona manifesto said, in particular, that ‘neutrality does not consist in denying the social dimension of the Christian conscience of the majority of the people of Europe, but in recognizing it, together with other religious and non-religious global conceptions with which it dialogues, to obtain the European common good and universal fraternity.’

 

Mr Prodi’s letter to the Convention of Christians for Europe is to be seen against the background of an ongoing dialogue between European religious leaders and politicians about the inclusion of a reference to religion in a European Constitution.

 

On 3 January the Vatican again signalled that the future European Constitution must respect the community of believers and recognize their contribution to society and their legal status. This was manifested during the exchange of ideas between Pope John Paul II and Patrick Cox, President of the European Parliament, who was received in audience with his wife and 12-member entourage.

 

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EU IGC meeting schedule  http://www.euractiv.com/cgi-bin/cgint.exe/1?204&OIDN=500748&-tt=FU

 

 

 

 

 

 


Pnpmi (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

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

 


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