Displaying items by tag: european union

In January the AstraZeneca vaccine was approved in Europe for all adults. But several countries, including France and Germany, restricted its use in over-65s due to a lack of data about its effectiveness. France’s Emmanuel Macron claimed the vaccine was ‘quasi-ineffective’ in older age groups, and the German newspaper Handelsblatt had a similar report; but these statements are unfounded. In the over-80s, a single shot of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccine appears to be over 80% effective at preventing hospitalisation. Although the regulators have both now reversed their advice, the majority of their AstraZeneca doses are yet to be used. It seems that the regulators’ prevarications, and loose talk from politicians and bureaucrats, have undermined confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

The UK economy was reported as being close to turning point on eve of leaving EU. Confidence is rising three and a half years after the Brexit vote but the tight timescale for a trade deal could harm recovery.

Britain’s economy is close to a turning point as the country prepares to formally leave the EU after almost half a century of membership, according to a Guardian analysis of economic news over the past month.

More than three and a half years after voting to leave, the UK will formally depart on Friday with the economy close to stalling point following repeated cliff-edge deadlines and intense political uncertainty over the country’s future trading relationships with the EU and other countries.

In the Guardian’s final Brexit watch before the exit date, warning lights were flashing with zero growth forecast for the final three months of 2019 amid intense political uncertainty, rounding off the worst year for growth outside of a recession since the second world war. Speculation had been rising that the Bank of England would cut interest rates on Thursday to reboot growth on the eve of leaving the EU.

However, there are also early shoots of recovery from a surge in business confidence since Boris Johnson’s unexpected decisive election victory, which could tempt the Bank to leave borrowing costs on hold at Mark Carney’s final rate-setting meeting in charge at Threadneedle Street. Carney will stand down in March to be replaced by Andrew Bailey.

To gauge the impact of Brexit on a monthly basis, the Guardian has been monitoring eight economic indicators over the past three years, along with the value of the pound and the performance of the FTSE 100.

City economists made forecasts for seven of those barometers before the data was released, and in six cases over the past month the outcome was better than expected, raising hopes that Britain can rebound from a period of lacklustre growth.

Read more from the Guardian here: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/30/brexit-uk-economy-close-to-turning-point-on-eve-of-leaving-eu

The World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, UK have initiated a Call to prayer – on 31st January and during the forthcoming transition phase. The invitation to followers of Jesus across the nations is to continue to call on the name of the Lord for His will, His kingdom and His perfect purposes and plans for the UK nations and our Continent to be outworked.

We believe that God works everything for His good – and so we come humbly and repent for what has gone wrong in the whole process of the last 3 years and ask for His mercy and His heart to start the process of rebuilding (Psalm 127.1)

We believe we have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation - so we ask for a fresh desire to arise within each follower of Jesus to be a messenger of comfort, peace, hope and reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18)

We believe that we are asked to pray for those in leadership – so we ask for Boris Johnson and all in the UK governments/assemblies for God’s wisdom and direction especially regarding the transition talks (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name
We believe in God the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth
We hallow (honour) Your Holy name over the UK Nations
We hallow (honour) Your Holy name over every European Nation

We pray for Your Kingdom to come
In and through the transition period discussions between UK and EU
In and through all trade talks with other nations

For Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
Through our leaders: Boris Johnson and the UK government
Michael Barnier and the EU team
In our relationships with all the Leaders of the European nations

Give us today our daily bread
We pray for reconciliation at every level in our society
We ask for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on His church
We ask for continued and growing freedom for the Gospel across all of Europe and for continued and growing freedom for the Bible to be read across all the nations

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us
Lord, have mercy on us as a UK nation
Lord, have mercy on us as Your church
Lord, have mercy on the EU
Lord, have mercy on every nation in Europe

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil
Bring into the light those with evil intent of division and destruction
We pray for peace on our streets
Bring into the light those whose intent is greed and manipulation
Bless all the work of the peacemakers.

For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are Yours now and for ever
We pray that Your name will be glorified
We pray that millions will come to know Jesus as the Way, the Truth and the Life
We bless every nation with the blessing of Your Shalom peace
You are our rock, we look to You, we trust You.

Amen.

Ian Cole, World Prayer Centre / IPC Senior Advisor

More: https://www.worldprayer.org.uk/Event/call-to-prayer-brexit-31-january

Also Pray for wisdom for the Bank of England and the European Central Bank as they steer the economies and manage interest rates.

Pray for economic stability for the region and that the anticipated boosts to trade will transpire for the UK.

Three million newly-minted 50p coins celebrating the UK leaving the European Union on 31 January have entered circulation. They bear the inscription ‘Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations’. Chancellor Sajid Javid said ‘This coin marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in British history. Let us look forward with confidence and unleash the enormous potential of our great country.’ Seven million more coins will follow in the coming months. Meanwhile Finland’s foreign minister, Pekko Haavisto, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, said that other countries have seen the issues faced by the UK: ‘What Brexit actually triggered was a lot of support of EU members. Seeing how difficult it is to leave and how many agreements they have to make to leave, so maybe it is better to stay.’ See. The World Prayer Centre, Birmingham have instigated a Call to Prayer at 11pm on Friday 31st January, the time that the UK officially leaves the EU: https://www.worldprayer.org.uk/Event/call-to-prayer-brexit-31-january. 

The Republic of Cyprus is in the EU, but the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is recognised only by Turkey, and is internationally isolated. Ankara's latest move to increase drilling for oil off the coast of Cyprus by sending a third ship to the eastern Mediterranean, despite EU warnings, comes on the eve of talks between the president of Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot leader. At the time of writing, Cyprus president Nicos Anastasiades and Mustafa Akinci are expected to discuss ways of resuming negotiations aimed at reuniting the divided island after talks failed two years ago. In 1974 Cyprus split, 165,000 Greek Cypriots fled or were expelled from the north, and 45,000 Turkish Cypriots from the south took their place. In the years since then there have been failed talks to re-unite the island of Cyprus as Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot communities stand by their right to take their old homes back, or be compensated.

During the European Trumpet Call worship and intercession conference at the beginning of September 2015, in Timisoara (Romania), the Lord encouraged the intercessors who had gathered together from many European nations with the word from Isaiah 62:4 'No longer will they call you Deserted … but you will be called Hephzibah (Delight is in Her) and your land Beulah (Married)'.

Then, in a prophetic act on behalf of our continent, we broke off the old anti-christian covenants and as partakers in the covenant and promises for Israel, through Christ, we made a new covenant with the Lord and re-named Europe 'Beulah' (Married). Directly after that, the great flood of refugees began to pour into Europe and since then we have been experiencing shakings in the EU at all possible levels in life, nature, society, politics and in the Church.

'Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if it were told you.' (Habakkuk 1:5)

The Lord is using these present shakings within the European nations and the EU for His purposes. It is still His desire for all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth and that we (the Church) can live in godliness and holiness and, since our lives and those of our families and churches are governed by those in authority, we are urged first of all to pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

European Union

Let us thank the Lord for the results of the European Parliament elections! A great transition is in progress. Around two thirds of the Members of Parliament will be replaced and new alliances need to be formed. Subsequently, many executives in the EU administration will also be replaced.

The following key positions are to be newly elected:

• • President of the EU Parliament – by the EU Parliament
• • President of the EU Commission – by the EU Parliament
• • President of the EU Council – by the European Council
• • EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs – by the EU Commission
• • President of the European Central Bank – by the European Council

Let us pray that as many God-fearing people as possible will be elected into office – people who have a sense of justice, wisdom and integrational strength, and who also respect and understand the cultural diversity of the nations within the EU.

Also pray that the powers striving to subjugate nations by a centrally controlled EU Empire, will be broken.

The idea of creating a United States of Europe on the model of the USA is unrealistic. The USA was created by people from many different nations – people who left their native countries for distant America and formed a new state structure with a shared language and shared core values.

The influence of God-fearing men and women in the founding phase was immense and so, within a relatively short time, a new, US American identity emerged with people who no longer thought of themselves as being British, German, Italian, French etc., but as being citizens of the USA.

Europe is very heterogeneous in that it is made up of many nations, each with their own language and culture and some with a history going back for up to thousands of years. The size of these nations and also their economic strength varies tremendously between the north and south, and the east and west of Europe.

The smaller and economically weaker nations have long perceived the EU as an 'Empire' in which the weaker nations are dominated by the stronger ones (especially by Germany) and the EU administration. They fear that they might lose their identity and freedom and that they will have to pay a high price for any advantages the EU has to offer.

This is something the Lord cannot bless. If the EU does not want to disintegrate, it must find new ways of providing regional development aid that promotes peace and not disunity between great and small and poor and rich. In addition there needs to be a clearer definition and agreement between common EU legislation and national sovereignty.

Above all, the nations of the EU need a fresh encounter with God and the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fervant prayer avails much!

Brexit

Just recently, we celebrated the founding of the German State, seventy years ago, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of D-Day. We were reminded of what it cost the British and Americans, along with their Allies and the resistance movements within the occupied nations, to liberate Europe and establish peace.

Great Britain is the only country in Western Europe that successfully resisted the German war machine. Around 330,000 Britons lost their lives. History testifies to the miracles that gave advantage to the British and their allies, and to the importance of the nationals days of prayer called by the King, as well as the intercession of Rees Howells, and the Bible School of Wales.

After the war, the British did not seek revenge. Along with the Americans, they helped to rebuild Germany with a new constitution as a Federal Democratic Republic. Thanks to the strong Christian Values held at that time by the British and Americans, Germany was released from a huge debt, was reconciled with France, preserved its sovereignty and, eventually, was re-admitted to the community of nations.

Bearing these facts in mind, and considering the friendship built up over the last decades, it is high time for a change in policy regarding Britain leaving the EU. The present attitude of the EU leaders is: 'We will no longer negotiate and if the British do not want to accept the presented agreement, then we will treat them like the rest of the world, not even granting a transition phase.' In the light of history and for continued friendship, such an attitude is arrogant and disrespectful.

Let us pray for a positive change within the EU leadership and administration regarding Brexit.

Let us also pray for the forming of the new British government with new vision for the future and sound judgment to protect the sovereignty of Great Britain, while defining its future synergy with the EU.

Evangelisation

Germany and Europe need to be reached again with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord is mobilising a new generation of evangelists along with His Church. This was the main emphasis at a conference held by Christ for all Nations (CfaN) at the end of May, in Hamburg.

Over four thousand attended, including many young people, when the evangelist, Reinhard Bonnke‚ passed on the baton to the younger generation. This new movement needs to be accompanied by prayer!

March for Jesus

The March for Jesus movement is presently experiencing a new awakening. The Lord is encouraging Christians in several European cities to go on the streets and publicly profess His name.

The next March for Jesus will be held in Munich on the 28th of July, under the leadership of Chad Chambers and ‚Europe Ablaze’ team. More information and registration under www.europeablaze.tv

Yours in Christ

Berthold Becker

Mrs May has faced the Commons for the first time since the EU rejected her Brexit plan. We can pray for a plan to be agreed that respects the United Kingdom’s 2016 vote. There is mounting pressure from some Tory MPs to change course in the run-up to a crucial meeting of EU leaders next week. Pray for God to inspire Theresa May and her cabinet to recognise and agree on a good strategy that will ‘put God’s agenda for the national interest first’ in all talks and future votes. Mrs May recently said she had a duty to voters to ensure the UK left the EU in March in a way which protected jobs. May God help her fulfil that duty. The DUP's ten MPs could vote against the Budget if they consider any Brexit deal breaks their ‘red line trade barriers’.

The EU is taking a hard line on single-use plastics, with the European parliament's environment committee voting to bolster the Commission’s plastics policy. The report now lays out bans on plastic straws, plastic cutlery, and expanded polystyrene food packaging, as well as committing countries to cutting down on other plastics. It now faces a final vote later in October.

Last week Prayer Alert readers prayed for Cabinet members to get behind Theresa May as she prepares to negotiate with EU members next week, hoping to deliver the best possible clean Brexit  for the UK.

At the time of writing, (2 July 2018) Theresa May’s cabinet is squabbling loudly and in public ahead of a ‘crunch’ meeting at Chequers on Friday - when the Prime Minister wants to unite her team to agree on the terms of a white paper that she will present to Brussels next week.

There are strong views being aired on both sides of the Brexit debate regarding the customs arrangement. Brexiteers do not want to compromise in any customs union plans, while former remainers do not want anything that will damage UK business.

Pray: for God to pour his oil of peace over cabinet members in the coming days and during Friday’s meeting.
Pray: Ask God to replace public political backbiting and media speculation with professional qualified comments. May He bring harmony into all of Friday’s debates.
Pray: for Friday’s meeting to determine a way forward according to God’s agenda for the future of the United Kingdom.
Pray: for God’s flawless direction to replace unedifying public debate.

The year 2017 could well be the hardest for Europe since WWII. The new US administration is likely to accept Crimea as a Russian territory if it gets enough in return. At least a cancellation of the sanctions against Russia has already been mentioned. There will be serious discussions in the EU if this happens, with incalculable consequences for the unity of the Union. Another danger for the EU in 2017 is the elections in Holland (March), France (May), and Germany (Sept). In all these countries the populists are strong. If the Front National succeeds in France and Marie le Pen wins the presidential election, that will be hugely difficult for the EU. If Angela Merkel loses her chancellorship, all might be lost. We can only pray and proclaim, ‘For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, for ever and ever!’ Pray for the kingdom values in the political world; truth against falsehood, a sense of responsibility against egotism , and consideration against extortion.

European diplomats in Washington are relying on ‘strategic patience’ while they try to chart a new course with the White House. Ambassadors, academics and others have personally invested in a strong relationship between the EU and the USA. The relationship is built on a shared belief in European integration. The current version of the EU was established with a treaty signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992: the anniversary was celebrated this week in Maastricht, New York and other cities. For the USA, the EU has provided a forum for a unified approach towards global issues. Its leaders have worked closely with US officials on trade, counter-terrorism, and sanctions against Russia. Now European officials are trying to come to terms with the new administration and its hostile attitude to the EU - and are wondering how the relationship between Washington and Brussels will evolve in this environment.