Displaying items by tag: Paris

The Archbishop of Canterbury, addressing world leaders at the International Meeting for Peace in Paris, emphasised the critical role of prayer in achieving peace. Speaking in French, he said that peace efforts in today’s world cannot succeed without prayer, which leads to reconciliation and hope. Referring to the 56 active global conflicts, including Ukraine, he lamented the ongoing death of innocents and the rise in fear and hatred. He also described climate change as an undeclared war against creation, contributing to other conflicts. He believes that prayer aligns us with God's will for peace, justice, and the common good, inspiring imagination to address crises like political breakdown and community hostility. He stressed that reconciliation is a long-term process requiring truth-telling, healing, and mutual acceptance. Other speakers included France's chief rabbi, Haïm Korsia, and Afghan refugee Lina Hassani. The Archbishop urged continued global prayer for reconciliation and lasting peace.

Love France has launched a new 7-day prayer guide specifically designed for children to pray for France. This innovative guide aims to engage young hearts during the Para-Games in praying for the country’s spiritual awakening and cultural renewal. Each day of the guide features a different theme, such as praying for government leaders, churches, schools, families, and the youth of France. It is packed with colourful illustrations, fun activities, and simple prayers to help children understand the importance of intercession and develop a heart for missions. 2BC, the creators of the guide, emphasise the importance of involving children in prayer early, teaching them to be compassionate and aware of the spiritual needs around the world. The guide encourages children to see themselves as vital parts of God's mission, capable of making a significant impact through their prayers. By equipping the next generation with these tools, Love France hopes to foster a deeper connection between young believers and God’s work in France.

During the Olympic Games, countless lives were transformed not just by athletic achievements but by encounters with Jesus Christ. Over 2,500 missionaries from various organisations mobilised across the city, leading over a thousand people to faith. YWAM saw 250 commitments to Christ and ministered to over 3,500 people, witnessing numerous miraculous healings. Similarly, Awakening Europe’s 'Unite Paris24' saw 152 conversions, including the remarkable healing of a man with a bullet wound. The efforts extended beyond Paris, with groups like 'Next Move' focusing on southern France, strengthening local Christian community efforts through sports and festivals. Thousands of Bibles and tracts were distributed across the country. Other initiatives included the Paris Praise Festival and Christian art galleries, offering solace and sparking spiritual conversations among visitors. The Olympic Village chaplaincy, where thirty Protestant chaplains served, provided support and a spiritual haven for athletes, many of whom shared their faith after their competitions. Throughout the Games, 24/7 prayer efforts underscored the spiritual impact, with IPC's global prayer networks gifting 835,000 prayers for France to date. See

Adam Peaty has shared insights into his faith following his silver medal in the men's 100m butterfly event. Speaking right after his race, a breathless but elated Peaty said, 'I gave my absolute all there. In my heart, I've already won. These are happy tears. I'm not crying because I came second; I'm crying because it took so much to get here. I'm a very religious man, and I asked God to show my heart, and this is my heart.' He missed gold by two-hundredths of a second, tying for second place. He still holds the world record for the breaststroke (56.88 seconds). Peaty has been vocal about his struggles, including battling depression and alcoholism after the Tokyo Olympics. He found solace in faith, meeting pastor Ashley Mull in Melbourne, who introduced him to church. His first visit to a Nottingham church had an Olympic-themed sermon, which resonated deeply with him. Now sporting a cross tattoo on his chest, Peaty said, 'Everything I've done to this point has happened for a reason. I said to myself I'd give my absolute best, and I have! That's the victory for me.' Graham Daniels from Christians in Sport praised Peaty's determination and celebration of God's role in his life.

On 31 July Team GB celebrated a stellar fifth day at the Paris Olympics, highlighted by two gold medals in just fifteen minutes. Triathlete Alex Yee and the women's quad sculls rowers secured the fifth and sixth golds for Britain. Team GB also won a BMX silver, and bronze medals in triathlon and diving. Alex Yee, trailing New Zealand’s Hayden Wilde, made a remarkable comeback to clinch gold in the men’s triathlon, surpassing his Tokyo silver. The women's quad sculls team won gold in a photo-finish against the Netherlands. France's Leon Marchand stole the evening spotlight, achieving an unprecedented 200m breaststroke and butterfly double, bringing his gold tally to three after his individual medley win. Host nation France also celebrated as Cassandre Beaugrand won the women's triathlon, with Britain’s Beth Potter securing bronze. At the end of the day Team GB boasted 17 medals, their highest tally at this stage in any Games. Pray for France as she hosts the games.

With the Olympic Games due to begin in Paris in just over a hundred days, France faces the challenge of balancing security preparations with public reassurance. While concerns about potential threats from groups like IS persist, some argue against giving too much attention to them, as it plays into the terrorists' hands. Interior minister Gérald Darmanin said his forces had foiled two attacks since the start of the year and arrested five individuals in three different cases in the past fortnight. France, which has experienced several Islamist attacks in recent years, has deployed Operation Sentinelle, involving 20,000 soldiers and 40,000 police, to ensure security. One army commander had this message for visitors: ‘We are well prepared for this mission, and ready to protect the population during the Olympics.’

The sixth Paris Peace Forum, on 10 and 11 November, will focus on four different topics. Emmanuel Macron, along with Barbadian PM Mia Mottley and several African leaders, will assess the progress of the ‘Paris Pact for People and the Planet’, launched in June, which aims to provide substantial funding to combat poverty and climate change, in preparation for December’s COP28 in Dubai. An appeal will be launched to address the ‘collapse’ of ‘all ice surfaces on a global scale.’States affected by glacier loss, such as Nepal and Kyrgyzstan, will participate, as will China and India. Although Russia, a major Arctic actor, will not participate due to the conflict in Ukraine, the Elysée asserts that this will not be an obstacle to cooperation between other countries. Macron will also preside over the fifth Christchurch Call Summit, launched with New Zealand after the terrorist attack in Christchurch in 2019, aiming to enhance efforts to ‘combat terrorist and violent extremist content online’. Another top priority for Macron is to regulate digital platforms and artificial intelligence.

Prime minister Elisabeth Borne has pledged to combat rising antisemitism vigorously after anti-Jewish graffiti was discovered on buildings in various Paris neighbourhoods. She emphasised that the situation in the Middle East should not justify antisemitism and stated that her government is committed to an unrelenting battle against it. Since the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, France has documented 857 antisemitic incidents, according to interior minister Gerald Darmanin. This figure represents as many antisemitic acts in three weeks as there have been throughout the entire year. The authorities have launched multiple investigations into the Paris graffiti, with Darmanin promising protection to Jewish communities across France. The graffiti included blue Star of David symbols on several buildings, triggering painful memories and emotional responses from residents. Carine Petit, the mayor of Paris's 14th district, pointed out that such acts of marking buildings are reminiscent of the 1930s and World War II, which resulted in the extermination of millions of Jews. See

Jews in Paris face enormous pressures from more and more antisemitism acts. The International Jewish Mission (IJM) is there this summer to reach out to Paris’s Jewish community with the truth and hope of Jesus. Over 250,000 Jewish people live in Paris and its suburbs. IJM is seeking our prayers today for people like Harry. He still struggles to believe, because the horrors he and his family experienced during the Holocaust made him an ardent atheist. Since meeting Aurel from IJM and hearing the Gospel, he has softened a bit, admitting that he is not sure now if there is a God. He recently said to Aurel, ‘I really wish I had your faith.’ Aurel is leading the outreach, and knows God will help them connect with more Jewish people so they can hear about Jesus and be saved. Pray for God to open Jewish eyes and hearts as the Good News is shared with them.

Next week Tearfund staff and campaigners from communities most affected by plastic pollution will be in Paris for the second round of negotiations on a UN global plastics treaty. The talks - known as INC-2 (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee) - will run from 29 May to 2 June and mark a significant moment in a rubbish campaign. Tearfund is asking Christians to pray for the negotiations. Recent research showed that across the world 218 million people (equivalent to the populations of the UK, France and Germany combined) are at risk of flooding made worse by plastic pollution. At the talks, Tearfund will be calling for an ambitious and binding treaty that fully addresses plastic pollution and the impact it has on people living in poverty. It believes every person God created has value and should have the opportunity to live a full life, free of rubbish