Greece needs your prayersPhilip Evans - 8 Mar 2012
Greece has been dominating the news recently with an economy tumbling into financial failure and causing an outbreak of protests and riots. The residents have been hit hard by a recession that has already lasted five years and is likely to get worse over the coming decade. Many live in fear or a harsh reality of lost jobs, pay cuts and inflation that is making even everyday necessities unaffordable. Apparently the suicide rate has increased by a staggering 40% in that last 12 months alone, Greece is a country in need of much help and prayer. Phillip Evans, who is based at the 'Glasnost' 24-7 Community in Macedonia ,visited Greece recently and discovered another story, one that is not so highlighted by the international media, but also requiring an equal covering prayer and the love of God.
Despite seeming a relatively hopeless place at this time, Greece still has thousands of immigrants and refugees arrive on its shores every month. Apparently Greece, with its islands, covers a perimeter greater than that of Africa. This makes it a relatively easy target for refugees looking for a better life from the Middle East, Africa and the Stan’s. Looking for a better way of life they leave on boats from Turkey, island hopping to find somewhere new to live. I arrived in Greece through the port of Patras and was moved by the number of migrants I saw with their faces pressed against the fences trying to cross the border.
Helping Hands is an organization that operates in the heart of Athens befriending, supporting and sharing the gospel with refugees, many of whom are from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and other ‘closed’ countries and so may never of heard the name of Jesus. It is speculated that as many as 1 million of Greece’s twelve million residents are refugees, many of whom are living with extremely low quality of life. Please Pray.
It is clear that the inhabitants of Greece are suffering at this time, whether locals or refugees, there are a great many people desperately needing a move of God in that country. Amy French, another friend of 24-7 who lives in Greece, recently wrote some great prayer points for Greece in her personal blog. As you read them we hope that you would take sometime to pray for God’s kingdom to be outworked in Greece.
- Pray that God will provide for and open doors for families struggling financially in our body. Some of which have not even had money for food. With a nation in crisis, it is growing more and more difficult to find work.
- Godly leaders and decisions will come into place in government. And people will be given creative ideas for business.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to be poured out in our church and the church as a whole in this nation.
- That leaders in the church will work together in unity to accomplish God's purposes. And for love to grow among believers.
- That 24-7 Prayer and worship will be raised up here.