Why should we pray for Europe? WPC shares observations of what is happening in Europe and the need to pray about the destruction that could be coming and the move of God that might be beginning to happen.
Something is stirring in Europe. The recent EU elections have revealed a significant move to the far right politically. Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands has seen a rise in many voting for the anti-immigrant parties on the right. There is also increasing talk of escalation of the war in Ukraine and Israel that could begin to pull in other global nations and turn into World War III. This has been compounded in the UK with the government putting out advice on how to prepare for an emergency incident and talk of national conscription for over 18’s. But we are also beginning to see signs of God moving in the continent and we need to persevere in praying for Europe to see revival. We are hearing of thousands coming to Christ in France, Italy and Hungary. Jesus is moving in the hearts of even secular nations as many face fear and hopelessness.
Europe is perceived as a “godless continent” but it has not always been that way. Western Europe’s colonisation of the world began in the 1500’s and the gospel began to spread around the world. Europe was the main mission sending continent. For many years, evangelists from Britain and mainland Europe pioneered taking the gospel to Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. However, in the past 100 years we have seen a rapid decline in a need for God and many European nations are now the most secular in the world.
As many in Europe have had their attentions captivated by false idols of self-centredness, money, sex and power, their love and need for God has grown cold and prayer has diminished. The battle for Europe has been intense. As Ephesians 6:12 says,
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The principalities and powers have gained a foothold but God still has a plan for Europe. In the past few decades, we have seen a reverse-mission as God has called Christians from the nations evangelised by the Europeans to come to Europe to share the Good News. Many from Africa and Asia have come to settle in the UK and bought the message of Jesus.
What we have seen in recent years, is an exodus of refugees from Africa and the East due to conflicts and regimes that has caused people to flee to safety. This influx of people has been overwhelming for many European nations that are already struggling with their own political and infrastructure issues, never mind COVID and Brexit! This has created many tensions and a rise of division and rebellion in Europe.
There has also been rumours of the war spreading from Ukraine and Israel as allies get pulled in. Recently, the government released information on preparing for an emergency incident with enough food and water supplies and useful items. The government then proposes national conscription for over 18’s as our army is depleted and underfunded. All this talk of war sows fear.
When we look through spiritual eyes, we see that we are living in the birth pains of the biblical end times. The evidence is plain to see around us. We are seeing Matthew 24:6-8 being played out with our own eyes:
“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” Matthew 24:6-8
The spirit of lawlessness and the Anti-Christ is at work as we see more demonstrations and civil unrest. In the end time plan, there has to be anarchy for the Anti-Christ to arise. We know the end of the story! We know that Jesus is coming back soon and He is victorious and still on the throne.
God has not finished with Europe yet! He is calling His people to pray for the nations to be changed. This is the vision of Europe Shall Be Saved, a movement of people, churches and ministries from all backgrounds and denominations to see the Gospel of Jesus change Europe. Their goal is to see 100 million saved!
At recent evangelism events, thousand turned out by the Eiffel Tour in Paris, in Italy and Hungary and many responded to the Gospel. At Franklin Graham’s God Loves You tour in Birmingham over 8,000 people attended and many responded to know Jesus. God is moving. We need to continue to pray for Europe to be saved and for God to soften the hearts of those that are facing fear and no hope. Let’s pray that God’s will is done and that He will raise up an end time army of millions of people on fire for Jesus that will be instrumental in His end time plan. We know what is coming… you just have to read your bible, but we know that we are on the winning side!
If you want to join us praying for Europe, join us for our online global prayer watch that is the second Saturday of the month. The details of our next prayer watch are below.