If we erase God from our past, we will also bar him from our present and future.

With our politicians taking their summer break from vilifying each other, there is a window of opportunity to think about other things. The last week has seen the release of a new film about Dunkirk, to rave reviews. But as might have been expected, the film fails completely to do justice to what the whole nation agreed was a miraculous answer to prayer that saved Britain in one of her darkest hours.

The early days of the Second World War threatened to bring the whole of Europe under the dark cloud of Nazi oppression. France had fallen to the rapidly advancing German Panzer divisions, leaving the British army stranded on the continent and desperate to return across the Channel to defend their homeland from what appeared to be inevitable invasion.

It was a desperate situation and on 27 May 1940 the German High Command announced –

The British army is encircled and our troops are proceeding to its annihilation.

The dire plight of the situation had already been recognised in Britain. The day before the German announcement, Sunday 26 May, King George VI had called the nation to a day of prayer. In a stirring broadcast, the King had called the people of Britain and the Empire to commit their cause to God.

Battle in the Heavenlies

British troops await evacuation. See Photo Credits.The whole nation responded. Large crowds went to Westminster Abbey. Unable to find seats, they stood outside listening to the service and joining in prayer. Churches across the land were filled - and this day of prayer proved to be the first victory of the war. A great spiritual battle was fought in the heavenlies against the forces of darkness. A series of miracles followed:

• A spirit of confusion clouded the German High Command. Irrationally, Hitler ordered his generals to halt the advance towards the west coast of France. This gave the British army time to make their way to Dunkirk.
• A storm of extraordinary fury grounded the German Luftwaffe on 28 May, allowing the British forces to reach the beaches.
• A great calm followed which settled over the English Channel for several days with low cloud cover allowing the armada of little ships, many of them only riverboats, to cross the Channel and ferry the waiting soldiers from the beaches out to the Royal Navy warships for their return to Dover.

Amazingly 338,226 Allied soldiers were evacuated from Dunkirk in those few momentous days which would prove to be a turning point in world history. This was seen at the time as a direct response from God to the whole nation coming in humility before him in prayer.

Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, told the nation that he believed this to be a miracle – an answer to prayer. In a speech to Parliament he said,

I thought, and some good judges agreed with me, that perhaps 20,000 or 30,000 men might be re-embarked. The whole root and core and brain of the British army seemed about to perish upon the field or to be led into captivity.¹

The King called the nation to a day of prayer – and this proved to be the first victory of the war.

A Spirit of Confusion Descends

The safe return of so many men did not guarantee the survival of Britain. The army had to leave its weapons and equipment in France. Now it had to re-group, re-arm, and re-position itself to face the threat of imminent invasion. But the spirit of confusion in the German High Command continued to affect Hitler’s judgment.

Queue for prayer at Westminster Abbey, 26 May 1940. See Photo Credits.Amazingly, he did not follow across the Channel immediately after Dunkirk when Britain was at his mercy. He continued to hesitate throughout June to August 1940. This gave Britain a breathing space and an opportunity to re-group and prepare for the coming battle.

It was at this point that Field Marshal Goering, head of Germany’s Air Force, told his commanders that before Germany could invade Britain they had to destroy the Royal Air Force. On 30 August 1940, 800 enemy aircraft darkened the skies over southern Britain aiming to destroy the RAF’s airfields. The Battle of Britain had begun!

God’s Victory for Britain

The King again called for a National Day of Prayer on Sunday, 8 September 1940. This was to have been a day to give thanks to Almighty God for the miracle of Dunkirk. But the prayers of thanksgiving also turned to crying out to the Lord for the Battle of Britain in the air.

This became the next miracle when RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes, although greatly outnumbered, took a tremendous toll of the enemy bombers. By mid-September the Germans had sustained such heavy losses that they called off the mass attacks. On 17 September 1940, the German Supreme Command issued another order –

The invasion of England is postponed until further notice.

Once again Churchill addressed the nation and acknowledged the ‘miracle of deliverance’ in his famous speech, “Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”.²

But everyone knew that it was not just ‘the few’ who had given the victory: it was God who had answered the prayers of the nation.

Everyone knew it was not just ‘the few’ men who had given the victory – it was God who had answered the prayers of the nation.

The Battle Continues

Since the Referendum vote, the battle for Brexit has taken on many characteristics of Dunkirk – not least that we want to withdraw from Europe! Although of course, it is only the European Union from which we wish to withdraw so that we don’t come under its ungodly jurisdiction. Recent events in Westminster with a hung Parliament, the resurrection of Tony Blair and the advent of Vince Cable as the new leader of the Lib Dems all demonstrate the spiritual nature of the battle we still face to escape the clutches of the EU.

But this is not all. As a nation we have departed from our great biblical heritage and embraced the values of secular humanism – to our own destruction. This is why it is sad, but not surprising, that the new Dunkirk film focuses only on human bravery, failing to mention faith, prayer or even belief in the existence of God.

In so doing, it not only falls short of telling the full story – it actually sides with the enemy in the present spiritual battle for Britain’s soul. For if we try to erase God from the testament of Britain’s history, we erase him from her present and future.

Christians should recognise the true nature of this battle, whether it takes place in our Parliament or in our cinemas, but should also take heart that our God is a God who answers prayer.

If ever there were a time for Christians to come before God in prayer, confessing the nation’s unfaithfulness and interceding for people to turn in repentance, it is surely today. If we were to put our trust in the Lord and call upon him to heal the land, he would undoubtedly answer prayer today as he has done in the past.

References

1 Speech to the House of Commons, 4 June 1940.

2 Speech to the House of Commons, 20 August 1940.

South African-born journalist, Charles Gardner, brings a second report on the signs of revival currently in South Africa.

The South African revival to which I referred in an earlier dispatch is now in full bloom, as evidenced by an extraordinary prayer meeting attended by an estimated one million people.

The ‘Call to Prayer’ – named It’s Time – came from farmer-evangelist Angus Buchan in response to allegations of corruption in Government, an intolerable crime rate, violent student protests, and immorality at many levels.

Call to Prayer

Affectionately known Oom Angus¹, the preacher has made a huge impact on the nation since experiencing a dramatic encounter with Christ in 1979. In recent years, he has focused his attention on men, imploring them to live up to their responsibilities by leading their families in prayer and dedication to God.

For seven years he held annual weekend camps at his KwaZulu-Natal farm Shalom, initially hosting just family and a few friends, but eventually drawing some 400,000 men. Similar events, known as ‘Mighty Men Conferences’, have since spread to other parts of the country as well as to the UK.

But with the country now embroiled in chaos led by a Government apparently steeped in corruption, Angus believed it was time to call Christians to serious prayer – and the venue chosen was 2,500 acres of farmland near the central city of Bloemfontein.

With the country now embroiled in chaos led by a Government apparently steeped in corruption, believers are gathering in prayer.

Believers responded by travelling from all parts of the country to set up camp, pray over many issues such as abortion, crime, injustice, and poverty, and draw inspiration from the beloved evangelist with his uncompromising message focused on living according to the Bible’s precepts.

“You will sleep with no-one until you are married!” he urged young men, adding (echoing a phrase used by Britain’s legendary Pentecostal evangelist Smith Wigglesworth): “God said it; we believe it and that settles it.”

Healing for Israel

An Israeli flag could be clearly seen fluttering in the breeze as a video camera panned across a sea of people stretching some 1.4 kilometers from the main platform, and strong gusts of wind accompanied prayers in scenes akin to the initial Holy Spirit outpouring recorded in the New Testament, (Acts 2:2).

I mention the Israeli flag to further support the thesis of my previous article on the subject: blessing the Jewish people is a key to revival, something the UK church has yet to grasp!

In addition to YouTube videos, I have friends taking part who have kept me informed of progress, and it is difficult not to see this as further fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy “In the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). Such a time could quite conceivably coincide with the restoration of Israel along with the judgment of those nations opposing them (Joel 3:1f).

Blessing the Jewish people is a key to revival.

It’s Time is evidently inspired by the biblical promise of healing for Israel when God’s people humble themselves and pray.

When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain (South Africa has been suffering a severe drought), or command locusts to devour the land, or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chron 7:13-14)

I do not have an exact count of the attendance at this event, but my sources tell me that as many as 1.7 million people had registered beforehand. That is equivalent to the population of Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest city, and greater than Birmingham, Britain’s second city.Mighty turnout: Men gather in great numbers for the Karoo Mighty Men's Conference in the heart of South Africa's farming community.

Clearly, prayer leads to revival, along with blessing Israel as I have already emphasized. There is a distinct correlation between this move of the Spirit and a general understanding and support of Israel, to whom Christians are indelibly attached. If we cut ourselves off from our Judaic roots, the Church cannot truly exist (Rom 11:17f).

Churches in South Africa Today

Churches in all parts of South Africa – black and white as well as English and Afrikaans-speaking – are bursting with new life as they provide a counter-culture to secularists and humanists. They are especially a thorn in the flesh to the Government which is reportedly rife with corruption and virulently opposed to Israel - even to the extent of virtually cutting off diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. This is in spite of the fact that it was Jews who led the resistance to apartheid in the days of the whites-only Parliament.

Angus, who has led a similar gathering in Israel, has proved a huge inspiration as he urges men to run their homes, love their wives and exercise Godly discipline with their children, which leads to inevitable clashes with political correctness!

Moreover, the default position of many of South Africa’s churches today is an understanding of God’s everlasting love for Israel and of the church’s enormous debt to them – for the Bible, for their Saviour and much more. A friend of mine put it this way: “If you don’t believe in God’s plan for Israel, you’re a biblical atheist.”

The point is that these South African Christians have woken up, having come to love God’s chosen people. UK churches are in desperate need of gaining similar biblical truth.

For revival, you have to be in the right place with God so that, as far as is possible, his thoughts become our thoughts (see Isaiah 55). We don’t worship Israel, as they are human and sinful like us, but we do worship the God of Israel who has blessed us with his precious Word and with his Son, the Jewish Messiah, who is “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

Fear vs Faith

I have re-visited my home country a number of times in recent years to see family and friends, and I became aware that it is no longer divided along apartheid lines, but between those who live in fear – the secularists who erect huge steel barriers to protect their property from burglars – and those who live by faith and in freedom, who love their neighbours and believe in the country’s future under God.

For revival, you have to be in the right place with God.

I appreciate that Jesus warned of deception in the last days, but I feel that sometimes we are in danger of straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel on this point. Author/preacher RT Kendall, writing of how Israel as a whole failed to recognize their Messiah, says: “We are all so sure that we would recognize the authentic Christ. You could not have told a Sadducee or a Pharisee that the Messiah would come to Israel without them knowing and acknowledging him. But he came and they rejected him.”²

There are many signs that this revival is authentic. And if we wish the same for our nation, we need to humble ourselves and pray, repenting of our wicked ways, especially over our treatment of God’s chosen people.

References

¹ Oom is Afrikaans for 'Uncle'.

² Why Jesus Died (Monarch Books), p40.

18 years ago, Anna Hanninen responded faithfully to God's call for her to become an intercessor. Read on to be inspired!

Anna is a retired midwife living in Finland, whose life is committed to intercessory prayer for all the covenant family of God. On her prayer boards are many pictures of friends near and far, for whom she prays every day. Miryam is a nurse and is fully involved to support her mother in the ministry. Their home is dedicated to hospitality for visiting ministers from around the world.

Anna describes her call to prayer:

The Lord was calling me on the night between 17th and 18th July 1998. I woke up that night to the knowledge that the Lord was very close and that He would have something important to tell me. When I felt His closeness my tears began to roll down and I was able to say just, "Lord! You know everything what has been, but You also know that You are dear to me and I'm ready to do Your will whatever it then will be." I felt in that moment within me His voice that was saying, "Your place is to be in the prayer chamber. You will be much alone, but I will always be with you.

I have received prayer targets some Asian countries and Malawi from Africa and other prayer targets. Besides this my primary prayers are for Israel (that had been already tens of years previously in my prayers) sometimes through dreams. Especially there was a dream of Israel during the tribulation of Jacob. [My] second dream was of the suffering body of Yeshua in prisons and third one was of the fate of millions of suffering children on the streets and slave labour of children and in other terrible places.

I wanted [to have] a disciplined daily schedule for the prayers and intercessory prayers. For a few years I prayed for four hours a day regularly. I had been advised to keep Sabbath free of this and to use it to personal recreation and rest and I experienced that it was a piece of good advice.

Later I started to pray three hours a day and during the last year of my prayers have become more the lifestyle and not a kind of "performance" that I do in a set time. Nowadays several shorter times are included in my days when I specially go before the Lord in intercessory prayer, but also in between in the midst of daily chores the intercessory prayer targets are before my inner eyes and in prayer. I think that as much as I can identify with the person or wider intercessory prayer target, so much I can share the loads, battles and experience the attacks of the enemy and share the joys of victories. If we can touch in prayer God's heart, we don't fail.

I think also that if God has called [someone] to the intercessory prayer ministry, so it is [a] call for the time of whole life and one can't disengage oneself of it according to one's own feelings and will. For me it is new fresh commitment every morning when I wake up and praise the Lord for His love and tell Him that I love Him and want to be faithful to Him.

As I'm generally alone at home on the five [days] of the week, so the human sense of loneliness is sometimes even harrowing. So it was particularly in the beginning, as I had lived my whole life from under 20 years old in the midst of a congregation actively and our home was always full of guests from far and wide. When the Lord then led [me] to new kind of stage in this regard, so in the beginning the pain of loneliness was so great that I threw myself down on the sofa and cried out aloud this agony of mine to the Lord. Now I have every day before my eyes the big family of the Lord from different parts of the world. The pictures of everybody whose pictures I have had [the] possibility to get and for whom I pray are fixed on two quite big boards and if I don't have a picture, so I have names on the board or paper. This way those who are far away come close and I can besides 'be travelling' in the spirit from one continent to another to meet them daily."

Anna is now 90 years old. She has recently suffered some setbacks in her health, but is still committed to the ministry of prayer according to her devotion of many years.

Anna and Miryam send their greetings from Finland!

There is a great spiritual battle raging for the soul of the West.

These are dangerous days for the USA and for Britain. Both are seeing an unprecedented level of social and political unrest. Both have had national referendums, democratically conducted. But both are now seeing these democratic resolutions challenged.

In the US, Donald Trump is said to be the most unpopular choice of President in living memory and street protests against his election have been taking place in cities across the country. More than 4 million people have signed petitions calling upon the Electoral College to reverse the decision of the people and appoint Hillary Clinton as President-elect.

Technically this could happen. Donald Trump is not yet President-elect: he has been nominated by vote of the people, but it is the Electoral College that actually makes the appointment of President-elect. They meet on 19 December 2016, when the representatives from the states who are committed to vote for Donald Trump could, in theory, change their minds and vote for Hillary Clinton on the grounds that she won the popular vote.¹ These rebel delegates would incur a personal fine if they did this, although there will be plenty of Democrats only too willing to pay their fine. But it is highly unlikely that this will happen, despite the petition and despite the vehemence of the street protests.

In a similar way, the Lib Dems in Britain, backed by Tony Blair, are campaigning for a second referendum to overturn the decision taken on 23 June this year, which they do not like. They want to remain in the European Union regardless of its restrictions upon national sovereignty. It is strange that a Party that has always championed democracy is now seeking to undermine democracy and to defy the will of the people.

UK and US Similarities

There are many similarities between the situation in the USA and that in Britain. This was perceived by Donald Trump during his campaign when he said that the outcome of the vote would be "Brexit plus plus plus". No doubt this is the reason why, as part of his celebrations, he invited Nigel Farage as the first British politician to meet him. There are strong similarities between the US presidential election and Brexit. In both cases, evangelical Christians played a large part in the outcome. I cannot prove this statistically, although one report from the States estimates that as many as 80% of white evangelical voters chose Trump.²

Both the USA and Britain are experiencing unprecedented levels of social and political unrest.

Christians in the US are happy that the Vice President-elect, Mike Pence, is a committed Christian and they are praying that Donald Trump will also commit his life to the Lord. They voted for him, not because they thought he was a good man, but because they believed that in some way God was going to use him to break the dominance of the secular humanist liberal elite that has been driving America for decades. And this is very similar to the motives of British Christians who voted for Brexit in order to get Britain out of the increasingly evil influences of the EU.

Battle for the Soul of the West

Many Christians on both sides of the Atlantic have a sense that a great spiritual battle is raging over our nations that is essentially a battle for the soul of the West, which has been witnessing its centuries of biblical heritage rapidly draining away under the impact of a toxic mixture of Marxism, secularism, humanism and Satanism. What is becoming abundantly clear is that this is not a battle against flesh and blood but against what Paul aptly described as "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph 6:12).

There is a desperate need today for committed Christians who understand the times in which we are living and who are able to engage in prayer that is directed by a clear understanding of the nature of the battle; and who are also willing to be witnesses to the truth in their sphere of influence, so that the word of God is directed into the life of the nations both at a grassroots level and into the arteries of power.

In order to gain the level of understanding required for the incredible times in which we are living, we need Godly revelation. This was something of which Moses had foresight. At a critical point in his life, with half a million people to feed in the desert, he cried out to God that he just couldn't carry on. God appointed 70 elders to share the burden of leadership and the Spirit of God came upon them so that they prophesied (Num 11:24-25). God had already given Moses a definition of prophecy as declaring the word of God [being his mouthpiece] (Ex 4:5-16).

Moses then expressed a wish that has prophetic significance for our day. He said "I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets" (Num 11:29). That is what we greatly need today – all God's people knowing the word of God and having the ability to declare it openly among their friends and neighbours, and more widely when they have the opportunity.

Christians on both sides of the Atlantic have a sense that a great spiritual battle is raging over our nations - a battle for the soul of the West.

Need for Divine Strength

There are many stories in the Bible showing how, when those with leadership responsibilities got to the end of their strength and cried out to God, miracles happened. It happened with Moses several times. It also happened with King Jehoshaphat, who realised that the tiny army of Judah could not face the vast army coming against him. He led the whole nation in prayer that ended with a cry for help "For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you" (2 Chron 20:12).

The response from God was "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God's." It is when we admit our powerlessness to deal with the situation that God is able to take over and exercise supernatural power. St Paul found this many times in his own life when God said to him "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9). Paul's own testimony was "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10).

For Those in Power...

It is this divine strength that is needed by our leaders in these testing days, but it is not easy for politicians to express weakness. This is where they need the prayer support of Christians who understand the times. We should be giving special prayer covering to the meeting of the Electoral College in America on 19 December and the inauguration of the new President on 20 January 2017.

We should also be praying for Prime Minister Theresa May in Britain and all the politicians and civil servants who are engaged in the negotiations to get Britain out of the European Union. This is already a giant spiritual battle in the heavenlies and on the ground in Brussels and other European capitals. But if the battle is God's, it is more than possible that he will do something spectacular in Europe before the completion of the Brexit negotiations! Right now, the greatest need is to mobilise prayer among Christians.

There is a desperate need today for Christians of understanding and wisdom, who are able to pray strategically and witness to the truth in their sphere of influence.

References

1 Forster, K. Hillary Clinton voters call on Electoral College members to stop Donald Trump. The Independent, 17 November 2016.

2 Bailey, SP. White evangelicals voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, exit polls show. Washington Post, 9 November 2016.

David Longworth remembers the decisive Allied victory that turned the tide of the Second World War – and protected Jews in the Middle East from annihilation.

Tuesday of this week (15 November) marked 74 years since church bells around Britain rang out in thanksgiving for victory in the Second Battle of El Alamein, which had been won on 11 November 1942. This victory, which marked a decisive turning point in the war and the history of Israel, was described by Churchill in a speech at Mansion House in London on 10 November 1942, "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." On the day the battle was won Churchill told the Commons it was "a British victory of the first order".

To remove all possibility of misunderstanding, an announcement was made from Downing Street that church bells should be rung everywhere before morning service on Sunday 15 November 1942¹ (since June 1940, the customary ringing of church bells had been brought under Government prohibition. Bells were only to be rung if the authorities needed to give warning of imminent or actual German invasion). Looking back, Churchill later wrote in his history of the Second World War: "It may almost be said, 'Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein we never had a defeat."²

Ringing with Hope

Today there are those who seek to decry the significance of this great event, and even to dismiss the bell-ringing as a fond fantasy. However, the records of ordinary people testify differently: for example, the North-East Diary (now online), 1939-1945, clearly records, "Sunday, 15 Nov. Church bells are rung for first time since June 1940 to celebrate the victory at El Alamein".³

On the same day Robert Osborne, in training with the Canadian Grenadier Guards, wrote to his mother, "Today is a big day for England. The Church bells are ringing for the first time in 3 years – my but they sound good with a ring of hope in them...".⁴

Furthermore, digging into the records of those who experienced those times reveals a spiritual dimension and confirms the ancient Scripture: "the Most High rules in the kingdom of men" (Dan 4:17, also 4:25, 31).

Despite a wartime prohibition on bell-ringing, Downing Street announced that all church bells should be rung to celebrate the victory of El Alamein.

July 1942: The Road to Palestine BlockedDeployment of forces at Second Battle of El Alamein, 23 October 1942. See Photo Credits.

The second great battle of El Alamein commenced on 23 October 1942, after Rommel's Afrika Korps had swept the British Army roughly a thousand miles eastward, from Tripoli in Libya as far as the ridge of El Alamein (Egypt). At this point, in July 1942, British General Claude Auchinleck had managed to hold a defensive line, a mere 70 miles from the crucial port of Alexandria. But morale, from Generals to Privates, was at rock bottom, after a series of defeats including the fall of Tobruk (Libya) in June 1942, when Britain had lost about 35,000 soldiers, captured as prisoners of war.

Back in Britain and the Empire, according to anecdotal memories, the North Africa crisis was the subject of many prayer meetings. One in particular stands out, being well-documented. At the Bible College of Wales, in Swansea, on 4 July 1942, Rees Howells said, "Unless God will intervene on behalf of Palestine there will be no safety there for the Jews. These Bible Lands must be protected, because it is to these lands the Saviour will come back. If I had the choice today, I would say to God, 'Take all I have, but preserve Palestine.' We want to say to God today, 'unless there is a special reason for Egypt to fall, don't let Alexandria be taken, but give Rommel a setback.' Can I carry the same burden today for Alexandria, as I would if Swansea were being attacked?"⁵

Unknown to Rees Howells, we now know that in the summer of 1942 the German Einsatzgruppe Egypt was on standby in Athens, awaiting Rommel's breakthrough to the Middle East. Their task was the liquidation of the Jewish populations of Egypt and Palestine. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, had agreed to assist in local recruitment to the unit and was already engaged in anti-Semitic incitement, not least by radio broadcasts.⁶

In the College in Swansea students and guests continued in prayer for many hours that Saturday afternoon. On the evening of Sunday 5 July, after yet more prayer, Howells was assured: "I thought Hitler might be allowed to take Egypt," he said, "but I now know he will never take Egypt – neither Alexandria nor Cairo will fall."⁷ The clarity with which the Holy Spirit orchestrated prayer and assurance is truly remarkable: Rommel began his assault on Auchinleck's defensive line on 1 July and battles raged to and fro until 31 July, ending in stalemate - but Egypt was secured and the path to Palestine blocked.

August 1942: The Right Leadership

On 3 August 1942, Churchill himself flew out to Cairo, where the Eighth Army had its HQ, specifically to stiffen the backbone of the British Forces and appoint a General who had swagger and self-confidence. He was attracted by General William Gott's record as a bold and aggressive leader. But the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Alan Brooke, had noticed the man's battle-weariness and lack of vision for the next stage, and attempted to dissuade Churchill, recommending the appointment of Bernard Montgomery. Brooke was unsuccessful. Auchinleck was relieved of his command and Gott, who was known for his Christian virtues,⁸ appointed.

We know from his diaries that Alan Brooke was another Christian, a man who habitually prayed for God's help and guidance. Writing in retrospect of the invitation in November 1941 to become Chief of the General Staff, he said, "I am not ashamed to confess that as soon as I was out of the room my first impulse was to kneel down and pray to God for guidance and support in the task that I had undertaken."⁹ This was our top military leader, whose advice Churchill overruled.

Rommel's breakthrough to the Middle East would have meant the liquidation of the Jewish populations of Egypt and Palestine.

On 7 August General Gott took off from his base camp to take up his appointment in Cairo in an RAF transport plane. Sadly, a carelessly uncoded British wireless message was intercepted by Rommel's signals unit. Six Messerschmitt fighters were sent to intercept the flight, the plane was skilfully crash-landed in the desert, but was mercilessly strafed, killing most of the passengers, including General Gott, the principal target of the Luftwaffe mission.¹⁰

Churchill, awaiting Gott in Cairo, was given the awful news by a staff officer, who remarked, "It may be a blessing in disguise".¹¹ In 9 months Britain's Eighth Army had gone through four commanders. Alan Brooke again urged Churchill to appoint Lt-General Montgomery, but Churchill now wanted General Wilson, the officer commanding the 9^th Army in Syria and Palestine. Brooke persisted and by midnight Churchill relented.

Commenting later, Captain Tom Witherby, Wireless Officer of 23^rd Armoured Brigade under Gott's command, said "Gott was a brave man, but he was tired and simply did not have the intellectual stature for the command. I do really feel that the circumstances in which Montgomery appeared at this critical time was one of the rare examples of direct intervention by the Almighty!"¹²

September 1942: National Prayer

Under Montgomery's leadership, meticulous planning and preparations began. In spite of political pressures, 'Monty' would not be rushed. He even insisted upon a new Chaplain General, hopeful of more effective prayer.¹³

Back home in Britain, a National Day of Prayer was called for Thursday 3 September. Archbishop William Temple insisted on it being kept on the anniversary of the start of the War, to ensure that it did not lose effect by being part of Sunday routine. Gatherings for prayer were organised in homes, factories, canteens, offices, schools, military locations, cinemas, theatres, fields and squares, and many other people listened to the broadcast services in their homes. A very high proportion of the population must have participated.¹⁴

Pathé and Movietone films of the day show over 7,000 RAF servicemen and women attending on one airfield alone, and a large congregation in the bombed-out ruin of St Dunstan in East London.¹⁵ Before Montgomery went to church in Egypt that day, "he gave orders that there was to be no forward movement from the main battle positions except by patrols, which were to concentrate on the destruction of the enemy's motor transport...It was a quiet morning, and all who could attended church services."¹⁶

A very high proportion of the population must have participated in the National Day of Prayer on 3 September 1942.

October-November 1942: From Assault to Victory

Italian prisoners of war, taken at El Alamein. See Photo Credits.

In North Africa, military preparations continued. 23 October was eventually set for the commencement of the great assault against the Afrika Korps. This is what Derek Prince remembers of the start of that day: "I was serving with a military ambulance up in the desert, a little way behind the advancing British Forces. On the tailboard of the truck there was a little portable radio. I listened as a news commentator described the preparations at Montgomery's headquarters just before the Battle of El Alamein. He described how Montgomery came out and assembled his officers and men and said this: 'Let us ask the Lord, mighty in battle, to give us the victory.'"¹⁷

Major General DN Wimberley, the General Officer Commanding the 51^st Highland Division, recalled "One thousand guns were to start firing at 21.40hrs. I watched my Jocks filing past in the moonlight...There was nothing more I could do now to prepare for the battle. It was only possible to pray for their success, and that the [Highland Division] would live up to its name and the names of those very famous regiments of which it was composed."¹⁸

Twelve days later, on 4 November, having been driven back from any defensible position, particularly by the 51^st Highland Division supported by the 4^th Indian Division, Rommel had to withdraw his forces from any major engagement (though units of the Eighth Army continued to harry his retreat for several days more). The Second Battle of El Alamein was over – and so, very soon, Einsatzgruppe Egypt was disbanded. The assurance given to Rees Howells was fully justified.

Gratitude?

In the estimation of many, it was the great turning point of the war. In spite of many mistakes and shortcomings in our armed forces, God had overruled - the forces of evil had been thwarted. Yet the spiritual dimension of these great battles now lies largely forgotten, if not airbrushed from standard histories. The faithful work of leading intercessors like Rees Howells, the hours spent by diligent prayer warriors, as well as the willing response of the masses to the national call to prayer, had been fruitful.

The faithful ministry to the young that had nurtured the seeds of early faith in those God-fearing officers and men had played its part. And the Lord, mighty in battle, had indeed granted the victory.

But where now is the gratitude? Remembrance Day has just passed once again, the fallen have been honoured, the nation's pride in its armed forces reiterated, but with little recognition of the One who rules all things.

In our homes and in our churches we should surely repent of our pride and ingratitude. The unseen spiritual battle continues today. Oh that we would return to seek the Lord in thousands and would intercede, that the forces of darkness at work in our nation would be driven back! It is worth remembering the prayer of Daniel, one of a tiny minority in pagan Babylon, "Blessed be the Name of God for ever, for wisdom and might are His...He removes kings and raises up kings...He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him" (Dan 2:20-22).

References

1. Seaman, LCB, 2003. Post-Victorian Britain, 1902-1951. Routledge.
2. Churchill, WS, 1951. The Second World War (Vol. 4). Houghton-Mifflin.
3. Ripley, R & Pears, B. North-East Diary, 1939-1945. Accessed 28 October 2016.
4. Osborne, RE & Osborne, DE 2016. Pax in Bello: Peace in War. David Osborne.
5. Grubb, N, 1952. Rees Howells: Intercessor. James Clarke and Co Ltd, 2003.
6. Mallmann, KM, Cüppers, M & Smith, K, 2010. Nazi Palestine: The Plans for the Extermination of the Jews in Palestine. Enigma, New York.
7. See note 4.
8. Nash, NS, 2013. Strafer, Desert General: the Life and Killing of Lieutenant General W.H.E. Gott. Pen and Sword.
9. Quoted in Hare, RM, 1998. Essays in Religion and Education. Clarendon Press.
10. Carver, T, 2009. Where the Hell have you been? Short Books.
11. Nash, NS (see note 8), op. cit. p238.
12. Ibid.
13. Chandler, DG, 1990. World War II on Land. Mallard Press, accessed via The National Archives.
14. Williamson, P, 2013. National days of prayer: the churches, the state and public worship in Britain, 1899-1957. English Historical Review 128(531), pp324-366.
15. British Pathé Archive, Film ID 1336.22, released 07/19/42. Movietone Digital Archive, Story No. 42802, released 07/09/42.
16. Carver, M, 1962. El Alamein. Wordsworth Editions, p69.
17. Prince, D, 2009. Secrets of a Prayer Warrior. Chosen Books, pp118-119.
18. Delaforce, P, 2007. Monty's Highlanders: 51^st Highland Division in the Second World War. Casemate Publishers, p43.

American voters are facing an extremely difficult and important decision. Clifford Hill comments on how they might discern God's will - and how we can support them.

All my American friends are saying the same thing – who do we vote for? Never in the history of the USA has it been so difficult to make a choice – both candidates are seriously flawed. Voters feel they are between a rock and a hard place, or between the devil and the deep blue sea. Many committed Christians I've spoken to say they are not going to vote at all because both Clinton and Trump are so awful!

Allegations of Corruption

The US press has been full of negative accounts about both presidential candidates. Hillary Clinton has been accused of misusing her personal email account for state business when she held high office in the Obama administration. She has also been accused of being involved, together with her husband, in a huge amount of personal corruption in which they have made vast fortunes.

Trump has been accused of refusing to reveal his tax returns which allegedly show that he has hired clever accountants to hide his vast income successfully, meaning that he has paid relatively little in tax. So both candidates are mired in allegations of corruption.

Both candidates are mired in allegations of corruption.

Politically Disturbing

On the political front, Trump has a history of discrimination against African-Americans in renting his property and in employment in his enterprises. He also has made many statements in his speeches indicating prejudice against non-Americans and a xenophobic attitude, such as his declaration that he will build a wall to prevent Mexicans entering the USA illegally, and his promise to ban Muslim immigrants.

Preparations are underway for the second presidential debate, to be held this Sunday in St Louis. See Photo Credits.Hillary Clinton is highly distrusted by conservative voters because of her strong liberal views on abortion and same-sex marriage, as well as her support for the LGBT campaign to allow public toilets to be used by either gender (including the extending of this into state schools, which will allow boys to use the girls' toilets). She is also known to support a wide range of measures that discriminate against Christians who take a stand upon biblical principles.

Voter Indecision

It is these issues of personal corruption and unpopular political measures surrounding both candidates (and many other concerns beside) that are causing such anxiety and uncertainty among voters. Polls currently show Clinton having a small lead over Trump, although some polls show them to be level. But most significantly, recent polls also indicate that as many as 12% are presently still undecided,¹ due to the unpopularity of both candidates. Many of these may not cast their votes at all.

But voter apathy could spell disaster for America. If electors are so alienated by the choice of politicians being offered to the public by the two main parties, voter turnout will be low. This not only undermines the whole process of democracy; it also has a negative impact upon the spiritual life of the nation. That may sound a strange thing to say, but it is based upon a major spiritual principle – the sovereignty of God.

Voter apathy and indecision could spell disaster for America.

God's Sovereignty

Most Christians don't really understand the 'sovereignty of God' because very little is taught about it in our churches and we don't really like verses in the Bible that speak about it. Take a look at two key verses:

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. (Ps 46:8)

I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things. (Isa 45:7)

Does God really create disaster? Surely not! Isn't he a God of love? So why does the Bible tell us that God creates disaster?

Justice as well as love is part of the nature of God, which the prophets of Israel recognised. But they also knew that God held the nations in his hands 'as a drop in a bucket', which was Isaiah's description (Isa 40:15). Isaiah said that God "brings princes to nought and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing" (Isa 40:23). In other words, God is completely in control – everything that happens, he either allows or initiates.

Our Acknowledgement Aside!

The same is true of our individual lives, even if we don't acknowledge his sovereignty. Cyrus, the Persian ruler, had no knowledge of God but God used him to overthrow the Babylonian Empire and allow the captive Jews to go back to the land of Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. God actually called Cyrus his 'anointed one'! He said "I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honour, though you do not acknowledge me" (Isa 45:4).

Understanding the 'sovereignty of God' is of immense importance if we are to know what God is doing today and if we wish to pray with wisdom about what's happening, not only in our individual lives but also in our nation. Understanding God's purposes and how he is working out those purposes in the contemporary world situation is of great importance.

God is completely in control – everything that happens, he either allows or initiates.

Asking for God's Guidance

Prayer changes things. And when many Christians combine to pray about what's happening, they can actually influence the course of history. This has happened recently in Britain on two occasions: the Scottish Referendum, where a huge amount of prayer called upon the Lord to save the British Union; and the June Referendum on our membership of the European Union, which was preceded by prolonged prayer both by individuals and by a large number of gatherings of Christians. They called upon the Lord to guide the nation to the right decision.

Even some politicians who wanted Britain to remain in the European Union, such as our new Prime Minister Theresa May, are now recognising that a new dawn is opening up before the nation, that could lead to a time of unprecedented prosperity and blessing. But this will only occur if we truly seek the ways of righteousness and truth.
The same could happen in America if the American people surround the nation in prayer so that God can work out his purposes.

Praying Wisely

God can work out his purposes one way or another; even if he has to allow what appears to be a disaster. God often has to use disasters in our personal lives or in the life of a nation in order to bless us – to turn us from the wrong path, to change our hearts or to give us a deeper experience of his grace!

This is why it is so important for Christians to pray in the right way – asking the Lord to guide them in placing their vote – not according to party allegiance or personal prejudice. The right prayer is to ask the Lord that his will be done. Then, whatever the outcome, God will work out his purposes for good, and not for evil.

When many Christians combine to pray, they can change the course of history.

Whatever happens in America affects the rest of the world, especially Britain with its historic ties. We urge our readers to pray for America: pray that God will guide America's believing Christians who feel alienated from both candidates and show them how to use their vote.

References

1 Stokes, C. EXCLUSIVE POLL: Democrat Hillary Clinton opens up double-digit Michigan lead on GOP's Donald Trump. WXYZ Detroit, 6 October 2016.

In exciting confirmation of the words brought recently in Chichester and by David Noakes, we review words given at an intercessory prayer day held in Somerset in July.

Across Britain, God is speaking to those who will listen. Just because you pray alone or in a small group, it doesn't mean that God will not speak words of national significance to and through you! He is simply looking for dedicated servants who will spend time in his presence, learning his word faithfully and listening to his heart.

Issachar Ministries has been running a number of intercessory events around the country in recent months, gathering local prayer groups together to intercede for the nation and listen to what God is saying. Last week we reported on their Chichester meeting – this week we bring further news from a similar event held in July, near Wells in Somerset.

Those in attendance gathered themselves into small groups to spend time listening to the Lord, taking notes and feeding back afterwards to the rest of the gathering. Below we have written up the main points and themes that were shared – see if you can spot the similarities to those shared at the Chichester meeting a couple of weeks ago!

Opportunity in Difficult Times

First, many people felt strongly that difficult times lie ahead for Britain, but that in this the Church will have great opportunity for witness.

Warnings were given that our withdrawal from the European Union will not be easy, and that the enemy will try to fight against what God has done. There will be a great need for mature Christians, interceding for the negotiations, helping others to understand God's purposes in Brexit and being directly involved in the business and politics of the exit process. "Solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Heb 5:14).

Words were also given about the degree to which Britain has abandoned her Christian heritage – and how the Church needs to recognise this, and grieve it as Jeremiah grieved over Jerusalem (e.g. Jer 4:19).

Yet, groups also heard that in the difficult times ahead there will come great opportunity for sharing our faith with an unbelieving world. Christians need to arise, pray and actively help others to recognise Jesus – including young people who receive no Christian input in school or at home.

Israel and the Middle East

Some groups were led to pray about the situation in Syria. They fed back that God is weeping over the destruction in that nation, desiring all people to know his love and mercy. It was also felt that Christians should be actively watching what God is doing so that they can explain his purposes to unbelievers.

A number of groups had words about Islam, that God is at work across the Muslim world setting people free from darkness and giving Christians opportunities to witness about their faith. Christians also need to pray for those who come out of Islam into Christianity.

Trusting in the Lord

There were also many encouragements to trust and hope in the Lord, so that the testing times ahead will bear fruit and cause the Church to grow. "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord" (Lam 3:25-26). "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength" (Isa 30:15). Finally, it is essential that we become a listening people (not just interceding), so that we are able to proclaim the word of the Lord that he is speaking to his people today.

The teaching of Jesus is that Christians are those who have "crossed over from death to life" (John 5:19). This is the good news that we have to share with others!

By the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses...

You may notice, reading the above, a close congruency with the words shared last week from the Chichester meeting, and also with the word published the previous week from David Noakes. Please note that the Somerset meeting was held in July – well before these others were given or published!

It is wonderful to have such a confirmation of God's 'now' word for Britain, being given through ordinary Christians gathering in different areas across the nation. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established" (2 Cor 13:1, NKJV).

The Lord is speaking – we hope you will be as encouraged by this as we are, especially if you regularly pray for the nation and/or are part of a local prayer group!

More prophetic words are brought at a day of prayer in Chichester, confirming the prophecy that was given through David Noakes last week.

In last week's editorial we looked at events that have taken place since the Referendum and the vote to leave the European Union. We published a word from my colleague David Noakes that assured us that God is fully in control and that although we must expect "darkness and upheaval in the European institution" we should not be anxious, because God is working out his purposes and will walk with us in the difficult times that lie ahead.

Chichester Day of Prayer and Prophecy

Last week my wife and I led a day of prayer in Chichester. There were quite a large number, most of whom were mature Christians having a good knowledge of the Bible and Christian teaching. At one point during the day we set aside a time of complete quiet to listen to the Lord for what he is saying to his people in Britain today.

Individuals took a note of what they heard and then shared it with others in groups of about ten, who together weighed what was brought. Following this a spokesperson for each group reported back to the whole gathering the most significant words that had been accepted in their group.

Learning from Past Examples

During the day, we had already done some teaching on how the biblical prophets had received revelation from God: how they listened and how they knew that what they were hearing really was from the Lord. We noted that Isaiah heard from God early in the morning, "He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught" (Isa 50:4). We noted how Jeremiah learnt to "stand in the Council of the Lord" (Jer 23:18).

We noted that Jesus promised that his disciples would recognise his voice in the same way as sheep recognise the voice of their shepherd. He said "I am the good Shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" (Jn 10:14). Jesus also promised that we would be able to hear the truth through the Holy Spirit. He said "When he the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own, he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" (Jn 16:12-13).

Hearing God Speak

Only two of all those present had seen David's prophecy, which had only just been published. But the remarkable thing was how many of the words reported in the feedback time were in accordance with it. Of course, we should not be surprised at this because if we are all listening to the same Source on behalf of the nation, we should hear a similar message!

At a prayer day in Chichester last weekend, many prophetic words were given in accordance with that given by David Noakes, despite only two people present having read it.

Warnings of Trouble, Hope for Opportunity

Many of the words were warnings of troubled times that lie ahead. A typical word reported by one group was, "Times of great turmoil are coming because the enemy is angry with the vote to leave the European Union. The praying church will be important in the coming battle nevertheless the exit will be successfully completed", but we were also warned about deception, "Watch out that you are not deceived" (Luke 21:8).

We were warned that getting out of Europe will not be easy. It was not easy for the people of Israel to get out of slavery in Egypt. Although they were given permission to leave, the Egyptians chased after them and God had to do a miracle to save them. "When the King of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, 'What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!'" (Ex 14:5). The battle to get out of the EU will be long and hard. There is a great need for Christians to intercede and pray for our negotiators, businessmen and politicians, that righteousness will prevail.

There were a number of prophetic words about the 'fields being ripe for harvest', suggesting that God is giving us a great opportunity to share his truth with others and that many will respond to the Gospel – particularly young people, who are searching for truth in a confusing world of strife and conflict.

Warnings About Israel and the Middle East

There were strong warnings about the situation in the Middle East; "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of the ruins" (Isa 17:1). This is coming true today as Syria is being destroyed, but there is great danger that when the destruction of Syria is completed the nations will turn upon Israel "Come, they say, let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more" (Ps 83:4).

There were strong calls for Christians to stand with Israel in prayer as we approach the close of this age. There were further warnings of storm clouds gathering and a time of darkness coming when the faith of Christians will be severely tested. But this was accompanied by promises that we should not be afraid in difficult times because God knows the way he is taking us (Job 23:10) and he will use the difficult times to cleanse his people.

We were warned that getting out of Europe will not be easy - it was not easy for the people of Israel to get out of slavery in Egypt.

With Jesus' Help

God will also strengthen us during the testing times for Jesus has promised that he will never leave us alone. As he prayed for his first disciples, he is still interceding with the Father for his disciples today. In his prayer to the Father, Jesus said, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one" (Jn 17:15).

We know that this editorial is different from our usual brand, but the editors felt that it was important to report these words, which we believe to be from the Lord at this special time in the history of our nation. They are particularly important because they have come through ordinary Christians, who are members of prayer groups from many different churches – not ministry leaders or clergy. Clearly God is speaking to his people today!

These prayer groups are scattered around the South Downs area of England – and our team has been leading similar days in different parts of the country. Next month we are in Rochester, Kent, when we may publish a further report. We do hope that this is an encouragement to all praying Christians.

Paul Luckraft meets up with Sally Richardson, founder and organiser of the 'Israel and Prophecy' group, London.

The 'Israel and Prophecy' group meets once or twice a month on Saturdays at All Souls Clubhouse, London. Paul arranged to meet up with Sally, its founder, to find out how they started and what God is doing through the meetings.

Pieces of the Jigsaw

It is often the case that when God wants to start something new he calls on those who have been serving him faithfully for many years and whose previous experience and background provide just what he needs at that time. For many years Sally Richardson had been involved in organising meetings and making contacts with speakers and teachers who had also become good friends. Her involvement with Christian Ministerial Fellowship International (CMFI) in particular meant that she had come across several speakers at conferences whom she would be able to call upon in the future – a future which God knew about long before she did!

Another piece in the jigsaw that the Divine hand was putting together was the venue. By chance Sally came across All Souls Clubhouse (ASC) when walking down Cleveland Street one day. Instead of just going past, she decided to go in and investigate what was there. Sometime later, when another venue for a meeting she was organising was inadvertently double-booked, Sally remembered ASC and was able to rearrange her meeting there. Although this was a one-off at the time, it is now clear that God was showing Sally the potential of the rooms there for what he would want in the future.

God knew Sally's future long before she did – and had all the pieces of the jigsaw in place ready.

The Seeds Germinate

For the next few years nothing different happened, but seeds had been sown. Then in 2012 Sally found that, quite spontaneously and independently, people were telling her with great concern and sadness about their churches espousing Replacement Theology and having no understanding of prophecy or the end times, much less any teaching on them. This very much resonated with Sally's own awareness of the lack of good teaching in churches on the vital subjects of Israel and prophecy. As she says, "I was very distressed in spirit about these matters, and began to earnestly pray and seek the Lord concerning them. He then began to remind me of certain things."

First, he showed her that she was in the fortunate position of knowing a number of brothers who could give sound and balanced teaching on these vital and neglected subjects. He also reminded her that she had organised meetings in the past, so why not do so again? Indeed, with both the necessary administrative skills and a list of personal contacts, surely she was the one God could most use to help people in this respect?

Further, the Lord laid on her heart that these meetings were to be in central London, and in a venue easily accessible for people. At this point he reminded her of ASC and of that previous occasion when she had needed to find a last-minute replacement venue.

As she continued to pray about the possibility of arranging meetings and what to call them, she sensed the Lord say they were to be held under the banner title of 'Israel and Prophecy'. Everything was coming together and in the spring of 2013 the first meeting took place, being led by two brothers from the Bible Prophecy Foundation.

Sally recalls that only a small number of people attended (about 15), but all very much appreciated the teaching that was brought, the warmth of the welcome they received and the fellowship they enjoyed with others of like mind. This encouraged her to continue, and three more meetings took place that year. Also encouraging was the way the Lord brought a small team of helpers around her to assist with recording, serving refreshments and the other essential tasks which make such a venture more successful and enable it to grow.

Often when God wants to start something new he calls on those who have been serving him faithfully for many years, whose background provides just what he needs at that time.

Gathering Momentum

In 2014, things really took off - such was the demand. There would be a meeting every month, sometimes twice a month, with more and more speakers being drafted in. News of the meetings spread by word of mouth. Sally testifies, "I don't need to advertise much now, new people are coming each month." Thankfully, there are larger rooms available at ASC when necessary – as God knew from the beginning! Sally is grateful that the Clubhouse is a very welcoming and supportive venue. "I have been told by the Manager and some of the volunteers that we are a favourite of theirs amongst the many other groups who use their facilities."

With such contentious subjects as Israel and prophecy, it might be wondered how this is handled. The answer is - diplomatically and with a stress on unity! Clearly, regarding Israel all the speakers are anti-Replacement Theology and pro-restoration. As for end time topics, a greater diversity of opinion is allowed for on the part of the speakers, which at least allows people a chance to think things through from a biblical perspective.

Without exception each brother's ministry has been warmly received and greatly appreciated. Those attending regularly tell Sally at the end of the meetings how very grateful they are for the teaching they've heard, some nearly in tears and others almost overcome with gratitude. "I get fed here!" more than one has declared. "Please...never stop these meetings! We need them!"

Such contentious subjects as Israel and prophecy are handled diplomatically and with a stress on unity.

A Bright Future!

The future of these meetings seems assured. The speakers are generally free to decide what they want to speak about, as long as it fits the general remit of Israel and prophecy. There will certainly be no lack of specific topics to keep the group going until...well, the Lord returns!

The style of the meetings may vary a little, sometimes with discussion, Q&As, and also some prayer and intercession. But the overall aim has been satisfied – people are now receiving the biblical teaching they were lacking previously.

As Sally concludes, "I want to give all the praise and glory to the Lord for the blessing these meetings have been, and indeed, continue to be."

Details of Future Meetings

The next four meetings are as follows:

• 1 October: Pastor Ian Huxham and Rod Boggia (Bible teachers from Evangel Sidmouth and PFI)
• 29 October: Prayer and Bible Day with Simon Wyatt (Bible teacher from Bethel Christian Assembly, Raising a Standard)
• 5 November: Chris Hill (Bible teacher and Israel Tours leader, CL Ministries)
• 19 November: Tony Pearce (Bible teacher, Bridge Lane Fellowship, Light for the Last Days)

All meetings will be from 10am-3pm unless advised otherwise, at All Souls Clubhouse, 141 Cleveland St, London W1T 6QG. Recordings are available to purchase after. A love offering is taken for the speaker. Please come prepared for the lunch break – either bring a packed lunch or eat at a nearby café.

For more details, contact Sally by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

All welcome!

Campbell McAlpine looks at Habakkuk, the prophet who cared.

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways" (Heb 1:1). He knew how applicable the messages would be to future generations. God's voice to one man, or one people, is often his voice to many men and many people.

The setting of the so-called 'minor prophet' Habakkuk was one of despair. The storm-clouds were gathering over Jerusalem. Josiah, Judah's last good king, had been succeeded by Jehoiakim, the ruler who with fearful disdain burned Jeremiah's scroll on which was written God's message to Israel, Judah and the nations. The last forty years of Judah's history had begun, and God revealed to his prophet that the end was near.

God's voice to one man, or one people, is often his voice to many.

Habakkuk's Prophecy and Ministry

Habakkuk was a man with a deep concern for the situation. His name means 'love's embrace', and he had a love for God and for God's people. He embraced the prophetic ministry God had given him, despite its difficulties.

His prophecy can be summarised under four headings: a man with a burden, a man with a vision, a man with a prayer, and a man with a song. These four-fold concerns are not unique to Habakkuk, but rather display a pattern common throughout Scripture.

Moses was a man with a burden, given to him by God: "I have indeed seen the misery of my people...So I have come to rescue them" (Ex 3:7-8). He was a man with a vision: to bring them into a "good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (Ex 3:8). He was a man with a prayer: he cried to the Lord. He was a man with a song: his joyous proclamation, "I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted" (Ex 15:1), is hymn number one in the Bible!

Hannah was a woman with a burden: "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me" (1 Sam 1:11). She was a woman with a vision for a son to give to the Lord all the days of his life. She was a woman with a prayer: she prayed and continued in prayer, pouring out her soul to the Lord. She was a woman with a song: "My heart rejoices in the Lord" (1 Sam 2:1).

Habakkuk's name means 'love's embrace', and he had a love for God and for God's people.

But Jesus is the pre-eminent man with a burden: "But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!" (Luke 12:50). He is the man with a vision: "But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself" (John 12:32). He is the man with a prayer: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you" (John 17:1). He is also the man with a song: "When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" (Mark 14:26). Let us now take a look at these elements in the book of Habakkuk.

A Man with a Burden

A God-given ministry will have a God-given concern. Habakkuk was greatly troubled by the apostasy of God's people and their wickedness. Like other prophets before him, such as David, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, he cried, "O Lord, how long?"

The more he prayed, the worse the situation became. Violence, iniquity, trouble, plundering and strife were everywhere in evidence. The law was powerless, and injustice ruled. It was then that God spoke to the bewildered Habakkuk, giving him a message which was even more disturbing. He was going to send against Israel a wicked, invading army that would show no mercy. Habakkuk knew all about the sin of God's people, but could not understand why God would use a people more wicked than they to bring judgment and wrath.

In his confusion Habakkuk did a wise thing. He lifted his eyes from the situation to God himself. He contemplated the character of the Almighty: "O Lord, are you not from everlasting?" (Hab 1:12).

What an example for us in our situations, even when there are circumstances we cannot understand! We know the absolute perfection of God. It is impossible for God ever to do anything unjust, unfair, or unrighteous. We know that, "as for God, his way is perfect."

In his confusion, Habakkuk wisely lifted his eyes from the situation to God himself.

We have entered a period the Bible calls the 'last days'. We are witnessing the fulfilment of Scripture. Sin and iniquity abound. God has given many a concern to pray for the situation and for the Church, and it is a privilege for us to do so. We know that God's purposes will triumph and so we can leave the results to him, confidently aware that in heaven there will be a multitude that no man can number, from every tongue, tribe and nation.

A Man with a Vision

With all the unanswered questions revolving in his mind, the prophet knew there was only one thing to do: stand, watch and wait. He was not disappointed. God spoke and told him to write down the vision, one which would be for an appointed time. Even though there would be a period of tarrying before its outworking, the prophet was encouraged to wait for it.

The vision was a denunciation of wickedness and of wicked men. The proud, the bloodthirsty, the covetous, the idolatrous and the violent may appear to prosper, but God pronounces his 'woes' against them. In the midst of the vision God declares, "The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14).

Here is a beam of brilliant light shining in the darkness. God will be acknowledged and glorified. The day is coming, as Paul reminded the Philippians, when at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Evil will not prevail. The rider on the white horse who is called Faithful and True, whose eyes are like blazing fire, on whose head are many crowns and on whose robe is written King of kings and Lord of lords, will strike the nations and in righteousness will judge and make war.

Habakkuk stood, watched and waited for God's answer – and was not disappointed.

A Man with a Prayer

Having been given the vision, the prophet must now pray according to the revelation he had received. How can the earth be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God? Revival! "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy" (Hab 3:2).

The prophet understood that the only answer for the sinfulness and desperation of the situation was divine intervention. Immediately after the plea "in wrath remember mercy," Habakkuk described true revival: "God came" (Hab 3:3). Some of us can remember saintly Duncan Campbell's account of the Lewis revival. But it was not Campbell who brought revival to the Hebrides – "God came."

True revival is accompanied by a knowledge of the Lord, a sense of his presence and - yes - fear, because the holiness of God reveals the blackness of our sin. "His glory covered the heavens, and his praise filled the earth. His splendour was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden" (Hab 3:3-4).

True revival is accompanied by a knowledge of the Lord, a sense of his presence and – yes – godly fear.

As he prayed, Habakkuk reflected on the mighty things God had done in the past: the parting of the sea, the sun and moon standing still, the overthrow of the enemy. He was awed by what God could do - and had already done - and trembled. But he knew that there was a place of refuge and a place of rest.

A Man with a Song

The prophet had come to a new place. No longer was he asking, 'How long?' or 'Why?', though he knew that God's judgments were coming. He had found not only a place of rest, but also one of joy: "Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour" (Hab 3:18). "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights" (Hab 3:19).

God is in control. He is sovereign. Therefore, we can do what Paul exhorted the Christians to do, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: rejoice!" (Phil 4:4).

As it was then, so it is now: "See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples" (Is 60:2). Iniquity abounds and the end of all things is near. Events are accelerating. Politicians timorously introduce their latest recipe for recovery, while we look in vain for statesmen who are bold enough to raise a standard for righteousness and integrity. People look to 'the Church' for answers, but find few voices to declare that, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people" (Prov 14:34).

The words of the Lord Jesus echo down two thousand years of history to remind us that, "All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another" (John 13:35). But still we seem to "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel." Dialogues and disagreements abound with petty arguments, while the world is surely and certainly slipping to the very brink of hell. How puny, how pitiful! God has placed in the hands of his Church the gospel of Jesus Christ which is "the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes" (Rom 1:16).

The end draws near and people look to the Church for answers – but find few voices to declare the truth about righteousness and sin.

It is the Gospel which reveals the righteousness of God and also his wrath, about which Paul wrote in the same verse, "I am not ashamed." Jesus proclaimed, "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matt 24:14). Where are the men and women with a burden, a vision, a prayer and a song? God bless you if you are one. Let us pray that God will raise up a whole army. "O Lord, revive your work, in wrath remember mercy."

Originally published in Prophecy Today, Vol 10 No 4, July 1994.