Thursday, 5th October 2023
Bible Reading: Revelation 3: 14-19
Memory Verse: The fool says in his heart, “There’s no God.” Psalm 14:1a (CSB)
In 2017, a report released by St. Mary’s University, London concluded that Christianity “as a norm” was gone for at least the foreseeable future. According to the report, 91% of people in the Czech Republic between the ages of 16 to 29 have not declared a religious affiliation, and in the United Kingdom, only 7% identify as Anglican (compared to 6% who identify as Muslim).
In at least 12 out of the 29 European countries surveyed by the researchers, the majority of young adults reported that they were not religious.”
The decline of Christianity is an ongoing trend in Europe. Developed countries with good educational facilities in the post-World War II era have shifted towards post-Christian, secular, globalized, multicultural and multi-faith societies.
In the 2016 census, 85.1% of the population in Ireland identified as Christian. However recent social changes, including the lifting of a ban on abortion and the legalizing same sex marriage, have solidified the growth of liberal thinking in Ireland, particularly within the younger community.
An Irish priest, Fr. Kevin Hegarty reported that there is only one priest under the age of 40 in the entire diocese of Killala; only two priests have been ordained over the last 17 years, and there have been no candidates for the priesthood since 2013.
Hegarty blames this decline on the Church’s positions on female ordination, contraception and sexuality. The number of people reporting that they never pray rose from 36% in 2006 to 53% in 2016.
What is the way out? Revival! The Blood of Jesus shed on Calvary must not go in vain and the labour of our founding fathers must not die.
Quote: You never have to advertise a fire. Everyone comes running when there’s a fire. Likewise, if your church is on fire, you will not have to advertise it. The community will already know it – Leonard Ravenhill
Prophetic Decree: The rain of revival is coming to Europe, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Let the East Wind blow every wind of spiritual coldness blowing against the Church of God, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, in your infinite mercies rekindle the fire of revival in Europe, in Jesus name.
3. The rage of the spirit of lukewarmness blowing against the Church, be still, in Jesus name.
4. Demonic authorities in high places working tirelessly to dim the light of the Church, die, in Jesus name.
5. I receive power to become a End-time soldier of the Lord, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 4, Luke 4-5