Today we highlight two milestones of world history that will take place in the next 4 days. We do so as these will be wonderful opportunities to join with many others around the world in two exciting initiatives to impact the world through prayer and through sharing the Good News of Jesus.
70th Anniversary of D-Day - Friday 6 June
On June 6, 1944, at 6.30 am, the Allied invasion of enemy-occupied Europe began - a day that proved to be one of the greatest turning points in world history.
On that day in World War II, over 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel in over 5,000 ships and landed along an 80 km stretch of coast in Normandy, France. Another 24,000 airborne troops were dropped behind enemy lines in the early hours of the morning to support the amphibious invasion - the largest in world history!
About 3,000 Australians took part on D-Day. The majority of these were members of the Royal Australian Air Force, with smaller numbers serving with the Royal Navy and British Army.
Approximately 10,000 Allied troops were injured or killed on that day but it was the beginning of the end for Hitler. Horrific and costly fighting had to continue for another eleven months, before the Nazi war machine was finally stopped and victory in Europe declared.
In an inspiring article entitled 'D-Day:Courage for the Battle', Bill Muehlenberg, one of the drafters of the Canberra Declaration, shares some spiritual lessons from D-Day.
- Just as Hitler sought to enslave the world with Nazi tyranny, Bill writes, "our spiritual enemy Satan has sought to enslave the entire world, robbing us of our freedom, our dignity, and our humanity."
- Just as the success of D-Day was the turning point of the war, Jesus' victorious death and resurrection was a spiritual D-Day for mankind.
- Now we as Christians are part of a huge mopping-up operation fighting against evil in the world until Christ comes again to rule and reign on the earth.
Please think and pray about your part in fighting the good fight of faith by protecting our Christian values for the sake of the future of our nation and therefore our children.
Our friends in the USA are asking us to join with them in a D-Day Prayer Storm on 6 June. Pastor Jeff Daly of National Day of Repentance writes, "D-Day was an allied attack involving twelve nations. 70 years later we are now in unity through the Holy Spirit in many more nations. All Christians across denominations and boundaries are encouraged to set aside time on June 6 in their individual prayer closet, or together with others, as part of a "prayer storm" to pray, fast and sincerely repent".
As Pastor Jeff challenges us, let's "scale the cliffs and take a stand against evil" in the same way that thousands of brave men took the cliffs of Normandy in WWII. Read more in this media release.
Day of Pentecost - Sunday 8 June
Pentecost Sunday is a day to remember and celebrate the birth of the Church. Acts 2 tells the exciting story of how 3,000 from all over the then-known world came to faith when the Good News of Jesus was preached by Peter.
Imagine the Gospel being heard all around the world on one day through a means God has provided his disciples in this age. Yes, it's about to happen. And you can be part of it!
It's called Thunderclap! This is an online movement created by yesHeis who already reach millions each year through the internet. The event this Sunday, #goeverywhere Thunderclap, will potentially reach millions on a single day through social media.
By signing up to the Thunderclap, you will give permission for a post or tweet to be automatically sent out to all your friends and followers sharing a three minute Gospel video, so creating a 'thunderclap' around the world.
We want to encourage you to be part of this evangelistic thrust whether you use social media or not. Here are 3 ways to add your voice:
- Visit www.goeverywhere.co and sign up for the Thunderclap. The post they will send on 8 June will begin, "This is why I believe" or you can provide your own statement.
- Share the #goeverywhere video with your friends and your church leaders who might agree to play it this Sunday as part of your service.
- Tell your Christian friends about #goeverywhere and encourage them to be part of this movement to spread the Gospel Good News of Jesus to every part of the internet.
As we think back to D-Day and the Day of Pentecost, let's give thanks to God for the assured victory we have in spreading the Good News of Jesus. As Paul declared,
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
... and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him"
(1 Corinthians 15:57; 2 Corinthians 2:14).
Yours for spreading everywhere the Good News of Jesus,
David and Marilyn Rowsome and Warwick and Alison Marsh
PS. Since that day of God's favour 70 years ago, we have allowed evil to creep back into our lives and in our nations. This is why it is so important for us to get involved this Friday.
Read and pray the Intercessory Prayer for D-Day. And please pray for the success of the Thunderclap on 8 June. As Aussie pastor, Bruce Lindley, says "prayer and fasting shifts nations".
Welcome to