Most people would not quickly associate the European Parliament with prayer. Yet for the past eighteen years, members of the European Parliament have gathered with invited participants from other European institutions for an annual prayer breakfast, seeking relationship around Jesus and his teachings. On Wednesday 7 December the prayer event took place in the European Parliament building in Brussels with some 200 politicians, civil servants, lobbyists, think tank specialists, journalists and church and organisational leaders. The Prayer Breakfast movement, which began in Washington, under President Eisenhower in 1953, has multiplied to some 130 locations around the world, including Brussels, creating occasions to underscore the role of faith in the public square, contrary to the popular misconception that faith belongs only in the closet.

Co-host of the Prayer Breakfast in Brussels was Slovakian Europarliamentarian, Branislav Škripek. Raised in a communist family with no church connections, he had one day felt suddenly bathed in a divine presence, a totally unexpected and unsoughtfor experience. This began his spiritual journey and ministry as an evangelist which continues today, even in the arena of the European Parliament. Branislav and his co-host introduced the participants to two guests who then shared their own remarkable stories. Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein spoke very personally about the spiritual encouragement she had received from her uncle and aunt, King Boudewijn and Queen Fabiola of Belgium. She spoke warmly about the king’s personal integrity and his great struggle of conscience and faith which had led him to abdicate the crown in 1990 for 36 hours when the Belgian government signed into law a bill permitting abortion.

Source: Joel News International

Bible Study: 1 Chronicles 16:8-14

AUGUST: PRAY WIDER for many more to have life-changing experiences with the living Christ. Give thanks for the testimony of salvation of the Slovakian member of the European Parliament Branislav Škripek.