Revival in Djursland?

Most Americans won’t know where Djursland is, but a dedicated group of Danes are gathering to blanket this region in prayer. What’s going on?

One of Djursland's quaint historic  towns.

This past month a group of over 30 concerned believers met to pray and to hear what God has been doing here over the past several months. The prayer initiative, sponsored by the Indre Mission renewal movement, is called “God wants to do more… in Djursland.”

Djursland, a hilly Danish peninsula facing Sweden at the entrance to the Baltic Sea, is a popular tourist destination for Danes and other Europeans. And apparently God is now stirring up Christians in this region to reach out and to pray in new ways.

One of the participants told the group about setting up an informal coffee stand to serve neighbors and tourists, opening up new opportunities to meet and pray. Another explained how to use the local phone book as a prayer list. Still another told of plans to start a Bible study for newly arrived refugees from the troubled Middle East. And that was just a start.

“We want to follow up on these initiatives and keep the prayer flames burning,” said Egild Kildeholm Jensen, organizer of the event. Pray for them!

PRAY that believers will be stirred up in new ways to reach out in the name of Jesus.

PRAY that visitors and others would notice a wonderful difference in this beautiful area of the country, and that they would be drawn to the Gospel here as never before.

PRAY for a new sense of unity across churches in Djursland, as believers come together to pray more and more.

PRAY for the “God wants to do more!” movement in Djursland, that revival flames would spread from this place.

Fear makes us weak

At the end of every year, Danes pause for a few minutes to hear a New Year’s message from their queen. This year’s message included Queen Margethe’s somber reflections on terrorism at home and abroad -- including the attack last February in Copenhagen’s synagogue, in which two people were killed.

Despite the challenges, she told her country, “our reaction must not become a crippling fear. Fear makes us weak.”

If that sounds familiar, think of all the biblical warnings to not be afraid. From Isaiah and Joshua to the words of Jesus himself, we’re reminded: Be not afraid.

Be not afraid, because God is doing great new things in Denmark. Worship leaders are seeing a resurgence in genuinely Danish praise music. Attendance is up at Bible colleges. New urban church plants are growing as never before. Believers are reaching out to neighbors and immigrants. Christians are bolder than ever in sharing their faith.

Despite the challenges of a world prone to violence and fear, there is good reason to be excited about what God is doing in 2016. As the queen said at the end of her talk, “Gud bevare Danmark!”

God save Denmark.

PRAY for the Holy Spirit to move in new ways through His church in Denmark, filling Danes with compassion for the lost and hurting.

PRAY for protection and wisdom for Christian leaders.

PRAY that believers would be obedient to God’s leading as they face the challenges of a culture that is far, far from God.

PRAY for new energy in the church and for genuine revival in Denmark!