This week I've had the privilege of teaching a great bunch of YWAM (Youth With a Mission) students in the Hungarian capital Budapest. Whilst here I took the opportunity to catch up with Gabi, a good friend of 24-7 Prayer, and ask her for some insight into what this country is really like and how we can stand with them in prayer. Gabi writes:

Hungary is a country of 10 million people with a glorious past as a major kingdom in Europe. The Hungarian pride was pierced in several unsuccessful revolutions for freedom first from the Habsburgs (1848), then from the Soviets (1956) and also at the end of World War One when the country lost 2/3 of its territory (and a few million of its Hungarian population). Therefore the Hungarian is a heavy soul, who carries the burdens of life on their shoulders, instead of the freedom of Christ. We are a depressed, negative nation, unable to bless the other and co-operate.

There are various 24-7 Prayer initiatives in Hungary, which are called together by many churches. Many people recently participated in a month long season of prayer and fasting for the country and the Church. There is a country-wide prayer chain and two years ago a 24-hour worship and prayer centre opened in Budapest. This facility is available to various groups, denominations and ministries. There hasn't been a 24-7 group in place, nor a boiler room – yet.

Gabi asks us to pray for Hungary:

• Pray for the new government that will be inaugurated in a few weeks' time. The conservative Civic Party gained more than 2/3 of the votes and have unprecedented power to modify the constitution, pass laws etc. Pray they would use it for good.
  

• Pray for the unity of the Church and that Hungarian Christians would be spiritual warriors not depressed, downtrodden, struggling believers as many presently are.
  

• Pray for the Roma minority and the relationship between Hungarians and the country's minority groups. There have been lots of violence and social tension is high. Also pray for Hungary to finally bless, not curse Israel.

Why not join in with us by praying Psalm 67 over Europe and teh central European country of Hungary in particular:

May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
Selah

that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.
Selah

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God, will bless us.

God will bless us,
and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

To join with Christians all over the world in praying for the prodigal continent of Europe visit our new website 24-7prayer.eu where you can sign up to pray, for weekly newsletters and prayer resources. You might also like to read Ian Nicholsons article Restoring the Romance or watch our excellent European Prayer video.

If you've missed our earlier posts in the European Voices series you can catch up:

Euro Voices - Albania

Euro Voices - Bosnia

Euro Voices - Croatia

Euro Voices - Bulgaria

Euro Voices - Malta