Dear intercessors,

This month, the final article in the prayer letter is asking intercessors in Germany to pray for young people in Germany and in Europe as follows:

"Young people are finding faith again

A remarkable spiritual transformation is currently underway in France and England. Almost unnoticed by the general public, increasing numbers of young people – particularly those aged 18 to 25 – are returning to Christian churches. This trend is often referred to as the "quiet revival”. It is called quiet because it is not demonstrative or political, but rather arises from an inner longing."

"Prayer:

• For young people in Germany and Europe: that their search for meaning, truth, and community finds support in the love of God and that strong roots of faith grow. (Galatians 4:6)
• For the churches in Germany and Europe: for wisdom, openness, and spiritual maturity, so that they may really welcome and integrate this generation without overwhelming them. (Malachi 4:5,6)"

Many of the readers of this English version of the prayer letter are living in Germany AND many in other countries in Europe, so it is a special blessing to know that we are praying together for our young people in this way.

Thank you for praying once again with us intercessors in Germany,

Your Call of the Watchmen Team - Germany and International.

PS: Please consider using the "Sway" version (the large print, colour graphic version) of the prayer letter in your prayer groups, projected onto a wide-screen, if possible, as this can really help you to follow the prayer topics as you pray together.

Deeper into Love

Love changes everything in our lives. Not to attract attention, not spectacularly, but just quietly and from within. It grows unseen and always seeks to take root even more deeply in our hearts, in our lives, and in our country. Love does not have to be fought for. Love does not want to just come into your life without your complete understanding. One day, what has long been maturing secretly in you will become apparent. It just being there is enough to be welcomed. Love is like the dawn light which does not come by command, but because the night is coming to an end and is needed by nature and to sustain life.

Whoever holds back, always searching for understanding and recognition, can discover something greater: that experiencing and showing love is enough! Love creates clarity and the way forward without question. It gives a perspective which you know is right. In the presence of love, a difficult issue can be better understood and lead to deep peace: “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Said by Jesus, not because everything was easy, but because all was borne in love. Everything was in order and complete because Christ went along the path to resurrection in love even through suffering, death, and separation.

Love is an attitude to give, not to judge. If we knew how much we truly have to give, we would open our hearts more easily. We would sense how doubt, fear, and feelings of rejection gradually lose their power. In their place comes connection - with this world, with what is, even with the difficult things, and with ourselves. “My grace is sufficient for you”, God calls to us, (2 Corinthians 12:9). And yet, we so often think: I am not sufficient. This is precisely where love contradicts us: Yes, you are sufficient! Come forward. Show yourself as you are. Not polished, not perfect, but real. In this realism, healing begins.

Love changes everything.

Let us also draw our country into this realm of love and provision. We are invited to draw from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3). God builds and restores—even if it takes time. That is why we pray with hope. Not out of lack, but full of trust. For there is no lack in God. We may live in the realm of his love and provision. His abundance is there. “From the fullness of his grace, we have all received one blessing after another” (John 1:16) – for ourselves and for every situation in our country. Its sources lie hidden beneath every path, even the most rocky ones.

We still bear – like our country – many wounds. They do not heal through rejection, but through opening ourselves to love and beginning to accept ourselves with all our wounds. It is in loving, not in wanting, not in constant doing and achieving, that we find renewed security. We truly are a gift to this world – right where we are. And when we invite Jesus, the one who builds and restores, into our lives, he calls for new restorers for our country. Then new foundations are built. Then something grows that sustains. And we may then experience that the country responds to us – to our prayer, to our love, and to our humble concern for healing and restoration in our country.

“And now I will show you the most excellent way….” (1 Corinthians 13:1ff).

Alexander Schlüter

Praying for Germany – with a transformation in our perspective

Praying for Germany often begins with a focus on current events: crises, developments, and headlines. Our perception is quickly filled with what is lacking or threatened. But does this way of seeing truly lead us forward when it comes to intercessory prayer? Or does Jesus invite us to pray differently – from a depth where our perspective is transformed? Perhaps intercessory prayer can find a new expression. Not just naming problems, but entering realms where we learn to see in a new way. Jesus invites us into such realms – away from fixating on what to us is obvious, toward what God sees. We cannot solve problems in the same way that they arise. That is why we need a transformation in our perspective. Being in Christ – transported to heavenly places – enables us to think not at the level of the problem. Not to follow the daily media reports, but to make room for a perspective of salvation. With Jesus, we cannot fail to experience a shift in the atmosphere: to one of peace, opportunity, and mercy.

Our perception is quickly filled with what is lacking or threatened.

We can begin quite simply by connecting with Jesus as we breathe: breathing in – his presence, breathing out – our fear. Perceiving the Christ who has everything under his control and whose glory dwells not only above us but within us. It is about a change in our perception and perspective: in feeling Jesus' real concern for our country, with a peace that reaches deeper than the political challenges and the consequent weariness. We are allowed to let go – of sadness, shame, tears. All of this is possible with Jesus. He carries what we can no longer bear. Therefore, intercessory prayer is not driven by fear but is sustained by trust in Jesus.

In our prayers, let us ask Jesus:

For a transformation in our perspective:

that we may step out of the narrowness of familiar viewpoints and learn to see reality from God's wider perspective. (Psalm 118:5-9)

For the eyes of our hearts to be open:

that we may see what God sees, being sensitive to His hope and power. (Ephesians 1:18)

For innovation:

that new and creative paths may arise.

For eyes that recognize God's work:

especially where it is hidden or unexpected.

For hope and thankfulness:

that our vision may broaden to encompass the good that is already present, and that hope may flourish. (Psalm 50:23)

For cooperation with God’s Spirit of wisdom:

that our thinking, decisions, and actions may be permeated by God's Spirit of wisdom. (Proverbs 8:1ff)

Alexander Schlüter

"Behold, I make all things new!" – Courage to innovate

Germany's small to medium-sized enterprises are under much pressure: high energy costs, a weak economy, international competition, etc. Many companies are struggling for orders, with margins, and with the planning for security. And yet, it is becoming clear: that especially in these times of such tension, having the courage to innovate determines whether we may have future success in business rather than continuing decline.

Studies and current economic commentaries emphasize that small and medium-sized enterprises that consistently invest in product and service innovation gain new customer groups and a secure market share. Those who additionally optimize their processes through AI and automation increase efficiency and corporate resilience. Business model innovations open up new revenue streams. – Innovation is not a luxury, but a strategic matter for survival and, in the long term, represents a good and appropriate alternative to staff reductions.

AI does not simply replace jobs, but also changes job profiles. Routine tasks are then automated, while analysis, creativity, customer focus, and leadership gain in importance. Where companies provide training for employees instead of replacing them, new opportunities and long-term stability emerge.

Our God wants to be involved.

The Bible verse for the new year speaks very powerfully here: "Behold, I make all things new!" (Revelation 21:5). God is a God who brings renewal and has prepared new things – especially at this time! In times of economic uncertainty, we can believe that new things are emerging – even in Germany's small to medium-sized businesses: new ideas, bold strategies, creative solutions! Our God is also concerned with our economy and He wants to be involved and provide concrete inspiration in all areas of our lives.

Prayer:

• May entrepreneurs receive wisdom, courage, inspiration, and innovative strength, and rise up as in the undertaking of Bezalel, Joseph, and Daniel, where the Spirit of God can come with the inspiration for innovation. (Exodus 31:3-4; Genesis 41:37-38; Daniel 2:47)
• May jobs be preserved and new ones created. (Revelation 21:5; Isaiah 43:9)
• Proclaim blessings, renewal, hope, and good things upon the businesses, employees, and economy of our country. Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you in prayer and to strengthen your faith that He desires to be involved here in a very concrete and practical way. (Daniel 5:14; 1 Corinthians 12:8; Isaiah 11:2)

Tanja Frank

Times for fasting and repentance

On February 18th, the 40-day season of Lent leading up to Easter began. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert in preparation for his public ministry. (Matthew 4:2). This year, Ramadan also began on the same day. Muslims consciously observe Ramadan openly in public. Christians, on the other hand, are instructed in the Bible to fast privately. (Matthew 6:16-18). While Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, is now receiving increasing social, political, and media attention – Frankfurt, for example, once again illuminated its pedestrian zone with festive greetings – the Christian season of Lent receives little attention outside of Catholic churches. However, in France last year, large numbers of youngsters and young adults flocked to churches on Ash Wednesday to receive the sign of the cross made of ashes. 18,000 were baptized early on Easter Sunday – Resurrection Day. While Germany is preoccupied with much politically motivated advertising of Ramadan, the Islamization of our society is prompting more and more young people to examine their own spiritual roots – not necessarily in opposition, but in meeting and fasting together with their Muslim friends. In both Christianity and Islam, the fasting period is meant to serve for purification and deeper devotion to God.

Prayer:

• Repentance for the contempt and distortion of the pre-Easter season of Lent and for the political misuse of Ash Wednesday in Germany and elsewhere. (Joel 2:12–18)
• For clarity regarding the biblical confession: “Remember, man, that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:19)
• That the question of eternal salvation may arise anew in Christians, Muslims, and atheists alike, and that they may find the answer only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15)

Karin Heepen

Young people are finding faith again

A remarkable spiritual transformation is currently underway in France and England. Almost unnoticed by the general public, increasing numbers of young people – particularly those aged 18 to 25 – are returning to Christian churches. This trend is often referred to as the "quiet revival”. It is called quiet because it is not demonstrative or political, but rather arises from an inner longing.

In England, the number of young people regularly attending church quadrupled between 2018 and 2024. This large increase in the monthly church attendance among 18- to 24-year-olds is particularly striking. Churches long considered to be aging are suddenly experiencing a new generation that is asking questions, searching, and staying.

In France, the Catholic Church reported a record high in adult baptisms for 2025 – primarily among young adults. During Lent, many churches fill with young people who are consciously embarking on paths of faith, often without having been involved in religious activities socially in childhood.

Reasons given include a deep search for meaning and identity, the need for genuine community, and a counter-movement to a highly secularized, fragmented society. It is also striking that for many young people, "conservative" does not mean narrow- mindedness, but rather orientation and dependable support.

What is happening here is in fact a subtle indication that spiritual longing is being reawakened even in secular contexts.

Prayer:

• For young people in Germany and Europe: that their search for meaning, truth, and community finds support in the love of God and that strong roots of faith grow. (Galatians 4:6)
• For the churches in Germany and Europe: for wisdom, openness, and spiritual maturity, so that they may really welcome and integrate this generation without overwhelming them. (Malachi 4:5,6)

Alexander Schlüter

With love in our hearts and for our country.

Alexander Schlüter und Team