Iceland – it is one of the most northern nations of Europe, known for a magnificent landscape of rugged coastline, mountains, lava fields, thermal pools, waterfalls and active volcanoes. While it rivals England in size, the population is only 400,000. 85% of that number live in the captital Reykjavik. Yet, the cold and frigid climate has not dampened the spirit of the people. Iceland is incredibly creative – and musical. Centuries ago, it was common for foreign courts to recruit Icelanders to serve as their poets and storytellers. Hundreds of natives were exported for such purposes.
Many Christians in the nation carry a huge passion for God. Some say that a revival is likely to erupt in the sparsely populated nation. Ian Nicholson, a part of the 24-7 prayer movement recently visited Iceland. He is praying that the church there will “connect with its own land and call people to the place of prayer. There is a particular dream next May (2008) for Icelanders to travel around the nation calling communities – whether in their hundreds, or in their twos and threes, to prayer. There is a strong feeling that this is a time of opportunity for Iceland.”
Eric St. Clair, a missionary to Iceland, has plans to establish a ‘boilerroom’, a place of non-stop mission-minded prayer, in Reykjavik. Only months ago, a significant gathering of church leaders took place across Iceland. That, some say, was a miracle in itself. Many of these leaders had been part of church splits in the past. At the conference, a spirit of unity and healing began among the churches. St. Clair sees the changes as a sign that the spiritual climate is shifting. God is also moving through healings. Hundreds of people have been healed in the nation in the last month and a half. Examples include the mending of broken bones to miracles of people having their hearing restored. It has been quite a display of God´s power and has opened doors for the message of Jesus. Drug dealers who have surrendered to Jesus. Pimps and prostitutes are coming to know the Saviour. And they are immediately returning to the streets to minister to their peers. St. Clair notes, “It is amazing to see these people as they minister for the Lord in the prisons and on the streets.”
Source: Ian Nicholson, Eric St. Clair; Joel News
Source: Ian Nicholson, Eric St. Clair; Joel News