UK touched by world events
Those posting prayers at www.sayoneforme.org the Church of England's web-based prayer service for Lent, are valuing happiness for the world and others more than money - analysis of the first 300 prayers reveals. Just two per cent of prayers have brought money-worries before God, whereas 19 per cent have prayed for the world (over a third of them for Japan), 14 per cent for healing for others, 10 per cent for family, and nine per cent for spiritual development. The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd David Walker, said: ‘It is beautiful to see people pray for the people and the world around them - and they quite naturally see beyond the realms of their own needs. ’People across the country are having the opportunity to share with God their hopes and concerns, anonymously, in the form of a prayer posted at www.sayoneforme.org until Good Friday. Praise:God for this prayer opportunity and for all those that use it. (1Ki.8:45) More: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2011/03/praying-nation-touched-by-world-events-and-needs-of-others.aspx
UK touched by world events
Those posting prayers at www.sayoneforme.org the Church of England's web-based prayer service for Lent, are valuing happiness for the world and others more than money - analysis of the first 300 prayers reveals. Just two per cent of prayers have brought money-worries before God, whereas 19 per cent have prayed for the world (over a third of them for Japan), 14 per cent for healing for others, 10 per cent for family, and nine per cent for spiritual development. The Bishop of Dudley, the Rt Revd David Walker, said: ‘It is beautiful to see people pray for the people and the world around them - and they quite naturally see beyond the realms of their own needs. ’People across the country are having the opportunity to share with God their hopes and concerns, anonymously, in the form of a prayer posted at www.sayoneforme.org until Good Friday. Praise:God for this prayer opportunity and for all those that use it. (1Ki.8:45) More: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2011/03/praying-nation-touched-by-world-events-and-needs-of-others.aspx
Scottish Churches launch election website
Scotland’s most senior Christian figures have come together to urge the country to vote in May’s Scottish elections. The Church leaders are encouraging the public and politicians to examine their faith as they prepare to vote in the Scottish Elections. Churches and Christian organisations have produced a shared election resources website: www.churchesvote.org to inform potential voters about parliamentary and election processes; to collate information about party policies and inspire Christians of all political persuasions to participate in the debate. The website is a joint initiative between the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, Catholic Parliamentary Office, CARE for Scotland, Evangelical Alliance and Christians Count. It is supported by the Baptist Union of Scotland, Christians Count, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation, Destiny Church Network, Evangelical Alliance, Free Church of Scotland, Methodist Church in Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church
Praise: God for this united effort by the Churches to encourage people to vote. (Tit.1:9) More: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/churches_unite_to_launch_election_website/
Scottish Churches launch election website
Scotland’s most senior Christian figures have come together to urge the country to vote in May’s Scottish elections. The Church leaders are encouraging the public and politicians to examine their faith as they prepare to vote in the Scottish Elections. Churches and Christian organisations have produced a shared election resources website: www.churchesvote.org to inform potential voters about parliamentary and election processes; to collate information about party policies and inspire Christians of all political persuasions to participate in the debate. The website is a joint initiative between the Scottish Churches Parliamentary Office, Catholic Parliamentary Office, CARE for Scotland, Evangelical Alliance and Christians Count. It is supported by the Baptist Union of Scotland, Christians Count, Church of Scotland, Congregational Federation, Destiny Church Network, Evangelical Alliance, Free Church of Scotland, Methodist Church in Scotland, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army, Scottish Episcopal Church, United Free Church of Scotland and United Reformed Church
Praise: God for this united effort by the Churches to encourage people to vote. (Tit.1:9) More: http://www.scotland.anglican.org/index.php/news/entry/churches_unite_to_launch_election_website/
Iran: Secret execution of Jewish-Armenian couple
Iranian authorities secretly executed a Jewish-Armenian couple along with one women and two other men. It’s unknown what they were charged with. The dawn execution was on March 14 according to human rights activists in Iran. Adiva Mirza Soleiman Kalimi was a Jewish Iranian and her husband was an Armenian Iranian. The identities of the other individuals remain unknown. The families of the victims asked authorities to return the bodies so they could be buried according to their cultural and religious customs. However, they received threats of arrest for doing so from agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. While a Division Court of the Revolutionary Court located inside the Evin prison confirmed the execution it refused to provide further details regarding the prisoners' bodies. Pray: that Christians jailed for their faith would be powerfully aware of God with them at all times and for all persecuted Christians to be bold, wise, and full of hope. (Heb.10:35) More: http://www.mohabatnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1463:secret-execution-of-a-jewish-armenian-couple-in-tehrans-evin-prison&catid=36:iranian-christians&Itemid=279
Ivory Coast: Refugees trapped in church compound
30,000 people are trapped in a church compound in Ivory Coast as fighting worsens. A priest who did not want to be named said many who had sought refuge at the mission were migrants from West African countries who had been working in the cocoa plantations. Many arrived with gunshot wounds. Forces loyal to UN-backed President-elect Alassane Ouattara are on the offensive on several fronts against the army loyal to ‘President’ Laurent Gbagbo who refuses to stand down despite losing November's election. The UN has accused pro-Gbagbo forces of shooting civilians and killing at least 10 on Monday. A group of Gbagbo supporters burnt another man alive. One million people have fled the violence. The priest appealed for his mission to be treated as a safe haven by all the fighting forces and says there is not enough food or sanitation for those inside. Pray: for the Christians within the compound to be strengthened as they attempt to comfort, calm and minister to the terrified hiding in the compound. (Ps.119:122-123) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890555
Saudi Arabia: Two Christians in prison
Friends and family of Indian Christians Yohan Nese, 31 and Vasantha Sekhar Vara, have tried in vain to secure their release from prison. They are accused of converting Muslims to Christianity, though the government has not produced formal charges. Sources report, ‘Religious police interrogated, cursed and beat them, tore up and trampled on Bibles and Christian material they had confiscated, asking them how many Christian groups and pastors there are in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh. The religious police also put pressure on the two to convert to Islam. They have been in prison since 21st January with no official charges but know that the charges are religious in nature. Vara’s pastor said that in his sole conversation with him a week after his detention, Vara requested prayers for his release. Pray: for their immediate release and for Christians to be honourably treated in Muslim countries. (Ps.7:6) More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/two-indian-christians-languish-in-saudi-prison-49623/
China: 'Jasmine' blogger arrested
A Christian activist in Sichuan who is a friend of the arrested man said that ‘Ran Yunfei is a writer and literature magazine editor from Sichuan who was detained without charge for over a month as unrest rippled across the Middle East. Later he was formally charged for inciting subversion of state power. Ran is a prominent writer and his arrest for challenging the Communist Party is the latest in a string of crackdowns on dissent. The 46-yearold was detained as many online calls for similar ‘Jasmine Revolution’ protests in mainland China spread. His arrest was described by friends as ‘the crime of expressing your opinions, and in this case the prosecutors will probably use essays that Ran has published on the Internet.’ The charge against Ran of inciting subversion was also used to jail Liu Xiaobo, the dissident who won the Nobel Peace Prize. Pray: for God's peace and comfort to the dozens of lawyers, bloggers and ‘dissidents’ in Beijing's harsh prisons. (Ps.140:4) More: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=3&art_id=109582&sid=31823447&con_type=1&d_str=20110329&fc=1
Israel: Prepare for War?
In the wake of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem last Wednesday, Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into southern Israel. Israel launched new airstrikes in Gaza. Islamic Jihad, a Middle Eastern terrorist group, claimed responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire. However, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the nation holds Hamas responsible. Hamas said it wants to ‘restore calm’ and would not attack. Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the nation will not be passive about terrorism. See: Yesterday CNN reported Israeli aircraft hitting a terrorist squad in the Southern Gaza Strip which had launched rockets towards Israeli communities. A Palestinian citizen was killed. A Hamas statement said Israel shelled a tunnel on the Palestinian-Egyptian border with no injures reported. There has been a week of heightened violence between the two sides. Pray: against an escalation of violence. (Pr.3:31) More: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/30/israel.airstrike/
Middle East: Update
Syria’s government resigned and appointed caretaker premier Naji al-Otari. The government has little power in Syria, where control is in the hand of President Assad, his family and the security apparatus. Otari has been prime minister since 2003. See: Saudi Arabian women are demanding equality in a country where women can’t drive or vote and need male approval to work and travel. They are attempting to force change with online organizing that helped topple Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak. See: l Bahrain detaines bloggers and supporters of Shiite-led pro-reform protests. Hundreds of opposition activists and leaders have been detained since martial-type laws were introduced two weeks ago. See: Egypt's Zahi Hawass the minister of state under ousted President Mubarak was re elected to a government post. His appointment will anger pro-democracy activists calling for all old regime elements to be eliminated. Pray: for a mighty recognition of God's purposes and plans by all to whom He gives His authority and for courage for them to do whatever He tells them. (Jn.2:3) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2JVifEYiqojJkfmiwSLj22tg7uQ?docId=CNG.bfb8229dcf908f07a113483065bb30aa.281