British culture 'increasingly pornified'
British culture is ‘increasingly pornified’ and is damaging young people, Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott is to warn in a speech later. She believes that the rise of sexual bullying and ‘sexting’ - where people send sexually explicit text messages - is a result of hyper-sexualisation. A ‘revolution in sex education' to help tackle the problem is needed, she says. She will urge a ‘national conversation’ between parents and children about sex, porn and technology. There have been increasing concerns over the commercialisation and sexualisation of children, the ease with which pornography can be accessed through the internet and the way in which young people use text messages and emails to exchange sexually explicit images. In 2011, the head of the Mothers' Union, Reg Bailey, carried out an independent review for the Government looking at the pressures on children to grow up too quickly. It found that nine out of every 10 UK parents said children were having to grow up too early.
Pray: against the changes in our culture that are increasingly distorting the minds of the young. (Jn.17:15)
Religious leaders meeting in Geneva advocate for peace
In an inter-religious service organised by the Vatican, the World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, stressed the importance of ‘expressions for peace and the mutual respect for the dignity of the other. He said praying together, we remind each other that God’s gift of life is given to all of creation and that justice and peace are God’s will for everyone'. The service was held on 21 January 2013 at the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, where the WCC has its offices. Coordinated by the Holy See, the service was a follow up to the World Day of Peace, celebrated by Roman Catholic Church on 1 January around the world. The service took place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated from 18 to 25 January 2013.
Pray: for the Church to be effective in bringing peace as it seeks God with its prayers. (Ps.29:11)
Religious leaders meeting in Geneva advocate for peace
In an inter-religious service organised by the Vatican, the World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, stressed the importance of ‘expressions for peace and the mutual respect for the dignity of the other. He said praying together, we remind each other that God’s gift of life is given to all of creation and that justice and peace are God’s will for everyone'. The service was held on 21 January 2013 at the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, where the WCC has its offices. Coordinated by the Holy See, the service was a follow up to the World Day of Peace, celebrated by Roman Catholic Church on 1 January around the world. The service took place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated from 18 to 25 January 2013.
Pray: for the Church to be effective in bringing peace as it seeks God with its prayers. (Ps.29:11)
Serbian churches have been targeted in Kosovo
Serbian Orthodox Christians in Kosovo struggle with a ‘sharp rise’ in threats and vandalism against their churches and other religious sites, human rights investigators told BosNewsLife on Tuesday. During the past month Orthodox Christmas assailants attacked a monastery, set on fire a chapel and wooden crosses, and destroyed over 100 Orthodox tombstones, reported Belgrade-based Balkan rights group Centar 9. The clashes are linked to anger within Kosovo's mainly Muslim Albanian population about the removal of a memorial to fallen fighters in neighbouring Serbia. Thousands of ethnic Albanians protested after some 200 masked Serbian police officers backed by armoured personnel carriers removed the monument last Sunday in the town of Presevo. It bore the names of 27 ethnic Albanian fighters killed during the 2000 conflict in the Presevo Valley, a spill-over from the 1999 war in Kosovo, Serbia's former province.
Pray: that Christians and Muslims will be able to put aside their differences and learn to live together in peace. (Eph.4:3)
Serbian churches have been targeted in Kosovo
Serbian Orthodox Christians in Kosovo struggle with a ‘sharp rise’ in threats and vandalism against their churches and other religious sites, human rights investigators told BosNewsLife on Tuesday. During the past month Orthodox Christmas assailants attacked a monastery, set on fire a chapel and wooden crosses, and destroyed over 100 Orthodox tombstones, reported Belgrade-based Balkan rights group Centar 9. The clashes are linked to anger within Kosovo's mainly Muslim Albanian population about the removal of a memorial to fallen fighters in neighbouring Serbia. Thousands of ethnic Albanians protested after some 200 masked Serbian police officers backed by armoured personnel carriers removed the monument last Sunday in the town of Presevo. It bore the names of 27 ethnic Albanian fighters killed during the 2000 conflict in the Presevo Valley, a spill-over from the 1999 war in Kosovo, Serbia's former province.
Pray: that Christians and Muslims will be able to put aside their differences and learn to live together in peace. (Eph.4:3)
NIGERIA: Boko Haram militants suspected of deadly attacks
Suspected Islamists have been blamed for the deaths of at least 23 people in separate attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. Witnesses say gunmen apparently targeted hunters selling bush meat in Damboa on Monday, killing 18 people. Strict Muslims are forbidden to eat this type of bush meat. Another five people died on Tuesday when a group of men playing draughts was attacked in Kano. The militant group Boko Haram, which is fighting to create an Islamic state, has staged many attacks in Nigeria. Boko Haram has been blamed for the deaths of some 1,400 people in central and northern Nigeria since 2010. Last year alone, the group was linked to more than 600 deaths. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of a deadly attack in Kano, the main city in northern Nigeria. Gunmen riding on motorbikes opened fire on people playing an outdoor board game, police and witnesses say. Gambling is also strictly forbidden under Islamic law.
Pray: against the evil influence that fanatics like Boko Haram have in the communities. (Ps.37:9)
Saudi Arabia: Leader calls for interfaith dialogue
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called for a dialogue among monotheistic religions on Monday, marking a 'first' for the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom. ‘I ask representatives of all the monotheistic religions to meet with their brothers in faith. If God wills it, we will then meet with our brothers from other religions, including those of the Torah and the Gospel to come up with ways to safeguard humanity.’ Abdullah said the country’s top clerics have given him approval to pursue his idea and that he plans to get the opinion of Muslim leaders from other countries. The Saudi king also intends to address the United Nations on the subject. He said ‘We have lost sincerity, morals, fidelity and attachment to our religions and to humanity, the disintegration of the family and the rise of atheism in the world – a frightening phenomenon that all religions must confront and vanquish’
Pray: that this initiative will be the first step to reducing tensions as well as opening previously ‘closed’ countries to the gospel. (Mat.24:14)
More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/saudi-arabia-leader-calls-for-interfaith-dialogue-31665/
USA: Demands release of American pastor from Iranian prison
Last Friday the White House called on Iran to release a jailed American pastor facing a trial that could send him to the gallows. Saeed Abedini, a native of Iran and a naturalized American citizen, was expected to enter one of Iran's revolutionary courts Monday to face accusations that he is a threat to national security. His lawyers say he faces a lengthy prison term and even the death penalty at the hands of one of Iran's most notoriously severe judges. Abedini's US supporters say he was in Iran last summer to complete construction of an orphanage when members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard snatched him off a bus, confiscated his passports, and threw him in prison. Since then the pastor has been subjected to solitary confinement and beatings. Some of the evidence against Saeed that is going to be brought against him are actions he took on US soil. Update: The hearing took place. Saeed said his activities in Iran are only humanitarian, no political objectives. Verdict expected next week.
Pray: for Abedini’s family, attorney and the governments concerned to know God’s hand in this situation. (Ps.4:8)
More: http://www.religiontoday.com/news/u-s-demands-release-of-american-pastor-iranian-prison.html
Syria: Horrible life for Palestinian refugees
Palestinians who fled Syria’s war to neighbouring Lebanon are living up to 20 in a room with no water, fresh air or electricity, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Tuesday. More help is needed for at least 20,000 Palestinians who have already come in and more than 200 who join them every day, the chief of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Filippo Grandi, told Reuters. Most of the Palestinians who crossed Syria’s south-western boundary into Lebanon were living with friends and family in existing Palestinian camps set up to take in refugees after the creation of Israel in 1948. He toured the Shatila Palestinian camp in Beirut and found ‘the conditions were horrible’ for new arrivals. The main problem they have is accommodation. They rent small, cramped, very unsanitary premises without running water, without ventilation, without electricity.
Pray: for NGO’s to be able to bring relief to the 200,000 refugees and for new camps to be built and resourced. (Ps.68:9-11)
North Korea: Christians killed
Open Doors has confirmed the death of two Christians in North Korea. According toOpen Doors the ministry one Christian was recently shot while he was on his way back to China for Bible training. The other died in one of North Korea's notorious labour camps. The first North Korean became interested in the Christian faith and after studying the Bible he became a believer. He eventually chose to return to North Korea. ‘He wanted to come back to China to study the Bible more' says an Open Doors worker. It is heartbreaking that he was killed’. The other Christian recently died in a labour camp. This man also studied the Bible in China. After eight months he decided to return to North Korea. According to Open Doors, he became a dedicated and faithful Christian. However, North Korean authorities found out about his secret faith and he was sent to labour camp.
Pray: for the nation of North Korea and for the believers there that God would protect them. (Ps.12:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.killed.in.north.korea/31491.htm