CAFOD challenges supermarkets and government on hunger
Catholic aid agency CAFOD has launched a new food campaign to hundreds of supporters at Westminster Cathedral in London. 250 campaigners from all over England and Wales met to launch a new initiative that aims to improve the food system. The campaign highlights the fact that a handful of supermarkets and food companies dominate the food system, making the rules that decide cost, price and standards. They often also control access to vital resources such as land, seeds and water. Yet 50 per cent of the world’s food is grown by small-scale farmers in developing countries. With little power in the global food supply chain, these farmers are often forced to agree to big companies’ demands regardless of how unfair they may be. The Hungry for Change campaign is calling for fundamental changes in the global food system so that power is more justly shared between rich and poor people, and more people can have access to enough food.
Pray: for the Hungry for Change Campaign to be well supported and have a very real impact in bringing about change to the global food food system.. (Pr.14:31 )
Gradually the attitude of Mexicans about their nation’s security is brightening. There has been a “sharp reduction of bloodshed” along the border area and in the country at large according to a news report. The October murder rate in the city of Juarez which used to be known as “the murder capital of the world” was the lowest in five years. Grupo Reform, a newspaper consortium, said that the cartel-related murders have dropped 18% from last year in the nation at 8326 as of October 26. (Albuquerque Journal, Nov. 4, 2012)
God is answering our prayers! Under President Calderon, authorities have been successful is the nation’s struggle against the drug cartels, but there is still more to do. Let’s continue to pray for Mexico and the eradication of the drug cartels and their crime, whether the trafficking of drugs, weapons or human beings used in the sex trade. Pray that the new president and his administration will keep from corruption and accommodation with the cartels and continue this good fight.
Mexico’s Drug War: When Evil Tries to Look Good
The death of the Zeta's cartel leader Heriberto Lazcano marks another in a series of takedowns of Mexico's most wanted capos, otherwise known as the "kingpin strategy". This strategy implies that once the leader or kingpin of the cartel is taken arrested or killed, the cartel will crumble. However, this has not proven to be the case.
Of the 37 capos identified in 2009 as Mexico's most wanted men, 25 have now been captured or killed. Undoubtedly Lozcano was the biggest catch of them all, and of the Mexican criminals whose notoriety is comparable to Lazcano's, only four remain at large: Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, Servando " La Tuta" Gomez, Juan Jose " El Azul" Esparragoza, and Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman.
While this is a tremendous triumph for Mexico, the violence and cartel influence continues to be strong. Even when the arrest of a capo does lead to a group's disintegration, this does not mean that its members decide to adopt law-abiding lifestyles. Many times they splinter into smaller organizations, all vying for power…
Is there hope that the grip of the cartels will be loosened and trafficking, drugs and violence will cease? God reminds us, the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land (Psalm 37:9).
PRAY:
• We praise you, Mighty God, that the cartels have been shaken. We thank you that so many kingpins have been captured; we thank you for hearing our cries for the people of Mexico.
• We ask you to continue to break the foundation of the cartels so that there will be a complete crumbling of their organizational structure. We call for the four main leaders to be captured and held accountable for their evil deeds.
• We implore of you, God of Hope, to bring light and encouragement to the people of Mexico. May they see your hand at work and stand firm in the knowledge that you have a plan for their future of good and prosperity. (Jer. 29:11).
There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. - Proverbs 23:18
Iran: IMF sending ‘Currency Team’
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will send a team to Iran in 2013 for regular consultations regarding its crashing currency. However, an American advocacy group ‘United Against Nuclear Iran’ (UAN) said the UN and IMF should not undermine the will of the international community and the effects of sanctions imposed in direct response to the Iranian regime's illegal activities.’ The IMF's proposed work in Iran is designed to counter the effects of both the gross mismanagement of the Iranian economy by the regime, and the consequences of international sanctions. But UAN said, ‘The IMF's actions are more appropriate for a member state in good standing, not an illegal regime subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions. The IMF is directly counteracting the effects, and therefore the consequences, of international sanctions. The IMF's cooperation with Iran must end.’
Pray: for God to give Christine Lagarde and the International Monetary Fund wisdom in their dealings with Iran. (Ps.45:4-5)
More: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49812391
East Africa: Violence spreading
Dozens of Christian worship places have been destroyed by Islamic extremists in Tanzania and church leaders are fleeing its heavily Muslim island of Zanzibar as the persecution of Christians spreads throughout East Africa. ‘About 25 churches and convents have been destroyed since May. This destruction is mostly confined to Zanzibar where the population is 99% Muslim and openly hostile to Christians,’ explained William Stark, regional manager for Africa of advocacy group International Christian Concern. The latest incidents of violence broke out after a Muslim boy encouraged a Christian boy to urinate on a Qur'an. ‘As a result of this the Christian boy was threatened with being beheaded and at least five churches were destroyed,’ Stark said.
Pray: that Christians in this area of East Africa would be free of oppression and experience the protection of God over their lives. (Ps.119:45-46)
China: At a crossroads
Academics agree, ‘China is at a crossroads’. A new leadership will establish a distinctive character of its own. The new president Xi Jinping knows the West in a way none of his predecessors did. His daughter is studying in the United States and he has spent time there too. He will not act on his own and needs to persuade the rest of the Party leadership to go along with him, but he may represent a shift to change. Younger people in the cities don’t recognise the old Communist leadership which is irrelevant to their lives and futures. The Chinese Church also has been changing - on Tuesday Christian leaders and a number of Bible Society donors joined government officials from the State of Administration for Religious Affairs for a ceremony celebrating over 60 million Bibles having now been distributed throughout China. See:
Pray: for God’s hand to guide China through this season of change into a new identity and Christian inheritance. ( Ps.125:3 & Pr.29:4)
Afghanistan: Foreign workers
A local believer writes, ‘Afghanistan is a difficult place to live for foreign workers, with hot summers, extremely cold winters and constant concerns over security. In recent years foreign organizations have faced increasing levels of bureaucracy, taxation, and corruption. Nevertheless many Christian workers continue to serve in any way they can because God has called them. Pray for the safety of the workers and their families.’ As countries wind down their military mission in Afghanistan the federal government is still writing the policy, working conditions and entitlements of hundreds of diplomats and other public servants who were sent there to work alongside soldiers. The policy is a symbol of the new reality of civilians’ key role in securing peace and stability in conflict areas, an unprecedented synergy of military and civilian expertise that governments everywhere are still learning to manage.
Pray: for those working to reduce poverty, those bringing democratic development, those promoting good governance and for opportunities for believers to share their faith during and after the transition. (Ps.40:1-3)
Israel: Air raids on Gaza
Israel launched three air raids on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday as military top brass weighed a stronger response to rocket fire from the Palestinian territory. The targets included a training camp of a military wing of Hamas, an arms dump and two rocket launch sites hours after Gaza militants fired six rockets at southern Israel residents. The number of rockets fired on Monday dropped significantly from Sunday when dozens of missiles prompted Israel to stage a series of overnight raids. It was unclear if the slowdown was a step towards a more decisive truce, or a lull. The latest flare-up killed six Palestinians and wounded eight Israelis. Benjamin Netanyahu warned, ‘Israel has the complete right and obligation to protect its citizens. We’ll not sit with our arms folded in the face of repeated, almost daily, attacks.’ The violence coming amid an Israeli election campaign raises concern of a broader Israeli military campaign.
Pray: that this violence will not escalate. (Ez.26:15)
More: http://tribune.com.pk/story/464959/israel-launches-retaliatory-air-raids-on-gaza/
Nigeria: Military moves on Niger Delta
Since Sunday there has been a massive military operation as the Nigerian Navy starts flushing out crude oil thieves who are bleeding the country’s oil industry through illegal bunkering. The Navy deployed eight warships, six gunboats and three helicopters, including aircraft used for maritime patrol by the Air Force. Oil theft in the Niger Delta on a daily basis, costs the government five billion US dollars in oil revenue annually. Thieves also engage in social responsibilities by building roads, hospitals, schools and engage in community development projects to protect their interests in local communities. Security sources suspect influential Nigerians are behind the operations of oil thieves who are usually heavily armed. Often the ruptured pipelines are not detected by affected oil companies. Foreign collaborators help the thieves to sell the crude oil and also procure arms which are then smuggled into the country.
Pray: this military operation will not only be successful, but lead to more strategic coordinated action against corruption. (Ps.12:5)
French media ignores protest against radical Islam
A patriotic march for French values and culture, and against radical Islam, was virtually blacked out by France's politically correct media. Over the weekend, protestors chanted against Islamic fascism and about the French victory over Arab invaders in 732 AD It was the first march of its kind in France. A broad coalition of groups from across France banded together because they feel they're losing their country to radical Islam, Sharia law, and a politically correct establishment that encourages the spread of Islam. ‘Sharia law is slowly being enforced in our country and we want to march here to protest that because our government is doing nothing,’ one French demonstrator said. France has more Muslims than any other European nation. Some believe there could be as many as 15 million Muslims in France, although the official figure is much lower.
Pray: tha,t despite the lack of response by the French media, the message will get to the people.(1Cor.1:18)
French media ignores protest against radical Islam
A patriotic march for French values and culture, and against radical Islam, was virtually blacked out by France's politically correct media. Over the weekend, protestors chanted against Islamic fascism and about the French victory over Arab invaders in 732 AD It was the first march of its kind in France. A broad coalition of groups from across France banded together because they feel they're losing their country to radical Islam, Sharia law, and a politically correct establishment that encourages the spread of Islam. ‘Sharia law is slowly being enforced in our country and we want to march here to protest that because our government is doing nothing,’ one French demonstrator said. France has more Muslims than any other European nation. Some believe there could be as many as 15 million Muslims in France, although the official figure is much lower.
Pray: tha,t despite the lack of response by the French media, the message will get to the people.(1Cor.1:18)