Egypt: Christians experience lack of law and order
Egyptian Christians have requested our prayers following a series of similar incidents in several provinces across the country in which Christians have been threatened or attacked. Egyptian Christians are keen to stress that there are a range of motivations behind these incidents, and the primary call is for prayer that effective rule of law will be established and applied equitably to all citizens and institutions throughout the country. On 5th Nov a group of Salafists occupied church-owned land in the Shubra district of Cairo. In early Nov the General Manager of the Coptic Agricultural Bank was kidnapped, a ransom was demanded, but effective police action led to his release on 4th Nov with no payment made. In late Oct a Christian concert was stopped. These incidents often occur as a result of inadequate state security provision. Since January 2011 Christian communities have become increasingly vulnerable. Authorities seem unable or reluctant to protect Christians from extremist assailants.
Pray: the government will uphold the rule of law. Pray also for the new constitution currently being drafted. (Ps.7:9)
North Africa: Sudan/South Sudan border negotiations
Sudan and South Sudan continue to try to negotiate their common border with the help of the UN. The struggle remains over oil resources and pipelines where there is continual border fighting. Refugees who fled Sudan after South Sudan's independence live in dire conditions. Their situation worsens as the rains have started. More than 20,000 Sudanese refugees need to be relocated from the waterlogged and overcrowded refugee camps in South Sudan's Upper Nile. Living conditions, massive influxes of people and lack of potable water have made some camps unlivable. One refugee camp has reached its maximum capacity of 34,500 refugees. We are asked to pray for the basic needs of these refugees to be met, (water, food and sanitation). Pray for the young, old, and frail–the most vulnerable. Ask the Lord to defend the weak and the fatherless and uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.
Pray: for the negotiators to find a peaceful way forward in the face of extreme hostilities. For justice and righteousness to prevail and protection for those living in this area. (Pr. 11:6 & , Ps.82:2-3)
USA: America has chosen its future
On paper, Mr Obama should have been in trouble. He became the first president to achieve re-election since FDR with an unemployment rate of 7.9 per cent. A swathe of statewide ballots culminated in US states supporting legalizing marijuana for recreational use, allowing gay marriage and rejecting a call to ban public funding for abortions. These moves were decided among more than 170 ballot initiatives and referendums held across the country. The upsides of Mr Obama's victory ensures the survival of healthcare reform bringing the US more or less into line with other rich countries providing guaranteed coverage, if and when implemented, for all their citizens; and American foreign policy will be in the hands of a leader of proven cool and sound judgement, who no longer has to worry about his next election. Mitt Romney urged his supporters to set aside partisan differences and Barack Obama also stated his desire to work with Mitt Romney to take the country forward.
Pray: the President to have a united government that will successfully implement solutions to the challenges ahead.(Eph.4:3)
Turkey: Patriot missiles on Syria border
Turkey's Foreign Minister said NATO is preparing to deploy patriot missiles to bolster border defences with Syria. The surface-to-air missiles will be able to shoot down aircraft up to 160 kilometers away. His comments appeared to contradict a statement from the Turkish Prime Minister who said, ‘We do not have any thoughts of acquiring patriots by paying money,’ NATO also said that they hadn't received an ‘official’ request from Turkey for the missiles. The possibility of enforcing a Syrian no-fly zone where rebel fighters would be protected from attacks by the government’s Air Force has been on the table for some time despite NATO’s reluctance to intervene in the Syrian conflict without a mandate from the UN Security Council. ‘Plans for the deployment were put on hold pending the US election result’ a source explained on condition of anonymity because of ministry prohibitions on speaking with the media. The official said missile deployment might happen under a NATO umbrella.
Pray: for God to encourage governments to make the decisions that will bring about the beginning of the end of hostilities. (Ps.97:3-6)
More: http://rt.com/news/turkey-syria-patriot-missile-border-168/
Turkey: Patriot missiles on Syria border
Turkey's Foreign Minister said NATO is preparing to deploy patriot missiles to bolster border defences with Syria. The surface-to-air missiles will be able to shoot down aircraft up to 160 kilometers away. His comments appeared to contradict a statement from the Turkish Prime Minister who said, ‘We do not have any thoughts of acquiring patriots by paying money,’ NATO also said that they hadn't received an ‘official’ request from Turkey for the missiles. The possibility of enforcing a Syrian no-fly zone where rebel fighters would be protected from attacks by the government’s Air Force has been on the table for some time despite NATO’s reluctance to intervene in the Syrian conflict without a mandate from the UN Security Council. ‘Plans for the deployment were put on hold pending the US election result’ a source explained on condition of anonymity because of ministry prohibitions on speaking with the media. The official said missile deployment might happen under a NATO umbrella.
Pray: for God to encourage governments to make the decisions that will bring about the beginning of the end of hostilities. (Ps.97:3-6)
More: http://rt.com/news/turkey-syria-patriot-missile-border-168/
World: Persecuted Church - Silent for the gospel
For Christians who wanted to speak up for the Persecuted Church but didn’t know what to say Release International is running a sponsored silence. Christians in the UK and Ireland will be staying silent in solidarity with Christians silenced for their faith around the world on Nov 25th. Funds raised by the initiative will support victims of persecution like Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy. Chinese Christian lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who has been repeatedly arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the authorities and is back behind bars; Iranian pastor Behnam Irani, arrested while leading a Bible study, and severely beaten in jail. There is widespread concern over his deteriorating health. 17-year-old Eva Abdullah from Tanzania, who has been jailed for two years after being accused of desecrating the Koran and Eritrean evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who was arrested in 2007 and is in prison in the capital Asmara.
Pray: that these actions will speak louder than words - raising funds and awareness of the Persecuted Church. (Ps.119:156,157)
UK doctors forgo treatment
Thousands of practicing doctors in the UK have drinking problems and suffer from depression, several recent studies reported. They continue to treat patients because of a ‘culture of invincibility’ and ‘presenteeism,’ as well as a fear of exposure. A GMC report found that 98 per cent of 1,384 doctors who had underlying health concerns over the past five years were diagnosed with alcohol and substance abuse or mental health issues. While there is no evidence to suggest that ill doctors have harmed patients in their care, the study argued it is likely that they provide a ‘less good service.’ Dr Max Henderson from King’s College London’s Institute for Psychiatry said, ‘Doctors feel ashamed of being unwell and they don’t deal with illness well, they find it hard to exchange the doctor role for the patient role.’
Pray: for doctors suffering burnout, stress, and work-related pressures to find appropriate paths of treatment. (Pr.3:13-17)
More: http://rt.com/news/uk-work-henderson-health-157/
Climate change march
Christians will join a Campaign Against Climate Change march in London on 1 Dec that starts at the US Embassy. The US consistently rejects the Kyoto protocol and is still the biggest immediate barrier to effective internationally coordinated action on climate. The march finishes at the Houses of Parliament. Christians, Ecology Link and Operation Noah will be joining together ahead of the start of the march for an ecumenical worship service at Grosvenor Chapel. Global climate change is having a devastating impact on the lives of people around the world. In the UK Christian Aid is lobbying the Government to give the poorest people a voice in climate negotiations. They ask us to support their partners by bringing the issues to God in prayer. See: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/resources/churches/prayer/climate-change.aspx
Pray: that this march will motivate governments to take further positive actions. (Eph.2:10)
More: http://www.campaigncc.org/
Universities receive Saudi funds
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has been the largest source of donations from Islamic states and royal families to British universities, much of which has been to the study of Islam, the Middle East and Arabic literature. A large share of this money has been used towards establishing Islamic study centres. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal donated £8 million to Cambridge and Edinburgh respectively for this purpose. Over recent years Oxford received Saudi support of £2 million to the Ashmolean Museum and £1 million to the Middle East Centre. There are many other donors. Oxford’s £75 million Islamic Studies Centre was supported by 12 Muslim countries. Sultan Qaboos bin Said, of Oman gave £3.1 million to Cambridge to fund two posts, including a chair of Arabic. The Saïd Business School at Oxford University was set up by a Syrian-Saudi businessman, with a £23 million donation.
Pray: for Universities to be able to tap a variety of lucrative sponsors without abandoning established national syllabus and ethos.
More: http://www.arabnews.com/british-universities-receive-saudi-funds
Reality of austerity
As part of 'Living Wage Week' the Northern TUC will be holding a conference on 'Wages, Poverty and Pay Day Loans - the reality of austerity' on Friday Nov 9th showing how austerity measures have depressed wages and increased the squeeze on living standards and hardship for people in low wage jobs. Facts revealed include * The majority of children living in poverty are in households where at least one person is in work * £6 billion each year is spent in benefits and tax credits to top up the wages of low paid employees * Over 90% of new housing benefit claims are from people in work * If the national minimum wage had increased in line with top earners, it would be more than £19 per hour today.
Pray: for God to give the Government, unions and others in positions of authority His wisdom as they face social and economic problems. (Is.58:10-12)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17329