Salvation Army band to represent Switzerland at Eurovision Song Contest
A Salvation Army band has won the right to represent Switzerland at next year's Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. Featuring a 94-year-old on stand-up bass, the six-piece band romped to victory despite stiff competition from more accomplished groups boasting big record sales. The band will carry the weight and hopes of Swiss expectation next year in the Swedish town of Malmo with its English language ballad entitled ‘You and Me’, which departs from the traditional brass-band Army sound with heavy electric guitars. But the band has spurned the Eurovision kitsch and sequins, with most of its members wearing the traditional Salvation Army uniform. In its only concessions to 21st-Century fashion, the lead guitarist wears jeans while a tambourine-waving singer wears a polo shirt emblazoned with the Salvation Army motif. The group's victory was described as ‘sensational’ by Tages Anzeiger, a Swiss newspaper.
Praise: God for this wonderful opportunity to sing God’s praises and witness to an international audience. (Jdg.5:3)
Salvation Army band to represent Switzerland at Eurovision Song Contest
A Salvation Army band has won the right to represent Switzerland at next year's Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. Featuring a 94-year-old on stand-up bass, the six-piece band romped to victory despite stiff competition from more accomplished groups boasting big record sales. The band will carry the weight and hopes of Swiss expectation next year in the Swedish town of Malmo with its English language ballad entitled ‘You and Me’, which departs from the traditional brass-band Army sound with heavy electric guitars. But the band has spurned the Eurovision kitsch and sequins, with most of its members wearing the traditional Salvation Army uniform. In its only concessions to 21st-Century fashion, the lead guitarist wears jeans while a tambourine-waving singer wears a polo shirt emblazoned with the Salvation Army motif. The group's victory was described as ‘sensational’ by Tages Anzeiger, a Swiss newspaper.
Praise: God for this wonderful opportunity to sing God’s praises and witness to an international audience. (Jdg.5:3)
Asian countries financial crimes
The developing world lost nearly US$1 trillion in 2010 as a result of corruption, tax evasion, and other financial crimes not involving cash transactions, according to a report by Global Financial Integrity. Corruption has grown steadily over the past decade despite unprecedented efforts by governments and non-governmental organizations to curb it. Much of the proceeds of drug trafficking, human smuggling, and other criminal activities, which are often settled in cash, are not included in these estimates. The 80-page report found that China suffered the greatest losses followed by Mexico, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Russia. Other countries that were ranked in the top 10 for 2010 losses included Iraq, Nigeria, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Thailand. Developing economies are haemorrhaging more and more money at a time when rich and poor countries alike are struggling to spur economic growth. This report should be a wake-up call to world leaders that more must be done to address these harmful outflows.
Pray: for an end to the astronomical sums flowing out of the developing world into off-shore tax havens and developed-country banks. (Pr.18:5)
More: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/NL19Dj03.html
Afghanistan: Taliban power struggle
A serious power struggle has erupted among Afghan Taliban’s top leaders. Two top-ranking members of the Quetta Shura have been battling for control and their feud resulted this week in the assassination of one senior Taliban official by members of an opposing faction. The centre of the storm is the Taliban’s top military leader, the former Guantanamo detainee Mullah Abdul Qayyum who earned a reputation as a merciless fighter on the battlefield, but as a commander is often brutal to underlings and seems incapable of responding quickly to changing conditions on the ground. Recent complaints from senior field commanders have risen to crisis levels. According to both a senior member of the ruling council and a former cabinet minister in the Taliban regime, commanders accused him of showing no respect for his men in the field and ignoring their basic needs.
Pray: for God to use the recent Taliban unrest to bring about His purposes for Afghanistan. May their lines of authority come under His mighty authority. (Is.32:1-3)
More: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/news/14566/
USA: Gun laws / compassion for Newtown
As observers around the world mourned the teachers and children killed in Newtown, many expressed frustration with a US political system that has left guns so easily accessible. The German Foreign Minister signed a condolence book for the victims at Berlin’s US Embassy. In Moscow dozens of Russians spontaneously placed flowers at the US Embassy over the weekend, news of the tragedy was shared across the Internet in China, which witnessed its own school attack on Friday. (see item 4 below) Across Europe heads of state expressed their grief, shock and horror plus mounting frustration with a US political system that has left dangerous weapons legal and accessible to the public. Mexico is directly affected by US gun laws. Other nations that have experienced mass homicides by a lone shooter have reformed legislation and question why the US can’t do the same.
Pray: for all who have been touched by this atrocity to know God’s comfort and sustenance (Ps.55:4-5, 16-17) Pray also for clarity and tightening of US gun laws. (Ps.45:4)
More: More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/19/us-china-attack-media-idUSBRE8BI0E920121219
Indonesia: Persecution at Christmas
Indonesian National Police will increase security in seven prime target areas for terrorist attacks ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations from Dec 23rd through Jan 1st. During this period, police will heighten security at the 38,499 registered churches across Indonesia and will step up security on roads, train stations, bus terminals, tourism sites and malls. Pray against terrorist activities from militants with links to Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid. As much of the world becomes more dangerous for Christians each year, many in the church defy the threat of terrorist violence by worshipping as a community of believers.
Pray: that in this season of great joy and peace that tension and strife may not interfere with Christian celebrations. (Ps.46:9-11)
NIGERIA: Pilgrimage and persecution
15 000+ Nigerian Christians will have participated in the 2012 pilgrimage to Jerusalem this year. So far 11,060 pilgrims have visited Israel and more are expected. The 2012 Christian pilgrimage will end on Dec. 24. The only changes in plans were that visits to Mount Sinai were suspended because of unfavourable security reports. The Israeli authorities reciprocate Nigeria’s love for Israel by always making the pilgrims’ stay in the Holy land worthwhile. See: Meanwhile at home, Nigerian Christians are asking churches across the world to pray for their safety from deadly attacks this Christmas, amid renewed threats. Boko Haram has been attacking Christians from northern Nigeria. Dozens have died in bombing attacks during Christmas services over the past two years. Church leaders this year are, ‘very worried’ believing that the security situation will not protect Nigerian Christians going to church on Christmas Day. Boko Haram has killed over 770 Nigerians in 2012.
Pray: that the pilgrims abroad and the persecuted at home will be spiritually uplifted this Christmas and for the Nigerian government to do more to protect congregations and thwart violent extremism. (Ps.145:18-20)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2012/12/15/nigerian-christians-fear-attack-on-christmas/
An international wave of worship celebrating Jesus the Messiah will make its’ way around the globe on December 12th! Twenty-four hours of worship will begin as the clock strikes 7 PM at the International Date Line.
Global Day of Worship (GDW) is an annual call inviting everyone to lift up the name of Jesus Christ in unity. Last year, on November 11th, more than 200,000 people watched dozens of countries stream their expression on globaldayofworship.com. During those 24 hours, web visitors worshiped with people including a Polish house church, a large Virginian church and Indian children dancing.
“For more than a year the Lord has been laying it on my heart to have Jerusalem as the epicenter for the Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12,” shared Eunice Barruel, founder of GDW. “With oppositions surrounding this land, it is also a place of miracles, deliverance and salvation.”
Eunice continued, “You and I have been given an invitation to worship Jesus the Messiah. He is looking for worshipers willing to build a throne of praise, despite current circumstances. As in the battle with Jehosophat, I believe the victory strategy for this season is to worship and lift up our heads towards heaven, declare his Lordship and see the victory of our Lord!”
Individuals, ministries, churches and schools are invited to join GDW by:
1. Registering for free on www.globaldayofworship.com to tell GDW how you plan to worship on 12.12.12.
2. Streaming your expression of worship for free from 7-8 p.m. your time zone on GDW’s website. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Remember 12.12.12! One LORD. 24 Time Zones. Countless Worshipers.
Saturday, December 1, marks the end of an era as Mexico's President Felipe Calderon steps down and President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto steps in.
While there are always those who stand in disagreement, Calderon leaves making a positive mark in Mexico's history. "I leave having accomplished my duty and responsibility to serve Mexico," he said. "I have worked to leave a stronger, healthier country, with a better justice system and a solid economy."
In his farewell address, the president thanked the country's public officials, military and police for "defending Mexican families." Calderon noted that his government had passed universal health care and kept Mexico's economy stable in the face of the global financial crisis. And in earlier speeches, Calderon has noted that 25 of the country's 37 most wanted drug traffickers were killed or captured during his tenure.
Historically in Mexico, the outgoing president leaves the country for a period of time to allow the incumbent time to settle in. Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government announced Wednesday that the outgoing Mexican president will spend the next year as a global public leaders fellow at the school. "President Calderon is a vivid example of a dynamic and committed public servant, who took on major challenges in Mexico," David T. Ellwood, the school's dean, said in a statement.
In President Calderon's parting words one can see the love and passion he has for his country: "As a citizen, I will continue serving the country passionately until the end of my days, always grateful for the privilege I have been given to be Mexican. Many thanks and see you soon, Mexico."
Pray:
• Heavenly Father, we praise You for Mexico's many victories over the cartels and the narco terrorism plague during President Calderon's term in office. We thank You for protecting President Calderon and his family and ask that You continue to bring him safety and good success in the next season of his life.
• Father God, we thank You for the good relationship that President Calderon experienced not only with the United States of America but also with BridgeBuilders. We are blessed to have had stood alongside a man of God who understands the power of prayer.
• We pray for President-elect Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico. Dear Lord. Give him courage to stand strong against organized crime. May He finish the work President Calderon started in ending crime, violence and drug trafficking in Mexico. Surround Mexico's new president and his family with Your protection.
• Give immeasurable wisdom to President Enrique Pena Nieto. May he lead Mexico with integrity, continuing to make her a nation of righteousness and justice.
The aim of the Conference is to bring together the people of God, the holy priesthood, intercessors, worshipers - the five ministries - which led by the Holy Spirit, the release Brado Lion of Judah in the Church and in the areas of influence of society, the word prophetic for every season we pursue the revolutionary revival of the kingdom of God in Brazil and nations.
Our vision is to inspire and enable prophetically seeds of life, from strategic places in this generation and the next, redeeming the land and releasing the skies amid a revival revolutionary watered by worship, prophetic intercession in compassion for the great harvest.