Gaza Strip: Israeli raids after rockets
Israeli warplanes carried out three raids against the Gaza Strip Wednesday after militants pounded Israel with rockets. The raids targeted a training centre for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas at Rafah in the south of the Strip, a ‘workshop’ in Gaza City and Hamas naval police installations in the north. The Brigades fired 45 rockets in 24 hours at Israeli territory injuring four border guards, one seriously, after a direct hit on a border police outpost. The rocket attacks on Israel came after six Palestinians were killed and five others injured in a series of air strikes across the coastal strip. In a rare show of force, militants from the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement said they would continue firing unless the air strikes ended. There has been a sharp increase in rocket fire recently. An anonymous Gaza Palestinian official said Egypt was making efforts to restore calm between the Palestinian movements and Israel.
Pray: God would protect the innocent, repair the broken hearts, renew the minds of those in pain, and infuse hope and life into minds set on retribution. (Job 8:6)
Major study shows children need love from fathers as much as mothers
A major study has confirmed that the absence of a father figure can be damaging to a child’s life, and that the love of a father is equally important to the emotional well-being of children as that of a mother. The study, which reviewed 36 studies from around the world, found that the absence of fatherly love in a child’s life can have serious psychological consequences which persist into adulthood, since rejection in childhood has the most ‘strong and consistent effect on personality and development’. The study suggests that rejection from a father can cause long-term problems for children that last for decades, including anxiety, insecurity and low self-esteem. The study found that such children tend to shut themselves off emotionally, and consequently find it harder to build relationships later in life. Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: ‘The study confirms what has been known for decades - that two natural parents in a life-long marriage provide the ideal conditions for raising children.
Pray: for wider recognition of the importance of stable families with a mother and a father especially by government. Also pray for those who are in single parent families particularly those who are unsupported in any way. (Eph.6:1-4)
Mental health 'shockingly' under-treated, claims report
Only a quarter of people under 65 with mental health problems are receiving care, according to a landmark report that is highly critical of the lack of access to therapy. The authors of the report, led by academics at the London School of Economics, say those who cannot get treatment are essentially being discriminated against. They say that mental health now accounts for almost half the total burden of ill health suffered by people under 65. However, they found that only a quarter of children and adults of working age received treatment, due in part to poor provision. Ministers have promised to raise the profile of mental health services - using such slogans as ‘no health without mental health’, but the report’s authors want them to back up their words with action. They say: ‘The under-treatment of people with crippling mental illnesses is the most glaring case of health inequality in our country.
Pray: for all those affected by such illness and their needs may be better met. (3Jn.1:2)
Churches attack Cameron's plan to redefine poverty
Three of the UK's largest Christian Churches have criticised government proposals to change the way that poverty is measured. The Methodist Church, Baptist Union of Great Britain and United Reformed Church said that the proposals continue a trend of blaming the poor for their own poverty. ‘These proposals risk further stigmatising the poor in the eyes of voters and the media,’ said Paul Morrison, Public Issues Adviser for the Methodist Church. ‘It is universally acknowledged that poverty is a relative concept. These proposals seek to undermine the idea that relative poverty matters, by focusing on other issues. At its worst it will seek to measure the 'faults' of the poor, further blaming them for poverty’ We are called to stand alongside the poorest and most vulnerable in society,’ insisted Morrison, who accused the government of avoiding the real issues. He added, ‘Recession, low pay and decreasing benefits are driving poverty and none of these are the fault of the poor’.
Pray: for better understanding and agreement of poverty and how best it can be tackled. (Pr.14:31)
Church holds vigil for Olympic truce
Church and other faith leaders came together this week for a vigil to mark the close of '100 Days of Peace' in London.
The 12-hour vigil was held at St Martin in the Fields church and was attended by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, and the Archbishop of Westminster Vincent Nichols. It also marked the start of the Olympic Truce 50 days before the start of the Games in London. The tradition of a truce before the Olympics goes back thousands of years to Ancient Greece when it guaranteed the safe passage of competitors and visitors to the competition. The vigil was organised by Westminster Justice and Peace, with St Martin in the Fields and the London Church Leaders' Group. Faith groups were invited to pray over 100 days for peace in the capital, and to build a peace legacy for London after the Olympic Truce ends on 28 October.
Pray: for the Olympic Truce to be respected by all and that it will have a lasting legacy beyond the 100 days. (Ecc.3:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/church.holds.vigil.for.olympic.truce/30076.htm
Iran: Authorities shut church in Tehran
Authorities in Iran last week ordered the closure of a church in the capital, Tehran, amid a government campaign to crack down on the few recognized churches offering Farsi-speaking services, according to a human rights group. The order came from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard’s Intelligence Branch, also known as Sepah. ‘Unfortunately, it is now official – the church in Janat-Abad district was ordered to shut down,’ said Monsour Borji, an Iranian Christian and advocacy officer for Rights Initiative Article 18. More than 70 Christians gather every Sunday for the Farsi-speaking service in Janat-Abad. Undoubtedly the order to close the church in the suburb of Tehran was handed down verbally, Borji said. ‘Due to an increasing number of Farsi-speaking believers – mostly MBBs (Muslim Background Believers) – it has become a cause of concern for the authorities and they now ordered it to shut down,’ he said.
Pray: that the authorities would hold back on these closures and that God would protect the believers. (1Th.3:7)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/iran/article_1595449.html
Iraq: Wave of bomb attacks 'kills 84'
A wave of bombings across Iraq including 10 locations in Baghdad has killed 83 people and wounded nearly 300, Iraqi police say. Many of the dead in the Iraqi capital were Shia pilgrims gathering for a religious festival. In Hilla, two car bombs exploded near a restaurant, killing at least 21 people. There has been a wave of attacks on the Shia community in recent days, as it marks the anniversary of the death of Shia Imam Moussa al-Kadhim. Three bombs exploded in Kirkuk, with one of them targetting the headquarters of Kurdish President Massoud Barzani. There are also reports of bombs in Mosul, Balad, and Karbala. Violence in Iraq has fallen since the sectarian killings of a few years ago, but militants still frequently attack security forces and civilians. Wednesday has been one of the deadliest days of violence since the foreign troops withdrew from Iraq last December.
Pray: that the violence across Iraq would cease and that Sunni, Shia and Kurdish communities would seek peace. (Gen.6:11-12)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18420488
Falkland Islands: Referendum
The Falkland Islands has announced a referendum to be held next year on its status as a British territory in an effort to fend off aggressive Argentinian claims over the South Atlantic islands. The Islands' legislative assembly said it would authorise a popular poll of the more than 3,000 residents, the first in its history, to demonstrate that the locals remain solidly in support of British ties. The announcement comes as Falkland Islanders prepare to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the Argentinian invasion force on Thursday. David Cameron applauded the announcement from Stanley, claiming it would vindicate British support for the islands.
Pray: that the referendum will clearly reveal the desire of the islanders, so that the issue can be finally settled..(1Sa.30:23b)
Fiji: Methodist Church conference
Last September we prayed for the Fiji Methodist Church to be granted permission to hold their annual conference this year after it was cancelled for the fourth year running. In 2012 the government granted permission to hold the conference if some guidelines were followed. It should not coincide with the national Hibiscus Festival in August and it must last no longer than three days it can take place from 8am to 8pm each day from Wednesday to Friday only and must be held at the Centenary Church premises. It may only discuss church matters and not political issues. Activities that traditionally accompanied the conference, including choir competition and information stands, have also been banned. The Church was warned by the police that ‘serious actions’ would be taken if the terms of the permit were breached.
Pray: that this step forward will open the way back to democracy, pray also for the protection of every speaker and delegate before, during and after the conference. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/methodist.church.in.fiji.given.permission.to.meet/30039.htm
Nigeria: Suicide bombing hits another church
An extremist ran a car full of explosives at Christ’s Chosen Church of God in Jos on Sunday morning, killing at least two and injuring 40+. The attack was the second suicide bombing of a church in two Sundays and the third church bombing in Jos in six months. It happened after the service ended. A pastor, church elders and some children remained in the sanctuary at the moment the bomb was detonated, collapsing the roof of the sanctuary. The death toll was expected to increase as injuries were severe. Also on Sunday in Borno State gunmen killed at least two Christians during church worship. The Boko Haram Islamic sect took responsibility for both assaults. A witness said the extremist was seen trying to bomb St Peter’s Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church Winning All, but could not gain entry. Each of these two churches and the bombed church are in the same road.
Pray: for the injured, bereaved and their families, pray also against the ideologies behind these attacks, and against the desire to de-stabilize the government through violence. (Ps.42:4)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nigeria/article_1596552.html