60 years of Commonwealth changes
A recent BBC poll recognised the majority of people believe the Queen should retain the title of Defender of the Faith. So it seems right that a celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II could not be complete without recognising the significant progress in the last 60 years of Bible translation in those countries claiming the Queen as their figurehead. Wycliffe Bible Translators (WBT) have facilitated language development work throughout the Commonwealth during the Queen’s reign. Within the 54 currently listed Commonwealth countries many of the minority language groups within her realm have received God’s translated word for the first time. As language development throughout the world grows, so the way is opened for mother tongue literacy and education and translated health information materials, along with translated Scriptures. WBT has been involved in the translation of 781 New Testaments and 27 complete Bibles, reaching around 145 million people speaking 749 languages. Current projects include 1,500 language programmes.
Pray: that the 350 million people from 2,040 languages still waiting for translation to begin would soon have the opportunity to hear and read about Jesus Christ as their Saviour. (Mk.16:15)
More: http://www.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleaseswww.wycliffe.org.uk/pressreleases
America: Cohabiting couples' 'Free Wedding Day'
Marriage is a dwindling institution in the USA, dropping 54% since 1960. During that same time, the number of couples cohabiting has skyrocketed. Craig Gorc, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Seattle wanted to fight for marriage and against cohabitation. He found one of the biggest barriers to a couple's wedding these days is the enormous cost (averaging $26,542 in Seattle), so he and the congregation at Cedar Park Assembly put on a Free Wedding Day last June, advertising through their website, social media, the news media and their senior pastor's email list of more than 6,000 people. Three couples took them up on the offer and more will this June. ‘The cost that we're saving them is about $8,000 to $10,000,’ Gorc told CBN News. ‘We provide everything you need except for the bride and groom.’ The main goal was to ensure couples wouldn't feel judged for their lifestyles or life choices.
Praise: God for this initiative and may many similar Christian outreach avenues be opened at such a time as this. (Php.3:7)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/May/Church-Offers-Cohabiting-Couples-Free-Wedding-Day/
America: Cohabiting couples' 'Free Wedding Day'
Marriage is a dwindling institution in the USA, dropping 54% since 1960. During that same time, the number of couples cohabiting has skyrocketed. Craig Gorc, pastor of Cedar Park Assembly of God in Seattle wanted to fight for marriage and against cohabitation. He found one of the biggest barriers to a couple's wedding these days is the enormous cost (averaging $26,542 in Seattle), so he and the congregation at Cedar Park Assembly put on a Free Wedding Day last June, advertising through their website, social media, the news media and their senior pastor's email list of more than 6,000 people. Three couples took them up on the offer and more will this June. ‘The cost that we're saving them is about $8,000 to $10,000,’ Gorc told CBN News. ‘We provide everything you need except for the bride and groom.’ The main goal was to ensure couples wouldn't feel judged for their lifestyles or life choices.
Praise: God for this initiative and may many similar Christian outreach avenues be opened at such a time as this. (Php.3:7)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2012/May/Church-Offers-Cohabiting-Couples-Free-Wedding-Day/
Unity for Pentecost week of prayer
Across the UK Christians have united for a week of prayer. On Saturday thousands worshipped and prayed at Leyton Orient Stadium on the outskirts of the Olympic site to worship Jesus, prophesy over the nation, declare Jesus as Lord of the London Olympics and pray for all aspects of the Games. At Ashton Gate Stadium thousands gathered to pray into all spheres of society. Churches Together in Greater Bristol spoke for the nation when they said, ‘Today is a real coming together to arise and share in an event of worship, repentance for our city and to declare that we intend to put things right through united prayer and working together.’ Across the British Isles on Pentecost Sunday many believers from different Christian traditions united in towns and cities to lift up the name of Jesus Christ. Many joined the millions across the globe as they united for the Global Day of Prayer on the 27th.
Praise: God for the ever-increasing sound of His children declaring His praise and purposes across our land.(Ps.133)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12050116.htm
Unity for Pentecost week of prayer
Across the UK Christians have united for a week of prayer. On Saturday thousands worshipped and prayed at Leyton Orient Stadium on the outskirts of the Olympic site to worship Jesus, prophesy over the nation, declare Jesus as Lord of the London Olympics and pray for all aspects of the Games. At Ashton Gate Stadium thousands gathered to pray into all spheres of society. Churches Together in Greater Bristol spoke for the nation when they said, ‘Today is a real coming together to arise and share in an event of worship, repentance for our city and to declare that we intend to put things right through united prayer and working together.’ Across the British Isles on Pentecost Sunday many believers from different Christian traditions united in towns and cities to lift up the name of Jesus Christ. Many joined the millions across the globe as they united for the Global Day of Prayer on the 27th.
Praise: God for the ever-increasing sound of His children declaring His praise and purposes across our land.(Ps.133)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2012/s12050116.htm
Doctors target non-urgent care in industrial action
Doctors will stop providing non-urgent care on the 21st June in the first industrial action by the profession for nearly 40 years. The move comes after a majority of doctors voted in favour of action in a British Medical Association ballot of 104,000 members over pension changes. Emergency care would still take place as doctors did not want to put patients at risk. By targeting non-urgent care, elective operations such as knee and hip replacements will be cancelled. Doctors are among the best paid public sector employees - and as such they also have the most lucrative pensions. The average hospital consultant retiring today will enjoy a pension of £48,000 a year and a lump sum of over £140,000. Among public sector pensions being paid out, doctors account for two thirds of the top 1% of pay outs.
Pray: for no patient safety to be compromised on the 21st June.(Ps.41:1)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18254499
Christians pray ahead of London Olympics
Up to 9,000 Christians gathered at Leyton Orient Football Stadium last Saturday for a day of prayer and worship for the London Olympics. The stadium is located next to the newly completed Olympic Park, which in just a few weeks' time will welcome athletes and thousands of spectators from around the world for the London 2012 Games. Light the Fire is the only stadium event of its kind taking place in Britain this year that is dedicated solely to praying for the Olympics. The event is brought together Christians from different churches across London and the UK to pray that God's purposes will be achieved during the Games. They are also prayed that people will come to know God's love as a result of the church outreach that will take place during the Games. Project Director, Rosy Ashley said, ‘God has given the church in the nation an amazing opportunity to share His love with the thousands of visitors flocking to the capital.’
Pray: for ‘Light h Fire’ and let us all add to their prayers for the Olympics over the coming weeks. (1 Ch.16:31)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/christians.pray.ahead.of.london.olympics/29910.htm
Macedonia: Crackdown on believers
Security forces detained 17 monks, nuns and believers as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. On Tuesday, May 22nd police entered several monasteries and homes of church members of the Serbian Orthodox Church's ‘Ohrid Archbishopric’ in Macedonia. Police said the raids were part of an investigation into ‘tax evasion fraud’. But rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
Macedonia: Crackdown on believers
Security forces detained 17 monks, nuns and believers as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. On Tuesday, May 22nd police entered several monasteries and homes of church members of the Serbian Orthodox Church's ‘Ohrid Archbishopric’ in Macedonia. Police said the raids were part of an investigation into ‘tax evasion fraud’. But rights investigators have linked these and other raids to the government's refusal to register the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. An Interior Ministry blacklist lists over 20 Serbian Orthodox bishops banned from entering Macedonia. The Serbian Orthodox Church Synod in Belgrade condemned as ‘political and not judicial’ the sentence of two and half years to Archbishop Jovan, in Idrizovo prison. It’s not clear how the EU will react to these developments. Macedonia is seeking membership of the EU and the NATO military alliance. Tensions over religious and national identities are a left-over of the 1990’s Balkan wars.
Pray: against the desire to eradicate the Church in Macedonia, and pray for a modern and democratic approach to Christianity. (Ps.135:13)
Special Grace for Diamond Jubilee lunches
Community lunches will take place all across Britain on 3 June in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Churches are being encouraged to take the lead in their communities so that Big Jubilee Lunches start with a specially written Grace. The Grace has been seen by the Queen and reads - O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, we give you thanks for the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth; for her steadfast faith and for her royal service to this nation and all the peoples of the Commonwealth. Bless the food before us and the people beside us; may the sharing of this meal strengthen our communities, and nurture the bonds between us of friendship, hope and trust. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who reigns as servant of all. Amen.
Pray: that many communities will use this opportunity to pray together on June 3rd (Ps.133:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/special.grace.for.diamond.jubilee.lunches/29900.htm