Law Society bans major marriage conference
The Law Society has revoked the booking of a major marriage conference to be held by Christian Concern and others because it is contrary to its ‘diversity’ policy. Christian Concern, which forms part of a family values coalition, the World Congress of Families, was due to host a colloquium at the Law Society on the issue of marriage, entitled ‘One man-One woman. Making the case for marriage for the good of society’. In an astonishing e-mail, Adam Tallis, General Manager of Ampersand at the Law Society, stated that the event ‘is contrary to our diversity policy, espousing as it does an ethos which is opposed to same-sex marriage.’ The Law Society’s decision comes at a time when the debate over the Government’s proposal to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples has reached fever pitch after over half a million people have signed a petition opposing the plans.
Pray: for our country to return to traditional marriage values and may God’s wisdom saturate the law makers at this time. (Is.33:6)
Kirk urged to act to end Gaza 'scandal'
The churches should act together to get the British government to act for an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, the Kirk Assembly has agreed. The vote came in response to an amendment to a motion at the Church of Scotland's governing body meeting in Edinburgh. The need for the Kirk's Church and Society Council to work in cooperation with the World Mission Council and UK ecumenical partners to this end was proposed by the Moderator of the General Assembly of theChurch of Scotland, the Rt Rev John Arnott. He spoke of his own direct experience in the territory of Gaza and the sufferings of its people, following Operation Cast Lead and other subsequent developments. ‘Lives are still being wasted, oppression is still happening and children are still dying,’ he declared with quiet passion.
Pray: the Kirk would engage successfully on behalf of the Church in the national, political and social issues affecting Scotland and the world today. (Jas.2:24)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16668
EU summit/Greek poverty/a compromise
The economic crisis in Greece is forcing families to seek help from children's homes.In many cases parents are asking if their children can be taken into care, because they can't afford to look after them. See: The Brussels EU summit didn’t come up with ground breaking decisions to balance fiscal discipline with growth, issuance of Eurobonds or recapitalisation of banks. However they tried to produce something to relax Greek, Irish and Portuguese austerity programmes and start firewalls to soothe market anxiety. The Irish are holding a referendum on 31 May over the fiscal pact; Greece votes on 17th June to decide in or out of Eurozone. America says, ‘What happens in Greece has a direct impact in the US.’ The economy was the main issue not only in the G8 council in Camp David but also occupied a central position in the military alliance's meeting in Chicago. The past week has been pivotal for the continent of Europe.
Pray: for those who preside over these and future events to be aligned with God’s purposes.(Ps.119:169)
More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-summit-towards-compromise
EU summit/Greek poverty/a compromise
The economic crisis in Greece is forcing families to seek help from children's homes.In many cases parents are asking if their children can be taken into care, because they can't afford to look after them. See: The Brussels EU summit didn’t come up with ground breaking decisions to balance fiscal discipline with growth, issuance of Eurobonds or recapitalisation of banks. However they tried to produce something to relax Greek, Irish and Portuguese austerity programmes and start firewalls to soothe market anxiety. The Irish are holding a referendum on 31 May over the fiscal pact; Greece votes on 17th June to decide in or out of Eurozone. America says, ‘What happens in Greece has a direct impact in the US.’ The economy was the main issue not only in the G8 council in Camp David but also occupied a central position in the military alliance's meeting in Chicago. The past week has been pivotal for the continent of Europe.
Pray: for those who preside over these and future events to be aligned with God’s purposes.(Ps.119:169)
More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/eu-summit-towards-compromise
Macedonia: Persecution of Serbian Church
On Thursday, May 24th 17 Serbian Orthodox monks, nuns and other believers were released from prison, having been detained for two days on alleged tax evasion charges. Churches and Monasteries have been systematically raided recently as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. 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)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21798-breaking-news-macedonia-frees-nuns-monks-but-confiscates-passports
Macedonia: Persecution of Serbian Church
On Thursday, May 24th 17 Serbian Orthodox monks, nuns and other believers were released from prison, having been detained for two days on alleged tax evasion charges. Churches and Monasteries have been systematically raided recently as part of a fresh crackdown on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Macedonia. 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)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/21798-breaking-news-macedonia-frees-nuns-monks-but-confiscates-passports
Egypt: Coptic Christians live in garbage city
Coptic Christians are 11-15% of Egypt’s population and the largest Christian community in the Middle East. The Zabbaleen, known in Arabic as ‘the garbage collectors,’ are the largest single concentration of Egyptian Coptics (70,000). For eight generations they have been Cairo’s unofficial trash collectors, living in harsh conditions harvesting garbage from streets and businesses and transporting it to their communities in the hills where it is sorted and sold. Father Samaan Ibrahim presides over the Zabbaleen’s ‘garbage city. His church has supported many of the social services vital to the Zabbaleen people since the 1970’s. Like many in Egypt Samaan is uneasy about the future. Sectarian attacks have increased over the past year and conditions in the community have not improved since the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s government. ‘We are awaiting the new constitution that we might expect something good for us in it, especially the article concerning building churches in Egypt,’ he says. The building or repair of churches is outlawed.
Pray: for those who are and may become leaders in Egypt to represent the values of a society which God can bless; and for positive reforms for Christians.(1Tim. 2:1-2)
Afghanistan: Education and exit
Thousands of boys and girls receive the education that will help them improve their lives and their country. But the insurgents still try to close down the schools' especially those that girls attend, by threatening teachers and students, burning school buildings and poisoning the schools water supplies. Some rural schools have remained closed. Please pray for the safety of teachers and students; for the insurgents to stop using fear and intimidation to close schools and for more teachers to be trained. The coalition forces have begun to hand over responsibility for security to the local army and police on a region by region basis. Ultimately all security will be the responsibility of local army and police. Pray for wisdom for all during this process so that security of the country will be safeguarded and the people will be able to lead their lives in peace and security. Pray for true religious freedom in Afghanistan.
Pray: that the number of believers would continue to increase and mature, and for millions in the area to seek and find the Way the Truth and the Life.(Jn.14:6)
More: http://www.afghantimes.com/
South Sudan: Crisis looming
More than 50% of South Sudan is facing food shortages due to continuing conflict with Sudan. There are fears the situation in the South is worsening because of clashes along the contested border regions, inter-communal violence and the closure of oil production in a row over transit fees with Khartoum. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18082150 In the Nuba mountains where 90% of the population is Christian there is indiscriminate bombing by the Sudanese government due to the area being held by the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army. Consequently health workers and aid agencies are prevented from delivering vital supplies to over a million who have fled the fighting in South Sudan. There are fears that outbreaks of infectious diseases could prove devastating to children weakened by hunger and upheaval.
Pray: for the UN to implement unhindered humanitarian access to all affected areas and for missionaries to experience God’s enabling in every situation.(Ps.140:1-4)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/20/conflict-nuba-mountains-epidemics
Mexico: Christian war against cartels
Decapitation, rape, murder, mass corruption and national chaos is the fruit in Mexico of America’s illicit drug use. A Mexican offensive against drug cartels has raged since President Felipe Calderon took power in 2006 making a crackdown on drug cartels the hallmark of his six-year term, which expires later this year. However in a wide perception that the crackdown has not worked his party is losing hope for re-election. Mexico has a high percentage of Christian believers in the population and over past years hundreds of prayer vigils, walks and demonstrations have been held regarding the corruption, terror and drug wars in the land. On Sunday soldiers arrested the perpetrator of the decapitation and dismembering of 49 people dumped on a highway last week. Graffiti sprayed at the scene of the corpses showed the mark of the Zetas, who are fighting for control of the region. Their empire consists of hired killers, smugglers, kidnapers, extortionists and of people involved in then the crude oil industry.
Pray: for prayers against corruption to be answered and for God’s chosen president to lead the country out of immorality and corruption.(Is.1:23-26)