MP calls for reform of UK abortion law
Following an undercover investigation into abortion by the Daily Telegraph, Nadine Dorries MP has called for a reform of UK abortion law. The investigation uncovered the practice of gender selective abortions in a number of clinics, and has cast a wider question over how or even whether abortion laws are being followed. Ms Dorries has now suggested that the Abortion Act 1967 needs changing as it is ‘a badly drafted piece of legislation’. Under the Act, abortion is illegal unless it falls within certain exemptions. Under Grounds C, which is the exemption most often used, abortion may only be performed if continuing the pregnancy puts the mother’s (or her existing children’s) mental and physical health at greater risk than if she has an abortion. Yet critics have claimed that there is little evidence to suggest that this is a correct assumption in most cases, and that we now have abortion on demand in practice.
Pray: that serious consideration be given to reforming this abortion law. (Heb.7:12)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/abortion/mp-calls-for-reform-of-uk-abortion-law
Missions and Church Planting in Europe
Eurochurch.net is happy to announce the culmination of a year’s research with the release of theire report on missions and church planting in Europe. Over 600 people in 35 countries have responded to a questionnaire, making it the largest project of its type ever carried out in Europe. The report contains a country by country directory of people involved in church planting, together with an overview of church planting activity in that country and some useful reports and analysis. It will also form a research database for the future. Every six months they will email all the participants asking them to confirm that the information held on them is correct, and will also ask them to answer a few simple questions about the work in which they are involved. By doing this systematically over a number of years they will build up a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of church planting in Europe today.
Pray: for that the information gathered will encourage the growth of church planting across Europe. (1Ki.8:28)
More: http://www.eurochurch.net/articles/report-on-missions-and-church-planting-in-europe.php
Missions and Church Planting in Europe
Eurochurch.net is happy to announce the culmination of a year’s research with the release of theire report on missions and church planting in Europe. Over 600 people in 35 countries have responded to a questionnaire, making it the largest project of its type ever carried out in Europe. The report contains a country by country directory of people involved in church planting, together with an overview of church planting activity in that country and some useful reports and analysis. It will also form a research database for the future. Every six months they will email all the participants asking them to confirm that the information held on them is correct, and will also ask them to answer a few simple questions about the work in which they are involved. By doing this systematically over a number of years they will build up a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of church planting in Europe today.
Pray: for that the information gathered will encourage the growth of church planting across Europe. (1Ki.8:28)
More: http://www.eurochurch.net/articles/report-on-missions-and-church-planting-in-europe.php
Belarus: Raids, threats, warnings for religious meetings
Religious communities in various parts of Belarus have faced visits, threats and warnings for holding meetings of worship which officials regard as illegal. On one Sunday in January, officials visited three Pentecostal services in separate villages. Pastor Vasili Raptsevich – who led worship in a church-owned house in a village in Brest Region for about ten disabled church members - was summoned to the police station. There he was told that he had violated the law by conducting a religious service away from its legal address without permission. Police threatened him with court proceedings and threatened to strip his Pentecostal church of state registration. In February, police in the capital Minsk - among them masked riot police - launched a mass raid on a cultural meeting being held in a Pentecostal pastor's home. 34 participants were taken to a police station, but were released two hours later without any explanation and without any official record being drawn up.
Pray: that God’s Church will be protected from persecution. (Ro.8:35)
Belarus: Raids, threats, warnings for religious meetings
Religious communities in various parts of Belarus have faced visits, threats and warnings for holding meetings of worship which officials regard as illegal. On one Sunday in January, officials visited three Pentecostal services in separate villages. Pastor Vasili Raptsevich – who led worship in a church-owned house in a village in Brest Region for about ten disabled church members - was summoned to the police station. There he was told that he had violated the law by conducting a religious service away from its legal address without permission. Police threatened him with court proceedings and threatened to strip his Pentecostal church of state registration. In February, police in the capital Minsk - among them masked riot police - launched a mass raid on a cultural meeting being held in a Pentecostal pastor's home. 34 participants were taken to a police station, but were released two hours later without any explanation and without any official record being drawn up.
Pray: that God’s Church will be protected from persecution. (Ro.8:35)
Egypt: Christians ask for prayer
Following a rumour that a Christian man in the village of Kobry-el-Sharbat had illicit photographs and a video clip of a Muslim lady a Muslim mob burnt several Christian-owned homes and businesses. On 1st February a ‘village tribunal’ of Muslim leaders issued a decree ordering eight Christian families to leave and their property be sold. If this decree was not complied with then all 62 Christian families living in the village would be forcibly expelled. The National Assembly ruled the decree was illegal, the eight families' property should be restored to them, the government should pay compensation for all damaged property, and the police should endeavour to identify and prosecute those responsible for violent attacks. The Christians request our prayers for- the commission's ruling to be effectively and promptly implemented, for all Christian families to be allowed to return and for true reconciliation amongst all villagers.
Pray: that the commission's ruling will set a precedent that ends impunity for sectarian violence against Christians and other religious minorities. (Pr.11:1)
Iran: Nuclear update
NY Times report: ‘As tension grew in its nuclear dispute with the West, Iran warned it would take pre-emptive action against perceived foes if it felt its national interests were threatened. Without mentioning Israel directly, Mohammed Hejazi, the deputy Armed Forces head said, ‘Our strategy now is that if we feel our enemies want to endanger Iran's national interests, and want to decide to do that, we will act without waiting for their actions.' Reuters reported. ‘Divisions in Iran's leadership make it difficult to interpret the government's intentions, but the statement showed a new level of aggressiveness in Iran's rhetoric.’ A two-day visit by the International Atomic Energy Agency team is the second in less than a month amid growing concerns over alleged Iranian weapons experiments. Two Iranian warships docked in the Syrian port of Tartus on Monday as a senior Iranian lawmaker denounced American calls for arming the Syrian opposition.
Pray: that God in His mercy will reign over Iranian leaders and scientists. (Ps.35:17-18)
More: http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/news/eye-iran-iran-warns-pre-emptive-action-nuclear-dispute
Iran: Christian updates
On February 10th Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence ordered the Emmanuel Protestant Church and St Peter’s Evangelical Church (the last two officially registered churches holding Friday Farsi-language services in Tehran) to discontinue worship. Friday services in Tehran attracted the city’s converts to Christianity as well as Muslims interested in Christianity as Friday is most Iranians’ day off during the week. Authorities told the churches they can hold the services on Sunday, a working day when most Iranians are not able to attend. For full story see: http://www.christianpost.com/news/churches-forced-to-stop-farsi-worship-in-tehran-iran-69827/ Meanwhile the health of a jailed pastor of one of Iran's largest evangelical house church movements is deteriorating and there were fears Monday he may die. Behnam Irani was jailed for what critics view as ‘trumped up’ charges of ‘crimes against the Islamic state’ and is experiencing intestinal disorder. His family is very concerned because his brother died from intestinal cancer.
Pray: that God will supernaturally intervene to thwart strategies against Christian worship and outreach. (Ps.35:22-24)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11273-jailed-iranian-pastors-health-deteriorating
Nigeria: Security increased after market attack killed 30
Security forces patrolled Baga market on Tuesday after an assault by Islamist sect Boko Haram killed 30 people when gunmen stormed the fish section spraying stallholders and vendors with bullets and setting off bombs. It appeared to be a retaliatory attack for the arrest of a suspected Islamist inside the market last week. The government says it wants to start negotiating with the Boko Haram Islamist group blamed for a series of recent attacks across northern Nigeria. - Recent key events include: August - suicide bomb at UN headquarters, killing 23 people. November - 63 killed in bomb and gun attacks in Damaturu. December - 70 killed in days of fighting between security forces and Boko Haram. Christmas Day - bomb killed 40 people. January - more than 100 killed in one day of co-ordinated bombings and shootings after Boko Haram tells Christians to quit the north. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13951696
Pray: for all the people suffering in the aftermath of Boko Haram attacks to know God's provision, peace and protection. (Ps.34:17-18)
Congo: Post election violence against Church opposition
February 2nd official results from the Democratic Republic of Congo’s elections were disputed by international and local observers saying the election was flawed when President Joseph Kabila and his allies gained an outright parliamentary majority. These were the first elections since the end of the war in 2003 that left four million dead. When the results were stated veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi declared himself president and called for a boycott of parliament, and the Congolese Roman Catholic Church challenged the credibility of election results. The recent backlash to opposition has used a nun’s death, three priests arrested and two nuns being assaulted. Unease heightened after police violently broke up a peaceful march the church organized to demand truth about the November polls. Two weeks earlier, Sr Mary Lilliane Mapalayi had been killed at a school in western Kasai province where she served as a treasurer.’
Pray: that the truth about the November polls will be revealed peacefully.(Pr.25:15)
More: http://www.eni.ch/news/item.php?id=5481