USA: Stricter ‘Insider-Trading Laws’
Democrats and Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee on Tuesday advocated new restrictions on insider trading to help lift waning public trust in Congress. Previous efforts to pass restrictions on insider trading have not advanced in Congress. The issue re-emerged after a report by the CBS News program ‘60 Minutes’ highlighting members of Congress buying stock in companies during debates on legislation that might affect the businesses. See also ‘Corruption in Politics Prayer Alert 47-2011. ‘This is about restoring faith,’ said Representative Tim Walz, a Minnesota Democrat who is sponsoring legislation to explicitly ban insider trading. CBS reported, ‘during the 2008 financial crisis the ranking Republican on the Financial Services Committee bet stock prices would fall while being briefed privately that a global crisis might be imminent.’
Pray: for all that is hidden to be revealed and for financial corruption to end in all political arenas. (Ro.2:13)
More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/07/business/congress-considers-new-limits-on-insider-trading.html
Mexico: Bishop pleads with drug cartels
The Bishop of Cuernavaca in Morelos has added his voice to appeals for peace between feuding drug gangs over Christmas. Poet-turned-peace activist Javier Sicilia became a full time peace campaigner after his 24-year-old son was murdered by a drug cartel in March. Now the Bishop has joined the calls for a truce saying, ‘I appeal to them as brothers and in the name of God to understand that this is not the way of goodness, that this is not the way of peace, that this is not the way of life as brothers and sisters, and as human beings.’ The number of people killed in gang-related violence since 2006 is 40,000. Mgr. Cortes said the violence was causing pain and distress to Mexicans and the perpetrators were acting ‘more through ignorance than malice. We must be messengers of peace, and hope that this Christmas will be a time of peace and love for all.’
Pray: for God in His mercy to hear the cries of thousands mourning the death of a loved one because of drugs. (2Sa.22:3)
Iraq and Afghanistan: Shiites and Christians targeted
Iraq: 30 died in car bomb attacks against Shia Muslims celebrating Ashura in Baghdad and Hilla. The attacks follow violence against Christian shops and properties in the Kurdistan region. Also in Dahuk three shops and a community centre belonging to Chaldean Christians were burnt in a campaign that targets ‘all that is contrary to Sharia, by Islamists who want to radicalize Iraq. Unfortunately there is no ‘moderate movement’ capable of containing the fundamentalist drift against Christians in the north. The Christian community is an easy target in the game for the conquest of power. Afghanistan: 59 died in bombings against Shiite Muslims. An Afghan official said, ‘the bomber in Kabul was a Pakistani, affiliated to Pakistan's extremist Lashkar-i-Jhangvi group, which has killed thousands of Pakistani Shiites.’ The faction is linked to Al-Qaeda. See http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iuiDw_85Fc_czcRRDdjV3ooxsrIw?docId=CNG.8d286bd1dbe15a516592439618a32be0.3c1
Pray: in the midst of turmoil and terror, that God's purposes for the region would prevail. (Mt.6:10)
Afghanistan: Street children
50,000 children work on the streets of Afghanistan’s capital. Some are orphans, others work to support their families selling chewing gum, magazines, or trinkets others polish shoes, wash cars or dispense good luck from a can of burning herbs. Some simply beg. All are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse by criminals and police. A Christian within the country has asked us to pray for the protection of the children trying to survive. Organisations are needed to provide support for children and their families. Pray that some of the aid to the country would go to help the street children and that these children would be introduced to the One who loves little children.
Pray: for Christians working in various communities to have more of God's anointing as they attempt to make a difference in the lives of the people. (Mt.19:14)
More: http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/afghanistan.html
Pakistan: Threats and strained relationships
Arif Ferguson is in hiding after death threats from the Taliban because he shared his faith with Muslims and expressed views against the blasphemy law in a local newspaper. Release International said, ‘This latest death threat confirms that militants now regard even opposing the blasphemy laws as a ‘crime’ deserving of death.’ They will not permit debate in parliament or in the press. This intensifies the risk to Christians in Pakistan who take issue with intolerance and extremism.’ We are asked to pray also about the relationships between Pakistan and NATO which have deteriorated; nationwide protests continue against NATO after an attack that killed 24 soldiers in November; Pakistan has asked the US to vacate an air base and has blocked transport of NATO supplies across the border.
Pray: for Pakistan’s leaders to courageously repeal the blasphemy laws and work with the nations to establish peace in the area. (Pr.15:29)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/release.warns.of.increasing.persecution.in.pakistan/28989.htm
Mozambique: Deaf hear and blind see
God has been doing many great things in the bush village of Nanjua,’ report missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker from Mozambique. ‘We first visited there three months ago. Since then there are no more deaf people there to pray for because they are all healed. Also, the chief of the village got saved and we are currently completing the building of their church. Isn't God good! During a recent outreach there we saw miracles and many salvations. We met a blind man named Samuel. He came to us saying that he had heard us praying and that God had told him to come to where we were. He became completely blind in 2010. After praying for him he could see colours, faces and shapes. Heidi took him to a mango tree and he counted the number of mangos on the branch - something he could not do before. He spoke with much excitement, ‘Now I can walk home by myself with no one to assist me!’ Later that same day, along with many others, he was baptized in the river.'
Praise: God for His miraculous power over the deaf and blind. (Ps.146:8)
More: http://www.joelnews.org/
Mozambique: Deaf hear and blind see
God has been doing many great things in the bush village of Nanjua,’ report missionaries Rolland and Heidi Baker from Mozambique. ‘We first visited there three months ago. Since then there are no more deaf people there to pray for because they are all healed. Also, the chief of the village got saved and we are currently completing the building of their church. Isn't God good! During a recent outreach there we saw miracles and many salvations. We met a blind man named Samuel. He came to us saying that he had heard us praying and that God had told him to come to where we were. He became completely blind in 2010. After praying for him he could see colours, faces and shapes. Heidi took him to a mango tree and he counted the number of mangos on the branch - something he could not do before. He spoke with much excitement, ‘Now I can walk home by myself with no one to assist me!’ Later that same day, along with many others, he was baptized in the river.'
Praise: God for His miraculous power over the deaf and blind. (Ps.146:8)
More: http://www.joelnews.org/
Riots could return without effort to reach young people
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that last summer’s riots may return unless the government and civil society do more to reach out to young people. Writing in the Guardian, Dr Rowan Williams attributed the unrest in part to ‘massive economic hopelessness’ and a lack of opportunities for young people. He said that many of the rioters were people who had ‘got used to being pushed to the margins and told they are dispensable’. ‘Too many feel they have nothing to lose because they are told practically from birth that they have no serious career opportunities’ he said. While the Archbishop acknowledged the selfishness of the rioters’ actions, he said that demonising destructive young people would not help to address the problem. Instead, he went on to suggest that greater consideration be given to the impact on young people in debates over spending cuts, adding that the idea of cutting provision to youth services was ‘manifestly indefensible’.
Pray: that the Government will face up to its responsibilities and challenges in reaching the young. (Dt.30:11)
Guardian editor and MP criticise Bideford prayer case
An assistant editor at The Guardian and the Labour MP Chris Bryant have both hit out at a secularist pressure group’s attempt to ban a local council from saying prayers. Last week the National Secular Society (NSS) went to the High Court in an attempt to end Bideford Town Council’s practice of saying prayers at the start of its meetings. Commenting on the case Michael White an assistant editor at The Guardian, warned that the case raised a wider question ‘about the intolerant impulse many people have to inflict their views on others’. He said that ‘communities should surely be allowed to sort out their own arrangements’ without interference from the NSS. And Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, questioned why the case had even gone to court. Mr Bryant said ‘surely the 16 members of Bideford Council, who have already voted on this twice, should be allowed to pray, if they want to.’
Pray: for the Bideford Council to be empowered in their stand and for the NSS to recognise that a period of reflection is helpful before meetings. (Job.33:26)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/guardian-editor-and-mp-criticise-nss-prayer-case/
English RC leader welcomes ‘Scotland for Marriage’
A campaign group which is seeking to preserve the definition of marriage for Scotland has been welcomed by the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales. Archbishop Vincent Nichols said the group’s name, ‘Scotland for Marriage’, gave a ‘very positive message’. The group’s launch comes as the consultation on redefining marriage in Scotland draws to a close – the final date for submissions is 9 December. He commented that a similar message was needed for England – a public consultation on how to change the law in England and Wales will begin next year with the Westminster Government wanting to redefine marriage by 2015. The Church said it was concerned by the speed at which the Scottish Government is proceeding with the issue, saying that the debate had so far been ‘patchy’. The Church went on to reject the Government's proposal to legalise the registration of civil partnerships on religious premises. (See also Prayer Alert 47-2011 & 45.2011)
Pray: for the Church and authorities in Scotland as they consider marriage. (Heb.13:4)