Baptist churches hit by record levels of metal theft
Metal theft from Baptist churches has risen to record levels this year. By the end of October Baptist Insurance had received 110 claims for theft of metal, already 25 more than it handled in its previous worst year. In 2008 it dealt with nearly 90 claims from the churches it insures. The total cost of the metal theft claims for 2011 stands at more than £160,000, again a record. The theft of metal from churches is linked directly to the price of lead, which rose sharply at the start of 2011. 'We have seen a huge increase in theft of metal,' said Katri Link, Baptist Insurance press officer. ' This year has been the worst year for metal theft, both in terms of number of claims and cost of claims. At the start of the year we saw the price of metal go up - the demand in the market from the Far East is high - and there is a direct correlation.' Churches everywhere have been suffering, although 2008 remains the worst year across all denominations.
Pray: for the protection of church buildings from this kind of crime and increase of police and community awareness. (Dt.5:19)
Quakers in Britain call for greater tax justice
Quakers in Britain, as members of the ‘Close the Gap Campaign’, have called for greater tax justice in a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Caroline Lucas MP, Kate Green MP and Jeremy Corbin MP have introduced a Private Members Bill (Tax and Transparency Bill) to enhance transparency in corporate payment of tax. Tax evasion and avoidance is estimated by the Treasury to cost the UK purse at least £35 billion annually. Others estimate the number to be substantially higher. This is nearly nine per cent of UK tax revenue and the efficient collection of this revenue would lessen the demand to cut social and welfare expenditure which is hurting the poorest in our communities so much. Treasury estimates also suggest that those who are avoiding paying their contribution are mainly wealthy individuals and corporations, so the recouping of this money would not harm the poorest and most vulnerable.
Pray: that this Private Members Bill bring the right response from those who avoid paying correct taxes. (Ps.1:6)
Czech Republic: Europe rise up!
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.’ This was the Scripture used to call a gathering of European Christians in Prague from December 1st-3rd. For many years Europe has been on the periphery of the Holy Spirit’s blowing. Delegates at the conference took a stand believing if the European nations come together and start building a unity in Europe God will command a blessing. Christians in Europe are taking a stand against a divided Europe. The delegates intend to start to learn what is happening in particular countries and begin praying for one another. The delegates also acknowledged, ‘It is possible that this unity cannot come about without repentance of the things we have been guilty of in the past because we trespassed against other countries. We should also repent of all prejudices we have against other countries and their people.’
Pray: for God to bless this initiative towards unity. Pray also that the desire to pray together will grow and birth more ‘Prayer Watches’ and ‘Houses of Prayer and worship’. (Is 40:3)
Czech Republic: Europe rise up!
‘Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.’ This was the Scripture used to call a gathering of European Christians in Prague from December 1st-3rd. For many years Europe has been on the periphery of the Holy Spirit’s blowing. Delegates at the conference took a stand believing if the European nations come together and start building a unity in Europe God will command a blessing. Christians in Europe are taking a stand against a divided Europe. The delegates intend to start to learn what is happening in particular countries and begin praying for one another. The delegates also acknowledged, ‘It is possible that this unity cannot come about without repentance of the things we have been guilty of in the past because we trespassed against other countries. We should also repent of all prejudices we have against other countries and their people.’
Pray: for God to bless this initiative towards unity. Pray also that the desire to pray together will grow and birth more ‘Prayer Watches’ and ‘Houses of Prayer and worship’. (Is 40:3)
Netherlands:Mobile euthanasia teams being considered
Plans to introduce mobile medical teams that can euthanasia people in their own homes are being considered by the Dutch government. The teams of doctors and nurses would be sent out from a clinic following a referral from the patient's doctor. The proposals were disclosed by Edith Schippers, the health minister. In a written answer to questions from Christian Union MPs she said that mobile units ‘for patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out’ was worthy of consideration. ‘If the patient thinks it desirable, the doctor can refer him or her to a mobile team or clinic,’ the minister wrote. In her written answer Ms Schippers suggested that ‘extra expertise’ could be summoned in complicated cases involving mental health problems or an inability to consent to euthanasia because of dementia.
Pray: against this move by the Dutch government increasing the availability of euthanasia. (Lev.24:17)
Netherlands:Mobile euthanasia teams being considered
Plans to introduce mobile medical teams that can euthanasia people in their own homes are being considered by the Dutch government. The teams of doctors and nurses would be sent out from a clinic following a referral from the patient's doctor. The proposals were disclosed by Edith Schippers, the health minister. In a written answer to questions from Christian Union MPs she said that mobile units ‘for patients who meet the criteria for euthanasia but whose doctors are unwilling to carry it out’ was worthy of consideration. ‘If the patient thinks it desirable, the doctor can refer him or her to a mobile team or clinic,’ the minister wrote. In her written answer Ms Schippers suggested that ‘extra expertise’ could be summoned in complicated cases involving mental health problems or an inability to consent to euthanasia because of dementia.
Pray: against this move by the Dutch government increasing the availability of euthanasia. (Lev.24:17)
Call to Prayer for the World Prayer Assembly (WPA), May 14-18, 2012 (www.wpa2012.org)
Please keep praying for the WPA! Your prayer support will be all-important to the planning of this event which is intended to be a “new paradigm” for an international congress—carried out Acts 13-style—incorporating listening to God, united prayer, and strategic implementation of world-impacting action that proceeds out of that encounter with the Lord and one another.
1. Please pray that those from every nation God is calling to take part in Jakarta will be able to be with us and for that the resources for them and the Assembly itself will flow in abundance.
2. Pray for the solution of logistical problems and some difficulty with the registration process to be resolved quickly and effectively.
3. For the facilitators, track leaders, presenters and worship teams to be led of the Lord, prepared and anointed to serve.
4. For His unity among all who are working to arrange the WPA that our hearts will be one with Him and one another.
5. For effective management of the planning process and for an operations chief to be identified and put in place for our Jakarta office ASAP.
500 Indonesian children carried out a concert of prayer for the WPA with about 20 churches coming together from North Jakarta. The children also sowed money for the WPA (Rp. 1.500.000 which is about $200). Amazing...the new wave is coming! We are really excited…God is moving in children hearts!
For more information about children’s participation in the World Prayer Assembly, write to Tety Irwan, Children’s Track Coordinator for the WPA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Egypt, a neighbor of Sudan, has been rocked by the recent bombing attack by Muslim radicals on one of its churches in Alexandria. A local Christian leader writes about the traumatic effect of this attack:
“The trauma is bottomless. Especially as a Westerner one cannot go near the quarter of town where the attack happened. Authorities are strongly present there. Even for people affected and /or living there going out was prohibited yesterday. The frustration and the desire to defend or protect oneself is big especially with the young people. It's not the first time, after all, that something like that is happening. And there is always an official version of things. Emotions are indescribable. Many Muslims have also expressed their anger about this being done to the Christians. It appears the number of people now in hospitals is much bigger than first thought.”
Please pray for:
1. soothing of physical pain (many lost limbs, in the bomb were nails).
2. hospitals to be able to cope, blood donations to reach the ones in need.
3. the other Christians to be able to bring true comfort and meaningful help - perhaps as of Wednesday. Pray that the church is able to organize itself for that.
4. the young Christians who were taken away to prison during the riot. Under military law here nobody knows where they are and if and when they will be released again.
5. ability for the affected to keep fear, frustration and hate in check during the shock.
6. outward security; Westerners are not welcomed by the ones in charge, the country fears loss of face.
7. long-term strategy when the dust has settled.
A personal note follows from a dear Christian brother in Egypt regarding this tragedy:
Hope
There is always Hope with Jesus. I believe that even in the dark hour, there is that Light that we can always rely on. I'm sure that the enemy wants to fill our hearts with despair so we can't look with hope for the days ahead.
In my country as in many other places around the world, there are sad, difficult things happening every single day. Lately, we had a horrible terroristic attack on Christians where many died & were injured. There is fear spreading even in the midst of God's people.
I was involved in some prayer gatherings lately where I felt led by the Spirit to inspire Hope in the body of Christ that even in hard times, we're going to see God's Mighty Hand like never before in our lives. We're going to see His signs & wonders. I'm filled with faith that in the midst of hard times, we'll see Him mightily. We'll experience what we have never experienced before. Lions will bow down before His children.
Challenges will be everywhere & giants will be all around. Goliath will keep threatening. Jezebel will keep frightening. Yet, now is the time for the David(s) to come out and defeat the giants. Now is the time for the Elijah(s) to come forth in the name of Jesus and declare victory over Jezebel.
We'll definitely see His Glory like never before. There is Hope. "There is Hope for a tree; if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, YET at the scent of Water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant." (Job 14: 7-9)
Supermarkets accused of misleading consumers
Supermarkets have been accused of hoodwinking shoppers with a series of false and misleading pricing claims that could leave them open to prosecution, according to a damning report. An investigation into pricing and offers at Britain's four major supermarket chains found that all were guilty of making erroneous or untrue assertions, some of which breach consumer regulations. Bogus price drops, promotions which offer no savings and larger ‘value’ packs which are relatively more expensive than smaller alternatives were uncovered by the report. The study by the BBC's Panorama programme comes a year after the Office of Fair Trading told supermarkets they must stop attempting to mislead consumers, or risk ‘enforcement action’. Deborah Parry, an expert in consumer law, said some of the practices being undertaken were potentially illegal. The Office of Fair Trading said it would ‘welcome’ the chance to view the report.
Pray: that in this time of austerity, retailers should be honest and transparent in all pricing of goods. (Lev.19:11)