Scottish churches embrace new sporting craze
The Church of Scotland is set to roll out a brand new sport in its churches following a successful pilot in east Glasgow. Racquet WALL is similar to squash but played on only one wall. The game proved hugely popular in trials with a local primary school at the Church of Scotland-run Church House in Bridgeton. The venture has been developed by the Scottish Churches Commonwealth Games programme in association with Scottish Squash and Racketball Limited (SSRL), who said the response from children had been ‘astonishing’. Following the official launch this Wednesday, churches across Scotland will soon be hosting the game to help as many youngsters get involved as possible. John Dunlop, SSRL’s chief executive, said its priority was to engage people in the squash and racquet ball sports and tackle the ‘serious health and wellbeing issues that all of society faces today, which sport can help to address’.
Praise: that this idea bringing physical health will lead to spiritual blessing through contact with the Church. (3Jn.1:2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/scottish.churches.embrace.new.sporting.craze/28868.htm
Scottish churches embrace new sporting craze
The Church of Scotland is set to roll out a brand new sport in its churches following a successful pilot in east Glasgow. Racquet WALL is similar to squash but played on only one wall. The game proved hugely popular in trials with a local primary school at the Church of Scotland-run Church House in Bridgeton. The venture has been developed by the Scottish Churches Commonwealth Games programme in association with Scottish Squash and Racketball Limited (SSRL), who said the response from children had been ‘astonishing’. Following the official launch this Wednesday, churches across Scotland will soon be hosting the game to help as many youngsters get involved as possible. John Dunlop, SSRL’s chief executive, said its priority was to engage people in the squash and racquet ball sports and tackle the ‘serious health and wellbeing issues that all of society faces today, which sport can help to address’.
Praise: that this idea bringing physical health will lead to spiritual blessing through contact with the Church. (3Jn.1:2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/scottish.churches.embrace.new.sporting.craze/28868.htm
Revival Run helps prayer travel the world
You can pray on one location, or take your prayers (or the prayers of others) to travel the world. British youth organization Revival Run introduced the idea of 'prayer staking': prayers are written on wooden stakes and carried from one place to another. When placing the stake in a street, town or country, believers pray for the advance of the Gospel in that locality or nation. At 24-7prayer's recent Euro-gathering in Germany, participants took prayer stakes for every language group in Europe, which implied a commitment to travel there to pray and share the Gospel.
Praise: God for this prayer initiative. (1The.5:17)
More: http://vimeo.com/30736300
Revival Run helps prayer travel the world
You can pray on one location, or take your prayers (or the prayers of others) to travel the world. British youth organization Revival Run introduced the idea of 'prayer staking': prayers are written on wooden stakes and carried from one place to another. When placing the stake in a street, town or country, believers pray for the advance of the Gospel in that locality or nation. At 24-7prayer's recent Euro-gathering in Germany, participants took prayer stakes for every language group in Europe, which implied a commitment to travel there to pray and share the Gospel.
Praise: God for this prayer initiative. (1The.5:17)
More: http://vimeo.com/30736300
Egypt: Christian teenager killed for displaying cross
The Muslim teacher of Ayman Labib (17) told him to cover up a cross tattoo. Ayman refused, instead displaying another cross under his clothes. The infuriated teacher attacked Ayman with other students joining in. Ayman fled to the toilets where the assault continued, he died at the scene. After the teenager’s funeral over 5,000 Christians marched through the streets of Mallawi calling Ayman a ‘Martyr of the Cross.’ Two Muslim students were arrested. The senior investigating officer tried to influence witnesses to say the murder resulted from friction between students. The parents of other students didn’t allow their children to give statements to the police fearing harassment from school administration and the families of the two arrested boys. The head teacher has been suspended; two supervisors and two social workers who were on duty when Ayman died were referred to an investigation committee.
Pray: for justice. (Pr.21:15)
More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/Christian-teenager-killed-at-school-in-Egypt-for-displaying-cross.html
Nigeria: 150 killed
Militant group Boko Haram carried out gun and bomb attacks on churches and police stations in northern Nigeria, killing 150+ people and injuring 100 others on November 5th. Confirmation came as frightened mourners tried to leave their homes to begin burying their dead. Boko Haram seeking Sharia law across the nation pledged more attacks. Suicide attackers driving a utility vehicle detonated explosives at a military unit deployed to curb violence. Police stations, a bank and six churches were also attacked. The Jerusalem area, a predominantly Christian neighbourhood, was targeted; elsewhere hundreds of youths staged protests after gunmen opened fire on a Christian congregation in Kaduna state; also on November 3rd a village prayer meeting of mainly women and children at St. Augustine Catholic Church was attacked leaving two people dead. When attackers fired many escaped into the bush.
Pray: for Christians to know God's peace, and to remain calm and prayerful as they face a new dimension of attack on the Church. (Mt.5:38,39)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/11052-scores-killed-in-attack-on-nigeria-churches-police
Turkey: Grave concern for 150 Iranian-Christians
Following a 7.5 Richter earthquake on the 23rd October in Van, Turkish and Islamic ‘Aid Agencies’ have not offered any form of assistance to nearly 3000 destitute Iranian asylum seekers living there. Strong after-shocks have repeatedly rocked the city and most of the local population has fled. The headquarters of the National Police, where most of refugee affairs are dealt with, was destroyed. Of about 3000 Iranian men, women, and children refugees from Iran about 150 are Christian escapees from the injustices of the Islamic Regime. Reports from Van show the Turkish government is only helping the local population, the Islamic Red Crescent agency has point blank refused to extend help to Iranian refugees & asylum seekers. Turkish ‘aid agencies’ and ‘Islamic Republic’s Aid Agencies’ have not offered help or assistance to Iranians forced to endure winter weather, lack of shelter and hunger.
Pray: for justice and the release of appropriate humanitarian aid immediately, and for God's comfort for His people. (Ps.14:4-6)
Iran: Nuclear programme
The International Atomic Energy Agency's report on Iran's nuclear programme released Tuesday drew criticism from Iran, China and Russia, while the United States and Israel suggested more sanctions, or even military action against Tehran. Iran's representative to IAEA called the report politically motivated. President Ahmadinejad said the IAEA should release reports on U.S. atomic bombs concealed in 1,000 military bases. The report was released against the backdrop of Israeli media speculating on possible military action against Iran's nuclear sites, with Israel saying it maintains the right to choose how to best defend itself and its citizens. Israel Hayom daily reported ‘Israel and the United States plan to hold a joint exercise dubbed ‘Austere Challenge’ in May 2012 to test their defence against ballistic missiles. Some 5,000 Israeli and U.S. troops will participate in the manoeuvre; the largest and most significant joint exercise in the allies' history
Pray: against the tensions between Tehran and the West. (Ps.110:1)
More: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-11/09/c_131237539.htm
Burma: New restrictions on religious activity
Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported, ‘Kachin State sent a letter to local churches, ‘concerning Christians conducting cultural training,’ requiring Christians in Phakant Township to submit a request at least 15 days in advance for permission to conduct ‘short-term Bible study, Bible study, Sunday school, reading the Bible, fasting prayer, Seasonal Bible study and Rosary of the Virgin Mary Prayer.’ CSW said a request for permission must be accompanied by recommendations from other departments and submitted to the Township Administration Office. Meanwhile because Burma’s health spending is less than $5 dollars per person the Anglican Church has recruited hundreds of volunteer health workers to be sent to rural communities to provide education particularly pertaining to HIV (a subject that is taboo in Burma.)
Pray: for the Lord to bring about a change amongst Burmese leaders in attitude towards religious minorities. (Pr.21:1)
Syria: Crackdown has killed 3,500+
Ravina Shamdasani spokeswoman for U.N. Human Rights Office said ‘The brutal crackdown on dissent in Syria has claimed the lives of over 3,500 Syrians. Since Syria signed the League of Arab States peace plan last week 60+ people are reported killed by military and security forces, including at least 19 on the Sunday marking Eid al-Adha. Bab Amro neighbourhood has been bolstered by a steadily growing number of army defectors. Canadian news ‘Globe and Mail’ reported Syria planting landmines along the border with Lebanon as refugees flee the crackdown on protestors. Syria is a regional nexus, bordering five countries with which it shares religious and ethnic minorities and in Israel's case a fragile truce. Its alliances extend to Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Iran's Shiite theocracy. Turkey has opened its borders to anti-Assad activists and breakaway military rebels.
Pray: for Christians throughout the region to be protected, and for changes that initiate positive results. (Pr.14:11)