Greek bailout vote reignites euro crisis
European stocks have fallen sharply in trading after George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, called for a national referendum on a eurozone-backed rescue package for his country's debt-crippled economy. Papandreou's call for a referendum raised the prospect that Greeks, a majority of whom oppose crippling austerity cuts which have been a precondition for international bailout funds according to polls, will derail the rescue efforts agreed by European leaders last week that would provide a $140bn loan to Athens and write off half of the country's debt. There is concern that the referendum would be unlikely to take place before January, creating months of uncertainty for the markets. The announcement has taken other European leaders by surprise, ahead of the G20 summit in Cannes, France, this week. In Germany, a member of Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition said the news of the referendum gave the impression that Greece was trying to backtrack on its deal with EU leaders.
Pray:for the EU as it seeks a solution for the financial problems that are troubling them, especially the Greek situation. (Pro.3:13)
More:http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/11/201111182840767842.html
Protests start ahead of G20 summit
Politicians are facing pressure from the streets ahead of this week’s G20 summit. The city of Nice has already been the venue of one big demonstration. One local woman said: ‘We just want the poor of the planet to be taken into account, and for everything that happens on a global level to take human rights into account.’ Protest groups say they are determined to make their voices heard. A man from Spain said: ‘While we’re political we are non-partisan, and we’re not anti-system, we’re anti-capitalist. We believe that there are good politicians as there are good policies, of course there are. What is happening is that the ‘bad’ ones are the ones who have a lot of power.’ Security has been stepped up ahead of the summit, with hundreds of extra police officers on duty. Protesters from numerous countries are descending on the French Riviera.
Pray:that the current problems in the EU will not dominate the G20 meeting but allow for open discussion. (Pro.13:10)
More:http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/01/protests-start-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-cannes/
Protests start ahead of G20 summit
Politicians are facing pressure from the streets ahead of this week’s G20 summit. The city of Nice has already been the venue of one big demonstration. One local woman said: ‘We just want the poor of the planet to be taken into account, and for everything that happens on a global level to take human rights into account.’ Protest groups say they are determined to make their voices heard. A man from Spain said: ‘While we’re political we are non-partisan, and we’re not anti-system, we’re anti-capitalist. We believe that there are good politicians as there are good policies, of course there are. What is happening is that the ‘bad’ ones are the ones who have a lot of power.’ Security has been stepped up ahead of the summit, with hundreds of extra police officers on duty. Protesters from numerous countries are descending on the French Riviera.
Pray:that the current problems in the EU will not dominate the G20 meeting but allow for open discussion. (Pro.13:10)
More:http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/01/protests-start-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-cannes/
Many Christians concerned about same sex marriage.
A new poll by ComRes has found that a massive 83% of church-going Christians in the UK are opposed to plans by the Conservative Party to legalise homosexual marriage, and 57% of all respondents are ‘less likely to vote’ for the party because of this move.
The poll results are likely to be viewed as very concerning by the Conservative Party, as church-going Christians represent several million votes. The poll found that: 83% were opposed to homosexual marriage; 93% were concerned that clergy would have to conduct homosexual marriages against their consciences; 85% that the value of marriage would be further undermined; 88% that schools would be required to teach the equal validity of same-sex and heterosexual relationships. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: ‘God has ordained that marriage is between one man and one woman. These truths are timeless and are for the benefit of mankind. We ignore them at our peril.’
Pray: for the sanctity of marriage as based on Biblical truths to be preserved. (Heb.13:4)
Liven up sermons
Sermons delivered by Catholic priests are often painfully ‘grey and dull’ and need to be livened up with the ‘scandal’ contained within the Bible, the Vatican's most senior cultural official said. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said preaching in churches had become so formulaic and boring that it risked becoming ‘irrelevant’ to congregations accustomed to the excitement and immediacy of television and the internet. ‘The advent of televised and computerised information requires us to be compelling and trenchant, to cut to the heart of the matter, resort to narratives and colour,’ said the cardinal, who as the head of the Pontifical Council for Culture is the Vatican's unofficial minister for culture. Too many priests employed theological language that was ‘grey, dull and flavourless’ and instead should spice up their sermons with graphic stories contained in the Bible, which used much more forceful imagery. The Bible was ‘crowded with stories, symbols and images,’ he said.
Pray: for all those who preach to be led by the Holy Spirit to convey the Word in relevant and appropriate ways. (Ac.11:15)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8872795/Catholic-priests-urged-to-liven-up-sermons.html
Redefining marriage could have ‘massive impact’
Redefining marriage so that couples of the same sex can get married could have a ‘massive impact’ on society, the Scottish Government has been warned. The Government, led by the Scottish National Party (SNP), is currently holding a consultation on whether to rewrite the definition of marriage. The Roman Catholic Bishop of Paisley met the SNP’s deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon to discuss the controversial plans last week. John Deighan, the Roman Catholic bishop’s parliamentary officer, described the meeting, saying: ‘The bishop said the Church is against this because it will be fundamentally damaging to society and the government. ‘If you look at the number of civil partnerships taking place it’s tiny, yet this change could have massive impact on the society far beyond those numbers. ‘Marriage is a fundamental human institution based on the socialising of children and that needs to be respected.’
Pray: for governments to listen to the advice about the vital role of marriage in society. (Pr.19:20)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/redefining-marriage-could-have-massive-impact/
Secret Children
‘Open Doors’ has launched a prayer initiative called Secret Children: 49 Days of Prayer. Launched last Sunday on the International Day of Prayer, Open Doors is encouraging as many people as possible to get involved in daily prayer between now and Christmas Eve for children persecuted for their Christian faith. The organisations says ‘Who knows how many there are? We estimate 30 million, maybe more. And they come from all over the world: North Korea, Algeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, and Colombia. With your support we can put a child through school, help them learn a trade, support them while their parents are in prison, or paying for their medical care. We use safe houses to protect them from harm. and provide trauma counselling for children living with 'horror movies' inside their heads.’ Their parents face terrible choices: between staying faithful to Jesus or protecting their children; between raising their children as Christians or keeping them physically safe.
Pray: for these children and for the work of Open Doors. (2Cor.4:8-9)
For this Summit, we are thinking of a gathering of 40 senior ministers (age 40-55 years) who have pioneered in difficult situations and established a work approved by the Lord. We are not thinking of an application and approval but trusting your own sense of your call to be amongst others like you. Your spouse is welcome. If you have to bring your children, they can be provided accommodation for no cost. Accommodation is free of charge. There is no registration fee. No cost once you arrive.
Think Tank – Lalith Mendis of Sri Lanka, Biju Thampy of Bombay, Jeremiah Yap and Ron Hee from Malaysia, Yang Tuck Yoong from Singapore, Ralph Gloeckner of Agra & Germany.
Format – There will be no preaching, but it will be an apostolic – prophetic roundtable where we shall minister to one another and to the Lord. We hope to have five father figures who have pioneered and gone ahead of us (please make a recommendation). Sessions will be intense. Bring your Passion & Revelation.
For more information, contact Dr. Lalith Mendes This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
During a visit to the city, those involved in the prayer movement told me that since they began the city-wide prayer effort in 2002, they have noticed a number of remarkable changes occurring in Indonesia’s second largest metropolis: Surabaya was known as “ferocious, dirty, and reckless” but has been reported in the newspaper as having become a “friendly and humane city”. Physically, there have also been visible marks of transformation as the mayor has converted 14 gas stations into a thematic park and the churches have contributed the planting of many trees to make the city green and verdant. Progress has been noted in other city problems like access to clean water, side walk peddlers, traditional markets, slum, traffic jams and floods as the believers have prayed and obeyed the Lord in appropriate action.
A lot has happened this month. Sadly Ghaddafi was killed before he could face a trial. The NTC has announced that their work on the constitution will be heavily influenced by Sharia referring particularly to marriage and banking. The Islamist party Ennahda emerged as the victor. They did not get a majority so they are working with two centre left secular parties to form the Government that will write the new constitution. We hope that the lack of majority and collaboration with secular parties will make way for a moderate new constitution. We do not know yet what the future holds but we trust God has a better plan than we could have thought or imagined.
Pray God's mighty hand to be made known in North Africa
Pray for just leaders to be recognized and established
Pray for God to raise up people who bring the Kingdom of God to every sphere of influence across North Africa
Pray for corrupt leaders to be removed from any places of authority
Pray the establishing of a system that will keep leaders accountable
Pray for leaders to gain a revelation of the Father Heart of God
Pray for justice against the forces of the enemy and mercy for the people of North Africa
Pray for the will of God to be done
Pray North Africa This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.