Israel: Messianic Jews singled out in Israeli town
Messianic Jews in Mevasseret Zion, west Jerusalem, continue to be harassed for their faith by hostile flyers containing their names, addresses and phone numbers (and in some cases their photographs) being placed in public areas singling them out as members of Messianic congregations. The leader of the Ahavat Yeshua Congregation said the flyers are ‘an effort to drive us out of the neighbourhood’ by inciting others to harass or harm Messianic Jews. ‘Why else would you put the addresses on the flyers?’ he said. This is the second time recently a group has singled out Messianic Jews in Mevasseret Zion for ridicule. (see PA 27-2011) It is unclear who posts the flyers but they match a well-established pattern in Israel. According to Wikileaks, ‘Outing’ Messianic Jews and Evangelical Christians through the publication of names, photos and addresses alongside hysterical allegations about ‘soul stealing’ and ‘brainwashing’ is a favourite tactic of Yad L’Achim branches throughout the country.’
Pray: for God to strengthen feeble hands, steady weak knees and remove fear from communities of believers in Israel. (Is.35:10)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/israel/article_120307.html
Israel/Palestine: Palestinian bid for UN recognition
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has launched a diplomatic campaign to gain full United Nations membership, (See Prayer Alert 37-2011) This Friday he intends to officially notify UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of his intentions. Washington has threatened to veto any such move. Both the United States and Israel said Abbas’s move could dash hopes of resuming peace talks. Their warnings came amid reports that Britain and other countries are coming under growing US pressure to oppose a Palestinian bid for statehood. Abbas had meetings on Tuesday with French and Lebanese Presidents seeking support ahead of Friday’s speech to the General Assembly. Senior diplomats from the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations - the Quartet of Middle East mediators - have also met throughout the week seeking a way forward. Israel and America are calling the Palestinian Authority to open up direct negotiations to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Pray: that God will not allow President Abbas’s actions to prompt violent repercussions in the area. (Is.46:4)
Bishops demand national ’safety net’ to protect child runaways
Police, teachers and councils are failing to protect tens of thousands of children who run away from home every year and face drug abuse or sexual exploitation on the streets, Church of England bishops have warned. In a letter published in The Daily Telegraph today. 33 bishops are backing a campaign calling on ministers to introduce a national ‘safety net’ to protect runaways from harm. More than one in 10 children in the UK runs away before they reach the age of 16, with 100,000 fleeing their homes every year, but most are never reported missing. Many runaways are forced to leave by their parents or are attempting to escape abusive homes. The campaign, organised by The Children’s Society, a leading charity, calls for a national action plan to ensure that schools, police, councils and health services prioritise the safety of child runaways.
Pray: for ministers to adopt the proposal for a national safety net as outlined by the bishops. (Mk.10 :16)
Tackling poverty and injustice in York
Backed by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Fairness Commission has been launched in an effort to ensure the wellbeing of every resident in the city and to ensure no-one is left out of a job. Dr Sentamu opened the first of a series of public meetings for the new organisation this week. The meeting gave an opportunity for key stakeholders across the city to give their views. The Archbishop said that a society can be judged by how it looks after the poor and vulnerable. He added: ‘I am so encouraged by the establishment of this Fairness Commission for York – and so proud to be its patron. ‘Indeed, it is a great privilege to be asked to open this ‘Fairness debate’ in this great city of ours. As our country goes through tough economic times we need to remember that not all in our society are greatly privileged.
Pray: for the Commission, all who will contribute to it and the success of its work. (Job.5:16)
Lib Dems vote for complete removal of blood safeguard
A weakened safeguard (From November men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be allowed to donate blood) which protects against HIV contaminating the blood supply should be removed because it is homophobic, the Liberal Democrats’ conference has heard. Delegates at the Lib Dems’ annual conference passed a motion which called for the complete removal of the weakened safeguard. One party member claimed the new rule was an example of ‘institutionalised homophobia’. Following the weakening of the blood safeguard The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge warned the new rule was a ‘huge cave-in to the demands of the homosexual lobby’. He wrote: ‘After lobbying by homosexual campaigners, we have now arrived at a situation where homosexuals have the right to donate blood regardless of the increased medical risks. This is the Alice-in-wonderland world of the equality agenda.’
Pray: for policy to be based on clinical evidence not political correctness. (2Co.7:1)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/lib-dems-vote-for-complete-removal-of-blood-safeguard/
Stars attack BBC over politically correct 'drivel'
The BBC is facing a backlash from leading presenters over suggestions that they should use ‘religiously neutral’ terms instead of ‘BC’ or ‘AD’ to avoid causing non-Christians offence. Guidance from the broadcaster’s ethics specialists suggested that the modern phrases ‘common era’ and ‘before common era’ should be considered as potential replacements for Anno Domini and Before Christ. The proposal caused consternation among Christian traditionalists and some of the corporation’s most famous names, who promised to ignore the idea. James Naughtie, the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said: ‘Nobody has suggested this to me, and if they do, they will get a pithy answer. His fellow Today presenter, John Humphrys, said he did not see ‘a problem’ with using BC and AD, as the terms were ‘clearly understood’ by most audiences. During his Sunday morning political programme on BBC1, Andrew Marr said that he would also continue to use the traditional date descriptions
Pray: for the BBC to concentrate on broadcasting rather than to try and undermine internationally held convention. (Ec.3:11)
Police ban Bible from Christian café
Police in Lancashire have told the owner of a Christian café to stop displaying Bible texts on a video screen, because it breaches public order laws. Officers attended the Salt & Light Coffee House on Layton Road, Blackpool, on Monday 19 September, following a complaint about ‘insulting’ and ‘homophobic’ material. The café’s owner, Mr Jamie Murray, says the officers did not specify which texts had caused the offence. The Bible texts are displayed on a TV screen at the back of the café. Mr Murray uses a set of DVDs called the Watchword Bible that cycle through the whole of the New Testament verse by verse. Mr Murray is being supported by The Christian Institute, a national charity that defends the religious liberty of Christians. There is widespread concern that the police are misusing the law to clamp down on words or material that others may find ‘insulting’. Civil rights groups worry about the impact on free speech.
Pray: for the police action in this case to be overturned in court as an infringement of free speech. (Pr.4:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-police-ban-bible-from-christian-cafe/
‘Atheism seen as cool’ - Archbishop Rowan Williams
The Archbishop of Canterbury has admitted the Church of England is struggling to counter the image of atheism as ‘the new cool thing’. Dr Rowan Williams argued it has become difficult for the Church to convey its message because of the popularity of non-believers such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. He said attempts to reverse the decline in worshippers had begun but that there will be ‘no quick fix’. His remarks came despite new research, released by the Roman Catholic Church, suggesting that the Pope's visit to Britain a year ago has brought a lasting rise in the level of spiritual and religious feeling in the country. The archbishop said that Christian witness is the strongest argument the Church has to rebut the claims of atheists such as Dawkins. He said the evolutionary biologist would struggle to explain the growth of the Church in Zimbabwe, for example, in the face of constant brutality and harassment.
Pray: that the testimony of believers would lead to an understanding that rebuts atheism. (Mt.24:14)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8770929/Atheism-is-cool-says-Archbishop-Rowan-Williams.html
Dale Farm Travellers - background story
Dale Farm near Wickford in rural Essex is one of the largest Gypsy and Traveller sites in Europe. Ray McKay, spokesman for Basildon council said travellers would get more sympathy if they were poor, but they aren’t. The Bishops of Brentwood, Chelmsford, and other Catholic and Anglican clergy have all visited Dale Farm. There is a small cabin there for meetings plus IT and literacy classes with the blessings of the local Catholic parish priest. A Catholic nun and social worker working with the travellers for eight years said, ‘Irish Travellers are the smallest ethnic UK group: more than 20% are homeless. Most are illiterate. Their life expectancy is 20 years lower than the national average. They are often the target of abuse and blamed for everything from fly-tipping to petty crime. Some do misbehave, but the majority are law-abiding. Many families have to move every few days. The children have no chance to stay in school for long.'
Pray: for facilities for Travellers to be established across the UK, and for more churches and authorities to unite in their work for and with these communities. (Mt.25:34-40)
More: http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=18803
BBC star calls RC Church ‘evil’ for defending marriage
BBC actor John Barrowman has launched a blistering attack on the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland for defending the traditional definition of marriage. Earlier this month the Scottish Government, led by the Scottish National Party, launched a consultation on whether to redefine marriage but the proposal has met fierce opposition from senior figures within the Church. Now Mr Barrowman, who plays the main character in BBC One’s Torchwood, said that he was ‘horrified’ that church groups were ‘prepared to ruin lives’. He added: ‘That’s not being Christian at all. In fact, I think it’s evil. Being gay is not, as they claim, against the laws of nature. I was born this way.’ The actor, who has been in a civil partnership since 2006, made the comments after the Archbishop of Glasgow and the Bishop of Paisley warned against meddling with the definition of marriage. (See last week’s Prayer Alert)
Pray: that the Church would continue to speak up boldly for the sanctity of marriage. (Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bbc-star-calls-rc-church-evil-for-defending-marriage/