Germany and France agree position on debt crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have hammered out a common position on the euro debt crisis. A statement by the French president's office said agreement had been reached after seven hours of talks in Berlin. It comes ahead of a crunch meeting of eurozone leaders to resolve the Greek debt crisis and prevent further contagion to other eurozone economies. Details of the deal have not yet been released. Policymakers are set to discuss a range of measures at the meeting later today, including a new loan package to Greece and the role of private investors in
any debt restructuring. Reports suggest a new tax on banks will also be debated. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned against over optimism.
Pray: for the discussions taking place that God would overrule and grant His wisdom. (Is.64:4)
Germany and France agree position on debt crisis
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy have hammered out a common position on the euro debt crisis. A statement by the French president's office said agreement had been reached after seven hours of talks in Berlin. It comes ahead of a crunch meeting of eurozone leaders to resolve the Greek debt crisis and prevent further contagion to other eurozone economies. Details of the deal have not yet been released. Policymakers are set to discuss a range of measures at the meeting later today, including a new loan package to Greece and the role of private investors in
any debt restructuring. Reports suggest a new tax on banks will also be debated. But German Chancellor Angela Merkel has cautioned against over optimism.
Pray: for the discussions taking place that God would overrule and grant His wisdom. (Is.64:4)
Theatre to help churches reach out during Olympics
Christian theatre groups have put together Olympics-inspired productions to help churches get the most out of the Games next summer. The original productions have been produced by Saltmine, Lantern Arts, Riding Lights and Act4. Saltmine's production, In Their Shoes, explores the roots of the modern Olympic movement and will tour in 2012 in collaboration with a Muslim theatre company. Churches are being encouraged to use the productions to engage with their communities during the London 2012 Olympics, either by hosting them in their churches or by taking them to their local schools. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, the umbrella organisation for church outreach during the Games, said: ‘We hope churches will host at least one of these productions and take them to schools and young people as well’.
Praise: God for these ideas and pray that the church would make full use of them. (1Jn.3:18)
Theatre to help churches reach out during Olympics
Christian theatre groups have put together Olympics-inspired productions to help churches get the most out of the Games next summer. The original productions have been produced by Saltmine, Lantern Arts, Riding Lights and Act4. Saltmine's production, In Their Shoes, explores the roots of the modern Olympic movement and will tour in 2012 in collaboration with a Muslim theatre company. Churches are being encouraged to use the productions to engage with their communities during the London 2012 Olympics, either by hosting them in their churches or by taking them to their local schools. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, the umbrella organisation for church outreach during the Games, said: ‘We hope churches will host at least one of these productions and take them to schools and young people as well’.
Praise: God for these ideas and pray that the church would make full use of them. (1Jn.3:18)
Call to 'carry the torch' at Wembley prayer event
Global Day of Prayer London is calling for 1,000 leaders to pray together to set Britain ablaze at the Carry the Torch national leaders' summit. The event is taking place in the Great Hall at Wembley Stadium on September 17. The key focus of the day will be to jointly see how God's Kingdom can increase in the UK, releasing the Gospel to millions of people and seeing tangible transformations within every sector of society. ‘We are looking to God for mercy and blessings upon our nation as we gather together,’ said Jonathan Oloyede, convener of GDOP London. ‘Every leader of small and large groups within the market place, church and ministry are invited. We would like to see lots of young leaders from different cultures and streams joining us on the day.’ Evangelist Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will be one of the guest ministers on the day.
Praise: God and pray that intercessors would cover the land with the torch of life bringing glory to the King. (Lk.8:1)
Call to 'carry the torch' at Wembley prayer event
Global Day of Prayer London is calling for 1,000 leaders to pray together to set Britain ablaze at the Carry the Torch national leaders' summit. The event is taking place in the Great Hall at Wembley Stadium on September 17. The key focus of the day will be to jointly see how God's Kingdom can increase in the UK, releasing the Gospel to millions of people and seeing tangible transformations within every sector of society. ‘We are looking to God for mercy and blessings upon our nation as we gather together,’ said Jonathan Oloyede, convener of GDOP London. ‘Every leader of small and large groups within the market place, church and ministry are invited. We would like to see lots of young leaders from different cultures and streams joining us on the day.’ Evangelist Will Graham, grandson of Billy Graham, will be one of the guest ministers on the day.
Praise: God and pray that intercessors would cover the land with the torch of life bringing glory to the King. (Lk.8:1)
West Eurasia: Armenia evangelicals under pressure
Rights activists and religious groups in Armenia say new legislation will increase intolerance towards the country's evangelical Christians and other minorities, some of whom already face prosecution for their church activities. In statements obtained by BosNewsLife they criticized a proposed new 'Religion Law' as well as changes to the 'Law on Relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Church' and to the Criminal and Administrative Codes. ‘In practice they would be used to repress religious organizations,’ warned Stepan Danielyan, who represents the Yerevan-based Collaboration for Democracy Center. ‘This is a kind of theatrical farce,’ added Evangelical Pastor René Leonian in a statement distributed by rights group Forum 18. He spoke as his colleague, Pentecostal Pastor Vladimir Bagdasaryan, was preparing to hear a possible guilty verdict in a controversial trial.
Pray: that these proposed changes would not lead to the church facing intolerance or persecution. (Ps.102:26)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/17629-armenia-evangelicals-under-pressure-amid-new-legislation
World: Ramadan Aug 1-30th
Ramadan is a holy time for Muslims; their day is spent fasting from sun-up to sun-down. During this time they seek to purify their souls, practice self sacrifice and desire that God be more attentive to their prayers. Since Muslims are more sensitive to hearing from God during Ramadan, opportunities are increased to draw them toward the truth of the Gospel. Open Doors is calling on Christians in the West to pray for Christians living in Islamic dominated countries - praying specifically for God to fill and strengthen them with the ‘Fruit of the Spirit.’ This ‘fruit ’embodied in each believer moulds, shapes and transforms us - expressing the image of His Son - and through this image, shining through a believer, God draws people to salvation. We are asked to boldly stand together for our brothers and sisters
Pray: that many will be blessed, meet Christ and take the first steps into the fullness and truth of God’s kingdom. (Is.45:5-6)
More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/Ramadan?source=long&link=read_more
Iran: US spy plane shot down over nuclear site
Iran has shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane over its Fordu nuclear site by the Revolutionary Guards’ air defence units, a state-run website reported Wednesday, a day after it confirmed it was installing a new generation of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges. The Fordu site was secretly built inside a mountain bunker near the holy city of Qom and was acknowledged by Iran after Western intelligence identified it in 2009. Iranian Foreign Ministry confirmed Iran was installing two more advanced models of the centrifuges used to refine uranium for large-scale testing at a research site. In January Iran announced it had shot down two unmanned western reconnaissance drone aircraft in the Gulf. Iran is at odds with major powers over its nuclear work. The United States and Israel, Iran's arch foes, have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to end the nuclear row. Pray: for Almighty God to bring Iran into his purposes and heritage amongst the nations. (Is.32:16 & Is.45:22) More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/20/us-iran-usa-plane-idUSTRE76J1WP20110720
Pakistan: Eight aid workers missing
Pakistani employees of a US based aid organization are missing and feared kidnapped in Pakistan's volatile southwes,t bordering Afghanistan, a senior Pakistani government official said on Tuesday. The American Refugee Committee (ARC) employees were returning from an Afghan refugee camp in Pishin in Baluchistan province on Monday evening when they went missing. They distributed some relief goods among the refugees and were probably kidnapped on their way back to Quetta. Efforts are underway to recover them. Militants linked to al-Qaeda and the Taliban, as well as ethnic Baluch militants fighting for more autonomy, have been involved in violence in the region, which also borders Iran. Kidnapping is an industry in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions, with money often being the main motivation rather than political demands. Ransoms are a large source of revenue for the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Baluch insurgency. ARC has worked in refugee camps since 2002 focusing on providing health care and training in basic health services.
Pray: for Christian NGO workers to be protected as they minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/19/us-pakistan-kidnap-idUSTRE76I0PY20110719