A national poll has found that while there is deep disagreement between Republicans and Democrats over whether Christianity is central to American identity, a majority of the population (seven out of ten) agrees that the country is losing its identity as a whole. Democrats, independents and Republicans agree that there is confusion as to what American identity actually is. Only one in ten Americans has a biblical worldview, and overall Christian religious beliefs were ranked near the bottom in terms of what is critical to the national identity, with only 40% saying a culture grounded in Christian religious beliefs is extremely important.

Numerous attacks, including heavy artillery and mortar fire from Iraqi forces and IS, are killing civilians in Mosul, said Human Rights Watch. They are fleeing in their thousands, with a massive spike in refugees in the last few days. The real concern among the humanitarian community is that this spike is going to continue and perhaps even increase. There is a limit at the moment inside the camps on how many people can be accommodated. Everyone is working as quickly as possible to make more space, but building an entirely new safe camp takes time. There is real worry about where all these people can stay safely. Currently 4,000 people escape Mosul on a daily basis. 30,000 Iraqis were displaced in less than a week, as US-backed Iraqi forces launched their offensive to recapture the densely populated western part of Mosul from IS.

The Syrian Arab Army has been kept busy in the eastern countryside of Homs since they liberated Palmyra, attacking several areas controlled by the IS forces north of the city. Among these areas are the Jazal Mountains, situated 10 km northwest of Palmyra. On Sunday, the Syrian Arab Army’s newly-formed 5th Legion entered the gas fields in this mountain region, liberating the entire site after 24 hours of fierce combat. The army now controls two of the four gas fields that are situated near the Palmyra-Homs highway.

All 100 members of the US Senate are asking for President Trump to provide help for the Jewish community, in the light of a number of bomb threats against Jewish community centres . They have signed a letter requesting the White House to act decisively over these threats. The letter stated, ‘We are concerned that the number of incidents is increasing. Failure to address and deter them will place innocent people at risk and threaten the financial viability of Jewish Community Centres (JCCs), many of which are institutions in their communities.’ The letter also calls on the White House to reach out to Jewish centres and institutions with victim assistance, grant opportunities, or other methods of enhancing security measures and improving preparedness.

Sri Lanka’s constitution affords Buddhism, which is practised by 70% of the population, ‘the foremost place’. This elevated status is exploited by a powerful ethnic Sinhalese and Buddhist nationalist lobby, which demands rights and privileges for itself at the expense of other religions. The lobby, which is particularly opposed to Christianity, campaigns for the introduction of anti-conversion legislation that would hinder Christian activities. Christians face difficulties in building churches and might be ordered to stop activities; they experience discrimination in education, and many live in desperate poverty. The government plans to introduce legislation prohibiting ‘cults’; this could threaten evangelical churches, which are not recognised by the state. Christianity has a long history on the island, pre-dating the arrival of Westerners by many centuries. Tradition claims that Sri Lanka was first evangelised by the apostle Thomas.

The Japanese are considered the largest unreached people group in the world, with over 120 million still waiting to hear the Gospel. Enormous hurdles stand in the way of the Japanese putting their faith in Jesus. Five of these hurdles are: - spiritual forces of evil, idolatry, and ancestor worship - the Bible and Christianity are viewed as Western and anti-Japanese - busy-ness and materialism - hopelessness, with more than 30,000 suicides per year - the Church's low influence in society. However, a low birthrate, an ageing society, natural disasters, economic decline and feelings of social isolation have provoked a recent resurgence in spiritual searching. The Japanese are now increasingly open to the Gospel, and many believe Japan is ready for an unprecedented awakening to the Good News of Jesus. Only a move of God will bring the freedom, joy, peace and hope that the Japanese desperately crave.

The Diocese of Chichester is sending an emergency grant of £5,000 to the drought-hit Kenyan diocese of Nakuru. The diocese, in partnership with the Anglican Church of Kenya’s Development Services, will buy and distribute foodstuff and other essential supplies in the worst-hit areas to avert a tragedy. The area is frequently affected by drought and has not received adequate rainfall for two years - leading to death, migration, conflict and inter-tribal wars. The situation worsened last October when they didn’t receive any rain in the short rains season. They are more vulnerable to drought because of heavy reliance on livestock as their source of livelihood. The number of households affected (5,000) increases daily.

An Ash Wednesday ‘drive-through’ at a church in Ireland proved very popular with busy commuters. Queues of drivers waited to receive ceremonial ashes on their foreheads at St Patrick’s Church in Glenmaddy, County Galway, during the busy morning rush hour. Father Paddy Mooney said the idea of the drive-through blessing was to help people unable to attend Mass. It targeted the sick, those with difficulty walking, people going to work, or families on their way to school. A driveway for Catholics marking the start of the Lent season led right past the front door of the church. Father Mooney and others stood outside and leaned through car windows to placed an ash cross on each occupant’s forehead. Parish secretary Breda Keaveney said: ‘It was so reverent and so respectful. There was just a wonderful atmosphere.’

Walk into any book shop at an airport or station and you will discover a wide range of books offering advice on how to be a better person. The Psalms provide us with some ancient and well-attested wisdom. We are invited to put our trust in God and ask Him to be our teacher, for all of life. And this is what we are called to model to the world.

(Written by Paul Wooley, Bible Society)

The Northern Ireland Assembly election took place yesterday, and counting the votes has begun. At the time of going to press, the two dominant parties of unionism and nationalism, the DUP and Sinn Féin, expected to retain their seats. The election was triggered by the collapse of the Assembly's power-sharing agreement, following Sinn Féin's refusal to replace Martin McGuinness as leader and deputy First Minister. We can pray that whoever sits in positions of influence after the election will be filled with God’s anointing and will speak according to God’s plans and purposes that rise above and beyond man’s wisdom. Lord, Your gospel is a Gospel of reconciliation; we pray for Your people to walk more under the Headship of Jesus, and in the unity that comes through Kingdom purpose. May they lead the way so that all communities divided through religion, culture, social status and political opinion will be healed.