America: Kerry delivers video on Iran deal to CongressUS
Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a video message to Congress in an attempt to stop the body from collapsing last weekend's nuclear deal with Iran. He urged them not to introduce new economic measures against Iran as the US and fellow world powers withdraw some sanctions in exchange for Iran curtailing their nuclear programme. Kerry was reaching out to key senators but Democrats and Republicans appeared determined to increase the pressure on Tehran with senators already working on legislation to reinstate the full force of sanctions and impose new ones if Iran doesn't make good on its pledge to roll back its nuclear programme. ‘The American people need an insurance policy to prevent a rerun of North Korea,’ said one of the Republican Senators drafting the bill. Meanwhile Israel sees any let-up on the economic pressure as a dangerous concession, allowing Iran to move even closer to nuclear weapons capability.
Pray: for American lawmakers and policymakers to be graced with God's wisdom as they consider the impact of present agreements, information they already have and any fresh proposals.
Iran: Construction at nuclear reactor site
On Wednesday, possibly referring to a loophole in the deal with the West, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that no new nuclear fuel will be produced, no new components will be installed, but the Islamic Republic will press on with building at a heavy-water reactor despite an agreement with Western powers to halt activity. The uncompleted heavy-water research reactor emerged as one of several crucial issues in negotiations in Geneva when Iran agreed with six world powers to curb Tehran's nuclear programme for six months in return for limited sanctions relief. Experts have said an apparent gap in the text could allow Tehran to build components off-site to install later in the nuclear reactor. It was not immediately clear if Zarif was referring to this or other construction activity. The West believes the reactor would produce plutonium, one of two materials, along with enriched uranium, that make the fissile core of a nuclear bomb.
Pray: that the Lord would reign over Iran’s leaders causing them to move forward with honest and honourable communication and action. (Ps.83:18)
More: http://www.jpost.com/Iranian-Threat/News/Iran-Construction-will-continue-at-Arak-nuclear-site-333166
Australia: Conference hears ‘Australia at war with radical Islam’
A hardline Islamic group Hzb at-Tahrir, said the Australian government was trying to ‘brainwash’ their children and that they should resist any attempts to water down their strict view of Islam. ‘The government is playing a dirty game,’ Wassim Doureihi told a 600-strong audience in Sydney. The group launched a 124-page report on what it sees as Australian government attempts to divide the Muslim community into extremists and moderates. ‘The fundamental objective of these policies is to change Islam, to secularise Islam, to produce a so-called 'moderate Islam' - a state-sanctioned version of Islam that is secular, politically impotent and localised.’ Mr Doureihi warned the audience of ‘a war that is being waged on Islam in Australia as it is in the rest of the world.’ A Fellow speaker said the Australian government had arrogantly assumed that because Muslim youth went to their schools and watch their TV shows they would adopt Australian values. See also:
Pray: against Hizb ut-Tahrir and their attempts with other groups to instil global sharia law. (Is.17:13)
China: 20 lawyers to defend pastor
Last week we asked you to pray for a Church pastor and 25 of his congregation who were forcibly detained on November 16th. See: http://site.prayer-alert.net/images/read%20pa%20now.pdf This week there are signs of Christians speaking out against persecution. Rights defenders ChinaAid have now assembled more than 20 lawyers to defend Pastor Zhang Shaojie and his congregation members. The US-based rights group took this action after the original defence team encountered little cooperation from authorities in Henan province. On November 18 CSW reported 100+ supporters of the pastor joined a protest calling for his release from prison. Zhang, 48, is a Protestant pastor of the Nanle County Christian Church, which is part of the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement. Earlier this month, ChinaAid reported another protest in Henan involving thousands of Christians over a land dispute between a church in Anyang city and the local authority.
Pray: for the much talked about reorganization of the penal system to be acted upon and for the immediate release of unjustly held victims of the current system. (Ps.120:1)
Denmark: 80 Danes have joined Syria fight
Denmark’s security service said Sunday it thinks around 80 people have travelled from Denmark to Syria to join the civil war since mid-2012. In a report, the service known as PET said those who travel to Syria are mainly Sunni Muslim men aged between 16 and 25. At least seven were killed in Syria and around 40 have returned to Denmark again, PET said. The Syria conflict has attracted hundreds of foreign fighters from European countries, many of whom have joined Islamic militant groups. The Norwegian intelligence service PST has said an estimated 30 to 40 people - and possibly more - have left from Norway, including two teenage sisters aged 16 and 19 who made headlines last month.
Pray: that the authorities will find ways of halting the recruitment of fighters in Syria. (Pr.10:12)
More: http://europenews.dk/en/node/74540
Denmark: 80 Danes have joined Syria fight
Denmark’s security service said Sunday it thinks around 80 people have travelled from Denmark to Syria to join the civil war since mid-2012. In a report, the service known as PET said those who travel to Syria are mainly Sunni Muslim men aged between 16 and 25. At least seven were killed in Syria and around 40 have returned to Denmark again, PET said. The Syria conflict has attracted hundreds of foreign fighters from European countries, many of whom have joined Islamic militant groups. The Norwegian intelligence service PST has said an estimated 30 to 40 people - and possibly more - have left from Norway, including two teenage sisters aged 16 and 19 who made headlines last month.
Pray: that the authorities will find ways of halting the recruitment of fighters in Syria. (Pr.10:12)
More: http://europenews.dk/en/node/74540
Pope Francis: All believers are called to share the Gospel
Pope Francis has officially presented his first Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel), at a press conference in Rome. The Exhortation marks the end of the Year of Faith celebrated by Catholics around the world,and was presented by the Pope on Sunday. It aims to encourage believers to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation marked by joy, and presents a vision for the life of the Church in the future. In the document, Pope Francis declares that all Catholics are called to proclaim the Gospel and to see the responsibility to evangelise as their own. He reminds the faithful that ‘the word of God constantly shows us how God challenges those who believe in Him to go forth’. He names God as ‘the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelisation’, and says that in order to lead ‘a dignifying and fulfilling life’, we must reach out to others.
Pray: that the Church will take up the responsibility of evangelisation as encouraged by the Pope. (Col.2:2)
Pope Francis: All believers are called to share the Gospel
Pope Francis has officially presented his first Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (the Joy of the Gospel), at a press conference in Rome. The Exhortation marks the end of the Year of Faith celebrated by Catholics around the world,and was presented by the Pope on Sunday. It aims to encourage believers to embark upon a new chapter of evangelisation marked by joy, and presents a vision for the life of the Church in the future. In the document, Pope Francis declares that all Catholics are called to proclaim the Gospel and to see the responsibility to evangelise as their own. He reminds the faithful that ‘the word of God constantly shows us how God challenges those who believe in Him to go forth’. He names God as ‘the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelisation’, and says that in order to lead ‘a dignifying and fulfilling life’, we must reach out to others.
Pray: that the Church will take up the responsibility of evangelisation as encouraged by the Pope. (Col.2:2)
Nine million in 'serious' debt across the UK
Nearly nine million people across the UK are living with serious debt problems, according to a new report. The Money Advice Service (MAS) also said very few people were making any attempt to get professional help. The problem is particularly acute in five English cities, (Manchester, Hull, Nottingham, Knowsley and Liverpool), where more than 40% of the population is struggling to pay their debts. According to the survey, 18% of Britons, 8.8 million people, consider they have ‘serious’ financial issues. MAS, which is backed with public money, said that for the first time, the survey had provided a detailed understanding of the lives of those who are in debt. The report found that 74% of those struggling with debt were ‘unhappy’. There is particular concern that very few people ask for help. ‘millions of people could escape their spiral of debt by accessing free advice,’ said Caroline Rookes, the chief executive of MAS.
Pray: for the many thousands trapped in debt and that ways will be found to offer advice. (Ro.13:8)
Knives found hidden under prison mats following Muslim gang war
Home-made knives were found hidden under prison prayer mats after an inmate was stabbed in a jail war. Officers discovered 13 razor-sharp weapons following a brawl between Muslim gangs. A young man was knifed in the back in what is believed to have been revenge for another stabbing at Swaleside Prison in Kent. A source said: ‘There is a battle for power going on between Muslim gangs at the prison. There could easily have been serious injuries or deaths and the level of violence is terrifying.’ The category B jail on the Isle of Sheppey holds 1,112 inmates, including a large population of Muslim prisoners. Staff have to hold two sets of Friday Prayers - at the chapel and an overflow in the Multi Faith Room where the attack took place. Glyn Travis, of the Prison Officers’ Association, said: 'This is a worrying escalation. The number of weapons recovered is unprecedented and shows a determination to cause violence.’
Pray: for the safety of all the staff and prisoners alike. Pray against violence and gang culture. (Ps.122:7)
More: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thirteen-home-made-knives-found-hidden-2844154