UK children need more exercise
Only half of all seven-year-olds in the UK are getting enough exercise each day to stay healthy, a new study has found. The research, published in BMJ Open, found that half of UK 7-year-olds are sedentary for six to seven hours a day, with girls, children of Indian ethnic origin, and those living in Northern Ireland being the least physically active. UK guidelines on daily physical activity recommend that children spend at least an hour a day in moderate to vigorous activity and spend less time sitting down. Girls were far less active than boys, with only 38% satisfying the guidelines, compared to 63% of boys. The study's authors warn that more investment and "wide interventions" are needed."The results of our study provide a useful baseline and strongly suggest that contemporary UK children are insufficiently active, implying that effort is needed to boost [physical activity] among young people to the level appropriate for good health," they wrote.
Pray: for a concerted response to this report that restates clearly an issue for children that has been suggested for many years. (1Co.6:19-20)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/uk.children.need.more.excercise/33675.htm
Methodist Church promotes humans rights with new investment policy
Methodist Church investment decisions are now being guided by a new policy on human rights which focuses on companies operating in areas of conflict around the world. While governments are ultimately responsible for upholding human rights, the policy recognises that companies have obligations too. The policy has been adopted by the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church, which manages £1 billion of Methodist Church investments. The Church is urging companies to extend their engagement with human rights issues beyond their own operations by entering into dialogue with major suppliers and business partners. Bill Seddon, Chief Executive, said: "This new policy will help us engage with companies operating in areas where human rights are being ignored, often due to armed conflict. It will help us structure our on-going human rights engagement with companies." The Church said companies have responsibilities, not only to shareholders but also to their employees and people in the societies in which they operate.
Pray: for other groups and companies to follow the lead from the Methodist church and that their new policy will have a real and practical impact for good. (Pr.31:8-9)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/methodist-church-promotes-humans-rights-with-new-investment-policy
Honduras: Kidnapped - then thousands pray
On August 12th missionary Trish and her son Ben were accosted by two young men with handguns and taken to a remote area. Then Trish was released and the kidnappers began ransom demands via the mission sending agency supporting the family. The kidnappers had no way of knowing that through social media within 12 hours there were over 100,000 people praying for Ben, after 20 hours there were over a quarter million praying. At the end, 300,000 people had logged in and were praying around the globe for his release. The negotiation - or lack of negotiation - was tense because the family could not pay a ransom. In response to prayer, God moved and the two young men had a change of heart. Ben was released unharmed on August 13th and taken to a local hospital for observation. He was dizzy and confused when released, and slightly bruised from his travel through the bush.
Praise: God for social media activating global prayer within a matter of minutes. (Ps.66:19-20)
Honduras: Kidnapped - then thousands pray
On August 12th missionary Trish and her son Ben were accosted by two young men with handguns and taken to a remote area. Then Trish was released and the kidnappers began ransom demands via the mission sending agency supporting the family. The kidnappers had no way of knowing that through social media within 12 hours there were over 100,000 people praying for Ben, after 20 hours there were over a quarter million praying. At the end, 300,000 people had logged in and were praying around the globe for his release. The negotiation - or lack of negotiation - was tense because the family could not pay a ransom. In response to prayer, God moved and the two young men had a change of heart. Ben was released unharmed on August 13th and taken to a local hospital for observation. He was dizzy and confused when released, and slightly bruised from his travel through the bush.
Praise: God for social media activating global prayer within a matter of minutes. (Ps.66:19-20)
Togo: Taking the Gospel to the Tem
An indigenous ministry in Togo works with members of the Tem people. They are an under-reached Muslim tribe of more than 400,000 people. Despite threats and harassment the ministry continues to preach the Gospel on a radio programme that is broadcast in the local language. Its School of Missions graduates some 40 students annually who are trained to evangelize and provide for the practical needs of the Tem people and other ethnic groups in the region. The ministry has also started over 200 house churches in Togo and has seen spiritual breakthroughs in some of the tribal villages.
Praise: God for these humble dedicated brothers and sisters who are successfully reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. (Mk.13:10)
More: http://www.godreports.com/ministry-updateview/1566
Togo: Taking the Gospel to the Tem
An indigenous ministry in Togo works with members of the Tem people. They are an under-reached Muslim tribe of more than 400,000 people. Despite threats and harassment the ministry continues to preach the Gospel on a radio programme that is broadcast in the local language. Its School of Missions graduates some 40 students annually who are trained to evangelize and provide for the practical needs of the Tem people and other ethnic groups in the region. The ministry has also started over 200 house churches in Togo and has seen spiritual breakthroughs in some of the tribal villages.
Praise: God for these humble dedicated brothers and sisters who are successfully reaching the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. (Mk.13:10)
More: http://www.godreports.com/ministry-updateview/1566
BBC under fire for misleading public
Pentecostal church leaders are concerned the BBC has purposely misled the public with its story about pastors advising sick patients to give up their medicine and rely on faith alone to be healed. The story went out across BBC TV, radio and online platforms over the weekend, and was based on anecdotal evidence from 19 doctors and health professionals. Ten doctors said they had encountered HIV patients over the last five years who had felt under pressure by their pastors to stop taking their anti-retroviral drugs. But the story has been labelled ‘biased and unfounded’ by Rev John Glass – a member of the Alliance's One People Commission and general superintendent of Elim Pentecostal Churches, and Rev John Partington, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. Together, the men lead the UK's two largest and longest established Pentecostal denominations.
Pray: that the truth will be exposed and any misleading reports be ignored. (Pr.12:7)
More: http://www.eauk.org/current-affairs/news/bbc-under-fire-for-misleading-public.cfm
Young people lack skills for workplace
Nick Hurd, the Minister for Civil Society, believes young people are not getting jobs because they lack the confidence, self control and ‘grit’ needed in the workplace. His comments come as the number of 16-24-year-olds not working has risen to more than one million also revealing, almost half have never worked at all. Mr Hurd, son of former Foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd, said a number of young people are out of work because schools are concentrating solely on education and ignoring the social skills employers look for. He said something was going wrong at schools that meant pupils were not being stretched and challenged to give them self confidence at a ‘critical time in their lives’ to prepare them for work. Latest figures show the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neets) has risen to 1.09 million – with more than 600,000 having never had a job.
Pray: for young people who are without work that ways will be found to encourage them. (Rom.12:8)
Heathrow: High alert for bombs hidden in breast implants
The UK's busiest airport, Heathrow, has been put on high terror alert after ‘credible’ intelligence emerged that al-Qaeda is plotting attacks on airlines flying out of London with the help of women suicide bombers with explosives concealed in breast implants. ‘There are genuine fears over this. We have been told to pay particular attention to females who may have concealed hidden explosives in their breasts. This is particularly difficult for us to pick up but we are on a very high state of alert,’ said an official with airport security, as quoted by the Daily Mail. ‘It's led to long queues here at Heathrow, much longer than usual at this time of the year. But because it's the summer holiday season, no one has complained,’ the official said.
Pray: against attempts to cause acts of terror and pray that the authorities will be given wisdom. (Pr.2:2)
European rail network now on al-Qaeda hit-list
Al-Qaeda is plotting attacks on Europe’s high-speed rail network, a German newspaper reported, citing intelligence sources. The extremist group could plant explosives on trains and tunnels or sabotage tracks and electrical cabling, said Bild, Europe’s most widely read daily. While Germany said its threat level had not changed and Austria said no additional security measures had been taken, a Czech rail official said authorities there had implemented new, unspecified security measures. Bild said the information came from the National Security Agency (NSA) in the United States, which had listened in to a conference call involving top al-Qaeda operatives. The attacks on Europe’s rail network were a ‘central topic’ of this call, Bild said. German authorities had responded to the threat with discreet measures such as deploying plain-clothed police officers at key stations and on main routes.
Pray: against terrorist attacks and pray that those involved in such acts will be captured. (Is.8:15)
More: http://freepressjournal.in/european-rail-network-now-on-qaeda-hit-list/