'Lads' mags' given cover-up deadline by Co-operative
The Co-operative has given so-called lads' mags six weeks to cover up their front pages with sealed ‘modesty bags’ or be taken off sale in its stores. The 4,000-outlet retailer said it was responding to concerns by its members, customers and colleagues about images of scantily-clad women on covers. Titles such as Front, Loaded, Nuts and Zoo have been given a deadline of 9 September by the Co-op. An industry body said the titles showed the ‘diverse interests of young men’. The Co-op, which is owned and run by its more than seven million members, introduced opaque screens for lads' magazines on some shelves earlier this month. Steve Murrells, retail chief executive for the Co-operative Group, said: ‘As a community-based retailer, we have listened to the concerns of our customers and members, many of whom say they object to their children being able to see overt sexual images in our stores.’
Pray: for the success of this initiative and pray that other retailers will also take up the cause. (Ps.118:25)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23486027
Bishop opens drug rehabilitation service
A new centre to rehabilitate drug addicts in mid-Wales has been officially opened by the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon. The Rt Rev John Davies marked the opening of the Kaleidoscope Centre in Llandrindod Wells with a call for greater understanding of addicts' needs. Bishop Davies said it was too easy to stigmatise people with drug or alcohol addictions
and to blame them for their situation; and that while there may be a small number of people who find themselves in addiction out of choice, there were many more who turn to substance abuse out of despair or because of a failure to cope with the pressures of their lives. The Kaleidoscope ministry began in a Baptist Church in Kingston-upon-Thames in south-east England in the 1960s. It now runs a number of centres across England and Wales. It is a major substance misuse service in South Wales, providing support to people with drug and alcohol problems.
Pray: that the Kaleidoscope ministry in Llandrindod Wells and other centres will bring relief and freedom to those who are addicted. (2Cor.3:17)
More: http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2013/07/bishop-opens-drug-rehabilitation-service.aspx
Greece: Christians detained for distributing New Testaments
57 believers were arrested last Sunday for distributing the New Testament to homes in Northern Greece. Greek Orthodox Priests are opposing 400 volunteers from 25 countries from gathering near Philippi in a Bible distribution project. Few Greeks own a copy of the New Testament. If they do - it’s in older Greek that most would not understand. The Bible is viewed as only being understood and interpreted by the priest, theologians or academics. This modern translation approved by the Greek State Church is being distributed by Hellenic Ministries and contains endorsements from 4 patriarchs of the Orthodox Church from around the world. Objectors condemned Hellenic Ministries as a cult despite there being no attempt to divert from the teachings of the Bible or of the early church fathers which are so dear to the Greek Orthodox Church. Some priests have instructed their parishioners to burn the copies of the scriptures that have been given to them by volunteers.
Pray: for an end to antagonism between believers and for God to envelop the Greek Church in transformation. (Jn.17:22) See also item 3 in World section
Greece: Christians detained for distributing New Testaments
57 believers were arrested last Sunday for distributing the New Testament to homes in Northern Greece. Greek Orthodox Priests are opposing 400 volunteers from 25 countries from gathering near Philippi in a Bible distribution project. Few Greeks own a copy of the New Testament. If they do - it’s in older Greek that most would not understand. The Bible is viewed as only being understood and interpreted by the priest, theologians or academics. This modern translation approved by the Greek State Church is being distributed by Hellenic Ministries and contains endorsements from 4 patriarchs of the Orthodox Church from around the world. Objectors condemned Hellenic Ministries as a cult despite there being no attempt to divert from the teachings of the Bible or of the early church fathers which are so dear to the Greek Orthodox Church. Some priests have instructed their parishioners to burn the copies of the scriptures that have been given to them by volunteers.
Pray: for an end to antagonism between believers and for God to envelop the Greek Church in transformation. (Jn.17:22) See also item 3 in World section
Muslims in various countries call for violence against the Netherlands
In various European countries, young Muslims protested against the arrest of a 19-year-old Muslim woman, Umm Usamah. She was arrested two weeks ago in the Netherlands because she tried to recruit Dutch Muslims for the civil war in Syria. In London, a group of men demonstrated in front of the Dutch Embassy. Banners shown had texts in Dutch and English including ‘Sharia for the Netherlands.’ Some of the texts posted on the internet calling for her release are extremely violent, including, ‘Where is the lone wolf who takes revenge for his sister?’ On a Dutch-Muslim website, ‘De Ware Religie’ (‘The True Religion’), a letter was posted which warned the Dutch authorities about the abduction of Dutch citizens in Muslim countries.
Pray: against this threat by radical Muslims. (Ac.4:29)
More: http://badnewsfromthenetherlands.blogspot.co.il/2013/07/muslims-in-various-countries-call-for.html
Muslims in various countries call for violence against the Netherlands
In various European countries, young Muslims protested against the arrest of a 19-year-old Muslim woman, Umm Usamah. She was arrested two weeks ago in the Netherlands because she tried to recruit Dutch Muslims for the civil war in Syria. In London, a group of men demonstrated in front of the Dutch Embassy. Banners shown had texts in Dutch and English including ‘Sharia for the Netherlands.’ Some of the texts posted on the internet calling for her release are extremely violent, including, ‘Where is the lone wolf who takes revenge for his sister?’ On a Dutch-Muslim website, ‘De Ware Religie’ (‘The True Religion’), a letter was posted which warned the Dutch authorities about the abduction of Dutch citizens in Muslim countries.
Pray: against this threat by radical Muslims. (Ac.4:29)
More: http://badnewsfromthenetherlands.blogspot.co.il/2013/07/muslims-in-various-countries-call-for.html
NIGERIA: Bombs kill 24 in mainly Christian area
Kano has been among the cities hardest hit during Boko Haram's insurgency, despite the recent lull. On Tuesday four bomb blasts ripped through a mainly Christian area killing 24 people and leaving 3 seriously injured. A small church may have been among the targets. Residents described the area as being littered with the personal belongings of those who ran in fear and confusion once the explosions began. At least three schools have been attacked in northeastern Nigeria by suspected Boko Haram members in recent weeks. Over the weekend, clashes between a vigilante group and Boko Haram members left at least 20 people dead in the village of Dawashe in Borno State. The insurgency is estimated to have claimed more than 3,600 lives since 2009, including killings by the security forces.
Pray: for all working tirelessly to support communities affected by violence, may they restore people's hope. May God guide, sustain and strengthen them as they repair broken walls. (Is.58:12)
More: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/nigeria-bombs-kill-12-mainly-christian-area-095440715.html#BFwMTVL
Israel: Re-launching Israel-Palestinian talks
The following are a portions of Statements by US Sec Kerry, Palestinian negotiator Erekat and Justice Min Livni on 30 Jul 2013. - Sec of State Kerry said, ‘I know the path is difficult but with Minister Tzipi Livni and Dr Saeb Erekat, standing side by side and sharing an Iftar meal together I’m convinced that we can get there.’ Dr Erekat said, ‘Palestinians have suffered enough, and no one benefits from the success of this endeavour than Palestinians. I am delighted that all final status issues are on the table and will be resolved without any exceptions, and it’s time for the Palestinian people to have an independent, sovereign state of their own. It’s time for the Palestinians to live in peace, freedom, and dignity within their own independent, sovereign state. Justice Minister Livni repeated the statement ‘failure is not an option’ and ‘in these negotiations it’s not our intention to argue about the past but to create solutions and make decisions for the future.’
Pray: that these negotiations would continue to completion, for God to be present in every future meeting and for a political recognition of each people group's aims that will become real and lasting. (Deut.32:10 & Zec.2:8; Gen.12:2-3 & Ps.122:6)
Global: Unity in mission and prayer
Over the last couple of years the Gather network has discovered over 90 unity movements in cities and towns in the UK that are focused on mission and prayer for their areas. It has been a surprise for us all to see what God has been doing under the radar in some cases over the last 20 years. But that's not the end of the story. This movement of city and town wide transformation has been expanding all over the world. This is a grass roots movement with leaders of Churches putting down their differences and competitive natures to form long lasting friendships that results in a developing culture of honour, respect, love of diversity and encouragement. It is a Kingdom paradigm rather than an empire mentality with Church leaders seeing themselves as part of the one Church in that place.
Pray: for more of God's enabling power to envelop the nations - pray that recent events would be just the beginning of global transformation. (Eph.3:20-21)
More: http://www.wegather.co.uk/news/Its-Happening-All-Over-the-World.cfm
Worldwide: Paedophilia
Whether it’s Vietnam, Kuwait, Senegal or the USA - children are being violated emotionally and physically while the perpetrators often enjoy anonymity and impunity. 5,000 men visit Thailand each year to have sex with children and between 60,000 and 200,000 Thai children are involved in prostitution. In Indonesia between 40,000 and 70,000 children are absorbed into the sex trade each year – two-thirds are trafficked abroad. Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department admitted, ‘We don’t deny that Asian men like to have sex with children here.’ Japan is the world’s main producer of underage pornography. The Philippines has 1.5 million street children, with 30,000+ involved in prostitution. A Middle East journalist said, ’After living in the Middle East for more than 10 years I can now safely say that paedophilia not only exists in these windswept deserts but that it is rampant.’ On a positive note:- An FBI investigation into underage prostitution has freed 105 children and led to the arrest of 150 alleged ‘pimps’ across 76 American cities. see: http://news.sky.com/story/1121828/child-prostitution-fbi-sting-rescues-scores
Pray: for all governments to take immediate strong action against paedophilia. Pray for this action to have a preventative effect, bringing an end to both availability and demand. (Ps. 7:11)
More: http://www.win1040.com/page.php?spg=Pedophilia%20in%20the%20Window