Turkey providing for Syrian Christians
Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria live in camps just inside Turkey, but nowhere in the Islamic world has a refugee camp for the Christians of one country been built across the border in a neighbouring country. Now Turkey is building a small city in Midyat that will hold between 3 and 30 times the number of Syrian Christians currently taking refuge in Turkey. Syri of refugees. Eliye Kirilmaz, chairman of a local church board said the monastery cannot cont inue to bear the strain of displaced Syrians. ‘We have 30 employ ees, teachers, caretakers, gardeners and kitchen staff, among others. Moreover, we owe a large sum to the local electricity company; have not been able to pay for electricity over the winter. We are not throwing out any refugees but we simply can’t afford it anymore.
Praise: God for the witness of the Church to those in the region of Midyat. (Ps.22:24-26)
Turkey providing for Syrian Christians
Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the violence in Syria live in camps just inside Turkey, but nowhere in the Islamic world has a refugee camp for the Christians of one country been built across the border in a neighbouring country. Now Turkey is building a small city in Midyat that will hold between 3 and 30 times the number of Syrian Christians currently taking refuge in Turkey. Syri of refugees. Eliye Kirilmaz, chairman of a local church board said the monastery cannot cont inue to bear the strain of displaced Syrians. ‘We have 30 employ ees, teachers, caretakers, gardeners and kitchen staff, among others. Moreover, we owe a large sum to the local electricity company; have not been able to pay for electricity over the winter. We are not throwing out any refugees but we simply can’t afford it anymore.
Praise: God for the witness of the Church to those in the region of Midyat. (Ps.22:24-26)
The Trumpet Call 2013
A call is going out across our nations for the Church to unite and pray on Saturday 15 June 2013. Our nations are in increasing turmoil as we observe the consequences of ungodly decisions made both in the past and by our National leaders today. Decisions that not only affect us, but will also affect generations to come. Many Church leaders and intercessory groups are sensing urgency about the importance of this day of prayer at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham. The World Prayer Centre along with many others is encouragi ng the Body of Christ in our nations to come and unite in prayer for our nations. To come individually, as a neighbourhood group, as a church, or a prayer cell. The day will start at 11:00am (doors open at 9:30am) and will run through until 5:00pm with an hour break for lunch between 1:00pm and 2:00pm
Pray: that many will hear God’s call and proclaim the decrees of the LORD. (Ps.2:7,8)
Prime Minister urged to drop same-sex 'marriage' bill
Conservative MPs are calling on David Cameron to drop his sa me-sex ‘marriage’ plans in order to halt the progress of UKIP. According to The Times, the Prime Minister has been told that he must uphold traditional Conservative values to prevent core Conservatives from abandoning him for Nigel Farage. Former Defence Minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, said thathis constituents were ‘fed up to the back teeth’ with the Government’s failure to uphold its promises. He urged the Prime Minister to adopt a plan that would include ditching the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, as well as taking Britain out ofthe European Convention on Human Rights and holding an EU referendum. Peter Bone, the Wellingborough MP, said that the government should scrap proposals to redefine marriage and cut overseas aid. He added: ‘those are things that Conservatives want and that’s what UKIP voters want’.
Pray: that following the recent elections and the pressure on the Prime Minister to drop the same sex bill that it will in fact be scrapped. (1Ki.8:45)
Foodbank visits tripled in a year
Numbers visiting foodbanks have almost tripled in a year, according to Christian food crisis charity the Trussell Trust. At more than 350,000, the number was around 100,000 more than anticipated, the trust said. The rise is the biggest since the charity started its work in 2000. Foodbanks provide emergency aid for people who cannot feed themselves or their families. They are run by churches and community groups and rely on donations from local people. Clients are given three days worth of nutritionally balanced non-perishable food. According to the trust, the rising cost of living, static incomes, changes to benefits, underemployment and unemployment have meant increasing numbers of people in the UK have hit a crisis that forces them to go hungry. The rise in usage predates April’s welfare reforms, which could see numbers increase further in 2013-14. While the number of foodbanks has been rising – the Trussell Trust launches three new ones every week – established foodbanks are also seeing a dramatic rise in the number of their clients.
Pray: that the needs of those who are hungry will be met by the generosity of those that support the Foodbanks. (2Cor.9:11)
More: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm
France keeps al-Qaeda threats seriously
French President Francois Hollande has said that he is taking threats made by al-Qaeda against his country seriously. He was responding on Tuesday to threats made by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a video message posted on April 25. ‘We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,’ Hollande said in Paris, adding that despite considerable losses inflicted on Islamists in Mali, ‘the terrorist threat has not disappeared’. So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror.’ So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror’. Hollande said he had ordered measures to protect French installations abroad.
Pray: that those who threaten peace will be thwarted. (Act.4:29)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201357201852923861.html
France keeps al-Qaeda threats seriously
French President Francois Hollande has said that he is taking threats made by al-Qaeda against his country seriously. He was responding on Tuesday to threats made by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a video message posted on April 25. ‘We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,’ Hollande said in Paris, adding that despite considerable losses inflicted on Islamists in Mali, ‘the terrorist threat has not disappeared’. So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror.’ So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror’. Hollande said he had ordered measures to protect French installations abroad.
Pray: that those who threaten peace will be thwarted. (Act.4:29)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201357201852923861.html
Anti-Semitism growing in Europe
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged anti-Semitism was on the rise in the country because of the economic crisis but said his government had a ‘zero-tolerance’ towards it. On Saturday the far-right Jobbik party – who regularly issue anti-Semitic statements and are Hungary’s trhird largest political force - held a protest against the Hungarian capital of Budapest hosting a World Jewish Congress meet ing where the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke. The WJC usually hosts its assembly in Jerusalem but chose Hungary this year to highlight what it says is growing anti-Semitism in Europe. Addressing the opening session, Mr Orban said, ‘Anti-Semitism is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.’ He said his government had a moral duty to declare zero tolerance on anti-Semitism. The president of the World Jewish Congress said Jews were wondering if they were safe in Hungary.
Pray: against the growth of Anti-semitisim in Europe, pray also for the Lord to protect all who are persecuted for their faith. (Ps.32:7-8)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22423812
NIGERIA:More powerful prayer needed
On Tuesday fifty-five people were killed, a police station, military barracks and government buildings were burned to the ground and 105 prisoners were freed in a pre-dawn raid in Bama, Borno state. Extremist attacks are common in the region but the scale of bloodshed makes this raid stand out. This strike - coming on the back of other deadly attacks - undermines the suggestion that the military operation against the militants has diminished the threat they pose. President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to agree the terms of an am nesty for the rebels but Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has so far rejected the idea. Some of the attackers wore army uniforms for the five hour assault. The army says it was the work of Boko Haram - sending out the defiant message that it cannot be defeated by the state security forces. There are reports that the militants have acquired more powerful weapons. President Goodluck Jonathan has put his faith in the power of God for his country.
Pray: ‘God arise and scatter your enemies.’ Pray for the Islamist militants to accept an amnesty. (Ps.37:10,11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22444417
Uganda: 19,161 affected by Kasese floods
Heavy rains at the beginning of May 2013 caused flooding in Kasese district. By 7th May over 19,000 people had been affected and over 3,100 were living in shelters. The local Red Cross reported a need for emergency provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits. There is also a need for water, water purification tablets and sanitation campaign/awareness plus provision of psychosocial support to the affected families. The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in makeshift camps as a measure to control disease outbreak. See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305071468.html
Pray: for the government as they deploy regional risk disaster officers in various areas, pray against a further tragedy of disease. (Ps.18:16-19)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305061956.html