Lebanon: Church ministry to refugees
Zahle is full of refugees from Syria arriving daily. Every spare building, shed and patch of ground is being rented by families at crippling prices. Even those leaving Syria with money can afford almost nothing in Lebanon where prices have rocketed because more people are competing for the same lands. Many essentials are out of reach for desperate refugees. A small church with 50 members greets the refugees flooding into Zahle. They distribute what food, blankets and mattresses they can collect for the families. They arrange for a doctor to visit the sick; they pray with those who want prayer. Then they visit more families, find more clothes, more mattresses. Recently a crowd of desperate, newly arrived refugees gathered outside the church demanding food, mattresses and cooking materials. The church team were 'five minutes from calling the police' It is not easy. See also: http://danutm.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/world-watch-monitor-a-refugees-camp-just-for-syrian-christians-in-turkey-4/
Pray: that the input by local churches will make the refugees spiritually rich, despite having 'lost' everything. (Ps.22:26-28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/life.among.syrias.christian.refugees/32284.htm
South Africa: May 19th Day of Prayer
A National Day of Prayer has been called by a group of Pretoria Churches standing in unity for God’s blessings for their nation. May we as part of God’s global body support their call. In Pretoria there are SA Christian Leaders Indaba, SA Council of Churches, The Evangelical Alliance of SA, Africa Enterprise, Turn2God and Kairos Ministries. In Cape Town there is Cape Town Transformation, CCFm, Global Day of Prayer, Jericho Walls, Christian Chamber of Commerce, Prayer Mushroom Ministry all standing in unity along with Friends From Abroad. This is the unity that God wants to see in His Body across the nations. South African brothers and sisters will be praying for Unity among Christians, for Education, for the Government and progress to a righteous society, an end of violence against women and children, for revival in their country and the world. For restoration of the Body of Christ, for families and the nations.
Pray: that there will be a great response to this call, as the South African churches recommit to pray together for revival and righteousness in the land. (Ps.51:10-13)
More: http://www.globalprn.com/south-africa-national-day-of-prayer/
Pakistan/ Malaysia/ Philippines: Election controversy
In Pakistan energy shortages, inflation and insecurity are concen trating the minds of a generation about to vote for the first time on Saturday. Election-watchers regard young people as critical swing voters. Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 46% of the population, and many of them are eligible to vote for the first time.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/pakistan-elections-imran-khan In the Philippines the husband of a town mayor was killed and a bomb attack injured four people in separate incidents of violence linked to mid-term elections next week. See: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/163407 Final results in Malaysia’s election show the ex-deputy prime minister's three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition won just 89 of 222 parliament seats, despite capturing the popular vote during Sunday's polls. The ex-deputy prime minister is vowing to stay in his post and lead a campaign challenging the results of a controversial defeat.
Pray: against all in positions of authority across the nations who conspire and plot their own selfish ambitions. (Ps.2:4-5)
More: http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysias-anwar-vows-to-challenge-election-results/1656668.html
Russia/ U.S.: Seek to convene Syria peace conference
Russia and the United States agreed on Tuesday to try to bring together Syria's warring parties at an international conference, possibly by the end of this month, in an attempt to negotiate an end to their civil war Russia - a staunch ally of Assad – has blocked sanctions against Syria at the United Nations and has supplied Syria with arms. Both Russia and the United States have made clear that peace efforts have been stepped up because of growing concern that the violence could spread beyond Syria. Israel carried out two air strikes against Syria recently. On April 25th the White House said US intelligence agencies believe Syria may well have used chemical weapons against its own people, a view which if confirmed would mark a further escalation in the conflict. Both the US and Russia are concerned that Syria may be dominated by Islamists - threatening Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
Pray: for joint international peace talks. Pray against the region being further destabilised. (Ps.9:15-18)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/us-syria-crisis-conference-idUSBRE94612S20130507
USA: School lesbian role-play
In a New York ‘anti-bullying presentation to 13-14yr olds on gender identity and sexual orientation’ a girl was instructed to ask another girl for a kiss. Parents were annoyed that no notice was given about the class, which included the now mandatory sex education teaching, ‘it’s OK to have sex when you are ready’. Many believe that similar classes run by homosexuals, or designed to further the gay cause, are about desensitising and indoctrinating youth with State philosophy that homosexuality is both acceptable and to be promoted. The US National Organisation for Marriage said such lessons will become the norm in schools across the USA the moment ‘gay marriage’ is legalised, as it was in New York in July 2011. Meanwhile in Texas a high school track team was disqualified in state championships on Friday because the team's anchor runner made a ‘God gesture’ to thank God for their victory.
Pray: that school programmes and philosophy will not be used as a springboard for breaking Christian traditions. (Lev.18:5)
More: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/2013may03ny/
Calling young people: this is your OPPortunity to shine
Young people are being encouraged to apply for one-year placements with a variety of innovative church projects throughout Britain. The opportunities range from working with young people directly affected by drug and alcohol problems to addressing some of the UK's most pressing social issues on a national scale. The One Programme is a paid year out for young people aged 16 to 23 years old. One Programme Participants (known as OPPs) are paid to work 15 hours a week: nine hours in a local church project and six hours for training and other national work. The projects are selected by a panel of young people and key-workers. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to make a difference in their own communities and will be paid a living wage. Hayley Moss, Methodist Youth President, said: “It offers excellent opportunities both for the young people and the projects hosting them.
Pray: for the One Programme and the young people who engage with it. (Tit.3:8)
Christian Aid Week 'bites back at hunger'
Christian Aid Week (12-18 May 2013) Britain’s longest running door-to-door fundraising week, will this year be urging the British public to "bite back at hunger" and ask why, in a world where there is a enough food for everyone, one in eight people go to bed hungry every night. Hunger is the world’s biggest health risk. It kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. In developing countries, a third of all child deaths are linked to hunger. But tackling hunger with sustainable solutions has long-term benefits. Paul Langley, Head of Inspiring Participation at Christian Aid, said: ‘With one in eight people in the world going to bed hungry every night, Christian Aid Week offers the British public the opportunity to bite back at hunger. The money raised will help poor communities around the world grow more food by adapting to climate change and securing land rights, so they can meet their immediate food needs.
Pray: for all those working for Christian Aid week and for a massive public response to the appeal. (Pr.14:31)
More: http: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18355
Church of England urged to take 'urgent' action on child abuse
The Church of England risks a ticking “time bomb” if it does not take urgent action to prevent further incidents of child abuse, a report has warned. A single new case of abuse will immediately expose any weakness in the system if corners are cut when implementing the best professional standards, it said. Investigators looking into child protection policies following abuse scandals in the Chichester diocese found that safeguarding of children and other vulnerable people had fallen “woefully short” of what should be expected. They said the church should not be daunted by the difficulties ahead and that positive action was essential. The report, which was ordered by Dr Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, said it was “inevitable” that there were victims of abusing clergy in Chichester who had not yet come forward and that, however difficult it may be, church leaders should do all they could to encourage those people to do so.
Pray: for courage and determination for the church to 'get its house in order' on this matter. . (Eph.4:15-19)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10036297/Church-of-England-urged-to-take-urgent-action-on-child-abuse.html
Catholic midwives' abortion victory welcomed
The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed a court ruling upholding the right to conscientious objection of two midwives who refused to have any role in abortion procedures. Mary Doogan, 58, and Concepta Wood, 52, both practising Catholics, challenged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on having to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in terminations. They lost a previous case against the health board when a judge ruled that their human rights had not been violated because they were not directly involved in carrying out terminations. But a court of appeal in Edinburgh ruled on Wednesday that conscientious objection could apply to supporting staff involved in abortions. The right to conscientious objection is protected by the 1967 Abortion Act. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, said the decision by the appeal judges was a ‘victory for freedom of conscience and for common sense’.
Praise: God for the court ruling. (Dt.25:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholic.midwives.abortion.victory.welcomed/32233.htm
Catholic midwives' abortion victory welcomed
The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has welcomed a court ruling upholding the right to conscientious objection of two midwives who refused to have any role in abortion procedures. Mary Doogan, 58, and Concepta Wood, 52, both practising Catholics, challenged NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on having to delegate, supervise or support staff involved in terminations. They lost a previous case against the health board when a judge ruled that their human rights had not been violated because they were not directly involved in carrying out terminations. But a court of appeal in Edinburgh ruled on Wednesday that conscientious objection could apply to supporting staff involved in abortions. The right to conscientious objection is protected by the 1967 Abortion Act. Archbishop Philip Tartaglia of Glasgow, said the decision by the appeal judges was a ‘victory for freedom of conscience and for common sense’.
Praise: God for the court ruling. (Dt.25:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/catholic.midwives.abortion.victory.welcomed/32233.htm