As members of the Religious Liberty Partnership meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, we support the appeal of our brothers and sisters in Syria for the worldwide church to pray for the nation of Syria and the Syrian church at large amidst the current crisis. We specifically call on Christian denominations and organizations worldwide to take this appeal to their members in recognition that we are one body united in Christ.
The RLP acknowledges:
• The call of Syrian Christian leaders for prayer as they struggle to survive amidst this crisis;
• The frustration and fears of the Syrian people following decades of political repression;
• The Syrian refugees and displaced finding protection and critical assistance in Lebanon,
• Jordan, Turkey and other countries;
• The important international efforts to broker a solution to the ongoing conflict in Syria;
• and
• The nation’s historic ethnic and religious diversity and peaceful coexistence which is
• now placed at risk.
The RLP is concerned about:
• The exodus of Christians and other ethnic and religious minorities from Syria as well as the attacks on and destruction of religious sites of all faiths;
• The lack of respect for humanitarian law, including kidnappings, and ongoing violence;
• The security and well-being of Syrian refugees and those internally displaced; and
• The inadequate input from and representation of ethnic and religious minorities in the political dialogue regarding the ongoing crisis in Syria.
We call on the international community:
• To provide sufficient protection for all ethnic and religious communities as well as their historical, religious, and cultural sites;
• To encourage all relevant parties to uphold international humanitarian standards, including appropriate and principled communication, fundraising, and program administration;
• To collaborate with organizations assisting the church in Syria and to promote peaceful coexistence between all ethnic and religious communities;
• To support organizations and agencies working to improve the security and provide for the well-being of those displaced;
• To work toward a peaceful political and diplomatic solution to the conflict that ensures the participation of all Syrians including all ethnic and religious communities.
We call on the worldwide church:
• To participate with the Refugee Highway Partnership (www.refugeehighway.net) in World Refugee Sunday, June 23, 2013 and designate it as a special day of prayer for Christians in Syria and all those affected by the current crisis; and
• To write to the UN Special Envoy for Syria and ask him to pay particular attention to vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities, ensuring their equal participation in his mandate.
The RLP commits:
• To pray for the church and its leaders as they stand amidst the ongoing attacks on their communities throughout the crisis;
• To raise awareness and work toward a peaceful solution of the current crisis, including reconciliation among the various ethnic and religious communities; and
• To utilize practicies that prioritize that well-being of all Syrians when providing assistance and advocating on behalf of the vulnerable.
Egyptian Christians have requested our prayers concerning an eruption of sectarian violence.
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If you are in a hurry and do not have time to read the rich articles in this Connections prayer journal, here is a shortlist of crucial prayer concerns we invite you to pray about.
1 The situation in North Korea and the provocative actions of Kim Jong Un and his regime that could get out of hand and cause war, potentially even involving nuclear weapons. Pray for peace and restraint on all sides and that the North Korean leaders will introduce reforms of their society that will both set their people free and establish better relationships with the international community.
2 Afghanistan- that the Spring offensive of the Taliban will not occur and that their movement would be thrown into confusion, disunity and dissolved so they cannot continue to destabilize the nation.
3 Pakistan- that God would raise up honest, good leaders in the parliamentary election (May 11) process going on now and that the Taliban radicals would not be able to derail this election or harm those who are running as candidates.
4 Children in Prayer Chinese World Consultation (May 16-19)- that Chinese Christian leaders in China and Hong Kong will get the vision and be equipped to empower the 335 million youth and children of their vast population.
5 Middle East Prayer Assembly (October 1-4, Cyprus)- that good delegations from each nation in the region would be able to take part and that a strong, ongoing and interconnected prayer movement for this embattled region will be the result.
6 Malaysian National Election (May 5)- that a new government ruled by honest, caring leaders who put the people first will be put into power and that corrupt, self-serving politicians will be removed.
7 Egypt- for the peace of the Lord to reign over this nation and that it will be able to move to greater freedom and prosperity, throwing off authoritarian Islamic ideology in favor of upholding human rights for all its citizens.
8 Syria- that the civil war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives will wind down and that there will be a peaceful resolution of this conflict resulting in a new, united government that works for the good of all Syrians.
9 Exposed: Shining a Light on Corruption – 14-20 October 2013 – that this global campaign against corruption will be used of the Lord to save the over US$1 TRILLION that goes missing through mismanagement, illicit business practices and poor governance so it can be used to help the poor and their children and fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.
10 The International Prayer Initiative for the United Nations and Children in Prayer Global Consultation - “Children and Youth: Investing in the Future” (November 15-20)- that all the arrangements will come together and that UN officials, ambassadors, Christian NGOs working among children, ministry leaders as well as praying youth and children will be able to come from around the world for this historic event.
Young Christians inspired to speak of Jesus in public life
Christian Concern's fourth Wilberforce Academy brought together students and young graduates at Trinity College, Oxford last week. The academy is held annually by the advocacy group to equip the next generation of Christian leaders in public life. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey opened the three-day gathering with a call to "maintain a public witness and stand just as much as Wilberforce was called upon to do in his day". "You are like shock troops who are called to lead in the battle… You are here to take the fight wherever it leads," he said. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali expanded on the themes of his new book, Triple Jeopardy for the West, in which he warns of the challenges posed by aggressive secularism, radical Islamism and multiculturalism. Roger Trigg, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick, highlighted the importance of religious freedom as a cornerstone for other vital freedoms.
Pray: for tall those who attended this event that they will respond to the call to leadership to 'fight the good fight'. (Eph.6:14-15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/young.christians.inspired.to.speak.of.jesus.in.public.life/32040.htm
Christian printer faces being sued by gay magazine
The Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faces being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson, who is being advised by The Christian Institute, says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, has approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Mr Williamson was asked to provide a cost estimate for printing the magazine, timed to coincide with a gay rights march in Belfast. But in an email to Mr Toner, Mr Williamson said he did “not feel comfortable” taking the job on because it “would be in contradiction to my own faith”. Mr Williamson had initially explained: “Unfortunately due to the nature of the magazine we are unable to give a quote.” But Mr Toner said “If we can take the printer to court, we will”.
Pray: for understanding and respect of each others views that will resolve this matter without litigation. (Ro.8:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-printer-faces-being-sued-by-gay-magazine/
UK can lead G8 on global poverty, say religious leaders
Religious leaders from across the G8 countries have called on heads of government to follow the UK in fulfilling existing commitments to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. Over 70 religious leaders emphasised in a letter to the Financial Times that from April 5, only 1,000 days remain to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline. With a focus on tax, trade and transparency, the religious leaders argue, the UK Presidency of the G8 has the potential to advance the MDG agenda in ways that will strike at the underlying causes of poverty, in particular by ensuring the wealth created by developing countries is not lost through unfair tax practices, a lack of transparency or a failure to secure the benefits of trade for developing countries. Meeting the remaining targets, while challenging, is possible - but only if governments do not waver from the moral and political commitments made over a decade ago," the letter stresses.
Pray: for a positive response and continued commitment to the MDG by the G* leaders. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18284
Sharia courts putting women at risk, CPS warns
Sharia courts are putting women at risk of violence from abusive husbands, the Crown Prosecution Service has warned. The courts, which issue rulings according to Islamic law, have been found to be giving Muslim women advice which experts warned may place them in danger. Undercover filming in some of the 85 councils operating in mosques and houses across the country has revealed that the courts, which are run by sharia councils, are ruling in favour of men meeting estranged wives or having access to children when they have found to have been abusive. Sharia law has no formal place in any of Britain’s legal systems. However, the investigation found courts in London which follow it were making rulings on domestic and marital issues according to Islamic law which appeared at odds with English family law. It is suggested that sharia courts may act contrary to English courts in matrimonial and child care issues.
Pray: for sharia courts to operate within British law and to ensure that the safety of women and children is of the highest priority . (Ac.10:43)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9976822/Sharia-courts-putting-women-at-risk-CPS-warns.html
Benefit cuts are 'unjust', say Churches
Churches say the benefit cuts which came into place April 1 are ‘unjust’ and hit the poorest hardest. The changes include the introduction of the so-called 'Bedroom Tax', which will mean cuts to housing benefit for some social housing tenants with a spare room. Around a third of families in social housing will be affected by the change. The up-rating of working-age benefits and tax credits at around a third of the rate of inflation will mean a real-term cut in payments, affecting especiallythose on the minimum wage and people out of work. The Government hopes to make savings of 20% by replacing the Disability Living Allowance with the Personal Independence Payment. The warning has come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland, who say that the most vulnerable are paying a ‘disproportionate price’ in the Government's austerity measures.
Pray: that the Government will consider those that are most vulnerable and make allowances and be prepared to listen. (Is.10:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/benefit.cuts.are.unjust.say.churches/32004.htm
David Cameron 'feeds fears of Christian persecution'
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked David Cameron for doing more than any other recent political leader to feed Christian anxieties that they are part of a persecuted minority. In an article for the Daily Mail he wrote: 'I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully. But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.’ He added ‘many Christians’ doubted the sincerity of Mr Cameron's pledge to support their rights, with a recent poll showing two-thirds believed they are now part of a ‘persecuted minority’.
Pray: for our PM and other politicians that they will stand against Christian persecution. (2Cor.2:17)