Million 'dementia friends' needed
Comedians Jo Brand and Meera Syal have become two of England's first 'dementia friends', in an initiative launched by the Alzheimer's Society. And the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has pledged to become one too. The scheme aims to reach one million people in England by 2015 with free information sessions exploring what it is like to live with the condition. The £2.4m project is supported by the Government and funded by the department of health and cabinet office. The Alzheimer's Society says around 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia. And one in three people over the age of 65 will go on to develop the condition. The organisation wants the volunteer-led sessions, taking place in workplaces and town halls across the country, to ‘change the way the nation thinks, talks and acts’.
Pray: that this initiative would succeed in finding many hundreds to come alongside those in need. (Job.19:14)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-21415594
MPs confirm public order law reform
MPs have confirmed that a controversial public order law that criminalises ‘insulting’ words or behaviour will be reformed to give greater freedom of speech. The move follows the Government giving way on the issue last month, after a vote in the House of Lords. The bid to change the law was spearheaded by Reform Section 5 – a campaign supported by The Christian Institute, the National Secular Society, the Peter Tatchell Foundation and others. Reacting to the news, Simon Calvert, the Campaign Director for Reform Section 5 (RS5), said it was ‘a great victory for free speech’. He also commented: ‘This is a fulfilment of the Home Secretary’s promise to accept the amendment, which was passed by the House of Lords in December. We can now say, officially, that Reform Section 5 has achieved its goal. The amendment cannot now be overturned, and so will become law later this year.’
Pray: that the outworking of this bill will bring a greater freedom of speech. (1Pet.3:10)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/mps-confirm-public-order-law-reform-in-free-speech-victory/
Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation
The Pope’s resignation letter said, ‘After examining my conscience before God, I am certain that my strengths, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.’ His brother Georg Ratzinger said, ‘He felt he was gradually losing the abilities he had that it takes to fulfil this office properly,’ The Pope later said, ‘In today's rapid changes and amid questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strengths which in the last few months have deteriorated in me and I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.’ Meanwhile the media are asking could the next Pope be black?‘Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Marc Ouellet of Canada are among cardinals tipped to replace Pope Benedict XVI.
Pray: the Pope and his team in the days leading up to and during the conclave to elect a new Pope. (Is.46:4-11b)
Vatican City: Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation
The Pope’s resignation letter said, ‘After examining my conscience before God, I am certain that my strengths, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.’ His brother Georg Ratzinger said, ‘He felt he was gradually losing the abilities he had that it takes to fulfil this office properly,’ The Pope later said, ‘In today's rapid changes and amid questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strengths which in the last few months have deteriorated in me and I have had to recognise my incapacity to adequately fulfil the ministry entrusted to me.’ Meanwhile the media are asking could the next Pope be black?‘Cardinal Francis Arinze of Nigeria, Peter Turkson of Ghana and Marc Ouellet of Canada are among cardinals tipped to replace Pope Benedict XVI.
Pray: the Pope and his team in the days leading up to and during the conclave to elect a new Pope. (Is.46:4-11b)
Radical Islam surging in Balkans
Just as al-Qaida is extending its reach through franchises from the Arabian Peninsula and across North Africa, it could soon be linked up with the growth of radical Islamists in the Balkans. In the 1990s, Sunni Muslims began to spread into Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Kosovo, which once was the heart of Christian Serbia. This spread is offset by Christian majorities in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. The Balkans, however, have a history of Islamist concentration since the end of the Cold War. Osama bin Laden, for example, began setting up charities there as a way of funnelling money to help with the spread of Islamist militancy against the Christians. The Balkans were where Muslims retreated following the unsuccessful siege of Vienna on September 11, 1683. It was a battle of the Holy Roman Empire along with other military forces of Christian countries to counter the spread of the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
Pray: against the spread of radical Islamism across the Balkans. (Jer.25:32)
Radical Islam surging in Balkans
Just as al-Qaida is extending its reach through franchises from the Arabian Peninsula and across North Africa, it could soon be linked up with the growth of radical Islamists in the Balkans. In the 1990s, Sunni Muslims began to spread into Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Kosovo, which once was the heart of Christian Serbia. This spread is offset by Christian majorities in Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. The Balkans, however, have a history of Islamist concentration since the end of the Cold War. Osama bin Laden, for example, began setting up charities there as a way of funnelling money to help with the spread of Islamist militancy against the Christians. The Balkans were where Muslims retreated following the unsuccessful siege of Vienna on September 11, 1683. It was a battle of the Holy Roman Empire along with other military forces of Christian countries to counter the spread of the Ottoman Empire into Europe.
Pray: against the spread of radical Islamism across the Balkans. (Jer.25:32)
A short video clip concerning the upcoming election and the campaign that is happening now. Please pray for an honest election and for just leadership for this nation of SE Asia that will eliminate corruption and uphold the religious and political freedom of all Malaysia’s peoples.
Transform World Prayer Summit: Vision 2020
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
March 24-27, 2013
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an apointed time.” Habakkuk 2:2-3a
Dear Friends,
We are in a defining moment in world history. With nations in an uproar, economies in upheaval, social order declining, and times increasingly tumultuous, God is beckoning His church to advance His Kingdom. As a response, 300 leaders from around the world are gathering at IHOPKC Missions Base in Kansas City for the Transform World Prayer Summit on March 24-27, 2013.
Transform World and the International House of Prayer would like to invite YOU to become part of this 70-hour global prayer summit as a prayer-gathering host. In becoming a prayer-gathering host, you will have the opportunity to hear teaching and strategic points for intercession from key leaders such as Luis Bush, Mike Bickle, Dick Eastman, Loren Cunningham, George Otis Jr., Billy Wilson, Jim Fiske, and others. Additionally, you’ll worship and agree in intercession with these leaders as we target the 7 primary challenges that the church is currently facing.
You’re invited! Become one of the 100,000 Prayer Gathering Hosts that we are asking God for! With 100,000 prayer gatherings participating via web stream, we will have nearly 5 million prayer warriors linked together in prayer, contending together for spiritual breakthrough for 70 straight hours!
Here’s what a Prayer Gathering Host will do:
- Commit to joining us via web stream for at least one of the summit’s 2-hour sessions where your group will hear an exhortation from one of our speakers and engage with us in prayer for that session’s focus.
- Determine which of the sessions you would most like to tune in for. (choose as many sessions as you’d like) Click here to view the full event schedule:
- We want to know that you're praying with us! You can let us know by filling out a short registration form. Click http://transformworld2020.com.s96484.gridserver.com/host/ to access our Prayer Gathering Host page and choose the registration link that accommodates your language.
- Invite at leat 5 other people to your chosen venue to join the Transform World Prayer Summit live via web stream.
- Let your friends know about the event:
1. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Transformed-World-2020-Ihopkc-Global-Prayer-Summit-March-24-27-2013/443647259030766?fref=ts
2. Follow us on Twitter and tweet about us: https://twitter.com/TW2020IHOPKC
3. Click to download Challenge and Prayer Host cards to share with your friends by printing them or sharing them electronically: http://transformworld2020.com.s96484.gridserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/TWC-2020-Fliers.zip
4. Visit our website and direct your friends to it: www.ihopkc.org/tw
- Tune in via live web stream on March 24th-27th to view the sessions that you have committed to. The web address for the event's stream is: www.ihopkc.org/tw
We encourage you to join us as a Prayer Gathering Host for this historic event!
Luis Bush,
Servant of the Most High God
Transform World 2020
Govt minister sacked for opposing gay marriage
Former Government minister Tim Loughton was sacked because of his opposition to redefining marriage, according to reports. He was removed from his ministerial post in September’s Government reshuffle, and close friends say it was because of his support for keeping marriage as it is. Mr Loughton voted against the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill on Tuesday night, together with over 170 other Mps. One Tory MP told the Scotsman newspaper: “Tim was a really good minister whose career was wrecked because of his stance on this issue on a matter of principle. “It shows that, already, this bill is poisoning the party and destroying careers.” David Cameron promised that Tory MPs would have a free vote, but behind the scenes a lot of pressure was applied to stop them breaking rank.
Pray: for God's protection for all those who find themselves pressured or threatened in any way simply for standing up for their beliefs. (Dt.31:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/govt-minister-sacked-for-opposing-gay-marriage/
Forty acts of generosity to change the world
Giving blood and living on a fiver are just some of the Lent challenges from Christian charity Stewardship. Its 40acts initiative kicks off on Wednesday and will challenge people to do something generous each day during Lent. 40acts is now in its third year and rather than giving something up, invites people to "give something out". The actions are simple but involve some personal sacrifice, with becoming a mentor among the other challenges. In addition to each challenge, there are daily reflections from contributors like Krish Kandiah, Rob Parsons and Russ Bravo. “The idea behind 40acts is simple,” says Debbie Wright, head of content at Stewardship. “Lent marks a pivotal point in the history of the church, when Jesus prepared to give himself up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Traditionally we mark Lent by giving something up, but what if it could be more than that? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness?”
Pray: for this initiative and that many people will find it to be a good way to mark Lent. (Ac.20:35)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/forty.acts.of.generosity.to.change.the.world/31616.htm