Norway: Bible beats Fifty Shades of Grey
The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts last month for a second year in a row. The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the 56 weeks. Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy. Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway’s General Secretary, said: 'The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories. I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible’. It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.
Praise: God for fact that the Bible is still the best-seller.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.beats.fifty.shades.of.grey.in.norway/31268.htm
Norway: Bible beats Fifty Shades of Grey
The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts last month for a second year in a row. The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the 56 weeks. Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy. Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway’s General Secretary, said: 'The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories. I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible’. It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.
Praise: God for fact that the Bible is still the best-seller.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.beats.fifty.shades.of.grey.in.norway/31268.htm
Call for prayer for Belfast after Union flag riots
The Bishop of Down and Dromore is asking Christians to pray following weeks of violence in Belfast over the city council's decision to fly the Union flag on certain days only. Protests have been held over the flag dispute for the last month and the past week has seen an intensification of violence, with rioting causing injury and damage. The Right Rev Harold Miller said the recent unrest had been ‘tragic and difficult’ for Northern Ireland and particularly East Belfast, which falls within the Diocese of Down and Dromore. He said he was ‘deeply concerned’ about the ‘potential trajectory’ of the current situation, in light of the divisions and violence of Northern Ireland's past. ‘Lying behind all of this is the sense in parts of the Loyalist community that they have lost a great deal over the past years, especially in terms of identity, and that has led to a fear of the future being uncertain,’ the bishop said.
Pray: that there would be a breakthrough leading to reconciliation and peace in NI. (2Cor.5:17-19)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.prayer.for.belfast.after.union.flag.riots/31414.htm
Archbishop launches homelessness initiative in York
The Archbishop of York has launched a new initiative to address homelessness in the city. Dr John Sentamu launched the 'No Second Night Out' initiative at The Salvation Army, Gillygate. 'No Second Night Out' aims to be the link between the homeless, the communities they come from, and the agencies that are able to offer help. The support includes helping rough sleepers to access emergency accommodation and healthcare, and finding long-term solutions to their homelessness. Members of the public are also being encouraged to play an active role by calling a helpline if they see a rough sleeper. The Salvation Army will then attempt to make contact with the rough sleeper and offer them support. In addition to The Salvation Army, the ‘No Second Night Out’ scheme has been developed with the Peasholme Charity, Arc Light, City of York Council, the Foundation, YACRO, Restore and Richmond Fellowship.
Pray: that the needs of the homeless in York and the many other city and town centres with initiatives by church and charities will bring relief to the needy. (Pr.14:21)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.launches.homelessness.initiative.in.york/31399.htm
Girl Guides consider dropping 'God' from Promise
Girlguiding UK are consulting the public on whether the Girlguiding Promise should be changed to ‘make it more meaningful to girls and women.’ The consultation follows a similar move from the Scout Association, (See Prayer Alert 49-2012) which is also consulting the public on possible changes to the Scout Promise. Girls make the Promise when they join the Guides, which includes the vows to ‘love my God’ and ‘serve the Queen and my country.’ It will be the first major reform under the Guides’ recently appointed chief executive Julie Bentley. Some alternatives put forward to replace the reference to God in the Promise are ‘to search for the spiritual value in my life’ and ‘serve the highest truth and love faithfully at all times.’ The potential changes follow two cases of families who wanted their children to become Guides but objected to the oath.
Pray: that pressure from a small atheist minority will not cause the movement to revise its founding principles. (1Cor.3:10)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/girl-guides-consider-dropping-god-from-promise
Eurozone unemployment reaches new high
The unemployment rate across the eurozone hit a new all-time high of 11.8% in November, official figures have shown. This is a slight rise on 11.7% for the 17-nation region in October. The rate for the European Union as a whole in November was unchanged at 10.7%. Spain, which is mired in deep recession, again recorded the highest unemployment rate, coming in at 26.6%. More than 26 million people are now unemployed across the EU. For the Eurozone, the number of people without work reached 18.8 million said Eurostat, the official European statistics agency. Greece had the second-highest unemployment rate in November, at 20%. The youth unemployment rate was 24.4% in the Eurozone, and 23.7% in the wider European Union. Youth unemployment - among people under 25 - was highest in Greece (57.6%), followed by Spain (56.5%). Overall unemployment was lowest in Austria (4.5%), Luxembourg (5.1%) and Germany (5.4%).
Pray: for the ability of the authorities to increase the workplace levels across the Eurozone. (Ps.90:17)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20943292
Eurozone unemployment reaches new high
The unemployment rate across the eurozone hit a new all-time high of 11.8% in November, official figures have shown. This is a slight rise on 11.7% for the 17-nation region in October. The rate for the European Union as a whole in November was unchanged at 10.7%. Spain, which is mired in deep recession, again recorded the highest unemployment rate, coming in at 26.6%. More than 26 million people are now unemployed across the EU. For the Eurozone, the number of people without work reached 18.8 million said Eurostat, the official European statistics agency. Greece had the second-highest unemployment rate in November, at 20%. The youth unemployment rate was 24.4% in the Eurozone, and 23.7% in the wider European Union. Youth unemployment - among people under 25 - was highest in Greece (57.6%), followed by Spain (56.5%). Overall unemployment was lowest in Austria (4.5%), Luxembourg (5.1%) and Germany (5.4%).
Pray: for the ability of the authorities to increase the workplace levels across the Eurozone. (Ps.90:17)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20943292
NIGERIA: Huge fire in slum area of Lagos
A massive fire has ripped through one of the poorest suburbs in Lagos, burning down dozens of ramshackle homes and workshops in Ebute Metta community, along the Lagos lagoon where sawmills process timber. The huge blaze was the second major one in the city in recent weeks. On Boxing Day a massive explosion ripped through a warehouse full of fireworks in a crowded neighbourhood in Lagos Island. Fire remains a major danger in Nigeria, where many people store gasoline and diesel in their homes to run generators for electricity.
Pray: for those who have lost everything, with no means to regain an income or a home.
More: http://news.sky.com/story/1035313/huge-fire-rages-through-lagos-lagoon-slum
Australia: Monstrous bush fires
Due to record-breaking temperatures, high winds and drought, the Australian island state of Tasmania is battling sweeping bushfires that have left thousands stranded and hundreds of others homeless. Now the record-breaking heat wave is moving through other parts of Australia and officials are fearing the worst. Four hundred and thirty seven fire trucks and over 1000 fire-fighters are battling over 137 separate fires in New South Wales. These are some of the worst fire conditions in the states history with blazes un-contained. Fires are also near the South Australian border and a blaze near south-west Victoria could double in size due to strong winds. If so, the fire would be uncontrollable. As locals brace for what is yet to come, humanitarian organisations are working round the clock to relieve those affected by the catastrophe.
Pray: for the hundreds who have lost their homes and fled the fires, for those who are so far unable to contact 'lost' relatives in the disaster areas. And pray for the hard-pressed fire-fighters.
More: http://presstv.com/detail/2013/01/08/282518/fire-risk-threatens-australian-state/
Iran: Update
On 3rd December we requested further prayer for pastor Yousef. Recall that in mid-December he was ordered to report to prison, initially on a daily basis, but when he reported on Christmas Day he was detained. (See last week's PA) We are pleased to report that he was released from Lakan prison on 7th January. We regret to report that two other members from the same church network, Behzad and Mohammed-Reza, were arrested in raids on their homes in Rasht on 31st December. They are currently in a Ministry of Intelligence and Security detention facility and are expected to be transferred to Lakan prison shortly facing charges of action against national security, and Behzad is also charged with insulting Islamic sanctities. No trial date has been set. Behzad is single, whilst Mohammad-Reza has a wife and two daughters.
Pray: that Yousef's liberty will be maintained and his wife, their sons. That Behzad and Mohammed-Reza will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus each day. May officials involved learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him. (2Cor.3:17)