Belgium: Considering extending euthanasia law to children
Belgium is considering allowing children and Alzheimer’s sufferers to ask to be euthanized. The proposed changes to the country’s decade-old law were submitted to Parliament on Tuesday by the Socialist Party. The draft legislation calls for ‘the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate’. Belgium was the second country in the world after the Netherlands to legalise euthanasia, but it applies to people over the age of 18. The European Institute of Bioethics has already criticised the current law in Belgium, in a report reviewing ten years of euthanasia in the country. Dr Peter Saunders, director of campaign group Care not Killing, warned in response to the report: ‘The lessons are clear. Once you relax the law on euthanasia or assisted suicide steady extension will follow as night follows day.’
Pray: that the Care not Killing response be listened to and these proposed changes would not be accepted. (Ps.119:126)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belgium-considering-extending-euthanasia-law-to-children/
Belgium: Considering extending euthanasia law to children
Belgium is considering allowing children and Alzheimer’s sufferers to ask to be euthanized. The proposed changes to the country’s decade-old law were submitted to Parliament on Tuesday by the Socialist Party. The draft legislation calls for ‘the law to be extended to minors if they are capable of discernment or affected by an incurable illness or suffering that we cannot alleviate’. Belgium was the second country in the world after the Netherlands to legalise euthanasia, but it applies to people over the age of 18. The European Institute of Bioethics has already criticised the current law in Belgium, in a report reviewing ten years of euthanasia in the country. Dr Peter Saunders, director of campaign group Care not Killing, warned in response to the report: ‘The lessons are clear. Once you relax the law on euthanasia or assisted suicide steady extension will follow as night follows day.’
Pray: that the Care not Killing response be listened to and these proposed changes would not be accepted. (Ps.119:126)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/belgium-considering-extending-euthanasia-law-to-children/
NIGERIA: 36 killed over Christmas
Attackers stormed a church in Kyachi village, Chibok, and shot 15 people on Sunday in the latest violence against Christians. Nigeria’s military downplayed the incident, but the official who spoke of the attack is the regional coordinator for the country’s National Emergency Management Agency. The attack followed violence on Friday when attackers slit the throats of 15 Christians in a pre-dawn raid in Musari, also in the north-east. Musari and Chibok are located in Nigeria’s Borno state, where Boko Haram has been based. During a Christmas Eve service gunmen killed six people in north-eastern Yobe state, then they set the building ablaze. Violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency in northern and central Nigeria is believed to have left some 3,000 people dead since 2009. While the violence has been severe in certain areas this Christmas season, it has been less bloody than in 2011.
Pray: for President Goodluck Jonathan as he attempts to end Boko Haram tyranny, pray also for the Church to be strengthened and encouraged during 2013. (Ps.68:28)
More: http://dawn.com/2013/01/01/attackers-kill-15-at-nigerian-church-rescue-official/
Pakistan: Charity workers killed
Two health workers and five teachers were shot dead in north-west Pakistan on January 1st. They were all Pakistani citizens and were attacked near a school and clinic, specializing in maternal health. Militants targeting a vaccination programme are suspected. In December a series of attacks killed nine health workers employed in a national polio vaccination drive. Pakistani Taliban have long denounced the vaccination drive as Western plots to gather intelligence or to sterilize Muslim children. The killings have prompted the UN children's agency and the World Health Organization to suspend work on polio campaigns in Pakistan. Pakistan is the only country where there is public opposition to immunization programmes and health workers are paying a heavy price for their efforts. Thousands of them hit the streets every couple of months to immunize children across the country and they do it despite a growing risk to their lives.
Pray: the clerics using FM channels to decry health programmes would stop challenging and resisting those trying to help the poor and sick in deprived areas; may polio be eradicated from Pakistan.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20880948
Afghanistan: Looking ahead
The Church is growing as local believers are added one by one and in small groups. Some are secret and pray alone, others gather for worship, to pray and receive teaching in small groups. All local believers are at risk of exposure and harm from family members, friends and neighbours. Many are asking, or are uncertain about what will happen in 2014 when officially all foreign troops pull out of Afghanistan - and a mission agency is asking Christians to prayerfully consider interceding throughout 2013 leading up to the 2014 deadline and in particularl to pray for one of the largest un-reached tribal group in the world - the Pushtun people. They have an important regional significance being well-known for their involvement in militancy over the last years and for their hospitality to other affiliated groups. There has been little penetration with the Good News despite many years of work and much sacrifice on the part of workers.
Pray: that believers become salt and light across Afghanistan as they find others they can trust to share in worship, prayer and teaching. Ask God to protect and provide for local believers during 2013. (1Sa.25:6)
More: http://www.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=14327
Iran: Pastor rearrested on Christmas Day
Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani was arrested on Christmas Day allegedly because of improperly completed paperwork, denying him the chance to celebrate the birth of Christ at home with his family for the first time in three years. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and Present Truth Ministries both reported the news, saying Pastor Nadarkhani was back in Lakan Prison in Rasht serving another 40 days. ‘We are disappointed to hear Pastor Nadarkhani has been returned to prison in such an irregular manner,’ said Mervyn Thomas, CSW's Chief Executive. ‘The timing is insensitive and especially sad for his wife and sons who were looking forward to celebrating Christmas together. We hope that Pastor Nadarkhani will be released without delay once this alleged sentence has been fully served. In November Pastor Nadarkhani thanked all who prayed and advocated for his release during CSW's National Conference in London, where he was a special guest.
Pray: for the pastor's safety, and for his family at this difficult time. Pray also for the un-reached peoples across Iran to have a hunger to know God and meet His Son. (Eph.4:1)
Bangladesh: Christian children vulnerable
Children of Bengali believers from Muslim background are vulnerable. They are a minority in their communities and being identified as Christians poses danger to their lives and their future. When they go to schools, they are taunted, bullied, and pressured by classmates and teachers alike. Twelve-year-old Urmi lived in a predominantly Muslim village. She kept her faith hidden for as long as she could remember. ‘I have many friends in school,’ said Urmi, who belonged to a family of six. ‘The teachers are good and kind to me. But they don't know that my family and I are Christians. My teacher lives in our village and she knows that we are Christians, but I don't think she'll tell it to others. Pray for us - If people (in our village) find out, they might kill us,’ Urmi added.
Pray: for Muslim Background Believers in Bangladesh that God will give them boldness and protection as they practice and share their faith. (Ac.4:29)
More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/persecution.php?country=bangladesh
Syria: Plight of Christians intensifies
The condition of the Church in Syria is becoming more and more desperate. Christians, their property and their churches continue to be the targets of violent attack. According to a prayer bulletin from Barnabas Aid, a group which provides assistance to the persecuted church, a senior church leader reported some disturbing facts. Christians in Syria also face ‘inflation, poverty, growing of sectarian enmity, shortages of supplies of food and fuel, cold weather, revenge, kidnapping for big amounts of ransom, risks of travelling, frequent Internet cut off and (more).’ While the Christian population of Homs was once 50,000-60,000, just 80 Christians remain in a Christian neighbourhood of the old city in December 2012. They are being held hostage by rebels and prevented from leaving. They’re dying one by one as a result of serious hardships and lack of medication. They are being kept there as ‘human shields’ by Salafist rebel groups to deter government forces from attacking the Christian area, which is now occupied by rebels.
Pray: that all in Syria would know the Lord's peace in these desperate times. May God make a way for them to live in safety in their own country. (Hos.2:18)
Egypt: Worship and prayer in the streets
Less than two years after its democratic revolution, Egypt is in crisis. People are more divided than ever. Many being fearful of the constitution being voted on. A year ago a Night of Prayer drew 70,000 Christians to pray for their nation. On 13th December 2012 between 8,000-10,000 believers from across Egypt's churches gathered again to pray for the current political situation, church unity, repentance and spiritual revival in Egypt. They erupted into chants of ‘Jesus!’ and ‘Egypt!’ holding banners declaring, ‘We want you, Jesus’ and ‘You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.’Held at Cairo's massive Cave Church and televised live by SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 PLUS, extracts from the event were also taken by secular channel ON-TV. Two secular Egyptian newspapers published articles on the event and SAT-7's coverage of it. Over 50,000 have so far watched on YouTube. See: http://www.youtube.com/sat7arabic
Pray: that SAT-7's YouTube clips would speak powerfully to all who watch. (2Ki.17:38-39)
Alcohol Concern and British Liver Trust launch January campaigns
Two national charities have launched different campaigns urging people to cut down on their alcohol consumption. Alcohol Concern is urging drinkers to shun alcohol for January, with benefits which it says include saving money, losing weight and feeling healthier. But the British Liver Trust said people should follow its recommendations throughout the year, including taking 2-3 days off alcohol every week. Liver disease is now the fifth biggest cause of death in the UK. The British Liver Trust said it was on the rise because British culture continues to embrace daily consumption of alcohol, fatty food choices and a lack of exercise.
Meanwhile, Alcohol Concern has launched its Dry January campaign, urging people to take a month off drinking alcohol. The charity said it wanted to get people thinking and talking about their drinking, and it hoped these conversations would continue long after this month.
Pray: for an improved awareness of the health risks of drinking alcohol and that the message will be heard and acted upon. (1Cor.6:12)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20880957