Court ‘forces’ gay adoption on Northern Ireland
A judge has controversially ruled that Northern Ireland must allow gay couples to adopt children, despite widespread opposition. Northern Ireland’s health minister, Edwin Poots, has vowed to ‘urgently appeal’ against the ruling, warning that it could hinder further adoption reforms. An official public consultation into whether to allow gay adoption in Northern Ireland showed that 95 per cent of respondents were opposed to the move. But the taxpayer-funded Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission took the matter to court, and a judge ruled in their favour last Thursday. Mr Poots says the ruling has not altered his position or the position of his department. He said: ‘It is my intention to urgently appeal this judgment and I am taking this action with a heavy heart.’ He added: ‘I have already publicly declared my intention to reform Northern Ireland adoption law because reform is much needed and long overdue’.
Pray: that the appeal will reverse the decision and allow Godly judgement to rule. (Jn.9:31)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-forces-gay-adoption-on-northern-ireland/
Mexican Marines have killed Heriberto Lazcano, the founding leader of the extremely violent Zetas drug cartel.
Killed in a gunfight in a small village in the northern state of Coahuila on Sunday afternoon, Lazcano, also known as "El Lazca" or "Z-3," was one of Mexico's most-wanted men. Only Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, head of the Sinaloa cartel would represent a bigger prize to the Mexican government.
Just hours after he was killed, a masked, armed group snatched Lazcano's body and that of another Zetas member from the funeral parlor. It appeared the military was unaware it had killed Lazcano until his corpse was stolen. Authorities had already taken fingerprints and photographs of the body and later confirmed it was, indeed, Lazcano. [1]
Lazcano, alias "The Executioner," was the highest profile drug lord to be killed or captured in a military offensive launched since President Felipe Calderon took office in late 2006.
Lazcano's death was a double blow to the Zetas criminal organization. Senior Zetas plaza boss Ivan Velazquez, also known as "El Taliban" or "Z-50" was captured last weekend. Since 2009, government troops have caught or killed more than 20 major drug lords, claiming three of the "most wanted" bosses in the past month alone. [2]
The Zetas are considered one of the two most powerful drug gangs in Mexico and have carried out some of the worst atrocities in a drug war that has killed about 60,000 people during Calderon's term. [3]
Under Lazcano's leadership, the Zetas grew into a gang of more than 10,000 gunmen with operations stretching from the Rio Grande to deep Central America. [4]
This is evidence that God is hearing and answering our prayers for the success of President Calderon's "war on drugs" and for the safety of our southwest border.
LET'S PRAY:
Father, we ask for President Calderon's continued success in the drug war during the closing days of his presidency. We ask You to assist Mexico's military in striking crippling blows to the cartels, including the swift capture of Sinaloa Drug Lord "El Chapo" Guzman.
Thank you for hearing our prayers and shaking the foundations of the brutal Zetas cartel. We ask you to hinder the Zetas from rallying and regrouping.
We stand against violence and the death of the innocent that might ensue in a power struggle in the aftermath of Lazcono's death.
We pray for those who are deeply imbedded in the criminal activities of the drug cartels. We know that You take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. (Ez 33:11).
“Even a small number of people, firmly committed to the new inevitability on which they have fixed their imaginations, can decisively affect the shape the future takes. These shapers of the future are the intercessors, who call out of the future the longed-for new present…the reign of God.”- Walter Wink
In Indonesia, a few colleagues and I from the IPC heard thrilling reports from about 200 city leaders who coordinated World Prayer Assembly efforts in their cities and regions. In many cases, they reported that the great majority of churches united for the WPA and continue to meet for prayer with their leaders in an ongoing movement. God gave such favor that even the government in some places was giving money, buses and venues for the WPA! Christ’s people are now getting involved in reaching their communities by adopting their streets, schools and offices for prayer and loving service. Praise the Lord for the huge move of His Spirit, truly a “New Wave”, that is sweeping through this largest Muslim populated nation!
In Chennai, India, I was able to meet with the India National Prayer Network, which is led by two of my IPC colleagues. I also spent a lovely time with the Royal Kids, orphans who pray 24/7 for the nations and have been prayer partners with us in the WPA, in order to report to them on the impact of their prayers and to thank them.
In Vasai, a city near Mumbai, I spoke and led prayer for 700 Catholic charismatic prayer people from many local parishes organized by their leader who was at the WPA. They were among the most fervent and powerful intercessors I have met and were extremely gracious to me as their Protestant brother, as was the Archbishop. In Hyderabad, I presented to about 350 leaders of the nation’s mission movement on the relationship between united prayer, effective mission and socio-political transformation.
Germany: Ban on distribution of Bibles at public schools in Berlin
The International Gideons are known for distributing free pocket Bibles - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were forbidden to distribute any more Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. A letter from the Berlin Senate Department of Education, Youth and Science, clearly requires the distribution of Christian Bibles to stop reasoning from an administrative regulation of 2011 which implies that on state property ‘Advertising of ideological religious or political nature’ is prohibited. Responding to the Senate’s letter Wendel, the chairman of Gideons in Germany, points out that the pocket Bibles don’t contain any ‘advertising for churches, clubs, or the International Gideon Federation’. Furthermore, the ministerial conference earlier recognized these Bibles as school materials. Wendel asked the Education Senator to reconsider and to withdraw his decision.
Pray: that the Education Senator will reconsider in light of earlier decisions and give approval. (Ro.12:2)
Germany: Ban on distribution of Bibles at public schools in Berlin
The International Gideons are known for distributing free pocket Bibles - mostly at schools, hospitals, hotels and medical practices. They were forbidden to distribute any more Bibles at public schools in Berlin by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs. A letter from the Berlin Senate Department of Education, Youth and Science, clearly requires the distribution of Christian Bibles to stop reasoning from an administrative regulation of 2011 which implies that on state property ‘Advertising of ideological religious or political nature’ is prohibited. Responding to the Senate’s letter Wendel, the chairman of Gideons in Germany, points out that the pocket Bibles don’t contain any ‘advertising for churches, clubs, or the International Gideon Federation’. Furthermore, the ministerial conference earlier recognized these Bibles as school materials. Wendel asked the Education Senator to reconsider and to withdraw his decision.
Pray: that the Education Senator will reconsider in light of earlier decisions and give approval. (Ro.12:2)
Israel: ‘Jerusalem is our capital’
Following Prayer-Alert’s report last week entitled,’ Muslim leaders discuss Jerusalem.’ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rebuffed European criticism over the construction of new housing units in a Jewish neighbourhood of Jerusalem, insisting that the Holy City belongs to the Jews. Last week Israel's Interior Ministry approved the construction of 800 new apartments in the southern Jerusalem neighbourhood of Gilo. Gilo is home to tens of thousands of Israeli Jews and new construction there is by no means out of the ordinary. However, Britain, France and the European Union immediately expressed their displeasure with Jewish sovereignty over the entirety of Jerusalem, calling the new apartments an ‘obstacle to peace.’ Netanyahu said the world can call it whatever it wants, but his government will not ‘impose any restrictions on construction in Jerusalem.’ The Israeli leader added that Jerusalem ‘is our capital’ and the Jewish nation has a connection to Jerusalem that is as ‘ancient and powerful’ as the connections Europeans have to their respective capitals.
Pray: continually for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps.122:6-7)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=10673
Nigeria: How Boko Haram smuggles weapons
On Wednesday Oct 24th ex-militants in the Niger-Delta reported a secret conduit through which the militant Islamic sect Boko Haram transports weapons/ammunition into the country with the help of a top government official (name withheld) using his influence to circumvent Nigerian Customs. Earlier this year, speaking at a church service marking the 2012 Armed Forces Remembrance Day, President Goodluck Jonathan had said that members of the Islamic sect had infiltrated the three arms of government at the federal level. He confessed that combating Boko Haram was complicated as members of the Boko Haram sect were in the armed forces, the executive, legislature and judiciary. Last Sunday after three days of Islamic attacks against churches and other targets that left dozens dead, hundreds of residents began fleeing north-eastern Nigeria. See: http://www.worthynews.com/11819-nigeria-militants-attack-church-and-other-targets-dozens-killed Boko Haram’s militant campaign and the military response are believed to have left more than 2,800 people dead since 2009.
Pray: that the government will be able to improve security. Pray for protection of soldiers and citizens in crisis-hit areas. (Pr.24:3-4)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210230708.html
Malawi: Hungry not able to access food
The following is taken from a report giving two examples of the challenges faced in Malawi. ‘I have been staggered at the increase in prices of items in shops. Basics of sugar, bread and salt are very expensive for most and out of reach for many to buy. Meat is inaccessible for most in the villages. Maize (the staple food) has doubled in price and most of those we visited have had no harvest. (I heard on the radio that ‘there is 800,000 tonnes of maize in the silos from previous years') This is appalling. The folks in the villages and mountain areas are the forgotten people. Also, ‘A young man came, whose father had died. He had a growth on his neck and some bush doctor cut it and it spread. The young man is now responsible for his mother and siblings; plus his own wife and one small child. He just sunk into a chair; he was so weak from walking, gaunt from hunger, with nowhere else to go. Could I help him with little money to buy some corn husks? He brought a lump to my throat. I knew his father well’
Pray: that the hungry would have access to food banks, and may God strengthen those working amongst the disadvantaged and disabled. (Mt.25:34-36)
More: http://www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/international/malawi
Lebanon: At a turning point
Christians must continue to pray for Lebanon, Syria and the entire Middle East region, said Naji Daoud, Executive Director of SAT-7 (a Christian radio broadcasting station in Lebanon). He made the appeal after a car bomb killed the head of the Lebanese intelligence agency, and several others in a largely Christian neighbourhood of Beirut. He asked for prayer in these difficult days for Lebanon. As al-Hassan was a known opponent of the Assad regime, there is some speculation that the bombing is connected to the ongoing violence in Syria, which continues to spill into Lebanon. His death triggered violent demonstrations in Beirut and there have been calls for the Lebanese Prime Minister to step down. Naji Daoud called upon Christians in the region to ‘live faithfully’. He said, ‘The Lebanese find themselves at a turning point. We must keep praying for Lebanon, Syria and the whole Middle East.’
Pray: for the peace of Lebanon, that it will not become the victim of a proxy war between the different political and religious rivals in the region - such as the Gulf Arabs, Iran, and the Sunni and Shia worlds. (Ps.4:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lebanon.at.a.turning.point/30881.htm
India: Persecution continues
In parts of India Christian pastors and communities are being continually persecuted. The following are just a few instances of persecution that need our prayers:- Pastor beaten and prayer meeting disrupted on 18 Sept in Karnataka. Prayer meeting stopped on 26 Sept by alleged Hindu extremists in Karnataka. Gospel meeting disrupted on 28 Sept by alleged Hindu extremists in Madhya Pradesh. Pastor arrested On 30 Sep in Uttar Pradesh. Baptism service disrupted on 2 Oct in Orissa. Pastor beaten unconscious on 11 Oct in Karnataka. Pastor arrested on false accusation of enticement on 12 Oct in Chhattisgarh. Pastor beaten up on 14 Oct in New Delhi. We are asked to pray for the persecuted families as they rebuild their lives, ministries and homes. Also this week the Evangelical Fellowship of India called on the Indian Government to observe international human rights requirements with regards to the Dalit Christian's constitutional rights.
Pray: for the government to grant Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and take steps to pre-empt violence against Christian communities and pastors. (Ps.121)
More: http://www.efionline.org/