Brennan Manning is a former Catholic priest who has written many books. This is a powerful, encouraging video which only lasts 3.5 minutes!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQi_IDV2bgM
Bishop’s call for marriage tax break
The Bishop of Chester has called for the Government to honour its pledge to recognise marriage in the tax system. Bishop Peter Forster said if plans were not introduced in the next Budget, it was unlikely there would be time to bring in the tax break before the election. He said 'a financial recognition of marriage would send a powerful symbolic message into society.' Initiating a debate on children in the House of Lords, he said: ‘At the end of the day, Governments cannot simply wash their hands when moral issues are presented, because government is intrinsically a moral activity. To recognise marriage in the tax system would say something important about the wider importance of marriage to society.’ He asked Baroness Garden of Frognal, who was responding to the debate for the Government: ‘Can the Minister please tell us when this pledge - I underline the word pledge - in the coalition agreement will start to be implemented?'
Pray: for the Government and the Opposition to understand the importance of family and to actively support it in their legislation and the tax system. (Pr.11:29 )
More: http://religiousintelligence.org/churchnewspaper/?p=28708
Churches pray for healthcare workers
Churches across the UK are said prayers last Sunday for doctors, nurses and others working in healthcare. Healthcare Sunday is held each year by the Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Nurses and Midwives, and the Healthcare Christian Fellowship. It is an opportunity to show their support for healthcare workers as they live out God's call to care for the sick. Dr Peter Saunders, Chief Executive of Christian Medical Fellowship, said: ‘Many more people pass through our hospitals and GP surgeries than through our churches, and Christian doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers play a key role as Christ's hands and feet with the opportunity to touch people's lives at what can be their greatest time of need. ‘They also face big ethical and moral pressures in a workplace which is often hostile to Christian faith and values. As ordinary Christian disciples facing these challenges and with their own personal, spiritual and emotional needs, they need our prayer and encouragement.’
Pray: for all those who work in healthcare often under severe pressure of work, and for some, of their faith too. (Pr.16:24)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/churches.pray.for.healthcare.workers/30832.htm
Sentamu: We're at a moral crossroads over care for elderly.
The Archbishop of York has urged David Cameron to tackle the ‘great injustice’ of care for the elderly, warning we risk growing into a ‘sick society’ if there are no improvements in the way vulnerable pensioners are treated. Speaking out in support of the Daily Mail’s Dignity for the Elderly Campaign, Dr John Sentamu said it was wrong that tens of thousands of pensioners are being forced to sell their homes to pay for care which is often less than adequate. He said the Government has reached a ‘moral crossroads’ and must decide whether to build a society that supports the vulnerable or ‘one where individuals face whatever life throws at them on their own’. In a separate intervention, the former Liberal Democrat care minister Paul Burstow also challenged Mr Cameron to act quickly to fix the ‘broken system’ amid signs that the Government is planning to delay introducing a cap on the cost of care.
Pray: for the elderly and especially those who are most vulnerable and in need of a well-planned system of care and support. (Ps.71:18)
More: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2221184/Sentamu-moral-crossroads-care-elderly-sick-society-improvements.html
QC: Demoting Christian housing manager was ‘over-reaction’
A housing trust’s decision to demote a Christian after he said on Facebook that gay weddings in churches were ‘an equality too far’ was described as an ‘extraordinary over-reaction’ in court yesterday. Adrian Smith lost his managerial position and had his salary cut by 40 per cent after his employer, Trafford Housing Trust, said his Facebook comments amounted to gross misconduct. Yesterday Mr Smith’s lawyer, Hugh Tomlinson, QC, said: ‘The whole thing is a huge and extraordinary over-reaction’, as he also raised suggestions of entrapment. Mr Smith is trying to recover his lost earnings, and his case is supported by The Christian Institute, a national charity that protects the civil liberty of Christians. The court will decide whether the Trust breached Mr Smith’s employment contract and interfered with his right to free speech. The case is set to conclude this week although judgment is expected at a later date.
Pray: for Mr Smith and for the outcome of this case. (1Pe.3:15)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/qc-demoting-christian-housing-manager-was-over-reaction/
Israel: Muslim leaders discuss Jerusalem
In a Tehran meeting between senior Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar and Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Mr Salehi said, ‘The wave of Islamic Awakening in the Muslim world, especially in regional countries, is a great opportunity and valuable potential for Palestine. This comment followed a conference last month entitled ‘Resistance - Islamic Awakening and Liberation of Palestine.' The Iranian Foreign Minister noted that with the establishment of popular governments in Muslim countries the regional nations and countries will strongly continue their efforts to defend Palestine until the liberation of al-Quds (Jerusalem). Salehi said, ‘Iran did its best to make the summit adopt powerful stances on Palestine and the final result of those efforts were quite favourable.’ Al-Zahar expressed hope that during the presidency of the Islamic Republic, the rights of the Palestinian nation would be defended stronger than before, emphasizing that the Palestinian people will continue their resistance against the Zionist regime of Israel and will not withdraw from their rights and principles.
Pray: for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps.122:6,7)
More: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/260498.html
Iran: Massive arrests of Evangelicals
‘Between 100 and 400 Christians have been detained over the last 10 days in Istahan, Shiraz and Tehran by the intelligence service. ‘Protestant Christians are now viewed as enemy number one of the state,’ said a spokesman for the Iranian Church. ‘We need urgent prayers,’ he added when asked what believers need most. At least seven members of the Church of Iran in Shiraz, have been detained including Mohammad Roghangir, Sister Roxana Forughi. (this is the second time for her) Others were identified as Suroush Saraie, Eskandar Rezaie, Bijan Haghighi, Mehdi Ameruni and Shahin Lahooti. They were taken to the notorious detention centre Plaque 100 of Iran's Intelligence Ministry.Seven received suspended five year sentences for ‘action against the national security.’ Many detainees have been forced to say they will no longer attend church services in exchange for freedom. There was no immediate response from Iranian officials.
Pray: for all who are suffering ‘various medical problems’ because of prison mistreatment; pray also for international outcry to shame Iran into ceasing its persecution of their 100,000+ Christians. (Ps.31:1)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/24042-breaking-news-iran-launching-massive-arrests-of-evangelicals
Nigeria: Most Sadistic Killers
Nigeria's Boko Haram has been accused of crimes against humanity. In a country where college students are lynched in tough neighbourhoods, the most depraved killers are still not considered terrorists by the State Department. The group is one of the deadliest organizations in Africa, accused of killing at least 1,500 people between June 2009 and September 2012. Its victims are the Police, Christians and Muslims it sees as betraying the true faith. They sabotage oil pipelines, take down automated teller machines and rip up telephone lines in a violent jihad against the West. This week clashes intensified between Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces as the government claimed credit for killing the group’s spokesman. Meanwhile, a series of explosions rocked the northern city of Maiduguri – thought to be more work of Boko Haram. Boko Haram’s name translates into ‘Western education is a sin.’
Pray: that Boko Haram would be designated a terrorist organization and for the world to understand there is a need for more protection of innocent Nigerian lives. (Ps.34:6,7)
Saudi Arabia: Calling Christians to pray during Hajj
Next week millions of Muslims from all over the world will be on pilgrimage to Mecca performing a sacred act called the Hajj. For many the Hajj is the pinnacle event of their lives because they are commanded to make a Hajj at least once if they are able. This year Hajj starts Oct. 24th, lasting 3-4 days. See the Hajj 2012 prayer video on the link below. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God. On the second day of Hajj pilgrims pray a prayer at noon called Muna - Arabic meaning ‘to wish or aspire’ - as they seek a closer relationship with God. We can pray that they discover and receive the free gift of communion through the Holy Spirit. On day three pilgrims stand on the ‘mountain of mercy’ and cry from noon to sunset, ’Allah I am here.’ Many then spend the night in prayer. Please pray for those seeking God to be found by the One who paid the price for the remission of sins.
Pray: for seekers to know God’s grace, and for Jesus to reveal himself through dreams and visions. (Eph.2:8,9)
West Africa: Food crisis
Over 19 million are hungry. The greatest needs are in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger and Senegal. Several seasons of crops have failed leaving nothing to harvest. In many instances this has been followedy by floods which wiped out crops and food stores. Families across West Africa have faced successive emergencies, have nothing stored to see them through another poor harvest and food prices have risen by 40%. Christian Aid has released the following prayer, ‘We pray for our sisters and brothers caught up in a cycle of drought and hunger, for parents struggling to find food and seeing their children go hungry, for farmers seeing their crops fail and livestock die. May the leaders of the nations act with insight and urgency, bringing relief to those who suffer now. We join our voices with those who call for an end to poverty. Amen.’
Pray: for God in His mercy to release the provisions needed for those caught in the poverty/hunger trap. (Ps.57:1)
More: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/west-africa-food-crisis/index.aspx