Prayers scrapped at Edinburgh City Council meetings
The BBC is reporting that Edinburgh City Council in Scotland is to stop holding prayers during its meetings, reports Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries. ‘The local authority will instead introduce a 10-minute ‘Pause for Reflection’ sessions before meetings of the full council,’ said their story. ‘Group leaders and the Lord Provost agreed unanimously to the move. The sessions will be open to all staff, councillors and visitors who would normally be attending the full council meeting.’ The BBC said that the sessions will take place in the main council chamber 10 minutes before the monthly Thursday meeting. The BBC Scotland news website revealed that the sessions will be delivered by representatives from a wide variety of civic and community interests, including faith and belief groups, civic institutions, community and voluntary sector organisations. ’After this, the city officers will bring in the ceremonial mace and sword to mark the official start of the meeting.’
Pray: against any further moves by local government to stop holding prayer sessions before meetings. (Ps.119:169-170)
Weather and its consequences
The recent wet weather is caused by a high-altitude river of air called the Atlantic jet stream flowing from west to east separating the cool, wet and windy weather of the northern ocean from the stable, settled and warmer air to the south. In a good summer the jet stream lies north of Britain shielding us from the inclement weather closer to the NorthPole. But this year it has shifted south so that cool damp air has settled over the British Isles. Rain has destroyed numerous potato and apple crops and our farmers are struggling to meet supermarket quotas of various fruits and vegetables. The Summer Olympics are full of events meant to be played outside. Track and field events can quickly become hazardous in the rain and sailing can be downright dangerous in poor weather; Poor weather conditions will affect thousands of people attending New Wine and similar events this year.
Pray: for God's mercy on the weather patterns we are experiencing; may they not harm our agriculture, tourism, sporting activities and economic situation. (Ps.24:1,2)
Europe: Eurasian Union negotiations
Negotiations between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are advancing over the creation of a Eurasian Union, which would abolish customs duties and unify economic policies amongst participating countries. In February a Eurasian Economic Commission was established, with the fully ratified economic union expected to enter into force by 2015. The lengthy process of legal codification and harmonisation is under way. The Russian Permanent Mission to the EU held an informal presentation on Thursday 5th July aimed at clarifying the details of the union and reassuring EU businesses, concerned that the new union could become a ‘Soviet empire through the backdoor’. Representatives from the Economic Commission did not respond to questions over whether the Eurasian Union could be used by the EU to put political pressure on its members, especially Belarus, considered to be the 'last dictatorship in Europe'. The common economic space will see EU-style reforms, such as subsidies and state support for agriculture and handling of monopolies.
Pray: for a Eurasian Economic Union to be built on fair, honest and just trading, with consideration for the poorer communities. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780
Europe: Eurasian Union negotiations
Negotiations between Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus are advancing over the creation of a Eurasian Union, which would abolish customs duties and unify economic policies amongst participating countries. In February a Eurasian Economic Commission was established, with the fully ratified economic union expected to enter into force by 2015. The lengthy process of legal codification and harmonisation is under way. The Russian Permanent Mission to the EU held an informal presentation on Thursday 5th July aimed at clarifying the details of the union and reassuring EU businesses, concerned that the new union could become a ‘Soviet empire through the backdoor’. Representatives from the Economic Commission did not respond to questions over whether the Eurasian Union could be used by the EU to put political pressure on its members, especially Belarus, considered to be the 'last dictatorship in Europe'. The common economic space will see EU-style reforms, such as subsidies and state support for agriculture and handling of monopolies.
Pray: for a Eurasian Economic Union to be built on fair, honest and just trading, with consideration for the poorer communities. (Lev.19:15)
More: http://www.euractiv.com/global-europe/russia-pushing-forward-eurasian-news-513780
Russia: 24,000 affected by floods
Russian officials failed to give adequate warnings before flash floods killed at least 171 people in the southern Krasnodar region. Record torrential rain was blamed for the floods. The town of Krymsk was devastated and the district boss was sacked. Seventeen people are still missing, 210 people are in hospital including 48 children. Local officials say flood warnings were given but many people were asleep at the time and did not hear them. TV pictures showed thousands of houses almost completely submerged, with people scrambling on to their rooftops to escape the rising waters. Hundreds of people are in temporary accommodation. More than 24,000 people have been affected by the floods and more than 5,000 houses were inundated. Russian newspapers (normally considered pro-government) were scathing in their criticism of authority and said, ‘the tragedy of Krymsk is a perfect demonstration of what slovenliness and hoping against hope can lead to’.
Pray: for the bereaved, the homeless and those trying to clean up after the disaster to receive the comfort support and assistance needed at this time. (Ps.25:6)
Russia: 24,000 affected by floods
Russian officials failed to give adequate warnings before flash floods killed at least 171 people in the southern Krasnodar region. Record torrential rain was blamed for the floods. The town of Krymsk was devastated and the district boss was sacked. Seventeen people are still missing, 210 people are in hospital including 48 children. Local officials say flood warnings were given but many people were asleep at the time and did not hear them. TV pictures showed thousands of houses almost completely submerged, with people scrambling on to their rooftops to escape the rising waters. Hundreds of people are in temporary accommodation. More than 24,000 people have been affected by the floods and more than 5,000 houses were inundated. Russian newspapers (normally considered pro-government) were scathing in their criticism of authority and said, ‘the tragedy of Krymsk is a perfect demonstration of what slovenliness and hoping against hope can lead to’.
Pray: for the bereaved, the homeless and those trying to clean up after the disaster to receive the comfort support and assistance needed at this time. (Ps.25:6)
World: Ramadan starts Friday 20th July
It is believed, ‘When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell Fire are closed and the devils are chained.’ (from Islam’s sacred text of Bukhari) Muhammad first learned about an alternative ‘feast’ and ‘fast’ from Christians in 7th century Arabia. Ramadan releases emotional excitement and religious zeal among Muslims. Fasting is mandatory during daylight and is broken at sunset when a special evening feast is celebrated. Adults appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from God and seek forgiveness for past sins. Muslims change their physical and emotional selves during 30days of fastingo not only abstain from food, but also refrain from all vice and evils committed consciously or unconsciously. May Ramadan remind us of our own need to pray, fast, and celebrate God’s sovereignty and the gift of his Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.
Pray: for Almighty God to show His grace and mercy for the 1,000,000,000+ Muslims around the world. May many encounter Jesus Christ at this time. (Jn.1:17)
More: http://www.30daysprayer.com/
Iran: Reporting impact of sanctions
Iran has warned the media against the publication of reports concerning the impact of Western sanctions, urging it to cooperate so that ‘the country is not hurt,’ Mohammad Hosseini, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said. ‘Our country is not in a position to allow the media to publish any news or analysis which is not compatible with the regime's and national interests.’ The media are closely watched in Iran and authorities regularly warn against the publication of ‘negative’ information in the economic and social fields. Meanwhile Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported, ‘Iranians are abandoning traditional eating habits and giving up chicken, red meat, fruit and sugar, being thrown out of work at alarming rates because factories are unable to import goods and equipment and the country faces running short of medicines. Sanctions have become a humanitarian issue. Undercover researchers discovered 10 basic foods had risen in price by 70% since March while the average family's food basket shrunk by half. See:
Pray: that the sanctions would have the desired effect on the government and may the people of Iran experience a better quality of life physically, emotionally and spiritually. (Tit.3:1-2)
China: Illegal ordination of bishops
The Chinese government and the Catholic Church have long been at odds over the ordination of new bishops. The state administered Catholic Church in China often ignores Vatican authority and ordains new bishops without permission. Priests who speak out against the government instigated ordinations are arrested or forced to attend training classes until their views more closely reflect the government’s official stance. Last Friday bishops defied a warning from the Vatican and attended the ordination by Chinese officials of a new bishop for the Harbin diocese without approval from the Holy See. Bishop Joseph Yue Fusheng, a vice president of government backed Patriotic Association, was ordained. Five Vatican approved bishops attended. Shortly after the service police released three priests who had been arrested just before the illicit ordination because they opposed the ordination, as had many of the faithful in Harbin.
Pray: for protection over Gods chosen leaders, and may they recognise all the authority given to them by the Lord and be empowered as they serve Him and the nation. (Mat.28:18,19a)
More: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=14847
Vietnam: Officials destroy two new Church buildings
Vietnamese officials in Muong Cha district, Dien Bien Province, destroyed two new church buildings of ethnic minority Hmong Christians this month and threatened to tear down a third. The Ho He Church, erected in April by the unregistered Vietnam Good News Mission was demolished on June 17th .The Phan Ho Church of the registered Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) was destroyed on June 13th 2012. The church threatened with demolition, The Cong Church, also belongs to the Vietnam Good News Mission. These congregations of 500 to 600 people which began as house churches had long outgrown even the largest home so the Hmong had sacrificed and worked to erect wooden worship buildings. As local police, paramilitary forces and other authorities descended on the church buildings by the dozens, the Christians could only watch with deep sadness and frustration as the houses of worship were reduced to rubble and government promises about freedom of religion were again broken, area sources said.
Pray: that the Vietnamese Church would not be deterred from teaching God's word, and discipling new believers. (Mat.28:19,20)
More: http://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/stories/index.php?newsitem=3&date=27jun2012&country=vietnam