Bishops and MPs criticise High Court ruling on council prayers
Bishops and MPs have criticised the High Court’s landmark ban on prayers during council meetings. The High Court ruled that it was ‘unlawful’ to say prayers during the formal business at council meetings, following a judicial review initiated by the National Secular Society (NSS). Responding to the ruling, Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said that public authorities ‘should have the right to say prayers before meetings if they wish’. The former Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, was quoted by The Telegraph as saying that there was a ‘huge constitutional implication’ to the ruling. ‘Where will this stop – by a test case about prayer in Parliament? Prayers in Parliament are definitely part of the proceedings, they are recorded as such, they are on the order paper and part therefore of the constitutional arrangement of the country as the Queen in Parliament under God.’ (See also PA 49 2011)
Pray: for Christians to reclaim and assert the righty to prayer in public life. (Phl.4:6)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/bishops.and.mps.criticise.high.court.ruling.on.council.prayers/29307.htm
Teen allowed contraception implant without mum knowing
A mum has described as ‘morally wrong’ a scheme which allowed her 13-year-old daughter to be given a contraception implant at school without her knowledge.
The unnamed mum said she thinks more parents should be aware that their children could be having the medical procedure. She said: ‘I feel really angry about this. I agree that teaching teenagers about sexual health and contraception is very important but this is a step too far. And Norman Wells, Director of the Family Education Trust, criticised such schemes, warning that they ‘treat parents, the law and basic moral principles with contempt....Schemes like these inevitably lead to boys putting pressure on girls to have sex.
Responding to the controversy, another mum told BBC Radio 4: ‘I am sure most parents object to this as an assault on their authority. ‘I send my children to school to get an academic education. The age of consent is there for a reason – to protect our daughters.’
Pray: for young people who face tremendous pressure to be sexually active and for parents to be fully involved in their children’s welfare. (Pr.22:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/teen-allowed-contraception-implant-without-mum-knowing/
“Fox News Latino reported this week that Mexico is the world's No. 2 producer of child pornography and is classified as a source, transit and destination country for people traffickers involved in sexual exploitation, Mexico lawmakers said.
Child pornography is the number two illegal business, trailing only drug trafficking, and generates $42 billion annually, Special Committee to Fight People Trafficking chairwoman Rosi Orozco said. Approximately 50% of those trafficked are children and teenagers. Orozco reported that only two Mexican states have handed down convictions for child pornography and only 19 jurisdictions in the entire nation of Mexico have laws against child pornography. Orozco introduced a bill in August 2011 to ban and punish people trafficking; it is still awaiting action.
First Lady Margarita Calderon stated that Mexico must bolster its judicial and public safety institutions to fight people trafficking and child pornography.
Child sex trafficking also thrives in communities across Arizona and along the Southwest border where vulnerable young girls and children as young as 13 years old are exploited and often abducted from their schools and local shopping malls. To add to this tragic fact, these children are physically and emotionally scarred for life. Many of them are sold and smuggled to parts unknown to be discarded later as used merchandise never to be found again.
PRAY:
O LORD, You have heard the cry of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate and free the orphan, the captive and the oppressed, so that man will no longer cause them terror (A prayer fashioned from Psalms 10:17).
Heavenly Father, awaken me to these horrible realities beyond my sight. Give me a deep and godly compassion for the fatherless, the enslaved and the oppressed.
Protect Congresswoman Rosi Orozco and give favor nationally for her bill to stop child sexual exploitation; that legislation will come quickly. Continue to pray for Ms. Orozco's success in her in fight against sex trafficking (Psalms 82:3-4).
To put an end to those producers of child pornography. For the sexual exploitation business to be shut down and be put out of business.
For those addicted to pornography to come to Christ Jesus and be forgiven, set freed and delivered.
Answered Prayer!
The Mexican security forces have arrested 11 alleged members of the country's most powerful drug gang, the Sinaloa cartel. They said those detained worked for Joaquin "Shorty" Guzman, the most wanted man in Mexico. They were arrested during a helicopter raid on a ranch in the north-western state of Durango on Friday. During the raid, elite troops killed the regional leader of the gang, Luis Alberto Cabrera Sarabia. The security forces said his death was a severe blow to the Sinaloa cartel's operations in Durango and Chihuahua. Mr. Cabrera Sarabia is accused of having controlled much of the drug trafficking in the two northern states.
We continue to pray for the capture of Joaqin El Chapo "Shorty" Guzman. We declare he WILL be captured this year!”
Here is a list of quick links you can use to fine out more:
• http://www.thecryhollywood.com/PromoDownload.html (Download a 30-second promo video or a 2-minute vision-casting video to play at a service.)
• https://www.facebook.com/events/314771641871937/ (Invite people through the Facebook event page.)
• http://www.thecryhollywood.com/Promo.html (Go to the online promo page with posters, social media links, videos, and more!)
The organizers write: “We would be honored if you join with other leaders from LA, America, and beyond for this strategic day of prayer. Your presence is powerful. If you are planning to come, please let us know so we can be sure and get you on the VIP seating list. You can connect with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”
From Norm Johnson:
“After the loss of thousands of lives in South Sudan, affecting the lives of more than 100,000 people recently in South Sudan, we received notice of a peace initiative represented by people from the various fighting tribes. Below is the press release of what is known as the Jonglei Peace Initiative. Please pray for an end to the hostilities and that God will use people to his glory and for the sake of his kingdom.
Jonglei Peace Initiative
For Immediate Release January 23, 2012
Found on the second half of this web page: http://dailycollegian.com/2012/01/23/photo-south-sudan-gothic/
Washington, D.C. – Twenty-five South Sudanese Diaspora community leaders from across North America, including both Canada and the USA, gathered in Washington, DC, January 21-22, 2012, and focused on helping bring peace to their native state of Jonglei in the new country of the Republic of South Sudan. We are known as the Jonglei Peace Initiative (JPI) and include men and women from the Anyuak, Nuer, Murle, and Dinka people. Officials from the Embassy of South Sudan and international resource people joined us. We have agreed to call ourselves JPI — USA.
World Prayer Assembly Indonesia
Christian leaders from across the globe will gather at the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 14-18, 2012. This historic event will take place as millions of Indonesians are connected in prayer for their nation. 24/7 ‘prayer towers’ are operating in many cities in Indonesia and over 200,000 ‘child intercessors’ are committed in prayer for their nation. All of this in the largest Muslim-populated country. Thousands of prayer, mission and marketplace leaders, along with on-fire youth and children, will gather in Jakarta to seek the Lord together for His strategies of ‘prayer-action’ for the world. What’s unique is that the WPA will be led inter-generationally, with youth and children helping to facilitate plenary and other sessions. This, the organizers believe, will ‘help launch the next generation of men and women of God that God will use to impact the nations.’ More information is available on the ‘More’ link. Also check out the inspiring introduction video.
Praise: God and pray that there will be tsunami of His Holy Spirit. (Hab.2:14)
World Prayer Assembly Indonesia
Christian leaders from across the globe will gather at the World Prayer Assembly in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 14-18, 2012. This historic event will take place as millions of Indonesians are connected in prayer for their nation. 24/7 ‘prayer towers’ are operating in many cities in Indonesia and over 200,000 ‘child intercessors’ are committed in prayer for their nation. All of this in the largest Muslim-populated country. Thousands of prayer, mission and marketplace leaders, along with on-fire youth and children, will gather in Jakarta to seek the Lord together for His strategies of ‘prayer-action’ for the world. What’s unique is that the WPA will be led inter-generationally, with youth and children helping to facilitate plenary and other sessions. This, the organizers believe, will ‘help launch the next generation of men and women of God that God will use to impact the nations.’ More information is available on the ‘More’ link. Also check out the inspiring introduction video.
Praise: God and pray that there will be tsunami of His Holy Spirit. (Hab.2:14)
Christian marriages have a higher chance of success
Latest research into the lifestyles of Christians reveals that they are happier in their marriages and better at staying married than non-Christians. They are also highly likely to accept outside help and advice to keep their marriages healthy. How's the Family?, the latest report in the 21st Century Evangelicals series, looks at trends in Christian relationships, including what a typical Christian family looks like, insights into how Christians find partners, and what Christians do when relationships go wrong. The research also shows that Christians are much better at protecting their marriage, with the credit for this going to lifestyle choices commonly associated with Christians. The typical lifestyle choices of Christians who go on to happy and lengthy marriages are that they marry young (at 25 on average compared to over 30 in the general population), are less likely to have lived together as a couple, and are willing to participate in activities that support and maintain their relationship.
Praise: that God would continue to bless the institution of marriage and that Christians would be models for the world to follow. (Mt.19:4-6)
More: http://www.eauk.org/media/christian-marriages-are-messy-but-have-a-higher-chance-of-success.cfm
Christian marriages have a higher chance of success
Latest research into the lifestyles of Christians reveals that they are happier in their marriages and better at staying married than non-Christians. They are also highly likely to accept outside help and advice to keep their marriages healthy. How's the Family?, the latest report in the 21st Century Evangelicals series, looks at trends in Christian relationships, including what a typical Christian family looks like, insights into how Christians find partners, and what Christians do when relationships go wrong. The research also shows that Christians are much better at protecting their marriage, with the credit for this going to lifestyle choices commonly associated with Christians. The typical lifestyle choices of Christians who go on to happy and lengthy marriages are that they marry young (at 25 on average compared to over 30 in the general population), are less likely to have lived together as a couple, and are willing to participate in activities that support and maintain their relationship.
Praise: that God would continue to bless the institution of marriage and that Christians would be models for the world to follow. (Mt.19:4-6)
More: http://www.eauk.org/media/christian-marriages-are-messy-but-have-a-higher-chance-of-success.cfm
General Synod challenged to urgently defend marriage
Andrea Minichiello Williams spoke to the General Synod today (6 Feb), challenging the Church of England to take a stand for traditional marriage before it is too late. Urging the Presidents of the Synod (the two Archbishops) to authorise an Emergency Debate, Andrea Williams, member of the General Synod and CEO of Christian Concern, called on the Church to resist David Cameron’s attempt to introduce same-sex marriage, noting that such a concept is contrary to both the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. ‘If the national Church were to stand for marriage as traditionally defined then our Prime Minister would be defeated even before he began. Is it not the job of the established Church to hold Government to account and not to let her stray from biblical precepts which are good not just for individuals but for communities and nations?’
Pray: that the challenge laid down by Andrea will be taken seriously by the Church. (Mt.19:1-6)