Greece: Greeks are turning to their faith.
Greece's economy is in dire shape, and both the country's leaders and residents face an uphill battle to escape what could become a five-year recession. Recent economic reports revealed that the recession was deeper than originally thought. And with news like that splashed across national headlines, many Greeks have turned to religion for some kind of relief. ‘The church is the last resort for everyone. Even more so when people have problems,’ said church goer Stelios Papayoannou. ‘It is human nature to forget God in good times and remember him in hard times.’ Greek worshipper Maria Libery added ‘With faith people can overcome all difficulties. This is why we flock here, to church.’ She continued ‘Times are hard everywhere. Church can bring relief to our soul and make us feel that there is something outside of this life. I believe this is why we go to church.’
Pray: for all those facing hardship due to the economic situation to find an answer in Christ. (Ps.62:8)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Greeks-Attend-Church-as-Economic-Uncertainty-Grows-/
Greece: Greeks are turning to their faith.
Greece's economy is in dire shape, and both the country's leaders and residents face an uphill battle to escape what could become a five-year recession. Recent economic reports revealed that the recession was deeper than originally thought. And with news like that splashed across national headlines, many Greeks have turned to religion for some kind of relief. ‘The church is the last resort for everyone. Even more so when people have problems,’ said church goer Stelios Papayoannou. ‘It is human nature to forget God in good times and remember him in hard times.’ Greek worshipper Maria Libery added ‘With faith people can overcome all difficulties. This is why we flock here, to church.’ She continued ‘Times are hard everywhere. Church can bring relief to our soul and make us feel that there is something outside of this life. I believe this is why we go to church.’
Pray: for all those facing hardship due to the economic situation to find an answer in Christ. (Ps.62:8)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Greeks-Attend-Church-as-Economic-Uncertainty-Grows-/
Christians still feel marginalised - report
A new report out from Premier Christian Media warns of a ‘strong bias’ against Christians in British public life. The media group’s report is based upon consecutive polls it has commissioned in recent years to gauge perceptions among Christians and non-Christians. Feelings of marginalisation were found to be particularly strong amongst Christians. In a 2008 survey of 500 Christians, 73% said they felt Christians were being unfairly marginalised in British society. That was followed by a C-Panel poll the following year which found that 66% of Christians felt there was greater negative discrimination towards Christians than other faiths. Although non-Christians were far less likely to agree that Christians were being marginalised, poll results revealed a sympathetic general public. Premier noted perceptions of ‘favouritism’ towards Muslims in particular and a bias towards homosexual lobby groups.
Pray: against the ongoing marginalisation of our faith in all levels of society. (Pr.10:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.still.feel.marginalised.report/28872.htm
Liverpool unveils UK’s first gay street signs
Liverpool has become the first city in the UK to carry a homosexual rainbow emblem on some of its street signs, despite other councils banning Christian symbols. Liverpool City councillor, Nick Small said: ‘The new signs clearly show that we are recognising where the LGBT scene is based in the city and that it is a very important part of our city life.’ The city’s enthusiasm to promote the emblem stands in contrast to other local councils that have banned Christian symbols from public display. Camden Council in North London told a church group that it could not advertise an event on religion and climate change unless it removed words like ‘Christian’ and ‘God’ from the text. Staff at Salisbury Council were told not to use the phrase ‘singing from the same hymn sheet’ when talking to people because the religious reference might offend atheists.
Pray: for the authorities that make unwise decisions that go against common sense may their ideas be thwarted. (Ps.94:8)
Tesco funds Gay Pride but drops Cancer Research
Tesco has sparked outrage after dropping its support for the Cancer Research ‘Race for Life’, and announcing shortly after that it would now become a headline sponsor of Britain’s largest gay festival. The supermarket giant has supported Cancer Research for more than a decade, helping the charity raise hundreds of millions of pounds towards combating the illness – estimated to affect one in three of the population. But now the retail chain has signed a deal to become a major sponsor of Pride London, and will host the festival’s family area.
Pray: that this move by a major retail company would be looked at carefully in light of its involvement with the wider
community. (Eph.5:15)
24-7 Prayer & Alpha say fill 2012 with prayer
As the Olympic and Paralympic Games approach, Pete Greig, a founding champion of 24-7 Prayer, author of ‘Red Moon Rising’ and Director of Prayer for Holy Trinity Brompton is helping to launch a year of prayer called Kingdom Come 2012, challenging God’s people to pray that the name of Jesus will be lifted high in our lands once again. Kingdom Come 2012 is a partnership between 24-7 Prayer and Alpha to encourage thousands of churches to fill an entire year with night and day prayer, aiming to build on the success of unprecedented years of non-stop prayer across Scotland in 2010 (The Big If) and Ireland in 2011(What If?). Nicky Gumbel, Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton says 'Prayer is the power behind our vision to see the re-evangelisation of our nations and the transformation of society. In 2012 we are going to be praying like never before.’ For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Pray: that the Church will take up the challenge to pray in the kingdom and transformation of our nations. (Mt.6:10)
Netherlands: Civil servant fired for opposing gay marriage
A Christian civil servant has been fired by the Dutch city of The Hague for refusing to oversee same-sex marriages on Biblical grounds. Wim Pijl said on Tuesday that he would take legal action against the dismissal despite parliamentary support for gay weddings. ‘For me this is a personal case,’ explained Pijl. He also told reporters that God opposes same-sex marriages. ‘As a Christian I learned from the Bible that there is only one marriage, between a man and a woman.’ The Hague city government said through a spokesman that it had no other choice than to dismiss Pijl as he had ‘refused to take back his remarks.’ The Netherlands has 104 civil servants refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to Dutch gay rights group COC.
Pray: for Pijl and others who are standing up for their Christian beliefs. May the Lord empower them to stand firm. (Ps.37:23)
Netherlands: Civil servant fired for opposing gay marriage
A Christian civil servant has been fired by the Dutch city of The Hague for refusing to oversee same-sex marriages on Biblical grounds. Wim Pijl said on Tuesday that he would take legal action against the dismissal despite parliamentary support for gay weddings. ‘For me this is a personal case,’ explained Pijl. He also told reporters that God opposes same-sex marriages. ‘As a Christian I learned from the Bible that there is only one marriage, between a man and a woman.’ The Hague city government said through a spokesman that it had no other choice than to dismiss Pijl as he had ‘refused to take back his remarks.’ The Netherlands has 104 civil servants refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to Dutch gay rights group COC.
Pray: for Pijl and others who are standing up for their Christian beliefs. May the Lord empower them to stand firm. (Ps.37:23)
Russia: Chief editor urges Christians to evangelize in media
During the General Council of the Associated Russian Union of Christians of Evangelical-Pentecostal Faith, Mr. Pavel Gusev, editor-in-chief of the 'Moskovskij Komsomolets' (Komsomolets – member of the Communist Union of Youth)
newspaper and chairman of the Moscow Union of Journalists, urged Christians to preach the Gospel in mass media. Gusev noted that Christians often come to him and say, ‘Look what they are writing about us! They are saying we are underground churches, that we are a sect! Where is the truth?’ I reply to them ‘Moskovskij Komsomolets has 82 newspapers and magazines published. You are free to publish your thoughts in them and I promise I will not correct any letter!’ promised the editor-in-chief. ‘Imagine that Christians would preach he tGospel and speak about their work everywhere. I think it must be your first goal. Believers don’t have to propagandize their teaching; you only have to tell people about you and your work. They will see and hear,' underlined the chairman of the Moscow Union of Journalists.
Pray: that Russian Christians will take up the challenge to write about their faith. (Mt.24:14)
Russia: Chief editor urges Christians to evangelize in media
During the General Council of the Associated Russian Union of Christians of Evangelical-Pentecostal Faith, Mr. Pavel Gusev, editor-in-chief of the 'Moskovskij Komsomolets' (Komsomolets – member of the Communist Union of Youth)
newspaper and chairman of the Moscow Union of Journalists, urged Christians to preach the Gospel in mass media. Gusev noted that Christians often come to him and say, ‘Look what they are writing about us! They are saying we are underground churches, that we are a sect! Where is the truth?’ I reply to them ‘Moskovskij Komsomolets has 82 newspapers and magazines published. You are free to publish your thoughts in them and I promise I will not correct any letter!’ promised the editor-in-chief. ‘Imagine that Christians would preach he tGospel and speak about their work everywhere. I think it must be your first goal. Believers don’t have to propagandize their teaching; you only have to tell people about you and your work. They will see and hear,' underlined the chairman of the Moscow Union of Journalists.
Pray: that Russian Christians will take up the challenge to write about their faith. (Mt.24:14)