Ethiopia: Transforming the lives of street boys
The Bible is being used to transform the lives of thousands of boys rescued from the streets in Ethiopia. The Lighthouse Boys Home has helped some 6,000 boys since it opened 13 years ago. The Bible Society gives the home copies of the Bible as books and in audio. So along with food, shelter and training they also get to listen to, read and study the Bible – something the home’s Director, Kashun Tesfaye says has transformed hundreds of lives. ‘There are many problems for boys on the streets. If the weather is cold they drink oil from cars to keep warm. They go hungry. They end up eating garbage. They don’t use clean water or drink clean water. The Bible gives these young people hope for the future. I believe that’s because the Bible gives hope to all people. The children are able to understand the word of God and get hope in God,' he says.
Praise: God for the hope that God gives to all those who accept His word. (Jer.29:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/transforming.the.lives.of.street.boys.in.ethiopia/28801.htm
Atheist help for clergy closet unbelievers
Atheists recently went public with a new website aimed at creating a community for clergy who have lost their faith. The Clergy Project has grown to nearly 100 members since the launch of a private, invitation only, website in March. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have now made the project public in hopes of drawing more pastors, priests, rabbis and other religious leaders who have chosen to ‘move beyond faith’. ‘We know there must be thousands of clergy out there who have secretly abandoned their faith but have nowhere to turn,’ said Dan Barker, a former evangelical preacher who now serves as co-president of FFRF. ‘Now they do have a place to meet, a true sanctuary, a congregation of those of us who have replaced faith and dogma with reason and human well-being.’
Pray: for all clergy who are finding faith challenging and pray that the Holy Spirit would bring fresh revelation. (Eph.1:17)
New website to report inappropriate TV programmes
This will be followed up by an Ofcom investigation. (See Prayer Alert 41-2011) The site is being launched by David Cameron as part of his drive to end the sexualisation of children in Britain. It was one of several recommendations to come out of a government review led by Mothers’ Union chief executive, Reg Bailey, which concluded that today’s children are being surrounded by a ‘wallpaper’ of sexual imagery that is robbing them of their childhood. Other measures being introduced by Mr Cameron include a ban on sexually explicit advertising near schools and under-15s being ‘brand ambassadors’ for certain products.
Pray: that,as this new website is launched that it will lead to many successful challenges to media excesses. (Pro.4:5)
Children's Society condemns child border detention
In May 2010 the Government announced that it would end the immigration detention of children, but it is failing to do so say the Children's Society. Between May and the end of August 2011,in agregate 697 children were held at Greater London and South East ports. Almost one third were unaccompanied children. This could mean as many as 2,000 children could be detained each year. Shockingly the Home Office is not collecting information on the length of detention or reasons why the children have been detained. In December 2010 the Government published details of its new policy to end the detention of children; within this, the Government retained the right to only hold a few dozen families each year in border cases. The Children’s Society welcomed the progress made by the Government in response to the ‘Outcry!’ campaign; a joint initiative between The Children’s Society and Bail for Immigration Detainees to end the immigration detention of children.
Pray: that the authorities will stand by their promises. (Ps.36:3)
Polish TV bows to church demands
Poland's state TV network has given in to demands by the Roman Catholic Church and promised not to re-employ a ‘death metal’ rock star on its most popular music talent show. ’ Polish TV's president, Juliusz Braun, issued the following statement on 13 October ,‘In connection with press reports about Adam Darski's behaviour during a recent Warsaw club concert provocatively showing a lack of respect for religious convictions, as well as for the sick and handicapped,. The statement was issued after reports that Darski, whose stage name is Nergal, had appeared as a priest and pretended to cure a handicapped person during a Warsaw concert by his band, Behemoth. When it was announced Darski would appear on Voice of Poland, several church leaders and Catholic organizations threatened to withhold their licence fees. Darski's concert stunts have included tearing up a Bible and describing the Roman Catholic Church as a ‘criminal sect.’
Pray: as the church makes a stand against the behaviour of ‘death metal’ bands that the media would hold back from promoting such behaviour. (Jas.1:27)
Polish TV bows to church demands
Poland's state TV network has given in to demands by the Roman Catholic Church and promised not to re-employ a ‘death metal’ rock star on its most popular music talent show. ’ Polish TV's president, Juliusz Braun, issued the following statement on 13 October ,‘In connection with press reports about Adam Darski's behaviour during a recent Warsaw club concert provocatively showing a lack of respect for religious convictions, as well as for the sick and handicapped,. The statement was issued after reports that Darski, whose stage name is Nergal, had appeared as a priest and pretended to cure a handicapped person during a Warsaw concert by his band, Behemoth. When it was announced Darski would appear on Voice of Poland, several church leaders and Catholic organizations threatened to withhold their licence fees. Darski's concert stunts have included tearing up a Bible and describing the Roman Catholic Church as a ‘criminal sect.’
Pray: as the church makes a stand against the behaviour of ‘death metal’ bands that the media would hold back from promoting such behaviour. (Jas.1:27)
INSIGHT ARTICLE: G20 Summit
As western economies continue to flounder, the G20 meeting in Cannes on November 3rd and 4th has taken on epic importance in the minds of economists. Something has to happen there, western politicians insist, that will save the west, and particularly Europe, from its current deadlock. Many are saying ‘the G20 summit must look beyond the west and think of the rest’ and 'G20 heads of state, engage yourself finally against hunger in the world', which was written on an Action Against Hunger banner in Paris this week. Also thousands of anti-capitalist demonstrators are expected at the G20 summit despite French police plans to close the Italian border. A recent New York Times headline read, ‘No Jobs and No Ideas’ as the Occupy Wall Street protests entered their fourth week. For a simple introduction to G20 and prayer points for this years summit click the INFO button below.
Pray: for this year’s G20 to unite to implement justice and financial aid for vulnerable regions of the world. (Pr.31:8,9)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=345&Itemid=93
Southeast Asia/Central America: Worst floods in decades
Torrential rains in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, cutting off roads and destroying homes and crops have killed 700+ people and affected eight million. The UN is ready to provide humanitarian relief. Sea surges are expected in Thailand from 28 - 30 October which could threaten to break through flood barriers. A landslide alert has also been issued for four Thai provinces. In Laos, 892 homes have been washed away and 2,500 livestock perished. In Cambodia and Vietnam access is difficult to affected zones. Heavy monsoon rains have been drenching the area since mid July. About 8.2 million people in 60 of Thailand's 77 provinces are affected by flooding, and 10 million residents in Bangkok are experiencing more surges of floodwater. Also in Central America the death toll from rains and mudslides has risen to at least 80, with El Salvador suffering 32 fatalities. The poor weather continues with international highways washed out and thousands of families homeless in a region that the UN classified as one of the most affected by climate change.
Pray: for God to come alongside all who call out to him, to strengthen rescue workers and inspire governments as they work to prevent humanitarian disasters. (Ps.72:12,13)
More: http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/10/worst-flooding-in-decades-swamps-thailand/100168/
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Hajj
Saudi Arabia is referred to as ‘The Land of The Two Holy Mosques, ‘Al-Masjid al-Nabawi’ Mosque where Muhammad is buried and ‘Masjid al-Haram’ the largest mosque in the world situated in Mecca. Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life if they are able.’ This pilgrimage is called Hajj. The dates for the Hajj change each year, this year it starts on November 4th lasting 4 days. Thousands of pilgrims will perform religious acts to be cleansed of their sins by praying at the Grand Mosque, spending a night in a tent at Mina, walking to where Muhammad delivered his final sermon, throwing stones at three pillars representing Satan, sacrificing an animal and walking round a sacred rock seven times. Please pray for those searching for cleansing and forgiveness, and also for the residents of Saudi Arabia where the constitution is based on the Qur’an.
Pray: for Saudis and pilgrims to have their spiritual thirsts truly quenched. (Jn.7:37-38)
More: http://www.pray4muslimpeoples.org/index.php/resources/100-hajj-2011
Chile: Student protests turn violent
Students and police clashed in Santiago during the latest protest over education reform. Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded. Police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters who set up barricades and threw petrol bombs. With more demonstrations planned for Wednesday 26th the government said it will invoke emergency security law to quell the violence. The protest movement started in May by students and are backed by teachers and trade unions after talks with the government broke down earlier this month. Chile's education system is heavily reliant on private funding with 40% of all education paid for by students. Representatives of the movement went to the heavily guarded presidential palace to present an unofficial plebiscite on their demand for educational reform.
Pray: for a peaceful resolution that implements adequate funding for the country’s education. (Is.54:13)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15358921