Olympic Park Prayer Walk
You are invited to join Christians from East London on the first Saturday of 2012 in a Prayer Walk of the Olympic Park. Saturday 7th January 2012 10.00am - 12.00 midday. The whole route is approximately 1.5 miles and it is expected that the prayer walk will take between one and a half to two hours, with stops for prayer at key points. Members of the More than Gold Prayer Team and others will be leading in prayer for the Olympics, Paralympics and the main Olympic site. No need to book - just turn up! Full details of where to meet, transport and parking can be found on the ‘More’ link. For those who are unable to attend please join them in prayer wherever you are.'
Pray: for all those who are coming together to pray that God would guide their prayers. (Ps.25:5)
More: http://prayerforum.org/news/national/olympic-park-prayer-walk/
The welfare state must be preserved
In an open letter published in the Observer on Sunday, 18 bishops ask for amendments to the Welfare Reform Bill now going through Parliament. The letter says that as a result of the proposed cap on benefits, an estimated 210,000 children may be pushed into ‘severe poverty’ and another 80,000 made homeless. The bishops write: ‘Such an impact is profoundly unjust.’ The letter follows reports that millions of benefit claimants are likely to lose between £50 to £100 each next year if the historic link between the rate of inflation and welfare payments is broken. This hits the youngest in families on the breadline the hardest. As the bishops write, they ‘have no voice’. In a time of austerity, the Observer believes it is a valid exercise to prioritise which aspects of universalism to retain but it is essential that the principle itself continues to dominate the shape of our welfare state.
Pray: that the government would consider the needs of the young plus the elderly and not emphasise one over the other. (Ph.4:19)
Armed Forces 'Notifying' and 'Visiting' Officers
The Casualty Notifying Officer is the person, usually from the regiment, who tells the next of kin of the death of or injury to a soldier. A Visiting Officer is also appointed from the regiment to offer practical help and support during this difficult time and give guidance and advice when necessary. This officer will explain what help is available and can be contacted as often as needed. Many of these officers are young Lieutenants and Captains and although trained for this particular role some could be involved for a long time, 12 months or more.
Pray: for these officers in this extremely difficult role. Pray for God to give them wisdom beyond their years and sensitivity and compassion in handling the bereaved. (Pr.3:13)
More: http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/publications/misc/death_in_service.pdf
Christians' future in secular Europe
Christians have been told they must find a framework for promoting their beliefs if they are to confront the challenge of aggressive secularisation and the erosion of Christian values across all spheres of life. Opening the Beyond Individualism conference on Friday, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said it was ‘amazing’ that a Christian nurse in Britain today could be suspended for offering to pray for a patient, when it was Christians who had set in place many of the institutions and public services now taken for granted. He warned that the Christian values inherent in Europe’s heritage have been eroded by a process of ‘aggressive secularisation’ that Christians must understand if they are to challenge it. While politicians offer ‘thin’ values like respect and tolerance, the bishop said such ‘political mantras’ were ‘not enough for society to be cohesive’.
Pray: that the Church will take its rightful place in Europe and not give way to aggressive secularism. (Ep.3:16)
Christians' future in secular Europe
Christians have been told they must find a framework for promoting their beliefs if they are to confront the challenge of aggressive secularisation and the erosion of Christian values across all spheres of life. Opening the Beyond Individualism conference on Friday, Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali said it was ‘amazing’ that a Christian nurse in Britain today could be suspended for offering to pray for a patient, when it was Christians who had set in place many of the institutions and public services now taken for granted. He warned that the Christian values inherent in Europe’s heritage have been eroded by a process of ‘aggressive secularisation’ that Christians must understand if they are to challenge it. While politicians offer ‘thin’ values like respect and tolerance, the bishop said such ‘political mantras’ were ‘not enough for society to be cohesive’.
Pray: that the Church will take its rightful place in Europe and not give way to aggressive secularism. (Ep.3:16)
EU urged to take control of Kosovo problem
Sweden has said the EU should put pressure on Pristina to improve relations with Serbs in north Kosovo following three months of escalating violence. Foreign minister Carl Bildt sent a letter to EU institutions on 17 November after visiting the Serb-controlled town of north Mitrovica, which he described as ‘more tense and more divided today than it has been for a very long time.’ The letter - seen by EUobserver - says the European External Action Service and the European Commission should ‘launch a structured dialogue with Pristina on the issue of the north.’ He added: ‘While we must be firm in rejecting any notion of partition, we should also be realistic enough to admit that there will be no easy solution to overcoming an existing division that is currently growing stronger and more hostile by the day.’ For its part, the commission has invited Pristina to put forward a ‘comprehensive agenda’ to pacify the region.
Pray: that there would be a breakthrough leading to peace and reconciliation. (Ps.85:8)
EU urged to take control of Kosovo problem
Sweden has said the EU should put pressure on Pristina to improve relations with Serbs in north Kosovo following three months of escalating violence. Foreign minister Carl Bildt sent a letter to EU institutions on 17 November after visiting the Serb-controlled town of north Mitrovica, which he described as ‘more tense and more divided today than it has been for a very long time.’ The letter - seen by EUobserver - says the European External Action Service and the European Commission should ‘launch a structured dialogue with Pristina on the issue of the north.’ He added: ‘While we must be firm in rejecting any notion of partition, we should also be realistic enough to admit that there will be no easy solution to overcoming an existing division that is currently growing stronger and more hostile by the day.’ For its part, the commission has invited Pristina to put forward a ‘comprehensive agenda’ to pacify the region.
Pray: that there would be a breakthrough leading to peace and reconciliation. (Ps.85:8)
India: Pastor arrested for baptising seven Muslims
Kashmir region’s grand mufti used a video from YouTube showing Rev Khanna baptising seven young Muslim men and women to have the Reverend arrested. The video was linked by other online platforms provoking an avalanche of verbal attacks against the clergyman. In early November the grand mufti summoned Rev Khanna of All Saints Church to appear before a Sharia Court accused of converting Muslims in exchange for money. The grand mufti called the police who then arrested him and later arrested the seven men and women who were in the video. According to witnesses, police beat the seven in order to testify against the pastor. The Jammu Christian Federation called on the government to release the pastor since administering the baptism on consenting adults is his prerogative. ‘The rights of Christians are being sacrificed on the altar of political expediency and convenience,’ said the Global Council of Indian Christians.
Pray: for Indian Christians to continue to be entitled to minority rights and that Sharia Courts would not enforce laws on Christians. (Pr.3:27)
More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Kashmir-pastor-arrested-for-baptising-seven-Muslims-23237.html
Egypt: Elections from 28th November - 10th March 2012
Egyptian Christians request our prayers for Parliamentary elections within the current context of protest, violence and lack of security. Christians are concerned that the pattern of protest and violent response is nurturing an environment of indifference towards violence, including sectarian violence. Christians continue to be a vulnerable group, disproportionately affected by the lack of security in Egypt, fearing the current climate of intimidation, violence and instability could lead to fewer Christians voting, which would impact their representation in Parliament. Also Christians are concerned that if some parties achieve power they intend to restrict freedom of expression and the religious freedom of minority communities. Although most parties have pledged to fight against sectarianism and discrimination, Christians fear that some parties, likely to have significant representation, would not honour such pledges. Please pray that the elections which are undetaken in stages on 10 March next year, will be conducted in a peaceful environment, in a fair manner, and that all Egyptians, including Christians, will have confidence in the process.
Pray: for an end to violence and for all political parties to uphold current commitments on freedoms of belief and expression.(Pr.2:20-22)
Nigeria: Christians still being murdered
Muslim herdsmen and soldiers killed at least 45 ethnic Berom Christians in Plateau state in the past week. Smaller attacks beginning on Nov. 20th over allegations by Fulani Muslims of cattle theft preceded an attack on a church on Nov. 23rd killing four Christians, and an assault the next day left 35 Christians dead. Thousands of Christians are fleeing because they have no guns with which to fight back against aggressive Muslims with guns. Nearly all Christians have fled to Jos or have left Plateau state. In Thursday's attack the Fulani Muslims were shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is greater). Alhaji Kasimu is one of leaders of the Muslim community in Barkin Ladi responsible for arming Muslims to attack Christians.
Pray: for the thousands of displaced Christians to know God’s provision and protection and for security agencies to take the necessary steps to check violence. (Ps.71:1-4)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nigeria/article_123658.html