Iran: Fears for condemned pastor’s welfare
Compass Direct News reports that the mistreatment of Youcef Nadarkhani, amounts to physical and psychological torture, a source close to the pastor's family said. An Iranian church member said that communication with Nadarkhani is limited, but sources close to the imprisoned Christian indicate he has undergone physical and psychological torture. ‘Certainly he was hit, his telephone conversations are heard by authorities’ the source said, adding he has been in extreme situations spending time in a solitary cell unable to talk to others for long times and also is told he will be killed. Visitors to Youcef have seen evidence of torture, adding ‘long periods of solitary confinement can cause mental trauma, although we have not seen any evidence in Youcef of being in a bad mental state.’
Pray: for God’s Holy Spirit to continue to protect Youcef’s mind. Pray also for his speedy release despite not recanting his faith. (Heb.10:35)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fears.for.welfare.of.iranian.pastor.facing.execution/28898.htm
Bible verses on Christmas stamps
Bible chapter and verse references have been printed on the face of this year’s Christmas stamps, unveiled by Royal Mail to mark 400 years of the King James Version of the Bible. The series of seven stamps feature Bible references taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The stamps also include pictures of nativity scenes. Royal Mail, which alternates between religious and secular themed stamps each Christmas, released the new designs last week. Stephen Agar from Royal Mail said: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration across the UK and around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the Gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.’
Praise: God that the message of His Word will be seen on all our mail this Christmas. (Ps.18:30)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/royal-mail-reveals-nativity-stamps/
Bible verses on Christmas stamps
Bible chapter and verse references have been printed on the face of this year’s Christmas stamps, unveiled by Royal Mail to mark 400 years of the King James Version of the Bible. The series of seven stamps feature Bible references taken from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The stamps also include pictures of nativity scenes. Royal Mail, which alternates between religious and secular themed stamps each Christmas, released the new designs last week. Stephen Agar from Royal Mail said: ‘Christmas stamps help deliver festive messages of good cheer and celebration across the UK and around the world. This year’s stamps feature scenes from the Nativity, together with the Gospel references from the King James Bible which inspired them.’
Praise: God that the message of His Word will be seen on all our mail this Christmas. (Ps.18:30)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/royal-mail-reveals-nativity-stamps/
Indonesia: House church planting among Muslims
The Muslim world is complex. But from the teeming cities of Southeast Asia to the tribal villages of Central Africa to the arid deserts of the Middle East, there is a common denominator in how God is working to draw people to Himself. Mission organization Pioneers launched a video series that tells the story of what indigenous church planting looks like in the Muslim world. The first one is about a city in Indonesia where small groups of Muslim seekers and new believers are gathering to study the Bible, pray and then put their faith in action. In the face of persecution, spiritual warfare and poverty, Jesus is building His church.
Praise: God that His Church continues to grow despite the difficulties. (2Th.2:14)
More: http://www.pioneers.org/multiply/indonesia.aspx
Indonesia: House church planting among Muslims
The Muslim world is complex. But from the teeming cities of Southeast Asia to the tribal villages of Central Africa to the arid deserts of the Middle East, there is a common denominator in how God is working to draw people to Himself. Mission organization Pioneers launched a video series that tells the story of what indigenous church planting looks like in the Muslim world. The first one is about a city in Indonesia where small groups of Muslim seekers and new believers are gathering to study the Bible, pray and then put their faith in action. In the face of persecution, spiritual warfare and poverty, Jesus is building His church.
Praise: God that His Church continues to grow despite the difficulties. (2Th.2:14)
More: http://www.pioneers.org/multiply/indonesia.aspx
CMS looks for next leader
The Church Mission Society has begun its search for a new Executive Director. It is asking supporters to pray as it seeks a successor to current leader the Rev Canon Tim Dakin, who has been appointed as the next Bishop of Winchester. The recruitment process for Community Leader and Executive Director is being overseen by Martyn Snow, Vice-chair of Trustees. The agency, founded in 1799, is looking for ‘an extraordinary individual’ who is ‘a spiritually mature, committed Christian, passionate about mission and prayer, who can be a compelling role model for the evangelical ideals, ethos and values of CMS’. Mr Snow said the appointment panel had received lots of feedback from supporters about the role. ‘I am therefore writing to ask for your continued prayers for the process,’ he wrote in a message to supporters. Christians are being invited to pray each Friday at noon until the new appointment is made.
Pray: for God to raise up the right person for this important post (Nu.16:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/cms.looks.for.next.leader/28948.htm
Act now on problem gambling
A substantial increase in problem gambling in the last four years is unacceptable and needs urgent action, a group of national churches told parliament last week. On Tuesday, 22 November, the Salvation Army, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs, the Methodist Church, the Evangelical Alliance and CARE (Christian Action, Research and Education) gave evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry into gambling. In their contribution to a parliamentary inquiry on gambling, church groups will tell the select committee that the government must take action on child gambling, the clustering of betting shops and funding independent research, education and treatment. The 2010 prevalence study showed that the number of problem gamblers in the UK has jumped by 50 per cent to around 450,000 since 2007. James North, public issues policy adviser for the Methodist Church in Britain, commented: ‘The figures speak for themselves: problem gambling is on the rise. But the government seems determined to liberalise gambling laws.
Pray: for all those affected by gambling d for the Government to take a more realistic view of the problem. (Ec.5:10)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=545
Evangelical leaders speak out on marriage
Following a ‘postcard campaign’ by the Catholic Church in Scotland, (See Prayer Alert 45-2011) evangelical church leaders have followed suit by making the Scottish Government aware that they strongly oppose any move to bring in full homosexual ‘marriage’. Over 70 leaders signed a joint letter which was sent to First Minister Alex Salmond, urging him to maintain the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. When the Scottish Government launched a consultation on the matter, it assured church leaders that they would not be forced to conduct marriage ceremonies for same sex couples. However, widespread concerns still remain amongst Scottish church leaders over the impact of redefining marriage. There is a very real risk of definition-creep. If marriage is redefined who is to say that, for example, polygamy should not be legalised?
Pray: as pressure increases that the Government would listen to the advice the Church is giving. (Heb.13:4)
Basic home care help 'breaching human rights'
Basic care for the elderly in their own homes in England is so bad it breaches human rights at times, an inquiry says. The home care review by the Equality and Human Rights Commission highlighted cases of physical abuse, theft, neglect and disregard for privacy and dignity. It said on many occasions support for tasks such as washing and dressing was ‘dehumanising’ and left people ‘stripped of self-worth’. The findings have added weight to calls for a complete overhaul of the system. Campaigners described the situation as ‘shameful’, while councils, which are in charge of providing such services, said without urgent reform services would just get worse. There are currently nearly 500,000 people who are getting council-funded support in their own homes.
Pray: that the elderly will be shown respect and honour in their old age. (Lev.19:32)
Girl Guides considers dropping God
Girls wanting to become Guides, Brownies or Rainbows currently promise to ‘love’ God when signing up to the 101-year-old organisation. However, the association is considering reviewing the wording of its affirmation for new members, to remove religious references. The move comes after parents complained it was unfair to exclude children who had not received a Christian upbringing. The promise is optional but only girls who have taken it can be awarded the movement's highest badges. Christian campaigners yesterday warned that the 600,000-member association risks losing its values if it abandons the religious element of the oath. 'It would be terribly sad,' said Mike Judge, spokesman for The Christian Institute. ‘The Girl Guides has always embraced all people but has its roots in Christian values, which is what has made it so popular and successful. It will be very difficult for it to maintain its values if it removes the ethics from where those ideas spring.’
Pray: for the association to look at other options so that they can retain the promise to ‘love God’. (Mt.22:37)