Thousands say 'People First' in Scottish anti-cuts march
Last weekend thousands of people marched in Glasgow protesting against government cuts and calling for a just UK-wide economic policy. The People First rally brought together politicians from a range of parties, trade unionists and faith groups campaigning to protect those hardest hit by service and benefits cuts across Britain. The march included a range of fringe events in places of worship, student unions and hotels across the city. The aim was to send a clear message to the coalition Government of the need for a Plan B to avoid recession, rising poverty and damaging cuts in services.
Pray: for Chancellor George Osborne and the coalition as they develop strategies to close the economic gap between rich and poor. (1Sa.2:8)
Hungary: Village still suffers one year after disaster
A painted portrait and empty child stroller is all that remains of 14-months-old Angyalka, who drowned in the village of Kolonttar in the burning sludge flood of the nearby aluminium plant on October 4, 2010, in Hungary's worst ever chemical disaster on record. Some villagers pause to remember, or pray, around a memorial to those who died when 180 million gallons of red sludge flooded the village of Kolonttar and nearby towns, 150 kilometres west of Budapest. The town’s struggling farmers have only just started working their lands again, after removing most of the sludge. Local authorities provided them with new fields to plant their crops. Environmentalists remain concerned about the long term impact of the disaster. Hard working residents who lost their loved ones say it's little satisfaction that the owner of the Ajka Alumina plant was fined nearly 650 million dollars because of the disaster. They say nothing in the world can ever compensate for the lives that were lost.
Pray: that, as the land is slowly being restored, emotions and spirits will also be healed. (Ps.34:17,18)
Hungary: Village still suffers one year after disaster
A painted portrait and empty child stroller is all that remains of 14-months-old Angyalka, who drowned in the village of Kolonttar in the burning sludge flood of the nearby aluminium plant on October 4, 2010, in Hungary's worst ever chemical disaster on record. Some villagers pause to remember, or pray, around a memorial to those who died when 180 million gallons of red sludge flooded the village of Kolonttar and nearby towns, 150 kilometres west of Budapest. The town’s struggling farmers have only just started working their lands again, after removing most of the sludge. Local authorities provided them with new fields to plant their crops. Environmentalists remain concerned about the long term impact of the disaster. Hard working residents who lost their loved ones say it's little satisfaction that the owner of the Ajka Alumina plant was fined nearly 650 million dollars because of the disaster. They say nothing in the world can ever compensate for the lives that were lost.
Pray: that, as the land is slowly being restored, emotions and spirits will also be healed. (Ps.34:17,18)
Greece: Another general strike
A 24-hour general strike is under way in Greece in protest at the nation's austerity measures. Flights and ferry services have been cancelled, schools, government offices and tourist sites closed and hospitals are working with reduced staff as at least 16,000 people joined protests organised by the main unions in central Athens. The European Commission is discussing ways of propping up banks in Europe to protect them from the Greek crisis.
Pray: for God to give all those in positions of authority in Greece much wisdom. (Pr.3:13,14)
Greece: Another general strike
A 24-hour general strike is under way in Greece in protest at the nation's austerity measures. Flights and ferry services have been cancelled, schools, government offices and tourist sites closed and hospitals are working with reduced staff as at least 16,000 people joined protests organised by the main unions in central Athens. The European Commission is discussing ways of propping up banks in Europe to protect them from the Greek crisis.
Pray: for God to give all those in positions of authority in Greece much wisdom. (Pr.3:13,14)
Philippines: Struggle to deliver aid for typhoon victims
Philippines authorities say they are struggling to get food and supplies to thousands of people who remain trapped by flood waters days after back-to back typhoons pounded the nation. Officials say almost three million people were affected by the storms, most of them concentrated in three northern provinces. In parts of Pampanga on Monday, boats provided the only means of transportation. ‘You don't see any land here, you don't see any more roads.’ Officials say the two typhoons, Nesat and Nalgae, killed 58 people and left at least 28 others missing. They say about 360,000 people are still housed in evacuation centres or stranded in flooded areas. Also, Thailand has had the worst floods in five decades. This year's monsoon season has already left more than 200 people dead and affected some two million others. The United Nations is calling on governments in Asia to spend more on disaster risk reduction. Several major dams are near their breaking point, with more torrential rain forecast in the coming weeks.
Pray: for God in His mercy to enable NGOs and governments to meet the present and imminent needs of the people. (2.Sa.22:7)
Kwait: Pray for undergreound church
Kuwait was part of the ‘Arab Spring’ of 2011. Thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Unlike demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia, this unrest slowly subsided with most of the government still intact. Sharing the Gospel is not permitted but expatriate Christians continue to witness with discretion. This has resulted in a growing underground Church. We can praise God for expatriate testimonies, satellite Christian television and internet ministries which are successfully proclaiming the Good News in a Muslim nation that forbids this activity. There is potential for a great harvest of souls in Kuwait. We are asked to pray for Christians to be protected as they tell friends, families, and neighbours about Jesus Christ.
Pray: that the Lord would open doors for Christians fearlessly to share the Gospel. (Ro.10:14; Eph.6:19)
Egypt: Church destroyed
In mid-September Middle East Concern requested prayer for a situation concerning the renovation of a church building in Aswan province. Regretfully on 30th September, the church was destroyed by an estimated mob of 1,000 local Muslims who also damaged other property belonging to Christians. The security and fire services failed to intervene. The church was being renovated with all necessary building permits in place. In August there were confrontations between local Muslim and Christian residents. Church leaders agreed to forgo the construction of a spire and external cross in order to maintain communal harmony. But further threats demanded the domes be removed from the roof structure. Further meetings failed to agree a way forward.
Pray: for the situation to be defused and for Christians to know the presence and peace of Jesus. (Ps.3:3)
USA: Protest movement spreads
In September Adbuster magazine in Canada put out a call for supporters to occupy Wall Street and drew hundreds of protesters with 2,000 attending a march the following Saturday. This protest movement has been developing through Twitter, Facebook and shared Googledocs, enabling protesters to stand against corporate greed, unemployment and the political corruption that they say Wall Street represents. They have taken to the streets in Boston, Los Angeles, St Louis and Kansas City. The core group, Occupy Wall Street (OWS), claims people will take part in demonstrations in as many as 147 US cities this month, while the website www.occupytogether.org lists 47 US states as being involved. Around the world other protests are also planned. The speed of the leaderless movement's growth has taken many by surprise. Occupytogether.org, one of several sites associated with the protest, has had to be rebuilt to accommodate the traffic.
Pray: for a peaceful outcome to this movement's activities and that the media attention would not inspire violence.
More: reet-protest-movement-spreads?newsfeed=truehttp://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/04/wall-st
Iran: Death threats and death sentence
Eleven Iranian Christians who fled Iran in the wake of a government campaign against evangelical Christianity received death threats via email from a group called ‘the unknown soldiers of the Hidden Imam’ (the Messiah-figure in Shia Twelver theology). Christian Solidarity Worldwide says the e-mail calls on the believers to either repent or face extra-judicial execution. The ‘unknown soldiers’ are alleged to have links with Iranian security services. The emails warned that although they managed to flee Iran they are not hidden from the ‘cute eyes of the unknown soldiers’ - who claim they have been advancing to the heart of the ‘Zionist regime’ over a number of years. Meanwhile, the written verdict of the most recent trial of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani is still being awaited. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the fate of the pastor may now lie in the hands of the local religious leader, Ayatollah Ghorbani.
Pray: for God's continued protection over Iranian Christians and for the global media support of Pastor Youcef to secure his release. (Ps.16:1)