According to an October 2 article from the Star newspaper in Malaysia, a global Islamic group that is now active in 45 countries is raising concerns around the world. Hizbut, which is now expanding in Asia, wants to unite all Muslim countries in a global bloc ruled by strict sharia law. It focuses its efforts on university students and professionals, trying to persuade them to overthrow their governments. The U.S. State Department says that the group “may indirectly generate support for terrorism”. Please pray for the dissolution of this network and that its members may encounter Jesus Christ and be set free from this harmful ideology.
Christmas snubbed by Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has come under fire for completely failing to mention Christmas in its ‘Winter Festivals’ programme. In an official news release the Government mentions St Andrew’s Day eleven times, Hogmanay five times and Burns Night several times. But Christmas is not mentioned at all. Bashir Mann, a prominent figure in Glasgow’s Muslim community, has criticised the omission of Christmas, saying: ‘This is political correctness gone mad. Why should we be offended? Scotland’s religious population is 98 per cent Christian. Why should they not be allowed to celebrate their biggest religious festival? If my neighbour is celebrating Christmas, then I should join him. That’s what my religion tells me.’ And John Deighan, parliamentary officer for the Roman Catholic Church of Scotland, described the omission as ‘disappointing and hurtful’.
Pray: that the protests by the Church and others would lead to the reinstatement of Christmas as central to the nations beliefs. (Job11.4:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christmas-snubbed-by-scottish-government/
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put. Anti-capitalist protesters forced the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time in 72 years. St Paul’s Cathedral is considering taking out an injunction to remove hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters occupying the churchyard. The cathedral has been in talks about legal action with the City of London Corporation. Around 300 protesters have gathered outside the cathedral in the last 10 days since the Occupy Wall Street demonstration went global. They continue to defy requests by St Paul’s to leave voluntarily, despite their presence forcing the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time since World War II. The cathedral, situated in London's financial district, is estimated to be losing around £16,000 every day in lost tourism income – revenue that is vital to the upkeep of the building. The cathedral reportedly turned away worshippers from services on Sunday. Only a scheduled wedding has taken place. The canon chancellor of St Paul's Dr Giles Fraser who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside which has led to the cathedral's closure has resigned from his post.
Pray: that a just solution to these protests would be found. Pray that the Church would take this opportunity to witness to the protesters. (Mic.1:2)
Demoted for expressing views on marriage
A public sector employee in Manchester has been demoted after he posted comments on his private facebook page questioning the idea of homosexual ‘marriages’ taking place on religious premises. Adrian Smith, an employee of tax-payer
funded Trafford Housing Trust, posted a comment in response to a BBC news headline about civil partnerships taking place on religious premises, saying that this was an ‘equality too far.' The comment, written outside of working hours, appeared on his private page and could only be seen by Mr Smith’s friends. A work colleague posted a comment in reply, asking if Mr Smith disagreed with the government’s proposal. He responded, saying: ‘No, not really. I don’t understand why people who have no faith and don’t believe in Christ would want to get hitched in church. The Bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women.'
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they would continue to speak out boldly for our Christian beliefs. (Ac.4:29)
Warning over religious persecution
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has accused the Government of double standards when it comes to religious and homosexual persecution abroad. Miss Widdecombe told a Christian charity's conference that Prime Minister David Cameron was threatening to cut aid to countries which persecuted gays but was not doing anything to help persecuted Christians. ‘If David Cameron is tough on governments which persecute gays, why can't he be tough on those who persecute Christians?’ she told the Aid to the Church in Need annual conference. ‘You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog than if you are a persecuted Christian.’ Aid to the Church in Need claims 75% of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians with 105,000 killed every year for faith-related reasons.
Pray: that our Government would be wise in its judgements and speak out for all those who are persecuted. (1Pet.4:6)
Peer in bid to dismantle law on Christian assemblies
A Lib Dem peer in the House of Lords has tabled an amendment to remove the requirement for Christian worship in schools. Currently schools must have a daily act of collective worship. Collective worship must be ‘wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.’ Parents can withdraw their children and teachers are also permitted to opt out. But now Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat peer, has tabled an amendment to end the requirement for collective worship in all schools apart from faith schools. Earlier this year a secularist campaign group said that Christian assemblies should be banned because they breach children’s human rights. The National Secular Society wrote to Education Secretary, Michael Gove, demanding that the law on Christian assemblies be abolished. But a spokesman for the Department for Education said the law on Christian assemblies ‘encourages pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in the traditions and values of this country.’ (See Prayer Alert 36-2011)
Pray: that this further challenge to our faith would be thwarted. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/peer-in-bid-to-dismantle-law-on-christian-assemblies/
Church helping Scotland's poorest communities
The Church of Scotland has launched a radical new regeneration programme to boost some of the poorest parts of the country. The Chance to Thrive project will work with eight communities on development initiatives over the next five years. The Church says the onus of the project will be on the hopes of the people, rather than buildings. It wants to support local people in bringing about long-term change through their own ideas rather than ‘having ideas imposed from outside’. Communities will be supported by a panel of volunteers with relevant experience as entrepreneurs, community workers, business planners, artists and architects. It is hoped that the projects will lead to the development of major new and sustainable church-based community facilities. ‘Over the last decade the Church of Scotland has doubled its commitment to Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods.’
Pray: that this move by the Church of Scotland would lead to long-term change to some of the neediest people. (Dt.15:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.helping.scotlands.poorest.communities.thrive/28806.htm
Turkey: Earthquake
Tens of thousands are sleeping in tents or cars. The Turkish Red Crescent has already distributed 13,000 tents but Reuters reported tent shortages, particularly in remote villages. After announcing to the world they did not want help to deal with the earthquake aftermath, Ankara has now accepted Israel’s offer of aid and allowed their Defence Ministry to send a plane carrying 7 mobile homes to quake-devastated areas with more aid to follow. Turkey also agreed to receive relief from
Armenia, but a formal request had not been received by Wednesday, four days after the earthquake struck. Turkey is now prepared to receive relief missions from thirty countries, which earlier had offered assistance but been rejected. These countries include Russia, US, China, Japan, as well as the EU. See: http://news.am/eng/news/79414.html Aslan International, working in Turkey, said ‘The hearts of the whole nation are shaken. Let us grieve with those who have lost everything, we ask you to plead with God for mercy on the nation of Turkey.’
Pray: for all government rescue efforts, for more rescue vehicles and paramedics, doctors to get to Van quickly, for the weather - meteorologists are predicting snow. For those still trapped to be found quickly. In your mercy Lord hear our prayer.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.prayer.as.turkey.quake.death.toll.rises/28813.htm
Turkey: Earthquake
Tens of thousands are sleeping in tents or cars. The Turkish Red Crescent has already distributed 13,000 tents but Reuters reported tent shortages, particularly in remote villages. After announcing to the world they did not want help to deal with the earthquake aftermath, Ankara has now accepted Israel’s offer of aid and allowed their Defence Ministry to send a plane carrying 7 mobile homes to quake-devastated areas with more aid to follow. Turkey also agreed to receive relief from
Armenia, but a formal request had not been received by Wednesday, four days after the earthquake struck. Turkey is now prepared to receive relief missions from thirty countries, which earlier had offered assistance but been rejected. These countries include Russia, US, China, Japan, as well as the EU. See: http://news.am/eng/news/79414.html Aslan International, working in Turkey, said ‘The hearts of the whole nation are shaken. Let us grieve with those who have lost everything, we ask you to plead with God for mercy on the nation of Turkey.’
Pray: for all government rescue efforts, for more rescue vehicles and paramedics, doctors to get to Van quickly, for the weather - meteorologists are predicting snow. For those still trapped to be found quickly. In your mercy Lord hear our prayer.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.prayer.as.turkey.quake.death.toll.rises/28813.htm
Pope to promote peace with world religious leaders
Pope Benedict XVI has invited 300 religious leaders to a meeting in Assisi in Italy to repudiate ‘violence in the name of God’ amid growing tensions fuelled by fundamentalists across the world. The day of Inter-religious Council, which will be held today in St Francis of Assisi’s birthplace, is intended to be a ‘journey of reflection, dialogue and prayer for peace and justice in the world,’ the Vatican said. Over 50 Islamic representatives are expected to attend the talks from several countries, including Saudi Arabia and Iran. They will be joined by Rabbis, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, a Zoroastrian, a Bahai and representatives of Taoism and Confucianism as well as of other traditional religions from Africa and America. For the first time, four atheists will also attend the meeting, which is traditionally organised so as not to coincide with the Muslim day of prayer on Friday, the Jewish one on Saturday or the Christian one on Sunday.
Pray: as the religious leaders gather that God would bring unity and peace among them. (Ps.34:15)