Gambling set to rise; stakes doubled on slot machines
Churches fear that problem gambling is set to rise after the government announced plans to relax rules on the number of fruit machines in arcades and double the stakes from £1 to £2. Two draft Statutory Instruments were submitted to Parliament on 7 June. These measures would increase the maximum stake for category B3 gaming machines (a type of fruit machine) and raise the cap on the maximum number of such machines at adult gaming centres and bingo halls. The Evangelical Alliance, the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the Salvation Army, Quaker Action on Alcohol and Drugs and CARE have expressed concern at the Government's plans. The church groups are shocked and disappointed that the coalition government has made these proposals which will further liberalise the law. They are calling on the government not to implement this irresponsible rise when research into the potential effects has not been done. (See Prayer Alert 07-2011)
Pray: for the government to have wisdom over the problems that gambling excesses cause. (Dt.32:29)
More: http://www.eauk.org/media/gambling-set-to-rise-with-stakes-doubled-on-fruit-slot-machines.cfm
Churches helping to control alcohol problem in Moldova
In February of 2011, the World Health Organization dubbed Moldova the world's leading nation in per-person alcohol consumption, reports Mission Network News. Reports show that the average Moldovan consumes 18.22 litres of alcohol annually--three times more than the average of 6.1 litres. Other former Soviet nations on the list of heavy alcohol consumption included Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and Belarus. In Moldova, there is a special provision in the government budget for treatment of alcohol, but that government provision is not enough and churches are stepping forward to help alcohol abusers as well. Slavic Gospel Association reports that its affiliated evangelical churches are deeply grieved at the level of alcohol abuse in their communities. In response to the crisis, many SGA churches have begun Bible-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministries, which SGA partners help support when possible. These programmes not only provide care for overcoming the addiction, but they provide the life-changing Truth of the Gospel message as well. Pray: that the work of the Church programmes will have a significant effect among those in need. (Ro.12:21)
Churches helping to control alcohol problem in Moldova
In February of 2011, the World Health Organization dubbed Moldova the world's leading nation in per-person alcohol consumption, reports Mission Network News. Reports show that the average Moldovan consumes 18.22 litres of alcohol annually--three times more than the average of 6.1 litres. Other former Soviet nations on the list of heavy alcohol consumption included Russia, Ukraine, Estonia and Belarus. In Moldova, there is a special provision in the government budget for treatment of alcohol, but that government provision is not enough and churches are stepping forward to help alcohol abusers as well. Slavic Gospel Association reports that its affiliated evangelical churches are deeply grieved at the level of alcohol abuse in their communities. In response to the crisis, many SGA churches have begun Bible-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation ministries, which SGA partners help support when possible. These programmes not only provide care for overcoming the addiction, but they provide the life-changing Truth of the Gospel message as well. Pray: that the work of the Church programmes will have a significant effect among those in need. (Ro.12:21)
France: Rejects gay ‘marriage’ in historic vote
French legislators rejected a bill to legalize ‘homosexual marriage’ today in a decisive vote by the National Assembly, the nation’s lower legislative house, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Assembly representatives voted against the bill, proposed by socialists, by a majority of 293 to 222. The vote follows a ruling in January by the nation’s highest court, the Constitutional Council, stating that homosexual ‘marriage’ is not a constitutional right. Although a recent and much-cited poll found that a majority of French voters, 58 percent, favour the creation of homosexual ‘marriage,’ Michel Difenbacher of the majority Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party said he thought it not necessary ‘to go with the wind nor to cede to fashion’ with regard to the issue. ‘We are against homophobia but we do not want to alter the image and function of marriage within society', Difenbacher said.
Pray: that this decision will be accepted by the people.
France: Rejects gay ‘marriage’ in historic vote
French legislators rejected a bill to legalize ‘homosexual marriage’ today in a decisive vote by the National Assembly, the nation’s lower legislative house, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Assembly representatives voted against the bill, proposed by socialists, by a majority of 293 to 222. The vote follows a ruling in January by the nation’s highest court, the Constitutional Council, stating that homosexual ‘marriage’ is not a constitutional right. Although a recent and much-cited poll found that a majority of French voters, 58 percent, favour the creation of homosexual ‘marriage,’ Michel Difenbacher of the majority Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party said he thought it not necessary ‘to go with the wind nor to cede to fashion’ with regard to the issue. ‘We are against homophobia but we do not want to alter the image and function of marriage within society', Difenbacher said.
Pray: that this decision will be accepted by the people.
INSIGHT: Horrendous violence in Sudan
A newly built Anglican cathedral has been burned down and UN personnel are ‘unable to protect civilians’ in South Kordofan Sudan, which is overrun by the army using heavy force to subdue militias. The violence is causing thousands to become refugees and Christians who stay are being targeted. The Archbishop of Canterbury is asking for prayer for the safety of the people of South Kordofan warning of ‘another Darfur’ unless the international community helps to safeguard citizens and humanitarian access. Archbishop Rowan asked people to pray particularly for Bishop Andudu of Kadugli and all his clergy and congregations. This weeks INSIGHT article is a dispatch forwarded to Prayer Alert via the Diocese of Salisbury from Bishop Andudu of Kadugli giving atrocious accounts of the immediate situation and outlining the urgent prayer needs for Kadugli and those affected by the outbreak of violence that could unsettle South Sudan’s succession on July 9 and reverse the peace process. Pray: for all affected by brutal killings, destruction, burning and looting of churches and Christian properties in the diocese of Kadugli. (Ps.4:1-3)
Nigeria: More Muslim militants’ murders
Muslim extremists from the Boko Haram sect killed Rev. David Usman, 45, and church secretary Hamman Andrew in Maiduguri, in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state. They were the latest casualties in an upsurge of Islamic militancy that has engulfed northern Nigeria this year, resulting in the destruction of church buildings and the killing and maiming of Christians who are full of dread over the violence. Boko Haram seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) on northern Nigeria, and Christians have become targets of Muslim militants. Believers no longer feel free in their city, and most churches no longer carry out worship service for fear of becoming targets of these unprovoked attacks. Nigeria’s Christians make up 51.3 percent of the population and live mainly in the south, and Muslims live mainly in the north. Also, Compass Direct reported on June 14th, ‘Christian Communities in Northern Nigeria are disappearing as Islamist attacks drive Christians from northern villages’
Pray: God would cause the Nigerian government to face up to the challenge of Boko Haram and provide protection for innocent communities. (Ps.5:10-12)
More: http://www.charismamag
Ivory Coast: Brothers crucified by Ouattara forces
Two peasant brothers were brutally crucified on ‘the example of Christ’ as forces loyal to Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara continue to target perceived supporters of his ousted Christian predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Raphael Aka Kouame died of his injuries; incredibly his younger brother, Kouassi Privat Kacou, survived the ordeal. The pair were badly beaten and tortured before being crudely nailed to cross-shaped planks by their hands and feet with steel spikes on 29 May. The brothers were falsely accused of hiding weapons in their home village of Binkro, which has been targeted by Ouattara supporters as the birthplace of a key enemy. The brothers repeatedly denied any involvement in a weapons cache, but their pleas were ignored. This is just one of the many atrocities that have been committed as fighting between Ouattara and Gbagbo supporters has continued in the wake of the disputed presidential election last November. Pray: for the protection of the believers against such atrocities. (Ps.5:1) More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/Brothers-crucified-by-Ouattara-forces-in-Ivory-Coast.html
China: Riots and persecution
Pictures have been slow to emerge from the southern Chinese city of Xintang, where rioting factory workers enraged by the reported beating of a street vendor attacked police stations and torched vehicles over the weekend. Security forces are a constant presence on city streets, and residents have been told not to go out at night or transmit photos of the unrest online. However, a number of photographs taken by stringers working for Reuters and AFP have been made available over the past 24 hours. For images of this un-reported uprising click the more button, and pray as you view. Also according to ChinaAid sources two women ministers were beaten and detained for 24 hours last weekend after an outdoor praise and worship service attended by 100 house church Christians in Korla. See:
Pray: that all hidden violence and injustice be exposed and eradicated. (Ps.7:6)
Afghanistan: ‘Spring Fighting Season’
A Christian living in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the spring fighting season is underway please remember that often what we see in the physical reflects the hidden spiritual battles that are raging. In the natural, we see sharp increases in casualties among international forces fighting for peace. We also see significant increases in civilian casualties as insurgents target banks, markets, university libraries, and security checkpoints manned by army and police. Recent suicide attacks have been staged in such a way that multiple sites are attacked simultaneously, and then rescue workers are attacked as they move in to care for the wounded. We can take courage from the knowledge that if our spiritual enemy is fighting this fiercely, it is because he knows his time is short and our prayers are making a difference. We must not lose heart, but encourage one another to redouble our efforts in prayer!’ Pray: for evil to be exposed, for righteous judgments to prevail and for national and international believers to use their most potent weapon – praise and worship! (Ps.8:1-2)