CARE welcomes review on sexualisation of childhood
Christian social policy charity CARE has welcomed the findings of a major review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of children. The review, headed up by Mothers’ Union chief Reg Bailey, makes a number of recommendations aimed at tightening up regulations on sexualised media, marketing and retail. They include putting age restrictions on raunchy music videos and banning sexy billboard ads near schools. The Bailey Report also recommends an end to the sale of inappropriate clothing for children such as padded bras or T-shirts emblazoned with provocative slogans such as ‘porn star’. Magazines and newspapers with sexualised images on the front page should be kept out of the sight of children and parents should be given the right to choose at the point of purchase whether they want adult content on their home internet, laptops or smart phones. Broadcasters will also be under pressure to pay greater attention to the concerns of parents.
Pray: for the authorities to increase the pressure on all those who seek to gain from sexualisation of children. (Mk.7:20-22)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/care.welcomes.review.on.sexualisation.of.childhood/28105.htm
Catholic adoption agency continues fight
Catholic Care, a Catholic adoption agency operating in the diocese of Leeds, has appealed a ruling made by a Tribunal last month that they must offer their adoption services to homosexual couples. The charity has long refused to place children with homosexual couples, stating that such a practice goes against the teaching of the Catholic Church and would result in a significant loss of funding, since most donors are Catholics themselves. Benjamin James, the lawyer representing Catholic Care, said that he had identified a number of errors with the judgment. Catholic Care had previously argued that the Equality Act 2010 allows for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation if it is 'a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim'. If ‘leave to appeal’ is granted, it will be the eighth stage of what has been a lengthy case. (See Prayer Alert 3410, 2010 & 1110) Pray: that ‘leave to appeal’ is granted and will lead to a successful conclusion. (Pr.21:30)
Those at Headley Court recovering from injuries
The Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court admits Service Personnel, many of them recovering from injuries sustained whilst deployed on operations. The aim of rehabilitation is to restore a patient’s lost function and maximize their capacity and independence. DMRC Headley Court has extensive gardens and orchards and a large greenhouse. A Christian physiotherapist Major has obtained permission to use a small part of this area for horticultural therapy. The Headley Walled Garden project seeks to broaden and diversify the rehabilitation already on offer, creating a space where physical, psychological, cognitive and neurological rehabilitation can occur in synchrony.
Pray: for courage and energy for the patients as they work to return to ‘normal’ life; for their families as they adjust to life with a severely disabled family member; that through the gift of creation and growth, God’s message of hope will speak out to the patients involved in the Walled Garden project. (Is.40:31)
More: http://britisharmy.wordpress.com/2011/05/31/reality-check/
Iran: Persecution increases Christianity’s appeal
An increase in the arrest of Iranians converting from Islam reveals an abundant harvest resulting from evangelism by clandestine house churches in the Islamic state, according to Iranian Christian leaders. ‘Persecution has escalated to an unprecedented level,’ said Abe Ghaffari, executive director of Iranian Christians International. The increase in persecution is believed to be directly proportional to the number of Iranian Muslims converting to Christianity with numbers estimated in the thousands; many of those conversions may have begun after the Islamic state lost credibility in the disputed 2009 national elections. ‘Before the revolution, the clerics were promising that once Iran becomes an Islamic state, it would be utopia, it would be brotherhood, and everything would be fine,’ said Dibaj, but Iranians ‘have seen nothing but war and fighting and international isolation and hatred: now they are thirsting for change.’ Government persecution is making Christianity even more attractive, said Elam's David Yeghnazar. Praise: God that out of persecution come God’s blessings. (Dt.23:5) More: http://www.worthynews.com/10262-iranian-persecution-increases-christianitys-appeal-among-muslims
Iran: Persecution increases Christianity’s appeal
An increase in the arrest of Iranians converting from Islam reveals an abundant harvest resulting from evangelism by clandestine house churches in the Islamic state, according to Iranian Christian leaders. ‘Persecution has escalated to an unprecedented level,’ said Abe Ghaffari, executive director of Iranian Christians International. The increase in persecution is believed to be directly proportional to the number of Iranian Muslims converting to Christianity with numbers estimated in the thousands; many of those conversions may have begun after the Islamic state lost credibility in the disputed 2009 national elections. ‘Before the revolution, the clerics were promising that once Iran becomes an Islamic state, it would be utopia, it would be brotherhood, and everything would be fine,’ said Dibaj, but Iranians ‘have seen nothing but war and fighting and international isolation and hatred: now they are thirsting for change.’ Government persecution is making Christianity even more attractive, said Elam's David Yeghnazar. Praise: God that out of persecution come God’s blessings. (Dt.23:5) More: http://www.worthynews.com/10262-iranian-persecution-increases-christianitys-appeal-among-muslims
Australia: Christian doctors to prescribe ‘spiritual healing’
Christian doctors and medical professionals will be travelling from many different countries around the world to prescribe ‘spiritual healing’ as an answer to sickness in the 21st Century, during a unique conference in Brisbane, Australia from June 11-12, 2011, reports Assist Ministries. The doctors will examine actual case studies of miracles presented by various respected doctors as they search for evidence of Divine Healing at the 8th Annual International ‘Spirituality and Medicine’ Conference to be held for two days at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Brisbane plans to welcome hundreds of Christian medics who will be examining data presented by their peers about ‘miracles’ that they believe prove that God has intervened in impossible situations. The event is being sponsored by the World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN), an interdenominational organization composed of Christian medical professionals from around the world who believe in divine healing.
Praise: God for this conference and that it will bring glory to God and greater understanding within the medical profession. (Jer.8:22)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13030.html
Australia: Christian doctors to prescribe ‘spiritual healing’
Christian doctors and medical professionals will be travelling from many different countries around the world to prescribe ‘spiritual healing’ as an answer to sickness in the 21st Century, during a unique conference in Brisbane, Australia from June 11-12, 2011, reports Assist Ministries. The doctors will examine actual case studies of miracles presented by various respected doctors as they search for evidence of Divine Healing at the 8th Annual International ‘Spirituality and Medicine’ Conference to be held for two days at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. Brisbane plans to welcome hundreds of Christian medics who will be examining data presented by their peers about ‘miracles’ that they believe prove that God has intervened in impossible situations. The event is being sponsored by the World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN), an interdenominational organization composed of Christian medical professionals from around the world who believe in divine healing.
Praise: God for this conference and that it will bring glory to God and greater understanding within the medical profession. (Jer.8:22)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13030.html
Syria: Violence
Situations needing prayer: Many Syrian refugees are fleeing to Turkey from the violent Assad-regime. Tanks and troops are under orders to advance on and attack Jisr al-Shugour after the government accused armed bands there of killing security men. Residents report the incident as an army mutiny by troops refusing to kill citizens. The UN Security Council are reportedly drafting resolutions on Syria condemning murder and torture of peaceful protesters, (despite opposition from veto-wielding Russia). Violence also broke out in a Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus with fourteen dying after thousands of refugees attacked the headquarters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The Syrian interior minister said they would respond firmly to attacks in the Muslim Brotherhood stronghold. international observers fear violence may enter a new and bloodier phase after three months of popular unrest that has left over 1,000 dead. Pray: for God’s mercy to cover Syria, for the controlling strongholds to be broken and the land to come into Gods purposes. (Job.5:11-15) More: http://www.jpost.com/
Libya: Praying into the crisis
The following statements are posted to aid informed prayer for Libya. 1.The West’s military campaign and attendant instability present strategic threats to Libya’s neighbours. 2. There is a large-scale refugee crisis. 3. The risk of infiltration by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb whose networks of activists are present in Algeria, Mali and Niger. 4. Mounting bitterness on both sides constituting a heavy legacy for any post-Qaddafi government. 5. When pressures finally force Qaddafi out there’s a possibility the transition to democracy could face a vacuum due to no second choice government waiting in the wings. 6. Political and security implications for Libya’s neighbours during government transition may well aggravate an already serious humanitarian crisis. 7. The prospect for Libya and North Africa is increasingly ominous, unless a negotiated compromise for an orderly transition to a post-Qaddafi state that has legitimacy in the eyes of the Libyan people is achieved.
Pray: for God to be in every detail of resolving Libya’s civil war. (Ps.4:1)
Nepal: New law planned forbidding evangelism
Five years after abolishing Hinduism as the state religion, Nepal is working on a new criminal code forbidding a person from one faith to ‘convert a person or abet him to change his religion.’ The proposed code also says no one will be allowed to do anything or behave in any way that could cause a person from a caste, community or creed to lose faith in his/her traditional religion or convert to a different religion. The proposal also prohibits conversion ‘by offering inducements or without inducement,’ and preaching ‘a different religion or faith with any other intent.’ Offenders could be imprisoned for a maximum of five years and fined up to US$685. If the offender is a foreigner they would be deported within seven days of completing the sentence. Last weekend Nepal failed to complete a new constitution for religious freedom due to a protracted battle for political power. Pray: for Nepal’s Christian community, which has no representation in the Council of Ministers or in Parliament, to know God's provision. (Ps.1:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/nepal/article_113290.html