10/40 Window: Reaction to Bin Laden’s death
After bin Laden’s death a western government issued a global travel warning, followers of bin Laden burned American flags in Pakistan and Muslim hate preachers, such as Anjem Choudary called for attacks and retaliation. International leaders warn, ‘extremist Muslims’ could respond to bin Laden's death with violence.’ We can cry out to God for peace in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority nations asking the Prince of Peace to move in power in these regions; interceding for protection of Christian’s from backlash and retaliation (Ps.91:1-6); praying that inciting words of imams and hate preachers will have no effect, but rather the salvation of those stirring up trouble and for the salvation of key members of terrorists groups like al-Qaeda. (ITim.2:1-4) We can pray for terrorist groups to be exposed, taken into custody and brought to justice, and for their funding to be cut off and for recruiting efforts to fail. (Ps.35:5,6)
Pray: for Jesus to give world leaders wisdom in dealing with this event and the threat of violence. (Pr. 2:7)
More: http://win1040.com/blog/2011/05/03/reaction-to-bin-ladens-death/
INSIGHT ARTICLE: al-Qaeda how do we pray?
According to Wikileaks revelations, ‘an al-Qaeda militant accused of carrying out a bombing campaign across Pakistan in 2002 was a British agent. Also files indicate at least 35 terrorists confined at Guantanamo Bay went to fight against the West after being radicalised by extremist preachers in the UK.’ According to the New York Times the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks commanded a Maryland resident to kill Pakistan's former president Pervez Musharraf. See:http://heritage.scotsman.com/terrorismintheuk/AlQaeda-bomber-was-agent-for.6758419.jp Arabic Newspaper, Gulf News reported yesterday, ‘There is a danger that al-Qaeda may emerge more radical and united under the banner of Bin Laden's 'martyrdom.' Strategic prayer is needed at this time into the roots, command structure and the next generation of al-Qaeda. Please click the 'info' button below for al-Qaeda Insights to aid informed intercession. Pray: for God to cause al-Qaeda to be foiled at every attempted act of retribution. (Ps.74:14)
Christian lawyers step up court campaign
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) pledged to stand up against what it feels is the growing problem of traditional Christian views being ‘silenced or sidelined’ in modern Britain. Weeks after concluding a high-profile battle to allow an electrician to display a palm cross in his company van, the CLC said it had more than 50 similar cases on its books as a growing number of Christians seek to fight employers who they feel do not respect their faith. Andrea Williams, CLC chief executive, said she had been ‘inspired’ by groups like the US-based Alliance Defence Fund (ADF), which seek to raise a ‘new generation of lawyers to defend Christianity in the public sphere’. With the help of the ADF, the CLC and its partner organisation, Christian Concern For Our Nation, have set up a new Academy aimed at teaching the skills necessary for ‘servant-hearted, Christ-centered leadership in public life’.
Pray: for the new Academy; that it will be better able to defend those who wish to ‘stand up and be counted’ as Christians in an increasingly secularist society. (Pr.31:8)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8486552/Christian-lawyers-step-up-court-campaign.html
Court allows trial of sex shop next to school store
A sex shop that opened up next door to a school uniform store in Truro, Cornwall, will face a courtroom trial after Christians won permission to challenge the licensing decision. The sex shop owner tried to stop the case before it started, saying the shop is already stocked and trading. But last week the High Court nevertheless gave permission for a judicial review of Cornwall Council’s decision to grant a licence. Speaking in November about the legal action against Cornwall Council, The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert said the case has national implications. He said: ‘There is a serious issue of principle at stake for the whole country, not just Cornwall.’ He added: ‘If it is OK to license shops to sell hard core porn next to premises routinely used by children and families, then nowhere is safe. What next, a sex shop adjacent to a nursery school?’ Pray: for the judicial review to recognise the case that Cornwall Council had ignored the suitability of the location requirement of the law. (Dt.16:20) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-allows-trial-of-sex-shop-next-to-school-store/
FTSE 100 companies must adopt living wage
A campaign to lobby FTSE 100 companies to adopt the Living Wage has been backed by the Methodist Church and its Central Finance Board. The Living Wage is the minimum hourly wage necessary for an individual to meet their basic needs, including shelter, clothing and nutrition. Revd Alison Tomlin, President of the Methodist Conference, will publicly endorse the launch of the FairPensions campaign at Methodist Central Hall on May 2, with more than 2,000 people expected to attend. Revd Tomlin said: ‘The Living Wage is about treating people with dignity and respect; it is about recognising our value as individuals, as human beings. It is absurd to pay people a wage that will never allow them to meet their needs. The majority of those living in poverty are in working households and this kind of practice keeps people in poverty. FTSE 100 companies should lead the way in bringing about fair wages for all who work.’
Pray: for a positive outcome for the FairPensions campaign. (Dt.15:7)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=502
Pray for Schools fortnight
The vision of Pray for Schools fortnight, 8-23rd May, is to bring together people from local churches and those involved in education – parents, students, teachers, meals supervisors, Governors and anyone else with a heart for young people – to pray strategically for schools in their area and those involved in them. They have developed resources for the fortnight around ‘Praying the Bible’. Also a brand new video will be available to download and show at your event. Pray for Schools in Wales which is teaming up with 24/7 prayer to cover Wales in prayer. A week of continuous prayer for schools is planned for the 8-15th May, and you can choose your slot and sign up at Pray for Schools fortnight is supported by CARE, Youth for Christ, Scripture Union, New Generation, Churches Together England, The Association of Christian Teachers – and Christians all over the UK who want to pray for schools. Pray: strategically for the schools in your area, those who have influence over our young people. (Ac.2:17) More: http://www.prayforschools.org/events/pfs-events/pray-for-schools-fortnight/
Real IRA reject talks offer from Fr Michael Canny
The dissident republican group, the Real IRA, which has threatened to kill more PSNI officers, has refused an offer from a Londonderry priest to hold talks with him. The group said police officers would be targeted ‘regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation’. The threat was made in a statement at a rally in Derry on Monday. Fr Michael Canny said he hoped talks would happen in the future. ‘On Wednesday evening I heard through a source that I would consider to be reliable that they didn't want to meet,’ he said. ‘I certainly wasn't surprised but neither was I totally disappointed because the statement said 'at this time'. I consider that they obviously carefully considered what they were saying and the use of the phrase 'at this time' doesn't rule out the possibility of talking, not necessarily to me but to somebody else in the weeks or indeed in the months ahead.'
Pray: for the work of potential mediators like Fr Canny and that the Lord will soften the hearts of the dissidents in Ireland. (Job.9:33)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13223754
Sellafield nuclear site terror arrests made
Five men are being held under the Terrorism Act after being arrested close to the Sellafield nuclear site. The men, who are all from London and in their 20s, were arrested on Monday shortly after 1630 BST. The arrests were made after Civil Nuclear Constabulary officers conducted a stop check on a vehicle close to the Sellafield site, in Cumbria. The BBC understands the men were taking photographs and are all believed to be Bangladeshi. The arrests are not thought to have been intelligence-led. The men were held in Carlisle overnight and then moved to Manchester. Four houses in east London were raided by counter-terror detectives as part of the investigation. The arrests were made within hours of the news breaking that Osama Bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan. Pray: that the authorities will remain vigilant amid fears of reprisals from groups sympathetic to al-Qaeda. (Eph.5:15)
Marriage ‘a good product’ says Anglican Archbishop
The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has praised the institution of marriage, and warned of the danger of it being hidden away ‘for fear of offending or sounding self-righteous’. Writing in the Telegraph, in advance of the Royal Wedding, the Archbishop also warned that more and more people seem to be wary of the commitment which marriage requires. Commenting on the growing trend of cohabitation before marriage, the Archbishop said it is common in these times and, quoting his daughter, people ‘want to test whether the milk is good before they buy the cow.’ He said: ‘Discovering the depth and enduring meaning of love is the goal and prize of every relationship. Marriage in Britain, whether in church or a register office, is a pact for life made between one man and one woman’. Dr Sentamu said he had married many cohabiting couples and emphasised that married couples are more likely to stay together than cohabiting couples.
Pray: that marriage would once more be acknowledged as central to family life. (Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.ionainstitute.org/index.php?id=1436
Russian Ministries launches ‘Summer of Hope’
Russian Ministries has launched an appeal to provide a Summer of Hope to thousands of needy children who’ll be attending their life-changing camps across the former Soviet Union, reports Peter Wooding of ASSIST News Service. After the success of Russian Ministries’ series of Easter outreach programmes, their teams of Next Generation Christian leaders are already busy preparing to coordinate summer camps, which they believe provide the real hope of Christ to the lives of these vulnerable children. ‘After these outreach programmes at Easter, summer is coming pretty soon and our young teams are already getting ready to do some follow-up ministry and the most effective is summer camps,’ said Russian Ministries’ President Sergey Rakhuba. Each Russian Ministries’ summer camp has a long-lasting impact for thousands of children. Pray: God for Russian Ministries as they prepare for the summer camps and that they would bring much fruit. (Gen.28:3)