Indonesia: Church defies authorities
Dozens of Christians have defied police and threats of attack from Muslim groups to hold prayers inside their boarded-up church near the Indonesian capital. The group held their Sunday service surrounded by hundreds of police and security guards saying they had as much right as any Indonesian to worship in the Muslim-majority country. Local officials used bullhorns to remind members of the Batak Christian Protestant Church that they were banned from the site following an attack last week by suspected Muslim activists on two church leaders. (See Prayer Alert 3810) ‘We just want to carry out our obligations as Christians but authorities are treating us like terrorists.’ said Advent Tambunan a member of the congregation. A local leader of the Islamic Defenders' Front, which has led calls for the Christians to leave was among 10 people detained by the police after last week's attack. Pray: for the wave of Christian revival in Indonesia to grow and overwhelm the darkness. (Is.60:1) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia-pacific/2010/09/201091944922621312.html
Zimbabwe: Sunday - International Prayer Day
The Call is ringing out across Zimbabwe to return to God, and train the poor to farm in a profitable and sustainable way. In response to this call, on Sunday 26th September thousands of Christians will gather in urban and rural-combined church meetings across Zimbabwe to cry out in a national day of prayer. Worldwide Christians are invited to join Zimbabweans in prayer for the nation. These gatherings are being organised by Trumpet Call for Transformation, a partnership between the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and Foundations for Farming. ‘We invite you to partner with us for the transformation of this nation. Pray that the Lord will reveal Himself to the Zimbabweans. Pray for the ministry of Foundations for Farming – transforming individuals, communities and nations through faithful and productive use of the land. (see Prayer Alert 3510) Pray: that the Church will turn to God in active repentance (2Chron.7:14) and continue to reach out to the hungry and poor (Isa.58:9-10) More: http://www.lovezim.org/Groups/134601/Love_Zim/Prayer_Day/Prayer_Day.aspx
India: Commonwealth Games corruption
Two days ago the athletes village faulty infrastructure was highlighted when a bridge collapsed injuring 23 workers. On 31st July India Sports News and the Times of India reported New Delhi officials uncovering evidence of corruption in construction projects and illegal cash transfers for contractors developing the site. Officials of India's Government Watchdog reported construction quality certificates scrutinized in 16 games-related projects had turned out to be fake or suspect. Also another corruption scandal over money being transferred from the Commonwealth Games account to a little-known film company based in London was discovered in July.’ see The BBC reported, ‘From the time of winning the bid New Delhi was accused of influencing the voting in its favour by offering cash inducements to Commonwealth member countries and when building work began it was behind schedule and under the control of 20 competing organising committees. 45 workers have died in accidents since work began. See Pray: for an end to this corruption and any other hidden corruption and exploitation, resulting in future safe working conditions, honest dealings and security for the Games. (Is.56:1)
Lebanon: Hezbollah in Lebanon
Human rights activist, and Media Chairman for the Canadian Lebanese Coordinating Council, Elias Bejjani, reports from the Beiruit Observer, ‘3,500 Hezbollah militiamen are secretly deployed in the Eastern Christian region of Lebanon, and Hezbollah has reached its final logistic preparations to execute an armed coup to take over all of Lebanon by force.’ The web site attributed its information to well-informed sources in the Saudi media.’ see Also Syria and Saudi Arabia have stepped in to ease tensions in Lebanon in light of an escalating crisis between rival political parties over a UN-backed tribunal probing the murder of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri. There are fears that should the court indict Hezbollah members, this could lead to a Sunni-Shiite conflict similar to the one that brought the country close to civil war in May 2008. Pray: that militant plans would come to nothing and God’s benchmark would be used in every negotiation. (Ps.29:11) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gfIikqY7gudl2YLeSKkgs-WTlN0Q
Israel: Prayer for Jerusalem's Mayor to attend event
Millions of Christians around the world will join together on Sunday October 3 to pray during the Global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem. In Jerusalem the prayer day will be marked by a special live televised celebration to 192 nations from a position overlooking the Old City. The Rev Dr. Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings will lead the Jerusalem event and Mayor Barkat will bring greetings from Jerusalem to the hundreds of thousands of worldwide viewers joining the telecast. See Jerusalem is under tremendous pressure on all sidesand the prayers of faithful people will make a difference, especially as Christians and Jews from the nations, together with Israeli Christians and Arab Christians, stand together in Jerusalem. Pray: for many to hear of this and stand in prayer with Arab and Israeli Christians for the Peace of Jerusalem. (Ps.122:6) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8234
Israel: Jerusalem rioting
Security in Jerusalem was tightened on Thursday following large riots on Tuesday that erupted when Samar Sarchan a Palestinian from east Jerusalem was killed by an Israeli security guard. Jerusalem District Police Commander gave his backing to the guard. Whilst Succot holiday events were scheduled to proceed as planned, a large police presence was in place in the Old City and surrounding area due to fears of further clashes. Also riots broke out in east Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan before dawn on Thursday morning, ending a two-month period of calm. The disturbances broke out after members of a Jewish family that owns a pathway in the area sought to take down an illegally built gate placed on the path by Palestinian residents. The gate leads to a mosque in the neighbourhood. (See: http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=186026 In Silwan, three Molotov cocktails were thrown at police and four Molotov cocktails were hurled at the Beit Orot Yeshiva near the a-Tur neighborhood in Jerusalem. Pray: for police to have prudence and discretion as they calm the situations and for residents to refrain from further reprisals. (Pr.8:12-14)
Launch of major UK Campaign: ‘Not Ashamed’
A Christian advocacy group has launched a new campaign defending the right of Christians to express their faith and beliefs in public. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey is among the supporters of the nationwide ‘Not Ashamed’ campaign launched by Christian Concern for our Nation. The campaign criticises the discrimination some Christians have experienced in school or the workplace as a result of being open about their beliefs. It points to the recent high profile cases of Gary McFarlane, a relationships adviser who was dismissed by Relate for refusing to counsel same-sex couples, and Shirley Chaplin, a nurse who was taken off wards after refusing to remove her crucifix. The group is asking Christians to wear the Not Ashamed logo during Advent and on December 1, which it has declared ‘Not Ashamed Day’. Lord Carey is writing a leaflet to accompany the campaign, to be delivered to every household, in which he explains why Jesus Christ is good news for all. www.notashamed.org.uk Pray: for this campaign to be successful in empowering Christians to express themselves unashamedly. (2Pe.2:2) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.campaign.to.defend.place.of.christians.in.public.life/26765.htm
Archbishop says desire for God is 'undimmed'
Dr Rowan Williams insisted the country has not ‘turned its back on God’ as he personally invited its residents to return to church this week. His comments echo those of the Pope, who declared at the end of his historic visit to Britain that he detected a ‘deep thirst’ for faith despite the forces of ‘aggressive secularism’ at work in Britain. Churchgoing has declined in recent decades, although some figures suggest it is now stabilising. (See Prayer Alert 3810) This has led many organisations, particularly in the public sector, to stop traditional celebrations of Christianity and to make staff keep their beliefs private. When launching a publicity campaign ahead of the annual Back to Church Sunday, the Archbishop said: ‘The desire for God is undimmed in Britain. This country has not turned its back on God or spiritual things and the Church of England is here for the whole nation: we are a spiritual home on every street corner.’ Pray: for God to grant a renewed confidence in living and working the Christian life in the UK. (Ac.16:5)
Government’s commitment to people of faith
The Evangelical Alliance(EA) has welcomed assurances from Baroness Warsi that this Government ‘does God’ and is ‘comfortable’ with faith. The Government minister made the comments to Church of England bishops last week, adding that the church was ‘at the heart of society’ and that the Labour Government had failed to ‘create policies to unleash the positive power of faith in our society’. The EA head of public affairs, Dr Don Horrocks, said her comments were ‘welcome’ and ‘timely’. He pointed to the work of Christian charities like Redeeming our Communities in Manchester, whose volunteers have been credited with helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. The General Director of the EA, Steve Clifford, said that Christians were ‘already at the heart of serving their communities’ but should grasp the opportunity to get even more involved by being a part of the Government’s Big Society initiative.(See Prayer Alert 3010) Pray: for Government to act on their words to place the Church at the ‘heart of society’. (Isa.26:2) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/evangelical.alliance.welcomes.governments.commitment.to.people.of.faith/26745.htm
Pope's visit ‘challenges stereotypes’
After all the fears expressed before the Pope left Rome of a possible debacle - street protests and a poor turnout - there was a tangible sense of relief, even of euphoria, among Pope Benedict's entourage during the return flight. The Prime Minister, Mr Cameron, said the Pope had challenged the whole country ‘to sit up and think’ about the relative roles of religion and politics. The Pope had talked about ‘the development of a healthy pluralistic society’. He expressed his admiration for Britain's ‘instinct for moderation’ which found an echo in the Prime Minister's vision of a country that is ‘deeply but quietly compassionate’. The Pope's triumph was really his speech to leaders of civil society at Westminster. One politician said that his performance had been ‘sheer magic’. Pray: that the Papal visit will leave a long-term legacy in the role of the Christian faith in this country. (Phm:20)