Pakistan: blasphemy laws to remain unchanged
Pakistan’s religious affairs minister has announced that there will be no change to the country’s ‘blasphemy’ laws. Previous attempts to amend the harsh legislation have been blocked, and those proposing changes have faced threats and intimidation. Although the majority charged under the laws are Muslims, Christians and other minorities are disproportionately targeted, and blasphemy accusations are often made to settle personal grudges. Those convicted can face the death penalty for 'defiling the name' of Muhammad: however, to date no one has been executed, although several Christians are among those on death row. On 1 February Adnan Prince, a Christian from Lahore, was granted bail after three years behind bars; despite several charges being dropped, he remains accused of insulting Muhammad.
Gambia no longer to be called Islamic
Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, has announced that the country will no longer officially be called an Islamic republic, reversing the decision made by his predecessor in 2015. There had been encouraging signs that Barrow, a Muslim who was a successful property developer before running for office, would begin a new era of positive relations with the country’s Christian minority. But this courageous announcement appears to signal a significant step away from the Islamist agenda promoted by Gambia’s previous president.
Zimbabwe: ‘flag’ pastor Evan Mawarire detained
A Zimbabwean pastor who criticised his government has been detained after flying back to the country. Evan Mawarire, who left the country last year in fear for his life, was arrested at Harare International Airport. He first came to fame last April when he went on Facebook wrapped in a Zimbabwean flag complaining about the state of the nation. It sparked a #ThisFlag protest movement against the leadership of the country. In July, protesters staged a national ‘shutdown’ which led to a complete closure of schools, businesses and shops across the country. It was the biggest strike action since 2005. Mr Mawarire was arrested and charged with inciting public violence, but a court ruled that police had violated his rights and released him. He left the country soon after, and had been in the US for about six months. At the airport, Mr Mawarire ‘was escorted into another room by three men even before he went through immigration or customs’, his sister Telda said. It is reported that he was then taken to a police station in the centre of Harare.
New Zealand: huge wildfire
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in Christchurch as a huge wildfire raged on its outskirts. One pilot has died in a helicopter crash, and least eleven homes have burned down. A state of emergency has been declared, and the military has been deployed to help firefighters. It is unclear what caused the fire; prime minister Bill English has said that it looked suspicious, and investigations are continuing. The fire broke out in two separate places on Monday in the dry hills south of the city, before merging into one blaze which now covers about 1,800ha. More than 130 firefighters have been deployed, along with 14 helicopters and three aircraft. A total of 400 homes have been evacuated by police, but hundreds of other people have also chosen to leave the area. A police spokesman warned people that fires can change direction and move quickly, giving little time to escape. ‘If you're worried, don't leave it too late - it's better to be safe than sorry.’
Gather Festival North
Gather Festival will be holding two days of worship and prayer in rural Northumberland from 4th - 5th August. The festival is the vision of two guys in their 20's who are part of a church in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Jonny Anderson and Jonny Tuck. The Lord has placed a holy dissatisfaction in their hearts where they've been longing to experience more of God's presence in their lives and experience a personal awakening. A key scripture for them has been Ephesians 5:14, 'Awake O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
From a place of personal conviction, they've given themselves to seek the Lord and felt a real burden to see the church awakened across the UK.
They've began hosting worship and prayer meetings once a month in Newcastle City Centre, drawing people from various churches. The festival is an outworking of these meetings; a place where people can consecrate time to come and encounter the Lord. The purpose of this festival is not to attract attendees with big name speakers/artists (not that we have anything against 'big names') - rather it's simply a gathering for people who are hungry to worship Jesus, meet Him in a place of consecrated prayer and be inspired and equipped by meeting others who are doing the same. As a result of the event, they hope to see people in the local church resourced to live lifestyles of worship and prayer on a daily basis.
The event will consist of elongated times of worship, interspersed with times of intercession and teaching. There'll be onsite refreshments, a children's work and a networking tent (for strangers to become friends and share dreams/visions of what the Lord has been saying in their context.) They'd love new kingdom relationships and ventures to spring forth from this event. You can also camp on site and enjoy worship that will be going on through the night.
They're keen to speak to anyone who feels able to offer their gifts to help make this event as fruitful as possible.
Jonny Anderson can be contacted on 07877116675 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
For further details about their story/aims/location etc, please visit www.gatherfestival.co.uk
Tickets can be purchased from Eventbrite.
Catching the Bus
Trypraying season: April and May
PRISONS.
Just today I saw the first draft of a new additon to the trypraying suite of materials - a booklet for use in prisons. It is excellent and will soon be available.
HOMES.
We are developing a leaflet that can be used in every home distribution which will encourage people to request a trypraying booklet to be sent to them. It will be a great help for churches wanting to contact every home in their area.
BUSES.
We have been working with a leading advertising agency to develop an advertising campaign. The skills and time of an advertisng executive have been donated to us. This is huge gift. However trypraying is not about advertising. It's about us sharing the message of Jesus with people. Nevertheless bus advertising creates awareness, speaks to people in the public space and generates personal interest.
CHURCHES.
Currently there are five places where churches are working together in multi-church trypraying projects in their town/city. Other places are considering this (you?) If you want that for your town or city do contact us to start the ball rolling. Most churches and groups of churches will use the April/May period for activities.
MONEY.
We need some generous donations in the next 2 - 3 weeks. We have obtained an amazing deal for bus adverts: T-shaped side panels at approximately £150 per week / £550 a month. If you wish to donate click the link here: Bus ads. (Alternatively cheques can be sent to trypraying, 3 Orchardhead Loan, Edinburgh, EH16 6HW.)
FORTY.
For a useful 40-day prayer guide order copies of Catching the Wave.
FINALLY.
This comment came about the trypraying app: "Five stars. Great little app. Used it for seven days. It helped me work out a problem in my life (no job). Prayer works!"
Nice.
Source: Trypraying
Father's Love Letter
A vision to see every household in the UK receive a copy of the Father's Love Letter
The Father’s Love Letter is a collection of verses from Genesis to Revelation in the form of a letter, expressing the love of God as our Heavenly Father. At the very end of this newsletter we have transcribed a copy of this, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it.
Wendy Thomas, believes passionately in the power of this simple tract to transform lives. In 2005 in Southend-on-Sea, churches together delivered 75,000 to every home in the area, praying for every home as they delivered them. They were given an opportunity to respond and to become Christian. 300 people chose to become Christian!
Wendy believes God has spoken to her about trying to get this Father’s Love Letter delivered to every home in the UK , with churches and organisations working together.
In support of this vision, Neighbourhood Prayer Network has published 100,000 copies of this letter at a cost of 2p each plus postage (This is basically just the printing costs). To order 'The Fathers Love Letter' Click Here.
Would you consider giving these out to streets near you? Also please visit the facebook page for more information.
Source: Neighbourhood Prayer Network
Romania: answered prayers
Last week we prayed for a peaceful and satisfactory outcome when 200,000 people took to the streets over a government decree to free dozens of officials jailed for corruption. This week Romania's government scrapped the controversial decree. Now many politicians will no longer be shielded from prosecution for corruption. The decision came at an emergency meeting on the issue, following days of further street protests. One of those behind the move said it was to restore calm in Romania, but also strongly criticised the judiciary. Protesters have vowed to keep the pressure on the cabinet, with some demanding that the entire government should quit. One of them, Daniel, said, ‘I hope that this is a real repeal. We are going to keep an eye on them to make sure we are not being had’. The protests have been the country's largest since the fall of communism in 1989.
Pakistan: Christian freed on bail
Last week, after more than three years in jail, a Christian facing the death penalty on charges of blasphemy was granted bail by the Supreme Court in Lahore. Adnan Prince had been imprisoned in Lahore’s district jail since November 2013 after he was accused by a work colleague of insulting Islam, the Qur’an and Islam’s prophet. The three-man bench ordered the release of Prince, with bail set at Rs 300,000 (around £2,300). According to Mr Prince’s lead counsel, the case against her client should have been decided within two years. This did not take place due to lawyers’ strikes and delaying tactics by the prosecution, she said. She also explained that legal formalities were not fulfilled; guidelines passed by the Supreme Court say that a police officer of at least the rank of superintendent should have conducted the investigation. She added that there were no direct eyewitnesses and that all forensic evidence failed to link the accused. Although earlier bail applications had been dismissed by both a district judge and the Lahore High Court, the Supreme Court granted Prince bail and ordered his release. Similar cases have been known to take as long as seven years to reach trial.
Friday Focus - reconciliation in families
‘Parents, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ (Eph. 6:4) Earlier in this letter, Paul urges husbands and wives to love and respect each other, laying down their lives for each other. When this is our aim, we go a long way to providing the role model that our children need to be witnesses to the love of Christ, encouraging them rather than ‘exasperating’ them, and building the kingdom of God as a family.
(written by Father Simon Penhalagan, Sion Catholic Community for Evangelism)