Nepal: Sabres bring Gospel to Himalayas

A mission team will be going to Nepal next month with Sabres. No, not light-sabres as in Star Wars. A Vision Beyond Borders (VBB) mission team will be bringing solar powered mp3 players called ‘Sabres’ to people in Nepal. These Sabres play the Bible on audio. The mission team will be taking the Sabres to remote villages high in the Himalayan Mountains. Many of these people have never even heard about Christ. Furthermore, Nepal has an adult literacy rate of 56% according to UNESCO. With so many people who can’t read, getting the chance to hear the Bible is invaluable. There are 153 dialects in Nepal, and VBB has contacts working to translate God’s Word into every single dialect. VBB’s mission team are currently seeking more funds to bring more Sabres to Nepal.

Praise:

God as they bring God’s Word to these remote peoples. Pray for their travels and for safety. (Pr.1:33)

Colombia: American Christians spread Gospel to FARC guerrillas

For more than 40 years, Colombia has been terrorized by kidnappings and murders resulting from power struggles between drug lords, revolutionaries and paramilitary groups. But in the midst of the chaos, brave Christians in Colombia are risking their lives to spread the gospel. Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is committed to helping them. One of VOM’s partners in Colombia is a pilot named Russell. VOM helped Russell purchase an airplane, and today that plane flies over FARC-controlled areas of Colombia dropping small packages attached to parachutes. The packages, which float down into FARC camps and villages, each contain a selection of Christian books as well as a solar-powered Galcom radio pre-tuned to a Christian station. Before the parachutes are dropped, the radio is turned on so that even if the parachute catches in a tree, someone will hear the radio and climb up to retrieve it. More than 14,000 parachutes made by American Christians recently left the distribution centre headed for Colombia. They have already received more than 62,000 parachutes.

Praise:

God for this initiative and pray that each package will bring new life. (Lk.2:10)

Churches pray and work together for Christian unity

Hundreds of thousands of Christians across Britain and Ireland are joining in the 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in churches across these islands. The week is an annual event marked by churches of all traditions - Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, evangelical and indigenous. It runs from 18-25 January, though many congregations were most involved on last Sunday, 20 January. The collaborative event aims at building bridges in witness and common service between Christians of many backgrounds and understandings, and is promoted by ecumenical bodies nationally and internationally. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2013 comes from an ecumenical group in South India. They have reflected upon their own context and offer to people across the globe thematic ideas that call fellow Christians to respond to the obligation to act justly in the world. The text is taken from Micah 6.6-8.

Pray:

for a significant legacy from the Week of Prayer. (Mic.6:6-8)

Care crisis hindering disabled contribution - bishop

The social care system is failing to meet the needs of disabled people of working age, the Bishop of Carlisle has said. The Right Rev James Newcome made the comments in support of the report, 'The Other Care Crisis', published this week by Scope, Mencap, The National Autistic Society, Sense and Leonard Cheshire Disability. The report warns that chronic under-funding of care services is being exacerbated by cuts to local services, depriving tens of thousands of disabled people the support they need. Four in 10 disabled people are failing to have their basic needs met and the lack of funding is hindering their independence, with nearly half of disabled adults reporting that services are not supporting them in getting out into the community. 'Without support, disabled people find themselves unable to wash, dress, leave their house or communicate with others. This can leave them unable to work, study and contribute to society.'

Pray:

that at a time of economic restraint no group is abandoned and appropriate support is maintained. (Mt.22:39)

Christians' rights trampled on by 'obsessive political correctness'

Christians’ rights of conscience are being sacrificed on the altar of ‘obsessive political correctness’ contrary to the values of a democratic society, two European human rights judges have claimed. They likened the treatment of a London marriage registrar, who asked not to carry out civil partnerships because of her beliefs on homosexuality, to conscientious objectors of the past who suffered ‘at the hands of the Spanish Inquisition or a Nazi firing squad’. The claims were contained in a vocal dissenting judgment by two of the seven European Court of Human Rights judges who sat in a landmark case on religious freedom in Britain. The court in Strasbourg upheld the right of workers to wear crosses as a visible manifestation of faith – as long it does not fall foul of health and safety policies. The court also rejected challenges by two Christians who lost their jobs for taking a stand on what they saw as a matter of conscience.

Pray:

for clarity in what proved to be a mixed, possibly ambiguous judgment. (1Co.2:14)

Include outsiders, challenges the CofE's Chief Education officer

Churches across the country will be using 2013 Education Sunday (January 27) to pray and work towards new ways of reaching out to those who are easily overlooked in the education world. The Rev Jan Ainsworth, the CofE's Chief Education Officer, said this theme should challenge education successes, whether flourishing schools or highly achieving pupils, to support those who are struggling. A Prayer for Education Sunday calls for 'equality rather than privilege' calling for the whole task of education to 'be devoted to justice rather than self- seeking. 'In Church schools we try and make inclusivity the heart of our message, underpinned by our Christian values. But Education Sunday reminds us that it is a challenge for everyone linked with the education world. We need each other and flourish much better with support. I would urge everyone to take five minutes this Sunday to think how they can include an outsider,' said Jan Ainsworth.

Pray:

for Education Sunday to prompt renewed work to promote inclusivity in education. (Php.2:5-7)

Archbishop of York launches Lent resource

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York attended Parliament last week to launch this year’s Love Life Live Lent resource alongside Stephen Timms MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society. The impressive role played by volunteers throughout 2012 including during the Olympics and Paralympics has inspired the launch of the Love Life Live Lent – Be the Change! booklets which encourage people through simple daily activities to make small but revolutionary changes to the world around them during Lent 2013. Although the daily challenges feature a Bible verse it looks like the sort of tool that anyone who wants to do something constructive during Lent could follow and not just Christians. In fact the Archbishop of York will be sending a copy of Love Life Live Lent to all 649 MPs so they can consider using the booklet in their own constituencies.

Pray:

that the material will be widely used not just by Christians but also by others. (1Pet.3:10)

Climate of fear inhibits some charities

Gagging clauses in contracts and attacks by government ministers on those who speak out in support of the vulnerable are making some charities fearful, analysis suggests. The result is growing concern about the extent of freedom of expression in the third (voluntary) sector, says an independent inquiry chaired by Barnado's former CEO Sir Roger Singleton. The inqury quotes Patrick Butler, editor of society, health and education policy for the Guardian, writing in the newspaper on 22 January 2013. The government has become ‘increasingly contemptuous of those provider organisations which also speak out against injustice and inequality,’ reports Butler. ThirdSector Online confirms that the Panel on the Independence of the Voluntary Sector is a group of charity leaders, academics and other experts on the sector who are producing five reports over five years on the independence of voluntary organisations. It is being funded by the Baring Foundation.

Pray:

that those who speak out will not be fearful but bold. (Lk.4:18)

British culture 'increasingly pornified'

British culture is ‘increasingly pornified’ and is damaging young people, Shadow Health Minister Diane Abbott is to warn in a speech later. She believes that the rise of sexual bullying and ‘sexting’ - where people send sexually explicit text messages - is a result of hyper-sexualisation. A ‘revolution in sex education' to help tackle the problem is needed, she says. She will urge a ‘national conversation’ between parents and children about sex, porn and technology. There have been increasing concerns over the commercialisation and sexualisation of children, the ease with which pornography can be accessed through the internet and the way in which young people use text messages and emails to exchange sexually explicit images. In 2011, the head of the Mothers' Union, Reg Bailey, carried out an independent review for the Government looking at the pressures on children to grow up too quickly. It found that nine out of every 10 UK parents said children were having to grow up too early.

Pray:

against the changes in our culture that are increasingly distorting the minds of the young. (Jn.17:15)

Religious leaders meeting in Geneva advocate for peace

In an inter-religious service organised by the Vatican, the World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary, the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, stressed the importance of ‘expressions for peace and the mutual respect for the dignity of the other. He said praying together, we remind each other that God’s gift of life is given to all of creation and that justice and peace are God’s will for everyone'. The service was held on 21 January 2013 at the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, where the WCC has its offices. Coordinated by the Holy See, the service was a follow up to the World Day of Peace, celebrated by Roman Catholic Church on 1 January around the world. The service took place during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated from 18 to 25 January 2013.

Pray:

for the Church to be effective in bringing peace as it seeks God with its prayers. (Ps.29:11)

Serbian churches have been targeted in Kosovo

Serbian Orthodox Christians in Kosovo struggle with a ‘sharp rise’ in threats and vandalism against their churches and other religious sites, human rights investigators told BosNewsLife on Tuesday. During the past month Orthodox Christmas assailants attacked a monastery, set on fire a chapel and wooden crosses, and destroyed over 100 Orthodox tombstones, reported Belgrade-based Balkan rights group Centar 9. The clashes are linked to anger within Kosovo's mainly Muslim Albanian population about the removal of a memorial to fallen fighters in neighbouring Serbia. Thousands of ethnic Albanians protested after some 200 masked Serbian police officers backed by armoured personnel carriers removed the monument last Sunday in the town of Presevo. It bore the names of 27 ethnic Albanian fighters killed during the 2000 conflict in the Presevo Valley, a spill-over from the 1999 war in Kosovo, Serbia's former province.

Pray:

that Christians and Muslims will be able to put aside their differences and learn to live together in peace. (Eph.4:3)

NIGERIA: Boko Haram militants suspected of deadly attacks

Suspected Islamists have been blamed for the deaths of at least 23 people in separate attacks in north-eastern Nigeria. Witnesses say gunmen apparently targeted hunters selling bush meat in Damboa on Monday, killing 18 people. Strict Muslims are forbidden to eat this type of bush meat. Another five people died on Tuesday when a group of men playing draughts was attacked in Kano. The militant group Boko Haram, which is fighting to create an Islamic state, has staged many attacks in Nigeria. Boko Haram has been blamed for the deaths of some 1,400 people in central and northern Nigeria since 2010. Last year alone, the group was linked to more than 600 deaths. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of a deadly attack in Kano, the main city in northern Nigeria. Gunmen riding on motorbikes opened fire on people playing an outdoor board game, police and witnesses say. Gambling is also strictly forbidden under Islamic law.

Pray:

against the evil influence that fanatics like Boko Haram have in the communities. (Ps.37:9)

Saudi Arabia: Leader calls for interfaith dialogue

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia called for a dialogue among monotheistic religions on Monday, marking a 'first' for the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom. ‘I ask representatives of all the monotheistic religions to meet with their brothers in faith. If God wills it, we will then meet with our brothers from other religions, including those of the Torah and the Gospel to come up with ways to safeguard humanity.’ Abdullah said the country’s top clerics have given him approval to pursue his idea and that he plans to get the opinion of Muslim leaders from other countries. The Saudi king also intends to address the United Nations on the subject. He said ‘We have lost sincerity, morals, fidelity and attachment to our religions and to humanity, the disintegration of the family and the rise of atheism in the world – a frightening phenomenon that all religions must confront and vanquish’

Pray:

that this initiative will be the first step to reducing tensions as well as opening previously ‘closed’ countries to the gospel. (Mat.24:14)

USA: Demands release of American pastor from Iranian prison

Last Friday the White House called on Iran to release a jailed American pastor facing a trial that could send him to the gallows. Saeed Abedini, a native of Iran and a naturalized American citizen, was expected to enter one of Iran's revolutionary courts Monday to face accusations that he is a threat to national security. His lawyers say he faces a lengthy prison term and even the death penalty at the hands of one of Iran's most notoriously severe judges. Abedini's US supporters say he was in Iran last summer to complete construction of an orphanage when members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard snatched him off a bus, confiscated his passports, and threw him in prison. Since then the pastor has been subjected to solitary confinement and beatings. Some of the evidence against Saeed that is going to be brought against him are actions he took on US soil. Update: The hearing took place. Saeed said his activities in Iran are only humanitarian, no political objectives. Verdict expected next week.

Pray:

for Abedini’s family, attorney and the governments concerned to know God’s hand in this situation. (Ps.4:8)

Syria: Horrible life for Palestinian refugees

Palestinians who fled Syria’s war to neighbouring Lebanon are living up to 20 in a room with no water, fresh air or electricity, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said on Tuesday. More help is needed for at least 20,000 Palestinians who have already come in and more than 200 who join them every day, the chief of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Filippo Grandi, told Reuters. Most of the Palestinians who crossed Syria’s south-western boundary into Lebanon were living with friends and family in existing Palestinian camps set up to take in refugees after the creation of Israel in 1948. He toured the Shatila Palestinian camp in Beirut and found ‘the conditions were horrible’ for new arrivals. The main problem they have is accommodation. They rent small, cramped, very unsanitary premises without running water, without ventilation, without electricity.

Pray:

for NGO’s to be able to bring relief to the 200,000 refugees and for new camps to be built and resourced. (Ps.68:9-11)

North Korea: Christians killed

Open Doors has confirmed the death of two Christians in North Korea. According toOpen Doors the ministry one Christian was recently shot while he was on his way back to China for Bible training. The other died in one of North Korea's notorious labour camps. The first North Korean became interested in the Christian faith and after studying the Bible he became a believer. He eventually chose to return to North Korea. ‘He wanted to come back to China to study the Bible more' says an Open Doors worker. It is heartbreaking that he was killed’. The other Christian recently died in a labour camp. This man also studied the Bible in China. After eight months he decided to return to North Korea. According to Open Doors, he became a dedicated and faithful Christian. However, North Korean authorities found out about his secret faith and he was sent to labour camp.

Pray:

for the nation of North Korea and for the believers there that God would protect them. (Ps.12:7)

Iran: Over 700 stand up for Jesus amid Church questioning

Last month, governmental authorities in Iran put more pressure on Christians in the country by demanding personal details of members of a Tehran church. Divulging personal information is risky as a Christian worker explained, ‘For former Muslims who follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, find there are often huge obstacles and problems, they'll lose their jobs, their bank accounts are frozen, and in general, life becomes very difficult.’ With that in mind, it was thought that maybe 100 at the most would come forward, however, over 700 stepped up, gave their names and addresses and said, 'Here we are. Here's where we stand. Calling Christians in Iran resilient, the OM worker noted that ‘they value the precious treasure they've found; they're willing to lose everything for the sake of finding Christ.’ The worker added that one of the best ways for believers around the world to stand with the Church in Iran is to pray for them.

Pray:

for all those who have chosen to follow Jesus that God would put His arms around them. (Ps.91:14)

USA: Prayer on Inauguration Day

Prayer changes things. While hundreds of thousands came to watch the inauguration, many came to pray during the event. Religious believers gathered in places like hotel ballrooms to pray for America and its president, but also to praise and worship God. ‘The glory is rising in the church. And the glory is rising upon His people, our people,’ Rev Rich Brink, with Global Celebration, told CBN News. ‘So we pray for leaders. In fact, we're believing even today the glory will come upon our leaders,’ he said. Many at a prayer breakfast in the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel also lifted up Israel, a nation of particular interest to evangelicals.

Pray:

for those in support of, and those critical of, the Presidents policies, would be continually led by God’s Holy Spirit into informed intercession for the next four years of American politics. (1Tim.2:1-3)