South Africa’s first black billionaire will give away half his wealth

Inspired by the example of several ultra-wealthy individuals in the US, South Africa’s first black billionaire and its fourth richest man will donate half his assets to help the poor in his country. Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe announced he will donate half of his personal fortune, which is currently estimated by Forbes Magazine at $2.65 billion, according to a report by NPR. Motsepe was inspired by ‘The Giving Pledge,’ a philanthropic programme launched by Warren Buffet, along with Bill and Melinda Gates. So far, their initiative has attracted nearly a 100 like-minded billionaires. Motsepe is making the pledge to assist the millions of South Africans who have seen little improvement in their financial well-being since white minority rule ended in 1994, according to NPR. Motsepe’s wife, Precious, said that his wealth would be given away throughout his lifetime, according to the Financial Times.

Praise:

God for the generosity of Motsepe and pray that others would be influenced by his decision. (2Cor.9:6)

European police arrest 103 in suspected human trafficking ring

Officials are calling it one of the largest operations against human traffickers in Europe. Police in Europe arrested 103 people in 10 countries this week, all accused of smuggling people on boats, freight trains and small hidden compartments in the floors of buses and trucks. The massive operation spanned a host of European nations and deployed more than 1,200 police officers. The operation descended on homes and properties across Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Turkey and the Kosovo region in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Related operations took place in Switzerland and Austria. Human trafficking is a global multibillion dollar business, only ranking behind illegal drugs and arms trafficking, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. It is believed to generate annual profits of an estimated $32 billion, according to a 2005 report from the International Labour Organization. Half of those profits come from industrialized nations. (See also 41-2012)

Praise:

God for this answer to prayer leading to the prosecution of perpetrators. (Is.61:8)

Same-Sex Marriage Bill proceeds to next stage

The debate on the Marriage (Same-Sex Couples) Bill has concluded. The vote following the debate was won by the Government by 400 votes to 175, with 75 abstentions. This means that the Bill will now progress to its next stage, a Public Bill Committee, where amendments to the Bill will be considered and voted upon. This stage is scheduled to conclude by 12 March 2013. However, this vote is only the first of a number in the House of Commons, after which the Bill must pass through the House of Lords where it is anticipated to have a markedly more difficult passage. The result of this Second Reading vote is certainly not grounds for despondency or a reason to lose hope! Be encouraged that 175 MPs voted against the redefinition of marriage and praise God that many spoke faithfully and proudly in support of marriage. See Global story in World section below.

Pray:

that the Lord would have mercy and that the Bill will eventually be defeated. (Ps.123:3)

Teachers risk facing the sack

Over 40,000 teachers have said they would risk being dismissed from their jobs by refusing to teach children about same-sex ‘marriages’ in schools. According to a new ComRes poll released this week, one in ten teachers said they would refuse to cover same-sex ‘marriages’ in their lessons, while 74,000 - one in six - said they ‘wouldn’t be happy about it.’ Commenting on the survey, Campaign Director for the Coalition for Marriage, Colin Hart, said: ‘As this recent poll shows, tens of thousands of teachers face the real prospect of being disciplined, or sacked, over the Government’s proposals to redefine marriage, creating a poisonous atmosphere in every staffroom in every school.’

Pray:

for this situation and others that are likely to occur following Tuesday's vote that these potential consequences will not materialise.

Therapist faces expulsion for views on homosexuality

A Christian psychotherapist is the subject of a professional conduct inquiry in London for supporting therapy for those with unwanted feelings of same-sex attraction. Dr Davidson is a trainee with the British Psychodrama Association (BPA) and also a director of Core Issues Trust, a non-profit Christian ministry supporting men and women with homosexual issues who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression. He took part in a BBC local radio broadcast in January 2012. As a result of comments he made about homosexuality, the BBC interviewer - among others - complained to Dr Davidson’s professional body. In response to a question, Dr Davidson said: ‘Yes I do believe homosexuality is a sin.’ The initial charges against Dr Davidson were purely against the expression of his views and therefore an issue of free speech rather than his ethical conduct as a therapist. The correspondence Dr Davidson received demonstrates this.

Pray:

for Dr Davidson that his expression of beliefs will not lead to expulsion. (Pr.8:13)

New push to legalise assisted suicide

Lord Falconer will have another go at legalising assisted suicide – despite being soundly defeated last time. He says he will introduce a Bill to the House of Lords in the summer, but peers rejected a similar effort in 2009. The Care Not Killing group, which opposes assisted suicide, believes the Lords will reject this latest attempt. Currently, assisted suicide is a crime in the UK but some terminally ill patients travel to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland and are helped to commit suicide. Under Lord Falconer’s new proposal, relatives of terminally ill people could legally help with travel to the clinic or with a drug overdose at home. Peter Saunders, campaign director of the Care Not Killing group, said a new bid to change the law had been expected. He said he believed the Lords would reject the attempt.

Pray:

that this further attempt to legislate in favour of assisted suicide would not succeed. (Pr.14:27)

Church of England raises fears over future of RE in schools

The Bishop of Oxford, the Church’s lead spokesman on education issues, said ministers viewed the subject as a ‘scary nuisance’, despite retaining a legal requirement for schools to teach it. The Rt Rev John Pritchard’s warning came in a letter to bishops following a meeting with David Laws, the Liberal Democrat schools minister. Highlighting RE’s exclusion from the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), the new school-leaving certificate, the bishop wrote: ‘The state and future of RE is still a major concern. Not only is it not in the EBacc, but teacher training places have nearly halved and a spiral of decline seems inevitable. The latest survey shows secondary schools not filling vacancies and reducing time for RE, and some primary schools giving the responsibility to teaching assistants.’ He added: ‘We’ll keep up the pressure as I’m sure you will too, but it’s clear that Government has no real interest in RE.’

Pray:

for an appreciation of the importance of RE in providing a foundation for our cultural history and our nation's moral a spiritual welfare. (Dt.6:4-7)

Rise in post-traumatic stress disorder rates among British troops

New diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in British service personnel have increased, official figures show. A total of 94 members of the armed forces were newly registered as suffering the disorder between July and September last year, nearly four times the 25 diagnoses recorded in the same period in 2008. There were 305 new cases of PTSD among UK troops in the 12 months to September last year, double the 153 logged in 2007 to 2008, according to statistics released by the Defence Analytical Services and Advice. Rates of mental disorders were found to be significantly higher in personnel who had served in Iraq or Afghanistan. Women, soldiers, RAF personnel and non-officer ranks were also more likely to suffer mental health problems. A spokesman for Combat Stress, a mental health charity for military veterans, said; ‘The nation is facing huge numbers of soldiers who will need help overcoming things they've experienced serving their country.’

Pray:

for all those members of our armed forces affected by PTSD and for a commitment to high quality treatment for them. (Ps.34:4)

Justin Welby confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury

The Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend Justin Welby, has officially become the Archbishop of Canterbury at a ceremony, known as the ‘Confirmation of Election’, which took place in the context of an act of worship in St Paul's Cathedral on Monday. The ceremony forms part of the legal process by which the appointment of the new Archbishop of Canterbury is put into effect. It was presided over by the Archbishop of York with the assistance of the Bishops of London, Winchester, Salisbury, Worcester, Rochester, Lincoln, Leicester and Norwich. All were commissioned for this purpose by Her Majesty The Queen - who is the ‘Supreme Governor’ of the Church of England. Bishop Justin’s name was put forward to The Queen some months ago by the Church’s ‘Crown Nominations Commission’ in accordance with constitutional arrangements that have been in place for many years.

Pray:

for the Right Rev Justin Welby that he will be blessed by God with wisdom and spiritual guidance in his new role at a time when the challenges to the Church are so significant. (Ac.20:28)

Croatia: Sex Education programme violates rights of parents

Christian parents are outraged over the contents of the government’s new sex education programme. The government insists -and opting out is illegal. The current Croatian Centre-Left coalition government has introduced a new mandatory course under the name ‘health education’ which will be implemented starting with grade 3. Parental groups have voiced their concern that the 4th module (‘Gender Equality and Responsible Sexual Behaviour’) promotes promiscuity, homosexuality, as well as pornography and artificial contraception. Minister of Education Zeljko Jovanovic; has refused to meet with concerned parents. He publicly attacked the Church for its critical position towards this curriculum. Parental rights groups have asked for an alternative and are insisting that the primary role of educating their children is being severely undermined. This course is clearly incompatible with Christian morality and represents a grave threat to young children.

Pray:

that parental rights groups would succeed in changing the government's mind. (Ps.25:5)

Spain: Growing corruption scandals involving key institutions

Just one day after a tense debate in Spanish parliament on how to stop political corruption, a leading newspaper published on Thursday what it said were handwritten documents detailing 19 years of secretive payments to leaders of the ruling conservative Popular Party. El Pais newspaper said the alleged payments through 2009 - off the party's normal books - went to Mariano Rajoy, a long-time party leader and Spain's prime minister since December 2011, and to numerous other current or former top party officials. The party quickly issued a statement on Thursday morning, denying any ‘hidden accounts’ and insisting that all payments to party leaders have been ‘legal and in compliance with tax obligations.’ On Thursday evening, hundreds of protesters reacting to the report gathered near the ruling party's headquarters. They were kept back a distance from the building itself by riot police on two ends of a long street.

Pray:

against corruption in high places and that justice would reign. (Is.1:4)

NIGERIA: Factors fuelling fighting

Violence is intensifying in Nigeria. A Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies, said that although religion remains a divisive issue conflict occurs when ethnic, religious and economic boundaries coincide - as these factors are interconnected. Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, (165 million people) ethnic and economic differences are widespread, (350 different ethnic groups) with agricultural careers ranging from farmers to herders. It's split nearly evenly between southern Christians and northern Muslims. There are claims and counter-claims with too many spokespeople from each religion regarding each other with disdain. Nigeria is tottering on the brink. The question is whether or not it will fall off. However, Christianity in the country is huge, vibrant and growing and intercessors need to be concerned about Boko Haram disrupting the peace of Nigeria and the possibility of civil war. Nigeria sends thousands of missionaries throughout Africa. For that to be disrupted would hinder the spread of the Gospel throughout the continent.

Pray:

for God’s power to work through all agencies working towards peace, and may the Church continue to grow in power, wisdom and authority. (Pr.8:15-18)

Pakistan: 2013 Election

This year an election will be held in Pakistan to elect a new president. Already there is much discussion about how to make the election fair and honest amid charges of potential fraud. Potential candidates are positioning themselves to run for nomination. We are asked to start praying now for the preparations for the elections to result in a free and fair event that the people will see as legitimate. Pray also for the candidates to be persons of honour and righteousness, able to govern effectively and for the region to move further towards freedom and justice. Taliban and al-Qaida affiliated groups with safe heavens in the north-west of Pakistan (see item 1 below) are very active in operating terrorist activities against the present ruling Awami National Party. The upcoming election process may turn into a battle ground and law enforcement authorities may find the situation very difficult to control. See also h ttp://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/01/election-would-b e-milestone-pakistans-democracy-will-it-go-ahead and http://outlookafghanistan.net/topics.php?post_id=6328 For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.

Pray:

for God to rule and reign throughout the region as it attempts to go through a transition towards peace and stability. (Pr.8:15)

Afghanistan: Zadran people

The Zadran people are one of the most well-known ethnic tribes in south eastern Afghanistan with more than half a million living in the provinces known as Greater Paktia (GP) and NW Pakistan. GP is a politically complicated region having a strong presence of militia with shifting allegiances and violent tendencies that make governance difficult in a mountainous and cavernous terrain, providing armed groups ample cover from which to conduct their guerrilla operations. Immediately after the fall of the Taliban GP was chaotic (a small civil war broke out between rival militia commanders for control of the area). Until today, some areas remain a safe haven for militants loyal to the most famous member of the Zadran tribe, Jalaluddin Haqqani, He lives in exile in N Waziristan. It is claimed he introduced suicide bombing to the Afghanistan-Pakistan region. See also: http://zadran.com/?page_id=313&lang=en For INSIGHTS into how to pray into terrorism rooted in Afghanistan and Pakistan click the 'Info' button.

Pray:

for a real dissatisfaction with militancy amongst the Zadran tribe. May men of peace be raised up amongst them. Pray for peace in the region. (Pr.28:16)

Global: Same sex marriage

Truth today has become that which is true in the eyes of the beholder at a given moment in time or place. It constantly evolves and restructures itself to fit the circumstances of the day. In America same-sex marriages are being perpetrated as an accepted lifestyle and the boy scouts are being encouraged to accept gays from members to leaders. Last week the French National Assembly approved an article of a bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Denmark introduced civil partnerships for same-sex couples in 1989 but stopped short of allowing church weddings. Norway, Sweden and Iceland followed suit allowing partnerships without the rights and obligations of marriage. On April 1st 2001 the first legal gay marriage ceremony was held in Amsterdam. In June 2003, the Vatican launched a global campaign against gay marriage. Two years later, despite a 600,000-strong petition organised by a Catholic group and a rally in Madrid opposing it, same-sex marriage was introduced in Spain. Across the nations we are seeing sexual intimacy that violates the sacredness of marriage being accepted as ‘truth’

Pray:

for Christians across the nations to stand for the truth of God's Word with regards to marriage and for God’s wisdom to replace secular opinions. (Ps.45:4)

Mali: Medical mission diverted

As troops from France and Chad enter the last major city in northern Mali, critical Christian aid efforts have been hampered by a climate of violence and instability. ‘I wish I knew what is going on,’ says Laura Delaney, medical coordinator with Medicines for Mali. Her organization works closely with Blessings International to deliver medical aid and access to clean water to poor villages in the south. She intended to deliver vital medicines but plans changed after a Frenchman was abducted near Bamako. Access to communication is spotty in the villages they serve. ‘The sad part is people don’t know what’s going on, except that we’re not coming. They fear we will not come back, but we reassured them we will return when it’s safe. It’s heart-wrenching not to go, medicine is in short supply'; she said. Meanwhile 1,800 Chadian troops secured Kidal in northern Mali, and French troops are holding the Kidal airport so that more forces can land.

Pray:

for this and other agencies attempting to reach difficult areas with much needed aid. Pray also for the innocent villages caught up in this conflict. (Ps.22:19-22)

Mali: Conflict exacerbating food crisis

The fighting in Mali is compounding the ongoing food crisis in the Sahel. The United Nations estimated the number of people displaced by the conflict to be over 200,000 and rising; and the conflict and displacement of people is contributing to ever-rising levels of malnutrition. The current food crisis has already brought suffering to more than 18 million people across the region, the more people are forced to flee the mounting military offensive in the north, the more market gardens are being abandoned and the less vegetables are being produced for child nutrition. The UN estimates that 4.2 million Malians will need emergency humanitarian assistance this year. Some Malians have fled to neighbouring countriessuch as Burkina Faso and Niger to escape from the violence. They will need humanitarian aid and assistance, including safe drinking water and food. Also Tuareg and Arab communities are being attacked by Malian troops seeking revenge for the atrocities committed by the rebels last month.

Pray:

for all parties involved in the conflict to work towards allowing rapid, safe and unimpeded passage of humanitarian aid across Mali. (Ps.102:1,-)

Israel: Jews being targeted overseas

The Shin Bet’s 2012 report on terror found terrorists switching focus to less heavily-guarded Israelis abroad; noting the bus bombing in Bulgaria killing five Israelis and one Bulgarian, a bombing in New Delhi in which a diplomat’s wife was wounded, and an attempted bombing targeting a Georgian embassy employee. 2012 also saw attacks on non-Israeli Jewish communities with the death of three children and a rabbi at the Otzar Hatorah School in France. The murderer said he targeted the school due to his hatred of Israel. The report noted an unprecedented number of arrests of Hizbullah terrorists and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, many arrested abroad while planning attacks against Israelis. Notably a Hizbullah terrorist in Bangkok plotting a mass attack on Israeli tourists in Thailand; a Hizbullah terrorist arrested in Cyprus while gathering information on tourist sites, ships and airplanes used by Israelis; and Revolutionary Guards' terrorists were arrested in Kenya for planning attacks on Israelis in the country.

Pray:

for continued vigilance and wisdom by Israeli and international authorities as they work towards protecting Israelis at home and abroad. (Gen.28:15)