Seven Days of inspiration

Church Army Evangelist Debbie Orriss from High Wycombe, Bucks has an inspirational week :- Monday she leads a congregational team welcoming visitors to the church and offering prayer before the lunchtime concert. Many of the audience stay behind for a cuppa and a chat. A High Wycombe project is the Homeless Connection. Part of its work is holding social evenings on Tuesdays in the church hall where food and hospitality for people experiencing homelessness can come. They use the Quiet Space to receive prayer or take some quiet time for themselves, or have a chat with one of the volunteers. BREATHE takes place on Wednesday evening and is aimed at people who are exploring different ways of worship. Thursdays she helps people explore faith and spirituality. Friday – day off! Saturday she joins a Street Angels team ministering to partygoers outside the pubs and clubs at midnight to make sure they are safe and to chat with them. Sunday A day of rest!

Praise:

God for Debbie and all the volunteers in High Wycombe caring for people and bringing the light of Jesus Christ into their lives and situations. May God continue to bless these ministries. (Mt.4:16)

South Sudan: Transforming lives

South Sudan has a low rate of life expectancy. Children born with complications are at a significant disadvantage. But the lifes of Arual and her family were transformed with the help of a German missionary and MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship). Arual was born with Spina Bifida and noone expected her to live long. But God had other plans. A missionary visiting Arul’s wider family heard about Arual and made enquiries at a hospital in Kenya. She discovered a paediatric neurosurgeon specialising in deformed spines who treats patients from all over Africa. Arual travelled from her village in South Sudan to Juba flew with MAF to Nairobi on a free flight provided by MAF. Within 24 hours she was undergoing surgery. When she was well and ready to leave, MAF organised to fly her back to her overjoyed family. The father praised God and testified that now he believes God really loves him.

Praise:

God for the amazing plans that he has for Arual, her family and each of their lives. (Jer.29:11)

Survey reveals Britain's dependence on churches

To a significant extent, Britain is reliant on churches to reach out to communities and address the social needs of people amidst the financial crisis, a new study has found. The study, conducted by the Church Urban Fund, shows that 6,500 Church of England parishes offer special services to help schoolchildren, parents, new immigrants and the elderly. A total of eight out of 10 said that parishioners use their spare time to informally help those struggling with issues such as isolation, family breakdown, drug abuse, domestic violence or debt. The survey shows that donations given by churchgoers to social action projects have increased by 19 per cent to £342 million in just two years. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern commented: ‘The Government must ensure that its legislation – whether Charity law or equalities legislation – does not inhibit churches and Christian organisations from carrying out their service whilst maintaining an overtly Christian ethos’.

Pray:

for legislation to be revised so that Christians can serve their communities as Christians – not in a way that forces them to ‘leave their faith at the door'. (1Pe.3:15)

Christian to stand in Eastleigh by-election

Local Christian Danny Stupple announced this week that he is standing in the Eastleigh by-election. He has launched a campaign with a strong emphasis on authentic marriage. In a press release he said: ‘I think a lot of people feel let down, not only by our former local MP but by the whole political system. The complete disregard for proper process in the redefinition of marriage vote is indicative of the contempt for ordinary voters. Something as profound as marriage requires far more care than Mr Cameron or his Government have shown it. Real democracy is about representing the people who vote for you, not toeing the party line and certainly not forcing through legislation without any mandate’. Listen to a BBC local radio interview with Danny http://www.christianconcern.com/media/bbc-radio-solent-inter view-with-independent-eastleigh-candidate-danny-stupple The Conservative candidate Maria Hutchings is also a strong marriage supporter and strongly pro-life. The people of Eastleigh will go to the ballot box on 28th February.

Pray:

for the election result - that it will send a message to the Prime Minister that people care about marriage and are disappointed by the way in which he is attempting to redefine it without any mandate. (Heb.13:4)

Me, me, me' culture of the 1980s poisoning society

An unhealthy ‘me, me, me’ culture which grew up in the 1980s is still ‘poisoning’ community life in Britain, according to the Archbishop of York. In a reference to Margaret Thatcher, Dr John Sentamu said: ‘There is such a thing as society, and we all have our small part to play in making things better. We are interdependent beings living in community.’ Dr Sentamu made his remarks as he launched a new book, ‘John Sentamu's Faith Stories’ which follows 20 people who have made major contributions to their local communities. He said people should follow their example and ‘stop moaning and start doing something positive’. He added: ‘The unhealthy ‘me, me, me’ culture that grew up in 1980s, has threatened to poison our relationships and our sense of community ever since. The only way to build a wholesome society with a future, is for people to live differently, unselfishly and with hope in their hearts’.

Pray:

for all of us to recognise our role in a caring society. (Gal.5:14)

NHS must return to Christian basis

Serious failures in standards of care at Stafford General Hospital are evidence that the ‘marketisation of the health service has gone too far’, two bishops have warned. The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Reverend Jonathan Gledhill, and the Bishop of Stafford, the Right Reverend Geoff Annas, made the comments in the Church Times in response to an inquiry into the death of 66-year-old Gillian Astbury at the hospital in 2007. Bishop Gledhill said the investigation into the hospital had been a ‘long and terrible time for the people of Stafford’, particularly the relatives of those who had died ‘unnecessarily and suffered’. He said people should ‘not be afraid to go to their local hospital’, but also expressed sympathy for NHS workers who have ‘borne the weight of cuts and reductions’. He called for a return to the Christian values that inspired the creation of the NHS.

Pray:

for a return to the Christian values across the NHS that once inspired and underpinned the NHS as a caring organisation. (Gal.5:22)

New child poverty measure ‘fatally flawed’

Four major British churches have criticised Government proposals for a new way of measuring child poverty in the UK, which they say masks the problem. The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have accused the Government’s consultation on the proposals of being ‘confused’ and ‘surprisingly badly evidenced’. ‘Child poverty is an unacceptable injustice,’ said Paul Morrison, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church. ‘While we applaud the Government’s commitment to eradicating child poverty in the UK, the proposed new measure is fatally flawed. It is a confusion of targets, measures and, most disturbingly, the Government’s beliefs about what causes poverty, backed by very little solid evidence.’ ‘As Christians we believe that we all have a duty to take responsibility for the injustices that have become embedded in the society we have built,’ added Marie Trubic, United Reformed Church spokesperson on public issues.

Pray:

for the Government that in seeking to address the issue of child poverty, they will listen to the people who are working with those affected by it. (Pr.1:5)

Christians serving in the Armed Forces

There are many Christian servicemen and women within the British Armed Forces. Often they are alone and isolated especially during deployment. They need our love, support and encouragement. This week the Minister for Defence announced, ‘The United Kingdom and Ireland will provide a joint Infantry Training Team to the proposed EU Training Mission in Mali. Our contribution to this mission will be similar to that provided in Somalia where we provide a joint training team alongside Malta’ said the Irish Minister for Defence. The EU mission to Mali will provide the Malian Forces with military training and advice in order to ensure security and restore democracy in the country. Please pray for all Serving Christians that they will find fellowship particularly when on deployment.

Pray:

that other Christians in the forces will come along side them so that they can mutually support and encourage each other. Pray that the Chaplain will seek them out to spend time with them, and be salt and light in their witness to those around them. (Ps.23:4)

Tories hit with further Party losses over gay marriage

Local councillors in Northumberland and Warwickshire have quit the Conservative Party over its controversial push to redefine marriage. In Nuneaton two councillors left the Party, saying there was no mandate for the move. And in Hexham a respected council figure said he could not ‘go along with David Cameron and the rest of them’ on the issue. Nuneaton councillors Nick and Matt Grant, who are brothers, said they were both elected ‘on national and local Conservative manifestos that made no reference to ‘same sex marriage’. They added that although the House of Lords could reject the proposal, while it is ‘promoted and pushed by the leader of the party we belong to, we no longer feel we can remain in that party or campaign actively for it’. They will now be on the council as Independents.

Pray:

that parliamentarians will take notice of all the objections against redefining marriage and instead to hold traditional marriage as the preferred form. (Pr.2:17-18)

Christian Doctors of Eastern Europe to gather near Kiev

From May 9 to 12, 2013 the First Congress of Christian Doctors of Eastern Europe conference titled ‘Unity in the ministry, love in the action!’ will be conducted near Kiev at the recreation centre ‘Zhuravushka’, reports press centre of Medical service of Russia Christian Association, according to the Medical Christian Centre ‘Colleagues’. The event planners emphasize that such a representative forum of Christian doctors of CIS has never happened. The goal of this Congress is to unite Christian Doctors to create co-ministry in order to support each other and discuss some difficulties of medical and ethical issues from a professional and Biblical point of view. ‘We are the people to whom God has entrusted the important and significant task to heal the body and soul of patients. We all are aware of the responsibility and the importance of our work or service.'

Pray:

that this significant gathering will bring Christian doctors together to encourage each other. (Ps.13:1-2)

Bulgaria's government resigns amid protests

Bulgaria's government resigned from office after nationwide protests against high electricity prices, joining a long list of European administrations felled by austerity measures. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov had tried to calm protests by sacking his finance minister, pledging to cut power prices and punish foreign-owned companies, but the measures failed to defuse discontent and protests continued on Tuesday. Many Bulgarians are deeply unhappy over high energy costs, power monopolies, low living standards and corruption in the European Union's poorest country. At least 25 people were taken to hospital after protesters clashed with police late on Tuesday. ‘I will not participate in a government under which police are beating people,’ Borisov said as he announced his resignation on Wednesday. The premier did not say if a parliamentary election scheduled for July would now be brought forward.

Pray:

for the people of Bulgaria that just leadership will be found to replace those currently in authority. (1Ch.21:12)

INSIGHT: Elections in 2013

Open Doors reports the March 4th general election in Kenya is the first under a new constitution with many new elective and nominative posts. Historically violent outbreaks follow elections. 1,000+ died in 2007 post-election violence. Political instability, combined with al-Shabaab influences, fuels deepening concern over the future religious atmosphere. The Muslim minority has pressurized the government to allow greater official influence for Islam. Islamic family courts based on Sharia law are implemented in all counties – even those with low Muslim presence. It is feared ten of the counties with high Muslim representation may break away from the country and push for implementing Sharia law. Meanwhile voters in Cyprus (southern area) will elect a new president this Sunday. He will have to negotiate a financial rescue to prevent government bankruptcy that could reignite the euro zone debt crisis. (source Voice of America news) For dates and Insights into the 38 countries still to vote in 2013 click the 'info' button

Pray:

that Kenya in her 50th year since independence would enjoy a jubilee season. (Lev.25:8-10) Ask God to be in the detail of all preparations for international elections this year. (Ps.33:9)

Nigeria: ‘The Nigerian Taliban’

More than 3,000 people have been killed since 2009 by Boko Haram, a northern-based extremist group once known as the Nigerian Taliban. John Onaiyekan, Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Abuja, warned that the violence perpetrated by the extremist group is threatening the Muslim-Christian harmony in Nigeria with gun and bomb attacks against churches, schools, police stations, military facilities, newspaper offices and even the UN buildings. Militants also raid Christian homes demanding conversion to Islam or death. These attacks and massacres have fuelled concerns among Nigerian Christians and the cardinal said, ‘it becomes extremely difficult to convince the Christians that not all Muslims are killing our people, and that there are many Muslims who are sorry for what is happening to Christians.’ Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa, yet more than half its population lives on less than $1 a day.

Pray:

against militant groups feeding off rampant poverty and corruption as they recruit the poorest people into violence. May the government officials change their policies and revert to good governance. (Ex.23:6,7)

Turkey: Syrian Orthodox Christians targeted and kidnapped

In a poor gypsy neighbourhood of Istanbul sits a Syrian Orthodox refugee. He worked as a dentist in Aleppo until lack of food, electricity, water, and constant fear of sniper-fire and kidnapping of Christians made life too dangerous. Living in an unheated house and keeping their voices down for fear of attracting police attention, 20 Syrian Orthodox Christians bundle up in winter jackets, drink Turkish coffee and discuss the dangers of fleeing war-torn Syria and illegally crossing the border into Turkey. The middle-aged dentist says in fluent English that friends and relatives were kidnapped by criminal groups operating freely due to the removal of central government control. The refugee paid $6,000 to a smuggler to help him leave and cross the border while under gunfire from an unknown group. He cannot get legal employment in Turkey and works occasionally translating from Arabic to Turkish.

Pray:

for the thousands of ‘forgotten’ Syrian Orthodox Christians uprooted from their homes now living in poverty and fear. May they know God’s provision and protection. (Deut.3:16)

China: Persecution rising

Last year a three-phase plan to eradicate unregistered house churches began (See Prayer Alert 17-2012). Since then persecution has risen by 42%. 442 of the arrests were clergy. The three-phase approach arose because the government sees house churches as a hostile group of dissenters. The government intends to force Christians to join the official Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) church system. In last year’s first phase the state secretly investigated house churches across the country and created files on them. This was followed by a wave of crackdowns on house churches which has continued into 2013 as part of the second phase. Some house churches have registered to avoid arrests and harassment, but most object to TSPM theological beliefs and state controls. The number of Protestant house-church Christians has been estimated at between 45 million and 60 million.

Pray:

against the tactics of banning and sealing churches, may there be a tsunami of Christian evangelism and conversion in China. (Is.11:9)

Algeria: Sentences Christian for evangelism

An Algerian court fined a former Muslim who converted converted to Christianity for evangelism in a case that activists warned would further undermine religious freedom in Algeria. The ruling could negatively impact the case of Siagh Krimo who is appealing against a five-year prison term for giving a Christian CD to a neighbour, warned International Christian Concern, a major advocacy group. ‘Once again Algeria's courts have enforced a law that by its very nature is used to prosecute anyone who does not adhere to the religion of Islam.’ said ICC's regional manager. According to Wikipedia ‘Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Algeria, and while the practice and expression of other faiths is guaranteed by law, the same legal framework tends to restrict Christians insofar as overt proselytising is concerned. Christian converts may be investigated and searched by the authorities.’ There are an estimated 30,000 devoted Christians in the heavily Islamic nation.

Pray:

God’s protection and encouragement for those practicing their faith and evangelising in Algeria and other Muslim countries. (Ps.121:7)

Egypt: Church destroyed & ‘reconciliation’ a sham

Christians and rights activists expressed frustration over spreading anti-Christian violence in Egypt after another Church was destroyed by Muslims in an attack that slightly injured several believers. Hundreds threw stones then set fire to 20 year old St. Georgas Coptic Church which ministered to 200 families. Local Muslims claimed the church was ‘illegal’ and needed demolishing because of its close location to a largely Muslim neighbourhood. Recently ‘reconciliation’ meetings were arranged over similar persecution attacks. These are traditional forms of conflict resolution arranged by authorities to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians. An independent advocacy group said ‘The rights of Christians, which are now practically nonexistent in Egypt, are all but taken from them at compulsory reconciliation meetings. By their very nature meetings are used to excuse those responsible for attacks and shift blame onto victims, contributing to Egypt’s climate of impunity and encouraging further assaults.’

Pray:

Egyptian officials would fairly and honestly investigate attacks on Christians and Church buildings. (Mt.16:18)

Mexico/US: Drug cartels

For decades Mexico has been scarred by struggles among drug cartels for control over the lucrative drug trade to the US. The conflict has left 70,000 dead since 2007, paralyzed whole cities with fear and spawned a culture of corruption reaching the upper levels of the Mexican state. The rape by suspected drug gangs last week of six Spanish women vacationing in Acapulco has heightened fear and questions government control of crime. It didn't help that at the same time as the rape of the Spanish holiday makers, Mexico's minister of tourism was in Spain, attempting to promote tourism. This is Mexico's moment, was her theme.

Pray:

2013 would be Mexico’s moment for the government and police to overcome the evil vicious drug war violence. (2Sa.23:3-4 & 6-7)