West Africa: Huge crowds turn out for harvest of miracle healings

Evangelist Daniel Kolenda reports from Yaounde, in the west Central African nation of Cameroon, that 110,000 people attended the opening service with a striking indication that his team is in for a dynamic week of meetings. After preaching from the text for Wednesday's message, Romans 10:13, ‘Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved,’ an altar call was given, and the response was overwhelming. In an email to supporters, Kolenda said ‘A mighty harvest took place tonight.’ Then, after praying for the sick, amazing miracles happened, Kolenda reported. 'So many cripples were healed that their crutches and wheel chairs cluttered the platform'. According to Michael Ireland Media Missionary. ‘It was such a precious sight, a line of elderly 'mamas' who had been healed all danced with me on the stage and gave glory to God. It was a Holy Ghost party!’ said Kolenda.

Praise:

God for the wonderful response at Yaounde to His Spirit's power. (Mal.4:2)

Brazil: Police take Bible classes

Brazil’s Police are under increased pressure to restrain their heavy-handed tactics after this year’s massive anti-government protests over political corruption and the excessive amount of public funds invested in the construction of the World Cup and Olympic venues. Now Brazilian police officers are taking Bible study classes during their working hours to help them deal with stress and improve their personal and family lives. 70 officers in Brasilia have been selected to attend the trial two-hour weekly sessions. The Christianity-based course has critics arguing it is inappropriate for Brazil as a secular State. But chaplain Gisleno Farias said, ‘We see this course as a tool that can help our officers. The Police need to be prepared for the worst, because they never know what kind of situation they are likely to face.’

Praise:

God for the Biblical study material designed for the Brazilian Police. (2Tim.3:16)

Christmas is about change, not escaping reality - Sentamu

The Archbishop of York has said Christmas should not be about escaping reality but about being ready to change. In a special message for the season published in the Christmas edition of the Radio Times, Dr John Sentamu encouraged people to move beyond spending their time and money on themselves, to thinking more about what they could do for others. ‘I love everything about Christmas, especially the build up: the waiting, anticipating, and patiently hoping for something wonderful to happen,’ he writes. ‘But, Christmas is not just about escaping the harsh realities of life for a day or two by watching Dr Who or The Great British Bake Off. For me getting ready for Christmas is about getting ready to listen, being ready to change, taking on something life-giving and life-transforming.’ He recalls the legacy of civil rights campaigner Martin Luther King as he encouraged people to take the first step to change.

Pray:

that Christmas will become an opportunity to help others and being ready to change. (Ec.8:1)

‘We tinker with assisted suicide laws at our peril’

One of Britain’s most eminent authorities on end-of-life law has issued a warning against ‘tinkering’ with assisted suicide on the eve of a landmark Supreme Court challenge. Baroness Butler-Sloss, the former President of the High Court Family Division, argued that the current law strikes a careful balance between justice and mercy, adding: ‘We tinker with it at our peril’. Relaxing the law to allow assisted suicide in certain circumstances would turn a long-established legal boundary into nothing more than a weak ‘line in the sand’, she insisted. Her warning, in an article in The Sunday Telegraph, will be seen as a message to some of Britain’s most senior judges, who will begin hearing an attempt to introduce a right to die under human rights legislation. The Supreme Court Justices, headed by Lord Neuberger, the Court's President, will convene this week to hear the culmination of three separate legal challenges to the current ban, stretching back five years.

Pray:

for wisdom from God for the Supreme Court Justices as they consider their response to the evidence they have heard. (Jas.3:17)

Make ketamine penalties tougher, say drug advisers

Government drug advisers say ketamine should be upgraded to a Class B drug following new evidence of its dangers. People caught possessing the substance could face up to five years in prison, rather than two years, under the recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). There is “a worrying trend of serious bladder damage occurring among frequent users”, the ACMD said, as it released a report on the issue. Prof Les Iversen – the ACMD chairman – commented: ‘In some cases this has led to young people having their bladder removed’. Currently ketamine is listed as a Class C drug, but raising it to Class B would group it with cannabis and amphetamines. Figures show requests for treatment of ketamine-related problems rose sharply from 114 to 845 cases in five years. According to the advisers, as well as potential damage to the bladder, effects of taking ketamine can include impaired consciousness, agitation and hallucinations.

Pray:

for support and education about the harmful effects of this drug and for legislation to reflect the risk levels. (Pr.13:15)

Charities call for cancer carers to have new legal right to support

Almost a million people caring for loved ones suffering from cancer in England should be given new legal rights to specialist support, an alliance of charities says. The chief executives of 13 charities working with families living with cancer are calling for an amendment to be written into the Government’s Care Bill, which is being debated by MPs, to create a new legal duty on the NHS to ensure that carers get the help they need. In a letter to The Daily Telegraph, the charity chiefs warn that many are in danger of ‘buckling under the pressure’ unless changes are made. There are estimated to be almost a million cancer carers in England alone, many of them providing as much as 50 hours a week unpaid care ranging from administering medicine, to domestic work and emotional support. Commenting, Norman Lamb, the Care Minister, said ‘Carers make a huge contribution to society and we want to do all we can to support them.’

Pray:

for MPs to recognise the urgent need to build support for carers into the new Care Bill. (Gal.6:2)

Vile jokes, drunk and foul-mouthed stars - you guessed it, C4 again!

Viewers could have been excused for expecting an evening of jollity from the country’s sharpest wits. But instead, Channel 4’s British Comedy Awards descended into alcohol-fuelled profanity from the likes of Jonathan Ross. The two-hour broadcast was described as a ‘car crash’ after a series of comics slurred their way through rambling, expletive-laden speeches. The programme, which also suffered from technical problems, prompted a stream of invective from the audience online, and more than 50 official complaints to the broadcaster and its watchdog, Ofcom. Vivienne Pattison, the director of campaign group Mediawatch-UK, branded the night’s swearing ‘pointless and unfunny’ and criticised Channel 4 for allowing it to appear uncensored.

Pray:

that Ofcom will be given authority to deal with such complaints. (Ps.64:1)

Ultimatum to Girl Guides: Remove God from your oath or be expelled

A Girl Guides troop from Newcastle has reportedly been told that unless it removes any explicit mention of God from its membership oath, it risks expulsion from Girl Guides UK. The national organisation adopted a new secular oath this year with the wording ‘to be true to myself and develop my beliefs’ replacing the traditional promise to love God. Leaders of the 37th Newcastle Guide Unit, based at Jesmond Parish Church, have not entirely rejected the new oath but have said they would prefer to offer new Guides the choice using the original oath. Glynis Mackie told the Daily Mail, ‘We would use this new form of words but we do want the children to have the choice to say the old Promise if they want to.’ Her position has apparently been rejected in a letter by the central leadership of Girl Guides UK. (See also Prayer Alert 45-2013)

Pray:

for this decision to be reversed. (Ps.85:8)

Universities pull back from sex segregation

Controversial guidelines which endorsed gender segregation at British universities have been withdrawn after David Cameron stepped into the row for the first time. Universities UK (UUK) last month said orthodox groups - which would include Muslim societies - were entitled to practice gender segregation at public meetings on campus. Mr Cameron's official spokesman said the Prime Minister disagreed with rules set out by the vice-chancellor's body and backed a ‘tough approach’ on segregation. ‘He does not believe that guest speakers should be allowed to address segregated audiences, so he believes that Universities UK should urgently review its guidance,’ said the spokesman, who added Mr Cameron felt ‘very strongly about this’. The spokesman made clear that the PM wanted a ban on gender segregated audiences on campus even where men and women voluntarily separated themselves, but stressed his comments did not relate to places of worship.

Pray:

that any move to segregate by gender at public meetings would be refused. (Nu.16:21)

Banking union: A giant step for Europe?

Europe stands on the edge of taking one of the most controversial and far-reaching steps since creating the euro. Ministers from eurozone countries have made progress towards creating a bank fund for dealing with failing banks. Banks will be charged a levy which will build up a 55bn euro (£46.5bn, $76bn) fund over 10 years. If there is not enough money in the pot, national governments can supply funds, or borrow to do so. More talks are planned for later. These will include the wider group that will bring in finance ministers from all 28 countries in the European Union, as well as those from the 17 countries that form the eurozone. Olli Rehn, the EU economic affairs commissioner, said: ‘We have reached a crucial breakthrough.’ The ambition is much broader than that. It is to give European authorities the power to supervise banks and wind them up. A banking union will involve giving up another chunk of sovereignty.

Pray:

that wisdom will be given to those with responsibility for finances within the nations. (2Ki.12:15)

Hungarian government investigates Evangelicals

A senior Democratic member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has warned that a Hungarian government investigation into a key evangelical church ‘opens the door’ to communist-style ‘repressive measures’ against faith groups. In a statement obtained by BosNewsLife early Monday, December 16, Senator Ben Cardin said he was disturbed that Hungary's centre-right leadership is ‘launching an investigation into the Methodist Evangelical Church, a church persecuted during communist times. The denomination, officially called the 'Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship' (HEF), ‘is known for its outreach to Roma people, work with the homeless and is one of the largest charitable organizations in Hungary,’ Cardin told the Senate last Friday, December 13. It was among ‘hundreds of religious groups stripped of official recognition’ in this former communist nation.

Pray:

that any repressive measures against church groups will be stopped. (Col.1:9)

International: Frontline ministries

As 2013 comes to an end we can pray for Christian workers who serve on the front lines - faithful brothers and sisters sharing Christ in the midst of extreme danger. Pray for those travelling to inhospitable environments to research the language of unreached people groups. Pray for those working in secret to translate portions of the Bible into the languages of these unreached people. Pray for underground seminaries and training programmes for house-church pastors in closed countries. Pray for those who take Bibles into these countries at great risk. Praise God for the solar-powered video projectors used to share God’s love in remote villages. Praise God for the internet and cutting edge technology that releases the Gospel as it has never before been released to the nations. Thank Him for the bravery of those who sail international waters in order to release balloon prayers and activate parachutes that drop Scripture into hard-to-reach nations and dangerous areas.

Pray:

for all Christian workers who willingly serve on the front lines in areas hostile to the gospel. (Ps.32:7)

Iraq: The Evangelical Church

Christians have lived in Iraq for 2000 years and throughout their history of bearing witness to Christ many have been martyred for their faith. Today there are 140 Christian villages in northern Iraq. In spite of the risks accompanying Christian work in northern Iraq the Evangelical Church of Iraq has government permission to address practical and spiritual needs through Christian bookstores and radio stations broadcasting eight hours a day in different cities with an estimated listening audience of one million in each city. They also started a Christian-based school for elementary-age children and many government officials were first in line to register their children (in spite of the openly Christian-based curriculum). The ministry also has the first evangelical church in Mosul (previously named Nineveh) in 1,000 years. However, in spite of pockets of Christian growth there is still persecution. For informative insights into the Iraqi Church go to the following youtube link h ttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqoNmFwC9dM&feature=youtu. be

Pray:

for Iraq's Christians boldly to use the freedom they have in the coming year. (2Cor:3:12)

South Sudan: Civil war?

Africa’s longest running civil war ended in 20ll when South Sudan gained independence from Sudan. But continuing disputes with Khartoum and a lack of economic development cloud South Sudan’s future. Despite the potential oil wealth South Sudan is one of Africa's least developed countries. Alongside the oil issue are border disputes over land between farmers of the pro-South Sudan Dinka Ngok people and cattle-herding Misseriya Arab tribesmen. Also there are border conflicts in the Nuba Mountains region of Kordofan State where fighting continues between the Christian and pro-SPLA Nuba people and northern government forces. Inside South Sudan a cattle-raiding feud between rival ethnic groups in Jonglei State has left hundreds of people dead and some 100,000 displaced since independence. 20,000 people currently shelter in the UN mission in the capital Juba - many are saying the conflict has the potential of another civil war between the Dinka and the Nuer.The US has ordered all non-emergency embassy staff to leave

Pray:

for President Salva Kiir and former deputy Riek Machar to break off hostilities and resolve their differences peacefully. (Ps.147:14)

Syria: Violence toward Christians

The media is full of the desperate political state in Syria, the international response, the negotiations and the progress of chemical weapon destruction. The civil war is negatively affecting everyone in Syria and the thousands who have fled, but Christians are being targeted in particular ways. Open Doors International report, ‘Christians are increasingly becoming targets of violence purposely conducted by Salafist and jihadist groups.’ Nuns are being abducted; whole Christian populations have fled from towns leaving behind a mainly Muslim population. Human Rights Watch has urged the UN Security Council to refer situations in Syria to the International Criminal Court. When Islamist-dominated groups take control of towns and villages, Christians face a particularly severe threat. Analysts estimate that of the approximately 100,000 armed opposition fighters more than two thirds are Islamists and 10,000 are jihadists from outside Syria. Also Christian buildings are being vandalized, (a war crime under international law).

Pray:

for God to use the international community to bring peace to Syria. (Ps.34:14)

Mexico: Religious freedom violations

Christian Solidarity Worldwide presented a report to the Mexican federal and state government labelling the rise of religious freedom violations in Mexico as ‘deeply worrying’. They point to government inaction against freedom of religion for Christians because of the ‘Law of Uses and Customs’ which gives self-rule to indigenous communities - leading to religious discrimination across the country despite the Mexican constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion or belief. Freedom violations are common because of reluctance on the part of the state to involve itself in 'religious affairs'. Consequently Christian's rights to religious freedom are not upheld. It is not uncommon for local leaders to force members of their communities to follow certain ancient non-Christian religious practices, compelling Christian's to participate in the religious activities of the majority or face punishment. Punishment can escalate to the point of destruction of property, arbitrary detention, forced displacement and violence. See also Prayer Alert Nov.14th.

Pray:

that in 2014 the Mexican government will establish freedom of religious belief in the nation. (Ps.103:6)

Middle East: Speaking out against persecution

The Prince of Wales visited a number of British branches of churches based in the Middle East and heard from members whose families had suffered from religiously-motivated violence and murder. He heard how many minority religious organisations had fled following the Arab Spring and in Egypt particularly increased violence against Coptic Christians after Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi was overthrown. ‘We cannot ignore the fact that Christians in the Middle East are increasingly being deliberately attacked by fundamentalist Islamist militants.’ Prince Charles told an audience at Clarence House that included the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster and the Chief Rabbi. According to BBC News reports Prince Charles said he felt deeply troubled by what he heard from victims. He said that Christianity was born in the Middle East and we must not forget our Middle Eastern brothers and sisters in Christ.

Pray:

for more high profile individuals to draw public attention to global violence against Christians. (Ps.72:12)

International: Child trafficking

Child trafficking is a form of child abuse and is usually accompanied by other forms of abuse and neglect. It is not easy to find or identify a child who has been trafficked. Trafficked children are purposefully hidden and isolated from the usual services and communities who would be expected to identify a child in need of protection. Victims of trafficking are also often silenced by language barriers, fear of their abusers, fear of adults who are trying to help them or fear of being returned to their home country. Even once known to services children may find it very hard to label their experiences as abuse or to see themselves as victims. This could be as a result of the grooming process making them feel complicit or loyal to their abuser or because they do not understand that child trafficking is child abuse and they have done nothing wrong.

Pray:

t that 2014 will see more trafficked children noticed and rescued at the port of entry into a country. (Ps.35:17)