Jesus Film hits cinemas again

The Jesus Film has been translated into more than 1,050 languages. 1979 saw the release of what would become the most watched film in history. The Jesus Film, has been viewed six million times by people all over the globe, and has now been re-mastered in HD and is set to be re-released in select theatres around the US this year. The motion picture, now celebrating its 35th anniversary, depicts the birth, ministry, death and resurrection of Christ faithfully in line with the Gospel of Luke. The re-release of the Jesus Film, both in selected cinemas and on Blu-ray, will feature a new musical score and is set to join a number of biblically-based movies rumoured to be in the pipeline this season. Many therefore are referring to 2014 as Hollywood's 'Year of the Bible'.

Praise:

God for this new opportunity to make fresh history with the Jesus Film. (Ps.7:17)

Syria: Thousands of Muslim refugees coming to Christ

One result of the Syrian Civil War is that 2.1 million refugees have fled the violence and taken refuge in Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, often living under miserable conditions. But Christian groups ministering to the exiles report thousands are responding to the Good News about Jesus Christ. ‘The people are very open to the Gospel,’ says Steve Van Valkenburg, Middle East Director for Christian Aid Mission. He has seen God moving among the refugees himself, and is also receiving reports from many of the indigenous church planting ministries supported by Christian Aid. ‘They are doing a great job of showing Christ’s love and compassion to the refugees,’ he notes. In Iraq, 2,000 to 2,500 Syrian refugees have converted to Christ, according to reports received by Christian Aid. Ministries in Turkey and Lebanon are reporting hundreds of new converts. In 2013, there were 1,200 baptisms in Lebanon alone.

Praise:

God for the many hundreds of refugees that have converted to Christ. (Ac.15:3)

Fresh storm causes major disruption

South-west England and south Wales have been hit by another powerful storm Tuesday night, causing further flooding and disruption to power supplies and transport links. Engineers have been working to restore power but more than 7,000 homes are still without electricity. In Dawlish, Devon, a section of seawall under the railway line collapsed, leaving the track suspended in mid-air cutting transport links between Devon and Cornwall.

Pray:

for all those affected by the weather situation both personally and corporately. (Ps.80:7)

Churches supporting flood-affected communities

Churches are doing what they can to support communities affected by the flooding that has swept over large parts of the south-west of England. Reverend Jane Twitty of Muchelney, Somerset, looks after four local parishes and has swung the church at the centre of one of the isolated communities into action. The village has been the focus of a great deal of press attention since the floods turned it into an effective island, only accessible by boats run by the fire brigade. Speaking to Christian Today, she said ‘As soon as the flood started, the church has been open 24/7 for anyone who wants to come in, for any reason.’ Taking advantage of the church's position, sat atop the highest point in the village, the community has used it for storing and providing food, keeping the town up to date with newspapers, and acting as an emergency local post office. It has become the community's sanctuary hub.

Pray:

for all those affected by the flooding and for immediate support and help. (Ro.12:12)

A new challenge for 2014's Marriage Week

This year's National Marriage Week is being held from 7 to 14 February. Last year one and a half million people attended a Marriage Week-event worldwide and the Big Promise adds a slightly new twist to the more recognisable marriage courses, marriage check-ups, Valentine suppers with after-dinner speakers, communication workshops and other events held during the week. The Big Promise is National Marriage Week's World Record attempt to get the most couples renewing their vows simultaneously. Calling it the BIG Promise, because marriage vows are the most long-term and far-reaching promise people ever make, the organisers are co-ordinating every venue that wishes to take part in this record attempt. It will be taking place on Saturday 8 February at 5.15pm. http://marriage-week.org.uk/the-big-promise/ Setting a world record is a practical and tangible way of getting the press to notice and report on the importance of marriage vows at the heart of society – it's a means to an end, not the end itself.

Pray:

that the reminder of the promises made on our wedding days before God will bring blessings. (Rev.19:9)

Over a third of working mothers want to stay at home

More than a third of working mothers would give up their jobs and stay at home to look after their children if they could afford it, according to new Government research. The Department for Education research also found that six out of ten mothers who work would cut their hours to spend more time at home if money allowed. Laura Perrins, of the campaign group Mothers at Home Matter, said that ministers have placed ‘relentless pressure’ on mothers to work by bringing in policies which separate them from their children. ‘The Government’s own survey confirms the fact that the majority of mothers in work would like to spend more time at home caring for their children, not, as this Government would have us believe, less. Instead of expanding childcare, for which families have no desire, we should be moving to a family-friendly taxation system’, she said.

Pray:

for more support for mothers who want to look after their young children at home. (Pr.31:26-27)

From Messy Church to Messy Cathedral

Formality was put to one side at St Paul's Cathedral for a few hours on Saturday when it became a 'Messy Cathedral' for the day. The cathedral partnered with the Messy Church movement, which has revolutionised church outreach to children and families through craft-based activities and services. It was arts and crafts galore as families rolled up their sleeves to create banners and get involved in drama on the cathedral floor. The Messy Cathedral day was part of an exciting new approach to the annual celebration of the Conversion of St Paul. The Messy Cathedral day coincided with the launch of a campaign to launch 20 new Messy Churches across London over the next two years as part of the Diocese of London's Capital Vision 2020 objective to double the number of children and young people involved in the Church.

Pray:

for the Messy Church movement and that it will grow and reach ever more people. (1Co.1:17)

Sex education videos will be rated following parental outcry

Sex education videos will be rated for the first time following an outcry from parents and teachers, The Daily Telegraph reports. Starting later this month, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) will decide whether the videos should be rated PG. The decision follows a BBFC research report, which revealed that a growing number of parents are pulling children from sex education lessons. Published earlier this month, the report also documents teachers’ concerns over Channel 4’s controversial sex education DVD, Living and Growing. (See also Prayer Alert 14-2011) Two years ago, the then Schools Minister Nick Gibb called for explicit scenes to be axed from the film. Speaking of the film, he said: ‘Parents will be shocked that this type of material is presented in primary schools’. Teachers were also incredulous in their response to the video, likening one particular scene in Channel 4's film to ‘child pornography’.

Pray:

that the authorities will make wise decisions. (Pr.12:15)

Victory in 'gay bus advert' case

The Master of the Rolls (the second most senior judge in England and Wales) has ruled that Mayor of London Boris Johnson should be investigated for his part in banning a bus advertising campaign by a Christian charity. In April 2012, Core Issues Trust was set to run adverts on London buses which read: ‘Not gay! Ex-gay, post-gay and proud. Get over it!’ These adverts were in response to those run by Stonewall, a homosexual campaign group, which read: ‘Some people are gay. Get over it!’ Core Issues had their adverts approved for display by the advertising authorities. But when the Guardian newspaper reported that these adverts would run, Boris Johnson appears to have ordered them not to be displayed. In his judgment, Master of the Rolls Lord Dyson said that ‘in the interests of justice’ there should be further investigation into the Mayor’s involvement.

Pray:

that the truth will come out and justice prevail. (Pr.18:5)

Corruption across EU 'breathtaking'

The extent of corruption in Europe is ‘breathtaking’ and costs the EU economy about 120bn euros (£99bn) annually, the European Commission says. Writing in Sweden's Goeteborgs-Posten daily, Ms Malmstroem said corruption was eroding trust in democracy and draining resources from the legal economy. For the report the Commission studied corruption in all 28 EU member states. ‘The extent of the problem in Europe is breathtaking, although Sweden is among the countries with the least problems,’ Ms Malmstroem wrote. The Commission says it is the first time it has produced such a report. It also makes recommendations on how to tackle corruption. National governments, rather than EU institutions, are chiefly responsible for fighting corruption in the EU. The EU has an anti-fraud agency, Olaf, which focuses on fraud and corruption affecting the EU budget, but it has limited resources. In 2011 its budget was just 23.5m euros.

Pray:

against corruption in our governments and those responsible to be stopped. (2Pet.2:20)

Albania: Evangelicals commend the government for steps forward in religious freedom

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has commended Albania for improvements in religious freedom within the country. The WEA Human Rights Ambassador met with the President of Albania to discuss the country's recognition of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (AEA). Thomas Schirrmacher, also Director of the International Institute for Religious Freedom at the WEA thanked President Bujar Faik Nishani for the new official recognition of the AEA, which was formed in 1989. Religious freedom has not always been endorsed by the Albanian state, which remains secular. In 1965, under the leadership of Communist dictator Enver Hoxha, the government declared Albania the world's first officially atheist state and forced the closure of all religious institutions and places of worship across the country, including over 2,000 churches and mosques. 1967 saw the beginning of a 'Cultural and Ideological Revolution', during which atheism was promoted and even religiously-based names were banned. A list of 3,000 state-approved, secular names were instead given to new parents to choose from.

Pray:

for the steps taken to recognise freedom of religion. (Gal.5:1)

Syria: A soul-chilling and body-numbing cold for Syrian refugees

Winter’s bitter cold leaves many Syrian refugees struggling to stay warm, huddled next to makeshift outdoor fires. Baptist Global Response is working to aid these people–body, soul, and mind. The ongoing civil war is especially hard on the children. Half of Syria’s two million refugees are children; three-fourths of them are under the age 11. One family was at home when a mortar hit the house. The Syrian army was attacking opposition forces that had arrived in their village. The rebels already had attacked the local church and kidnapped Christians. There was very little food, water, or medicine left in the village. Families with any amount of money had already left. Things had gotten so bad that the family’s four daughters could never go outside. They were afraid to leave, but they also were scared to stay home. The family eventually fled to a neighbouring country as well. The father said, ‘There is no life left in Syria.’

Pray:

for all the thousands of refugees that ways will be found to bring relief and comfort. (Js.2:16)

Israel: Fears of eviction for Palistinian Christian families

There has been an outcry among Catholic bishops over the threatened eviction of 58 Palestinian Christian families because of Israel's plans to extend the security wall. The group of bishops, known as the Holy Land Co-ordination, includes three from England and Wales. They recently met with families from the Beit Jala region of the Cremisan Valley to gain a better understanding of the situation. The bishops fully affirmed the right of Israel to exist and defend itself from attack, but voiced strong objections to the planned route of the security wall beyond the Green Line, the internationally-recognised demarcation line separating Israel and the territories captured in the six-day war of 1967. ‘More than three quarters of the wall's planned route falls outside the Green Line and is illegal according to a landmark advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, while also a flagrant breach of the Geneva Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,’ the bishops said.

Pray:

that the Jewish authorities will listen to the International Court of Justice’s decision. (Is.61:8)

China: Fresh calls for release of Christian lawyer

Tuesday marked the five year anniversary of Gao Zhisheng's disappearance, after having been arrested and imprisoned for defending the rights of persecuted religious minorities in China. The 49-year-old human rights lawyer, a Christian and two-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, was arrested at his home in 2009 by the Chinese authorities. He had previously had his licence revoked after being found guilty of ‘inciting to subvert the state power’. While undergoing interrogation for this first 'crime', Gao was tortured, which included being hit with electrified batons and having a toothpick inserted into his genitals. The government also shut down his law practice in Beijing. He was then arrested again in February 2009, and held until he was given a three year prison sentence in 2011. He remains incarcerated in Shaya Prison in Xinjiang province.

Pray:

that freedom for Gao will come soon. (2Pet.2:19)

Central African Republic: Christian-Muslim clashes leave 75 dead

Clashes between Christian and Muslim groups in a town in the Central African Republican have left 75 people dead this past week, according to reports from the African country. Pastors say that thousands of people hiding in churches are in desperate need of help. Father Cassien Kamatari revealed that most of the dead in the town of Boda were Christians, though it is not known how many Muslims were killed, as their bodies were buried quickly, BBC News reported. CAR has been locked in sectarian battles ever since the resignation of interim President Michel Djotodia earlier this year. The transitional government had hopes of restoring peace and preparing for democratic elections, but those efforts were hampered due to fighting between Seleka rebels and anti-Balaka fighters. Persecution watchdog group Open Doors, ranks CAR No.16 on its 2014 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Pray:

that the conflict between Christian and Muslims will end in reconciliation and peace. (Ps.34:14)

South Sudan: Displaced need urgent help

A chaotic and volatile situation remains in large areas of South Sudan, with half a million people displaced. The Church has put together an emergency plan to do its part and needs your help to support it. Long-term peace and reconciliation depends on effective aid and relief now, says the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of Sudan and South Sudan, the Most Rev Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak. ‘We must help to feed people today, so they and their children survive: then they will want to listen when we come to talk about reconciliation,’ he says in a report launching the first phase of the Church's response to the humanitarian crisis. The Church currently estimates it can reach 44,000 displaced people in camps in South Sudan with emergency food aid, and will provide drugs and medical care to over 20,000 children affected with diarrhoea, measles, malaria and other diseases.

Pray:

for the Church as it attempts to meet the needs of displaced people. (Ps.10:12)

N and S Korea: Agreement to family reunions in February

North and South Korea have agreed to hold reunions for families separated after the Korean War, following calls from Pyongyang to improve ties. The reunions are scheduled to take place in February. If held, they would be the first reunions since 2010. In September, the North cancelled a planned reunion, blaming ‘hostility’ from the South. Organising Korea's family reunions is a complex task. With no unauthorised contact allowed between the two neighbours, many of those living in the South have lost touch with their relatives, and have little idea of their address or even if they are still alive. Officials on both sides spend weeks deciding who is willing and available to travel to the reunion site, and out of 70,000 relatives in the South, only 100 or so are allowed to take part each time. The reunion events are highly emotional occasions where North and South Koreans meet briefly in the North before heading home again.

Pray:

that this proposed reunion will succeed and be a model for future events and possible reconciliation. (Mt.5:4)