SAT-7 increases in social media by 100,000%

During January 2010, SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, only had 643 viewings of their YouTube channels ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS. During December 2013, the number of views was an astronomical 636,558 – an increase of over 100,000%. September 2012 saw the highest monthly YouTube figure to date with almost 892,000 views. SAT-7 is no longer simply a satellite TV organization; it’s a multimedia broadcaster with a global reach on social media. Social media is also an increasingly important method of communication with SAT-7 viewers. Last month 15,800 new viewers ‘liked’ the SAT-7 KIDS Facebook page, taking its total number of ‘likes’ to 73,000. SAT-7 takes Internet safety very seriously and educates viewers about how to stay safe online.

Praise:

that the prayers offered will be answered and peace and restoration will reign. (Ps.122:7)

Dead for 45 minutes, resurrected - man tells about experience in heaven

For 45 minutes, doctors and nurses were unable to revive Brian Miller after the 41-year-old truck driver suffered a heart attack. But Miller, who says he was in heaven during that time, claims he's alive today because God sent him back. More specifically, according to a Fox News interview, God sent Miller's deceased father-in-law and mother-in-law to deliver a message to him that it wasn't his time and ushered him back into life. As Miller suffered the initial heart attack, his ICU nurse, Emily Bishop, said, ‘His heart is just quivering in there. It's not able to pump. It's not doing anything.’ Speaking later of his miraculous revival, Bishop added, ‘He had no heart rate. He had no blood pressure. He had no pulse, his brain had no oxygen for 45 minutes. So, the fact that he is up walking, talking, laughing and everything - I mean, that's amazing.’

Praise:

God for His gift of life where there is death. (Job12:10)

Cathedral mission: Reaching the churched, de-churched and un-churched

Anna Norman-Walker leads a dedicated team of volunteers at Exeter Cathedral in creating a space ‘for anyone who is interested in engaging with Christian spirituality in a contemplative and creative ways and who perhaps finds traditional models of church a little inaccessible’. It's called Holy Ground, a fresh expression of church that meets on the second Sunday of every month, offering a time of liturgical worship, a cafe space - sometimes with a guest speaker or a Q&A - and a time for contemplative prayer, though the format is fluid and those taking part are encouraged to join in with whichever parts they feel comfortable. Holy Ground has a wide demographic, with members ranging from teenagers to those in their nineties. A third are 'de-churched' (those who no longer attend a regular service), and another third are those who are merely curious about faith and want to find out more.

Pray:

for the Holy Ground initiative and other similar 'Fresh Expression' churches. (1Co.1:5)

Human trafficking on the rise in the UK

The National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Tuesday that the number of potential trafficking cases in the UK has increased substantially between 2012 and 2013. Looking at human trafficking of all kinds, including adults and children, sex, labour, and other types of trafficking, the UK saw a rise of 47 per cent in potential victims in 2013 compared with 2012. Lynda Rose, UK Director of Voice For Justice, was quoted on Christian Concern's website as saying: ‘Human trafficking is an appalling and degrading crime that creates misery for the victims, destroying their lives. But traffickers are difficult to catch, and the true scale of the problem remains unknown. The figures released, though shocking, don't even scratch the surface. The upcoming Modern Slavery Bill offers the UK a chance to develop world- leading anti-trafficking legislation, and Theresa May must seize this opportunity to protect trafficking's most vulnerable victims – children.’

Pray:

for the victims of trafficking, for those working to track down the perpetrators and also that the Modern Slavery Bill will go a long way to help overcome this terrible crime. (Pr.31:8-9)

Church leaders call national solidarity fast for UK's hungry

A new national grassroots campaign, End Hunger Fast, was launched on 20 February 2014. A letter, published in the Daily Mirror, from 40 senior faith leaders from many major Christian denominations including 24 Church of England Bishops has ramped up pressure on the UK Government to act on the growing hunger crisis in Britain. Supporting church groups, many of whom are also involved with running food banks, plan to sign up thousands of supporters for a national day of fasting on 4 April 2014. A ‘Britain Isn’t Eating’ ad campaign from Church Action on Poverty will also be timed for the fast. A fasting relay, with forty high profile faith leaders, celebrities and food bank volunteers will take place, passing a fasting baton day by day. Chris Mould, chair of The Trussell Trust said ‘The food bank debate should not be about party politics, it should be about ‘recognising the reality of what’s happening right now.’

Pray:

for all parties and groups to work together to address the issue of food poverty in the UK. (Lev.25:35)

Flood clean-up plans

The president of the National Farmers Union condemned proposals to flood land on high ground by creating bogs and ponds to prevent water from rushing down hills to homes and businesses in towns and cities. NFU president Peter Kendall said, ‘We have to put lives and human safety first but we have to put a higher priority on agricultural land.’ He said on Tuesday that the UK should follow the lead of the Netherlands where waterways are maintained and dredged regularly, allowing water to flow quickly into the sea. Some experts say farmers are partly to blame for the flooding witnessed, claiming they drained bogs and ponds that used to catch rainfall. The loss of lives and homes has been well documented, but the damage to populations of birds, mammals, fish and insects habitats will also have a long-term impact on the ecosystem. See also: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/23/wildlife- uk-floods-species-habitats-lost

Pray:

for the farmers who have lost so much, for the insurance industry to deal with claims quickly and for Government agencies to be given wisdom in developing long term strategies.

Millions of patients 'unable to see GPs'

More than 34 million patients will fail to get an appointment with their GP this year, according to figures seen by Sky News. The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) used official NHS statistics to estimate the number of patients who will be unable to see a GP or practice nurse because surgeries are too busy. It believes patients have to look after themselves, try again at a later date, or seek medical attention at walk-in centres or A&E. And it warns some conditions may get worse as a result. Latest figures from the GP Patient Survey, which is carried out by NHS England, show one in ten patients is unable to see a GP or practice nurse when they need to. Dr Baker, chair of the RCGP, warned: ‘The unprecedented decline in funding for health care in the community has brought general practice to its knees. GPs can't keep doing more for less.’

Pray:

for the Government to ensure the funding for GPs is adequate to maintain frontline medical care. (Jer.8:22)

Government accused of discriminating against Religious Education

The Government's failure to provide bursaries for those wishing to teach Religious Education amounts to ‘rank discrimination’, says a leading RE body. While the Government offers £20,000 bursaries to cover the living costs of postgraduates studying to teach many other subjects, like languages, maths or the sciences, the same is not true of students looking to teach RE. Childcare minister Elizabeth Truss MP confirmed this month that no bursaries would be offered for RE teachers in training this year, despite representation from the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, the National Association of Teachers of Religious Education, and the Bishop of Oxford, the Right Rev John Pritchard. John Keast, chairman of the Religious Education Council of England and Wales, said in a statement that it was ‘hard to avoid the conclusion that the refusal to give bursaries to RE trainees whilst providing them for nearly every other subject is pure discrimination by this Government against RE’.

Pray:

that the Government will put aside any discrimination against RE. (Job.21:22)

British Military have established Afghan National Army Officer Academy

British military officers have helped to develop the new military academy nicknamed the ‘Sandhurst in the sand’. The first male officer cadets started their training last October and the initial female recruits will start this summer. These female cadets will be taught by both Afghan and British military female trainers. The British mentors are keen to make sure that women are treated equally with high standard and good quality training. Afghan male cadets and trainers are already getting used to training alongside British women training instructors.

Pray:

that cultural differences will be put aside to benefit equality in Afghanistan, with lasting and far-reaching positive effects. Pray that the British trainers will have the right skills to encourage and develop their cadets, especially the British female officers.

People of Ukraine flood churches after scores die in the streets

Our hearts are broken. We didn’t expect this to happen. Buildings are burning in many parts of Ukraine. Grocery stores have been emptied of food. There is no gasoline. The airports in Kiev are shut down. The hospitals are full. There aren’t enough ambulances or media churches who are crying out to God on behalf of their countrymen. On Sunday Oleksandr Turchynov, a well-known Baptist pastor, was unanimously named interim President by the Parliament. The choice of a Baptist pastor as acting president in Ukraine does not come as a huge surprise to Sergey Rakhuba, head of US-based Russian Ministries. ‘He is well-known in political circles as a principled, honest leader. It is great that Turchynov is calling for unification and healing of the nation.’

Pray:

that the prayers offered will be answered and peace and restoration will reign. (Ps.122:7)

The Ideology of militant Islamism in south-eastern Europe

Since the fall of communism, militant Islamism has been planting seeds and spreading roots in various parts of south-eastern Europe. With the help of local allies, militant Islamists have established training bases, recruiting stations and safe-havens for would-be terrorists and terrorists on the run. The extent of the problem became obvious when the late Richard Holbrooke noted that ‘if it had not been for the Dayton Peace Accords, 9/11 would probably have been planned in Bosnia, not in Afghanistan.’ Indeed, almost every major terrorist action of the recent past has roots or connections to the Balkans. Given the Balkans’ emergence as a new front for militant Islamists, understanding the ideology and beliefs driving the movement has become important for western security interests, and for the ramifications they may have on plans to integrate the region into Euro-Atlantic political and economic structures. Unfortunately, a thorough review of the ideology, beliefs, and values of these groups ileads to cause for considerable concern.

Pray:

for governments and authorities that they will be able to stop the training of militant islamists. (Ps.60:11)

Nigeria: School raid in Yobe state leaves 29 dead

At least 29 students have been killed after Boko Haram militants attacked a boarding school in the middle of the night in north-east Nigeria. All victims were teenage boys who were in their dormitories, 11 others were seriously injured. Most of the school was burned to the ground. Islamist militants have attacked dozens of schools in north-east Nigeria. Last September, 40 students were killed at an agricultural college during another night-time raid. Teachers said the gunmen gathered the female students together before telling them to go away and get married and to abandon their education. Nigeria's armed forces are facing increasing criticism for failing to protect civilians or to respond to raids by the militants. Many suspect there are individuals within the armed forces with sympathies to the militants. Boko Haram tends to attack schools that teach Nigeria's national curriculum, which the militants consider to be Western.

Pray:

for Nigeria's military whose duty it is to contain militants and pursue attackers. (Ps.81:15-16)

Central Africa Republic: Over 15,000 civilians in makeshift camps

15,000+ people in makeshift camps are surrounded and threatened by armed militia. The refugees, in 18 locations, face a high risk of attack and urgently need better security. The former French colony has been torn by inter-communal violence that has killed thousands since Seleka, a coalition of mostly Muslim northern rebels, seized power, and unleashed a wave of looting and killings. Christian militia known as ‘anti-balaka’, which means ‘anti-machete’ have exacted brutal reprisals against Muslims accused of supporting the rebels. Tit-for-tat killings continue despite the presence of 2,000 French and 6,000 African Union peacekeepers. Priest Justine Nary reported 1,000+ Muslim and Christian women and children, had sought refuge in his Church in Carnot when anti-balaka militia threatened to torch the building if Muslims did not leave, despite the presence of AU and French troops. He received 223 more people on Tuesday morning and the truck went out again to fetch more people from the bush where they are hiding.

Pray:

for the 1 million now living in refugee camps in CAR, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo. Pray against the exodus sparking a regional crisis. (Ex.23a)

Israel: Israeli hospital treats Syrians

An Israeli field hospital near the northern border treats Syrian casualties regardless of the tense relations between Israel and Syria (they are officially still at war). The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) soldiers fulfilling this humanitarian deed are applying a core Jewish value, ‘Whoever saves one life saves the entire world.’ Col Tariff Bader, a Druze senior medical officer in the IDF’s Northern Command, heads the field hospital. Bader said that no injured Syrian was denied medical treatment by the IDF soldiers who risk their lives treating injured Syrians in a dangerous location in range of mortar fire from Syria. The connection between the Israeli soldiers and Syrian people has blossomed, ‘The Syrian people trust us now. During the first month or so, they were a little hesitant to come to Israel. Today that is no longer the case’ Bader said. ‘To ease the psychological trauma of children, clowns visit the hospital on a regular basis, giving the young patients a chance to smile and laugh.

Pray:

for these medics and all who risk their lives performing humanitarian care. (Ex.22:21)

South Africa: Evangelising outreach to Venda

Since mid February until the end of March there is ongoing evangelistic outreach to areas around Venda and Lephalale by the Rooihuiskraal Congregation in Pretoria, and the leadership of the United Reformed Church in Africa. The teams will motivate and equip local churches to reach out to their neighbours spiritually and help the church to ‘bring in the Harvest.’ The evangelists are asking for our prayers, for approval from local area leaders, to work in their jurisdiction; for open and receptive hearts to the Gospel; for willing and participating church members and translators; for a save and blessed journey. (people, vehicle, equipment, weather and enough Bibles and teaching literature): for good health.

Pray:

that the team would have the anointing and wisdom to bring the Gospel in a simple way, so that every-one can understand the love and care of God, for all the world. (Jn.3:16)

North Korea: Australian Christian detained

Following last week’s UN Commission of Inquiry on human rights in North Korea revealed systemic and widespread violations of human rights. This week there is more news from North Korea: John Short, a 75-year-old Australian Christian who was visiting North Korea with a regular tour group, was questioned and detained on Feb. 16 reportedly for having in his possession Christian materials printed in Korean. After John's detention, his wife, Karen, spoke with the Associated Press, ‘There's risk involved. John knew that too. But when you know what you must do, you do it. North Korea is not an open country and it doesn't welcome Christians - yes, we realize that. But that doesn't mean we stand by and don't do anything. Sometimes you have to do more than talk.’ Hebrews 13:3 says ‘Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.’ We are invited to stand with John and Karen by posting a prayer online at iCommittoPray.com. Prayers will also be shared with Karen. source: Voice Of The Martyrs.

Pray:

for John's speedy release, for God to comfort and sustain his family and the families of all the detainees at this time. (Ps.79:10-11)

Libya: Egyptian Christians killed

Expatriate Christians living in Libya have requested our prayers following the murder of seven Egyptian Christians. Their bodies were found on 24th February on a beach near Benghazi. The men had been shot in the head in what appeared to be execution style murders. They had been abducted from their homes by armed men. These gunmen had gone door-to-door through an apartment building searching for residents who were Christian. Christians in Libya request our prayers that:- the families of those murdered will know the peace, presence and comfort of Jesus; for Egyptian Christians in Libya- especially in the Benghazi area - to know the Spirit's guiding wisdom and the Father's loving protection in all they do; for the clear rule of law to be applied equally to all throughout Libya.

Pray:

that the murderers will know the Spirit's conviction of their sin and seek the Father's forgiveness and new life through the death and resurrection of the Son. (Jn.15:20b)

Sudan: Anti-Christian campaign

Devoted Christians in Omdurman city are without a place of worship after authorities destroyed the Sudanese Church of Christ building on Monday February 17th. The building was home to a congregation of 300 and was destroyed without prior notice to church authorities. When church leaders asked authorities to justify the demolition they were told it was in a ‘Muslim area’ where the church was not wanted. Police reportedly said orders for the demolition ‘came from above’- from local municipal authorities. The reported attack against the church is part of a wider campaign against Christians, suggested advocacy group Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Since December 2012 CSW has noted an increase in detention, harassment, monitoring and deportation of Christians. Following South Sudan’s secession, President Omar al-Bashir said Sudan’s new constitution would be founded on Sharia, or Islamic law.

Pray:

against systematic targeting of Christians and churches, pray for a multi-ethnic and multi-religious national identity. (Mat.6:10)