New film company to saturate the land with a beam of light from God

A film company called ‘amifilm’ has been set up to assist churches to bring a glimpse of a loving, forgiving God to people of all nations. Their vision is to enable churches to go beyond their own communities to speak to people in today's culture through a unique, short, cutting edge musical and dramatic 26 minute film presentation. The film, named 'i.am', is being made available nationwide. A quote from Paul Blakey MBE, founder of Street Angels - CNI Network: ‘The i.am film is fantastic! It combines stunning scenery with music, dance, rap and the story of a loving God. We will be using the film within our night-time communities, showing it in pubs, clubs, safe place drop-ins and we even have plans to show the film on the street with an invitation to one of the pop-up showings. I encourage you to plan to use this film wherever you can - people in your community need to watch this and to hear the message it gives.’

Praise:

God for this and the many pioneering projects touching the lives of the un-churched. (Mat.28:18-20)

Saudi Arabian sheikhs legally importing Bibles

The following are excerpts from a letter written by a Christian businessman in the Middle East who wishes to remain anonymous. ‘For 30 years people have smuggled Bibles into the Arabian Peninsula in suitcases, been caught, deported and the Bibles destroyed. Six years ago I became a neighbour to some very powerful sheikhs. We met regularly for conversation over tea. As we talked about the Qur'an I would mention the Injil (Gospel) and the position of the Bible in the Qur'an. I challenged them to read the Injil, saying that we could not dialogue fairly as I have an unfair advantage.’ His story goes on to explain how he discussed and examined scripture with the sheikhs over a period of time which finally led to them agreeing to 25,000 copies of the Gospels and the Book of Acts to be imported and distributed amongst Muslims in Saudi Arabia. For the full story click the link below.

Praise:

God for the innovative ways He reaches people with His words of life. (Ro.8:14) Pray for more divine appointments in closed countries. (Ro.8:19)

Nick Clegg backs legalising cannabis

The Deputy Prime Minister joined 20 academics to endorse a London School of Economics study condemning our war on drugs as a costly failure and recommending ‘rigorously monitored’ regulation of illegal drugs. It said countries should be encouraged to conduct experiments in legalising cannabis, as long as they kept the price of the drug high and controlled its use by rationing. In the state of Colorado, USA, cannabis went on sale at the start of the year at two dozen shops. State residents aged 21 and over are permitted to buy an ounce and visitors a quarter ounce. In March UN officials reported that the commercial sale of cannabis in Colorado had led to increases in drug-driving accidents and drug-related hospital admissions. Mr Clegg has been a strong critic of Britain’s drugs control laws and called for a Royal Commission to examine the law. His repeated calls for drug law reforms have so far been rejected by his Tory Coalition partners.

Pray:

against any schemes which give the message that drugs are OK. Pray for more research and finance to be released into drug education, counselling, rehab services and fighting the drug crimes. (Pr.11:11&14)

Traditional values are secret of our success, say Scouts as membership soars

Holding on to traditional values – including keeping God in its promise – has helped the Scouts see a dramatic increase in members, the organisation’s chief commissioner has insisted. New figures show that the number of Scouts in the UK has jumped by almost a quarter in the last decade and membership is now at its highest level for a generation. Wayne Bulpitt, the chief commissioner, said part of the secret of the organisation’s success was the fact that young people still crave ‘adventure’ in an era of health and safety rules. He added that a crucial ingredient had been the deliberate decision to modernise its image but preserve the principles it has taught for more than a century. He said organisations which tried too hard to be ‘cool’ often ended up ‘Dad dancing’ – conjuring up the image of a middle-aged man who embarrasses his children with awkward dance moves at a family wedding in an attempt to pretend he is younger than he is.

Pray:

for the Scout movement to continue to grow and for organisations that have dropped traditional values, including God, in order to be 'cool' might think again. (1Jn.3:22)

Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams urges calm after release

Northern Ireland police released Gerry Adams from custody on Sunday amid fears that his four-day detention could destabilise the British province. He was arrested over the 1972 murder of Jean McConville, a killing he repeatedly denies. His detention raised tensions among Northern Ireland's power-sharing government and its fragile peace after Sinn Fein pointed the finger at ‘dark forces’ in the police service and their Protestant partners in government. A calm Adams toned down the rhetoric and said he supported the police. Tapes being held at Boston College, USA, are a key part of the investigation. The tapes contain a testimony of a former IRA commander stating Gerry Adams was overall commander of the IRA's Belfast brigade, controlling his own squad - ‘the unknowns’ who were responsible for the 'Disappeared'. See also: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-27238797

Pray:

for old wounds still painful and causing distress and anger to be touched by God’s healing and powerful reconciliation ministry. (Mat.5:24)

Will the UK's Bible colleges survive into the future?

With the International Christian College in Glasgow and St Michael's College in Cardiff both recently announcing their closures, are UK Bible colleges in a state of peril? The principal of the ICC says the nation's Bible colleges face a lean future. Of the ten largest UK Bible colleges, only one is growing. In the ICC between 2000 and 2013 the annual intake of new undergraduate students dropped from 57 to 16. He points out the Bible colleges used to be the first port of call for Christians entering church ministry. However many are now studying the Bible in theology departments at universities and entering ministry via ‘learning on the job’ as an understudy to a pastor. Meanwhile, online education is rapidly growing - offering either free service or significantly reduced costs. Buildings, equipment and textbook overheads become non-issues or cost effective and there are over 1 million people enrolled in online courses globally.

Pray:

for Bible Colleges in the UK to develop and grow using to-day’s and to-morrow’s technology. (Jer.30:19 & Is.54:2)

Asthma killing people needlessly, says Royal College of Physicians

Children and adults are dying needlessly from asthma attacks, according to a report by experts published on Tuesday, which found that in a quarter of fatal cases patients had received less than satisfactory care. Complacency around the disease – which kills about 1,200 people a year – has to end, says the report by the Royal College of Physicians. The National Review of Asthma Deaths is the largest study ever done on the subject. In the inquiry it was found that there was room for improvement in 83% of the cases. Dr Kevin Stewart, clinical director, said, ‘These worrying statistics can and must be turned around in the next decade. Every patient should have a personal asthma action plan to help them recognise when the disease is worsening and seek help’.

Pray:

for a positive response to this report so that deaths from asthma can be significantly reduced. (Jer.17:14)

Thousands could be hit by 'back door' energy cut-offs

Energy suppliers are accused of not giving early help to vulnerable households on prepayment meters. Tens of thousands of vulnerable gas and electricity customers could be going without power for up to three months, despite promises from the big six companies that no one will knowingly be cut off. The Labour party argues that an unacceptable ‘disconnection by the back door’ has taken hold because many on prepayment meters are not receiving early help from suppliers. The plight of those on prepayment meters is already under scrutiny, with recent figures from the Department of Energy and Climate Change showing this category of energy user is paying on average about £100 a year more for gas and electricity combined, compared with those on direct debit. There is further concern because some of those on prepayment schemes have been pushed on to them by energy suppliers as a result of past debts.

Pray:

for the energy companies to review their practices and be more proactive in helping their more vulnerable customers. (Mic.6:8)

Children 'see harmful TV material', says National Association of Head Teachers

Children are still being exposed to ‘harmful material’ on television despite strict rules on what can be shown before 9pm, say head teachers. The National Association of Head Teachers - which has drawn up a charter to protect children's innocence - says the media must ensure pre-watershed content is free from sex and violence. A poll of 1,013 parents found 96% believed the rules were being broken. Speaking at the NAHT's conference in Birmingham, its president Gail Larkin said: "We know that most parents are trying their best to protect their children from certain dangers in the outside world. I know, as a grandparent, how much more difficult it is with such advanced technology to prevent children from accessing, often unwittingly, materials and media that are not just inappropriate but often obscene and mentally damaging." Media regulator Ofcom said protecting children was a ‘fundamental concern’.

Pray:

for greater responsibility and care on the part of the media in how and when programmes and content are scheduled. (Ps.101:3-4)

Russia: Worldwide Church called to prayer

While fears grow that Russia and Ukraine could ignite WWIII, the world faces unprecedented global financial crises (see item 2 below), record-breaking natural disasters and attacks against life, family and religious freedom. A large Christian coalition has been urgently mobilizing a 40 day prayer campaign for peace that began on April 28th to help combat these alarming threats. This grassroots coalition of Catholic and Christian organizations worldwide is mobilising for 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting for Peace. Also May 9th has been declared a ‘Global Day of Prayer and Fasting for Russia’. Christians from the nations are called to pray and fast in one accord, for the blessing of the Russian people around the world. Let us, in the coming days, pray for the Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ to fall upon Russia and all the nations around her.

Pray:

for ‘The Trumpet Call’ to be heard and for many to stand in the gap. (Mat.18:19)

Russia: Gas supplies 'not guaranteed', EU commissioner warns

A first mediation attempt by the EU between Russia and Ukraine on their gas price dispute on 2nd May in Warsaw ended with no results other than the willingness to meet again. When asked about the atmosphere in the meeting, a spokesperson responded, ‘we are all adults’ and emphasised the willingness of both sides to meet again in mid-May. The core of the current dispute is how much Ukraine owes and has to pay for current and future gas deliveries from Russia. However, with pro-Russian separatists shooting down Ukrainian helicopters and with Vladimir Putin declaring a Geneva peace deal is ‘no longer valid’, the chances of a solution to the gas dispute are low. Ukraine’s energy minister said the doubling of the gas price by Russia was ‘discriminatory’ and ‘abusive’ and that Kiev will take the matter to the international court of arbitration in Stockholm.

Pray:

for a positive speedy settlement of this and all disputes between Russia and her neighbours through honest, transparent, negotiations. (Pr.6:16-19)

Nigeria: Christian action

Christian Association of Nigeria released the names of the abducted students in Chibok. A statement signed by evangelist Matthew Owojaiwe, the President of Old Time Revival Hour, chairman of Northern States Christian and Elders Forum says he believes the reason for the attack on Chibok Girls’ High School is, ‘Chibok Local Government is 90% Christian and the majority of the girls are Christian! Why did Boko Haram visit Chibok Local Government? Why didn’t they visit so many other Local Government girls secondary schools in Borno State?’ CAN has called the Nigerian Church to pray for their release for 15 minutes every time they gather. Owojaiye said. ‘For daughters of Zion taken captive, to be treated as slaves and sold into marriage to unclean people - an abomination has been committed. Raise lamentation to High Heavens. What a shame on the Church of the Living God. Military force may not get them out! Intensive agonising prayer will.’

Pray:

for the Church to be strong in their lamentation prayer. Let God arise and defend his Name. (Ps.3:7)

Nigeria: National and international action

As Nigeria struggles with the abduction of 200+ girls in April, Voice of America reported eight more teenage girls being kidnapped from Warabe village in north-eastern Nigeria on Tuesday night. On Monday the leader of Boko Haram said ‘I abducted your girls. Allah commands me to sell them in the market.’ President Goodluck Jonathan, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and several Christian groups are calling for everything to be done to rescue the girls. Boko Haram kidnaps Christian girls and turns them into sex slaves. Their strategy is ‘marry the girls and kill the men’. So by kidnapping these female students they demonstrate the impunity with which Boko Haram has been running its terrorist activities,’ Pray for God to employ more international governments to work in unity using technology and strategies that will end the reign of Boko Haram. See also http://zeenews.india.com/news/world/nigeria-s-boko-haram-abd uct-eight-more-teen-girls-overnight_930190.html

Pray:

for the girls' release, for their healing from the dehumanisation, anguish and humiliation and for justice to be served. (Ps.7:5-7)

Central African Republic: Continuing chaos

A French Christian writes, ‘People were gathered on Sunday for prayer. Open Doors personnel played recordings of messages of comfort from Christians in France to their brethren in the CAR. Subsequent sharing of information led to the conclusion that there is a plot afoot to destabilise the country again. Pale-skinned Arab jihadists are now in the Gbaya quarter of the city, alongside the gangs sowing terror in the Km5 district. One Christian man still living in that area has been an eyewitness and said how taken by surprise he had been.Hundreds of fighters and mercenaries in vehicles are in the capital now. The Seleka claim they have nothing to do with them. A number of our fellow-believers in the north of the country have been keeping us informed, and all confirm that a major mobilisation of Seleka fighters is taking place, ready to descend on Bangui.

Pray:

for the CAR to return to the country’s long standing tradition of peaceful co-existence. Pray against religious and ethnic affiliation being manipulated for political purposes. (Ps.136:23-25)

North America: Obama called the 'abortion president'

California Democratic Representative Janice Hahn walked out of the National Day of Prayer event on Capitol Hill after hearing Dr James Dobson refer to President Barack Obama as ‘the abortion president.’ Later In a TV interview Dr Dobson said, ‘President Obama has done everything he could to promote abortion’, adding that in his opinion Obama's policies show he’s determined that people of faith and people of conscience are going to have to go along with it and be part of it (abortion). On April 17th a federal judge granted an injunction for Dobson and his ‘Family Talk’ radio show, blocking the Obamacare mandate that would have required the coverage of abortion-inducing drugs under the healthcare plan, despite religious objections to abortion. Dobson said that in his speech he wasn't only referencing Obama but was also talking about people's response to the mandate and abortion in general.

Pray:

that laws and schemes proposed and passed in the USA will honour the sanctity of human life. (2 Ch.6:30,31)

Iran: Rude homecoming for dissidents

Journalist, 'Ali' and many on the wrong side of Mahmud Ahmadinejad fled Iran after his contentious re-election as president in 2009. When the 2013 election brought the relatively moderate Hassan Rohani to power, Ali took the opportunity to return. But while the political atmosphere has opened up in the Islamic republic under Rohani, it apparently is not enough to shield returnees from harassment, or worse. Some like Ali, who declined to give his real name, have been subjected to hours of interrogation. Others have been arrested for their role in the post-election unrest in 2009. Speaking in New York in September to a group of Iranian-Americans, Rohani said no one had the right to prevent Iranians from visiting their homeland. ‘Iranians are the owners of Iran,’ he said. ‘Iran belongs to all Iranians.’ Ali says he's gone through tens of hours of intensive interrogations by the intelligence office of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Pray:

that Iranian officials would allow opposition members and critics of the establishment to return. Pray for freedom of expression and opinion and freedom of the press and media in Iran. (Job.9:19)

Afghanistan: Aid reaching landslide victims

The village of Aab Barik was buried by a tide of rock and mud last Friday after heavy rains. The government confirmed 300 deaths, and has given up looking for 2,100 missing. Hundreds of homes are now underneath 300ft of mud, and families are staying in tents from aid agencies. Villagers spoke of their grief at losing husbands, wives and children as their homes were destroyed in moments. Andrew Morris, chief of Unicef for the Northern Region of Afghanistan said, 'The whole area has been declared a burial ground; our staff described it in some places to be as deep as 50 metres of mud. Our first priority is getting water supplies going and we are urgently looking at sanitation. Then we have to help children to overcome this traumatic event. We have got to get them back to school as soon as we can. That is part of the return to normalcy.'

Pray:

for the 4,000 people left with nowhere to live. Pray for good communication between aid agencies and those responsible for distribution of aid. (Ps.10:12 & 14)

Syria: Warfare creates a lost generation

Syria's ‘lost generation’ are children whose innocence was stolen in the Syrian conflict. It is not unusual to see a baby-faced boy with his Kalashnikov rifle balanced over his shoulder. Families have to depend on children for tasks usually performed by men. A mother of four said, ‘Their childhood has gone.’ Barrel bombs have had a devastating effect, especially in Aleppo, the city with the largest concentration of Christians. They are made from oil drums packed with explosives and bits of metal and are tossed over the sides of helicopters. Their indiscriminate devastation has forced tens of thousands to flee Aleppo this year. Many refugees have fled to Jordan. In the refugee camps in Amman, two teachers set up schools to help the children keep up their education. Even in adverse weather, the eager children huddle together, hungry to learn.

Pray:

for the physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the children to be supernaturally protected from the effects of the horrors and devastation they are experiencing. (Ps.140:7)