Posted: 05/15/2014 at 1:01pm | IP Logged

News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

	Jesus visited Iranian Muslim three times in dreams There have been many testimonies in recent years, of the Lord Jesus revealing Himself to members of Islam through dreams. Dreams are one of the main ways that Muslims believe God will speak to them. Before he became a believer, the Apostle Paul dragged Christians out of their houses to imprison or kill them. A modern day Iranian named Taher was no better. He even threatened to kill his own family because they became Christians. Like Paul, he received a vision of the Lord that turned his life upside down. Taher was the last one anyone expected to convert to Christianity. He was a well respected pilgrim who had made the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca with his wife, so when his daughter came to Christ, Taher was very angry. When his wife became a believer in Christ, he grew even angrier. When even his son turned his back on Islam and accepted Christ, his anger turned to rage. To read the full account of his amazing story click the more button below. Praise: the living God who answers the prayers of seekers through dreams and visions of Jesus. (Joel 2:28) More: Return to Top
	NHS hit by new tech failure as it scraps patient booking system The NHS is quietly ditching an electronic booking system for outpatient appointments, Choose and Book, which has cost £356m since 2004, in a further sign of the difficulties of introducing efficient IT systems into the health service. The decision to replace it with a potentially even more expensive e-referral scheme by 2016 follows a drop in its use by doctors and patients. During a recent investigation into NHS waiting times by the House of Commons' public accounts committee, MPs were told by NHS staff that while some GPs liked Choose and Book, many did not, and that not all outpatient appointment slots were available on it, limiting its usefulness. Meg Hillier, a Labour member of the committee, said: ‘It's another NHS cock-up. A system designed for use by GPs but only used by half of them, has been quietly dropped, so quietly that even most of the NHS seems unaware.’ Pray: for a cost-effective system that meets the needs of doctors and their patients. (Ps.32:8) More: TV marriage experiment to begin on Channel 4 Strangers will marry after meeting for the first time on a Channel 4 television programme, set to air next year. The series, currently called Married at First Sight, will see TV cameras follow the couples for six weeks after their official ceremony. They will then be offered the choice to stay together or separate. Channel 4’s chief creative officer Jay Hunt claims the programme is a ‘celebration of marriage’, but family groups have criticised the show. The Marriage Foundation said the producers do not understand commitment, while The Christian Institute said the show belittles marriage. Simon Calvert, a spokesman for The Christian Institute, said the idea ‘denigrates marriage’ and it is ‘horrible for broadcasters to be experimenting with people’s lives in this way’. Harry Benson from the marriage group said: ‘Instead of getting married with clarity and intent about their future, these couples will still be in a relationship that is riddled with ambiguity.’ Pray: for the TV producers to recognise that marriage is more than a social experiment and that it requires understanding, love, long term commitment and deep mutual respect. (Heb.13:4) More: Marriage is a big issue in the Euro elections With just under two weeks to the European Parliament elections we’ve got some important news on how your Euro candidates can defend true marriage. These upcoming elections are crucial because Members of the European Parliament have been demanding an ‘Equal Treatment Directive’ that will threaten our freedom to talk about marriage. The Directive would bring in a dangerous low-level harassment law and give the EU control of UK goods and services discrimination legislation. Amongst other things, it would require equal treatment for same-sex marriages and traditional marriages. Schools could be sued for harassment if they allow teachers or pupils to explain why they believe in traditional marriage. Pray: that those voting will seriously consider the importance of marriage. More: Glasgow 2014: Games ticket 'fiasco' website closed The organisers of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow have closed the ticket website and phone line until ongoing problems with sales can be resolved. Glasgow 2014 said the measure was necessary to address technical issues which had hampered the sales of 100,000 extra tickets since Monday. So far, about 55,000 of the extra tickets have been bought with diving, swimming, mountain biking, track cycling and the triathlon all sold out. Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said that the website and phone line would be unavailable until the technical issues had been resolved. At the time of printing this article they had still not been resolved. The ticket system has not met capacity and has not coped with demand. Extra tickets for all 17 sports and the opening and closing ceremonies went on sale on a first-come, first-served basis at 10:00 BST on Monday. Pray: for all the avenues of preparation for the games - technical, transport systems, security, athletes travelling and accomodaton and the recruitment of and accommodation for volunteers. (Is.30:21) More: Kirk to host post-referendum service of reconciliation The Rev John Chalmers, Moderator Designate of the Church of Scotland, is to conduct a reconciliation service three days after the referendum on Scottish independence. The Church says that the service, to which leading figures from the Yes and Better Together campaigns will be invited, is to be held at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh on 21 September and will focus on healing divisions and building the future together. It said the service would highlight the need to put differences aside and begin working with each other, whatever the outcome of the referendum on 18 September. Speaking to BBC Scotland, the Rev Chalmers said: ‘Reconciliation is the business of the church. So it seems fitting, at a time when people are taking sides and passions are running high, that we should prepare for the day after this is all over.’ Pray: that after the vote for independence in Scotland space will be given to focus on the differences and bring healing. (Pr.16:24) More: Assisted suicide horror should be resisted, says senior RC Legalising assisted suicide would open a ‘Pandora’s box’ and lead to ‘horrible consequences’, a senior Roman Catholic Archbishop has said. Archbishop Antonio Mennini explained that the ‘reality’ of assisted suicide should be revealed, as he warned that the change could lead to further attempts to weaken the law. The House of Lords is set to discuss the issue when it debates Lord Falconer’s Assisted Dying Bill. Archbishop Mennini, who has represented the Pope in Great Britain since 2011, said the ‘nice’, ‘politically correct’ term ‘assisted dying’ should be exposed. ‘But once we open this ‘Pandora’s box’ we know as well the horrible consequences that follow.’ He then gave the example of Belgium, which after introducing euthanasia in 2002 brought in child euthanasia earlier this year. Pray: that the consequences of assisted suicide will be realised as the House of Lords discuss the issue. (Heb.13:4) More: Return to Top
	European Parliament Elections On 22nd May there will be local council elections in England and Northern Ireland. On the same day people will be voting in the European Parliament election, which takes place every five years. The European Parliament is the only directly elected institution in the EU. This is the opportunity for the populations of every EU country to decide who will represent them in Brussels and Strasbourg. In Britain there are 30 parties putting up MEPcandidates. As well as the 4 or 5 easily recognised parties there are the ‘Yorkshire First’ party and the ‘Pirate’ party. In Greece the Golden Dawn have been approved for the EU election even though they are currently under criminal investigation. The Dutch are aware of the EU elections but only 20% intend to vote. In 2009 the Netherlands had the lowest turnout this century. See also http://europedecides.eu/ and http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/expat-page/news/dutc h-least-interested-european-elections-2014 Pray: for Europeans to seize the opportunity to vote and for newly elected MEPs to have clear practical visions and realistic goals for the next 5 years. (Pr.8:1-5) More: Ukraine: Missionaries print extra Gospels amid fears of war Russian Ministries, a Christian mission group, said it would distribute hundreds of thousands of 'Gospel of Luke' in the Ukraine to help ease tensions amid fears of a new world war. They have already printed 200,000 copies of the Gospel of Luke in the Ukrainian language and intend to print another 200,000 copies in the Russian language for use in Russian-speaking eastern portions of Ukraine. The announcement came amid reports of 48 casualties in the port city of Odessa and more than 20 people killed in the city of Slavyansk during a full-fledged military operation. The group stressed that it wanted to distribute the Bible books ‘in a special effort toward reconciliation and the restoration of peace in the nation.’ Pray: that God will protect these books and create avenues across the land for them to be used powerfully for His Kingdom purposes. (Mt.6:10) More: Return to Top
	Nigeria:Kidnapped girls This is an ongoing story with daily developments. Prayer-Alert is prepared 24 hours in advance of publication therefore information, whilst true at time of writing, could be superseded. The U.S. military is flying manned intelligence and surveillance missions over Nigeria in hopes of locating the kidnapped mainly Christian schoolgirls, many of whom were shown in a video from Boko Haram to be praying to Allah amid reports the terror group’s leader was negotiating with the government. There are 50+ U.S. military personnel based at the Nigerian Embassy to help advise and assist the search for the missing girls. The teams have expertise in communications, logistics, civil affairs and intelligence. Britain has sent a mixed team, led by the Foreign Office, with components from the Metropolitan Police, the Ministry of Defence, the Department for International Development and the intelligence agencies. Rescuing the girls is a Nigerian-led operation and any input from international teams will be advisory only. See also Pray: for British, US, French, Chinese and Israeli counter terrorism officials and specialists in negotiations to achieve a positive and peaceful outcome. Pray for this kidnapping to be the end of Boko Haram. (Ps.69:17-19) More: Syria: Muslim refugees presented with Christian outreach packs The Voice of the Martyrs has distributed Action Packs to persecuted Christians in countries like Iraq, Pakistan and Sudan for many years. Now Syrian Christians have asked for care packages to share with their Muslim neighbours. The packages, which are filled or sponsored by Christians in the United States, contain clothing, bedding, toiletries and other items of need. Front-line workers in and around Syria believe that sharing these packs with Syrian Muslim refugees demonstrates Christ’s love for them. They believe this will help open the door for the gospel. VOM hope to fill and send 10,000 outreach packs from Individuals and Churches. Pray: that many families, youth groups, Sunday school classes and even entire churches will become involved in this mission. (Ja.1:27) More: Middle East: Hamas-Fatah unity government to be announced Palestinian sources say a 5-week deadline is in place for forming government between rival Palestinian factions and the new PA unity government will be announced before the end of May. The government will consist of only 15 or 16 ministers who will not be affiliated with any Palestinian group. The Palestinian daily Al-Quds reported that none of the ministers currently serving in the Hamas government headed by Ismail Haniyeh would join the unity government and a few ministers serving in the West Bank government, headed by Rami Hamdallah, would become part of the coalition. Fatah leader Azzam al-Ahmed is expected to travel to the Gaza Strip shortly for talks with Hamas leaders on the composition of the unity government as agreed between the two sides last month. PA sources said that Hamas has ‘displayed a large degree of flexibility’ regarding the issue of the formation of a ‘national consensus government’ headed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Pray: for men of wisdom and peace to lead in this next step of developments in the region. (Pr.8:15-16) More: Iran: Iranian Christians flock to Germany for sanctuary More Iranian Christians are immigrating to Germany than ever before to escape religious persecution in their home country. The Guardian reports that though East Berlin has been considered one of the most ‘godless’ locations in history the city is now attracting thousands of foreign Christians to the area. The Iranian immigrants must pay to enter the country illegally; some pay up to $30,000 to make the trip with a fake passport. They create fake names and start their lives over in new churches. One woman who remains in Iran said that she was harassed and abused for her faith. The woman was imprisoned for putting up a Christmas tree in her home and workplace, receiving more than 70 lashes from her jailers. ‘I want Iran to have respect for my perspective, about what religion I choose’ the woman, who wished to only be identified by her first name Afsaneh, said. Pray: for God to protect and use these faithful Iranian servants to share and demonstrate the teachings of Jesus wherever they go. (Mt.24:14) More: Australia: Disability carers resilient but support is vital A 60 page Wesley Mission report compiled from the results of a survey and interviews with Australian disability carers found the role of a carer is taxing and takes its toll on even the most robust, loving people. Key findings were • life is extremely complex and stressful • almost all carers interviewed had personal health issues, relationship concerns and/or mental health complications • lifestyles of carers are completely focused on and dedicated to the wellbeing of those they care for, resulting in them putting themselves in ‘second place’ • there’s not enough time to combine caring responsibilities with non-caring responsibilities • carers expressed high levels of concerns in relation to securing a meaningful and safe future for those they care for • despite all the stress, carers are very resilient - while stress, strain and sacrifice are all part of caring for someone with disability • carers showed a determination to provide the best care they could. Pray: for those interviewed, and for carers across the nations who are called by circumstances and choice into the position of sacrificing self for appropriate care of the vulnerable. (Ps.106:3 :Pr.14:21b & Mt.5:7) More: Sri Lanka: Christians criticise ‘religious police’ The government of Sri Lanka has created a religious police unit to settle disputes arising from increasing intolerance against minorities by Buddhist groups. However, many Christians and Muslims in Sri Lanka think the new unit is disingenuous as it answers only to the Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs, which is tasked with furthering Buddhism. Members of Sri Lanka's Christian clergy said the government's decision to help solve religious disputes was misleading since many Buddhist nationalists are already under the protection of the Sri Lanka government. Last year Sri Lanka's Christian communities were targeted by vigilante groups acting on behalf of the country's Buddhist Sinhalese majority. These groups have destroyed, or closed down numerous churches, notably Evangelical congregations whose preaching is perceived as a threat to Sri Lanka's Buddhist majority. ‘The special unit will not solve the crisis we are experiencing,’ Rev. Emmanuel Sebamalai, a Tamil Catholic priest and human rights activist, said. Pray: for more action by the government to support religious minorities when they are attacked. (Ps.61:1-5) More: Israel: Death threats to Christians in Jerusalem Pope Francis will be making a pilgrimage to Israel from May 24th to 26th, commemorating 50 years since a meeting between Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras. He will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of the Orthodox bishops, Jordan's King and Queen, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israeli President Shimon Peres and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However death threats to Arabs and Christians written in front of a Roman Catholic Church office in Jerusalem ahead of the visit have some officials alarmed. A Christian persecution watchdog group said it is unlikely a direct attack on the pope will be attempted. The Office of the Assembly of Bishops, Notre Dame of Jerusalem said that it found Hebrew writing on a column outside its building reading ‘Death to Arabs, Christians and all those who hate Israel.’ Heads of churches are preparing to respond. Pray: for the protection of lives and property during the run up to and during the visit, and pray against Jewish extremists' plans to draw attention to perceived injustices. More: Source: Prayer Alert - World Prayer Centre UK