The Netherlands: 3.2 million see Jesus Passion Play

What started three years ago in the Dutch ‘cheese city’ Gouda has developed into an annual wildly successful pop culture phenomenon in the Netherlands: The Passion, a live open-air re-enactment of the last supper, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In previous years The Passion visited Rotterdam and The Hague, and this year on the Thursday before Easter Groningen hosted the event, with over 20,000 people participating locally, and 3.2 million people watching the drama unfold on national television. The popularity of The Passion is surprising, as the Netherlands has a reputation for being one of the most secularized countries in Europe. A large cross is carried through town and followed by a long procession of people. The programme's different scenes are portrayed with Biblical characters like Jesus, Mary and Judas, and Dutch pop bands playing famous songs. The Passion is thus the modern version of the St Matthew Passion.

Praise:

God for work of the Holy Spirit in bringing the drama of the Passion alive. (Jn.12:32)

Miracle Healing of doctor’s father

Dr Zoe D Scounos, speaking to delegates from 38 countries at the Annual World Christian Doctors Network Conference last week, told of a surgical emergency that could have taken the life of her father. However with a strong faith in God, a recovery defying medical odds unfolded. During a family meeting with her mother and sister they were faced with an impossible situation medically so they joined hands and prayed, ‘Father God, your Word says when two or more people gather together in prayer you are present. Please restore the circulation through the rest of the bowel and restore Dad completely.’ She then stated, ‘Within 24 hours a rapid clinical improvement ensued, TPN was no longer required within a few days of discharge from intensive care, and successful recovery came 5 five weeks later. This was an example of a miraculous recovery from a surgical catastrophe, with a limited chance of survival.’

Praise:

God for miracles beyond normal medical expectations. (Mt.18:19-20; Mk10:27)

Sex change drugs 'to be offered to nine-year-olds'

Children as young as nine are to be prescribed drugs which delay the onset of puberty as the first step towards a sex change operation, according to reports. The treatment will be offered by one NHS trust to children who are so troubled by their gender that they may wish to undergo drastic surgery after adolescence, according to the Mail on Sunday. But the decision was attacked by critics who described the decision to offer the treatment at such a young age as ‘horrifying’ and called for an immediate investigation. Monthly injections of the drugs, known as hypothalamic blockers, are used to slow the development of the children’s sexual organs by blocking the production of the hormones testosterone and oestrogen. Andrew Percy MP said: ‘I think many people will be horrified at the thought of a nine-year-old being provided with a drug that effectively stops them developing and maturing naturally.’

Pray:

for all parties to consider the medical and ethical implications of such intervention before this treatment is used on the very young. (Ps.139:13-14)

Ex-drug addict says cannabis is a ‘gateway’ drug

Cannabis is a ‘gateway drug’ that exposes users to other people who are involved in ‘harder substances’ and should not be legalised, an ex-drug addict has told The Christian Institute. Luke Wardle, who began selling drugs at the age of 15, went on to deal in amphetamines and developed a cocaine habit by the age of 19. He told the Institute how smoking cannabis caused him to climb up the ladder of drugs. He described how his various addictions led to feelings of paranoia, anxiety and depression. Speaking of other addicts he knew, he explained how cannabis had left them in a ‘complete mess’ with some even developing serious mental health problems including schizophrenia. Luke said he was astonished that instead of prison he only faced a £480 fine for importing a large amount of cannabis from Amsterdam. In an interview, he told Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, his story and why he’s against the liberalisation of cannabis.

Pray:

for anyone considering relaxing the laws on cannabis use to be fully aware of its wider impact on individuals and society. (1Pe.5:8)

UK Christians urged to vote in European Parliamentary elections

A multi-denominational group of Christians from Merseyside have issued a joint statement encouraging Christians to vote in the European Elections on May 22. The statement has been signed by regional leaders of the Church of England, Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain, Catholic Church, the United Reformed Church, and The Salvation Army. They all shared their concern that low turnout will mean success for extremist parties such as the British National Party. In the statement quoted in the Church Times, they wrote: ‘Some of our media are dismissive about what happens in Europe but it is important in a democratic state that we make the effort to vote. It is ironic to watch people in countries like Afghanistan voting in huge numbers when people here in the United Kingdom cannot be bothered to spare a small amount of time to go to the polling station.’

Pray:

that believers everywhere take the opportunity and effort to vote.

Immigrants must learn English and respect our country and laws

Migrants to Britain should be able to speak English and ‘respect its laws and culture’, the UK’s most senior Asian politician has said. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid insisted it was not good enough for migrants to live in the UK for up to 50 years without being able to speak English. The British-born Tory, whose parents came from Pakistan, also said there was no place for Sharia law in the UK legal system. Mr Javid, a rising star at Westminster who has also taken on the role of Equalities Minister, suggested voters had legitimate concerns over immigration. He said: ‘People want Britain to have more control over its borders and I think they are right. ‘People also say, when immigrants do come to Britain, that they should come to work, and make a contribution and that they should also respect our way of life and I agree with all of that.'

Pray:

that those who choose to make their home in the UK would respect our laws and culture. (Rom.13:7)

Global Outreach Day – June 14th – together we can reach the world.

The vision of the Global Outreach Day is to build up a network of Christians worldwide, equipping and mobilising them to share the Gospel to over 200 nations on one single day. What is it about? It is about YOU sharing the gospel in any possible way to people who never heard it or are not yet born-again Christians and leading those people to salvation in Jesus. There are thousands of ways to do this, either personally or together with a group or a church. Reach at least ONE person with the Gospel on Global Outreach Day! Reach out to the people, don't wait for them to come to you! Although many Christians want to reach people with the Gospel they feel limited and inadequate, sometimes not even called to do it. We are providing spiritual and practical training for you to experience a real breakthrough in personal and corporate evangelism! Let us help you to release your potential - click the ‘More’ link.

Pray:

for the success of this event and the potential of believers to be released. (1Chr.22:11)

Cocaine, heroin and knives rife in prisons

Figures released earlier this week in Parliament revealed 80 seizures of cocaine, 210 of heroin and at least 62 knives in prisons in England and Wales. Figures for knives could be higher as data was not available for a number of prisons. Under current law, Class A drugs are treated the most seriously. Possession can result in a seven-year prison sentence while supplying them is punishable with life imprisonment. And both can also carry an unlimited fine. ‘The amount of drugs and knives getting into our prison revealed by this data is alarming’, said Labour’s shadow justice secretary. ‘How can we possibly punish and reform criminals if contraband and weapons are circulating so freely in our jails? This needs a concerted effort by ministers to put a stop to this, but with all their cuts to prison staff and the increased overcrowding and violence on their watch in our prisons, I’ve not got much confidence they’re up to it.’

Pray:

for our prison services to employ successful security measures and appropriate rehabilitation for addicts and violent offenders whilst in prison. Ask God to release more Christians to work in these situations. (Mt.9:36-37)

Far-right activists hand out Bibles outside mosques in Bradford

Far-right activists have targeted mosques in Bradford attempting to hand out Bibles and also to distribute leaflets accusing community elders of failing to stop grooming gangs. Members of Britain First, some wearing uniforms, staged protests at 10 places of worship in the city centre. They posted images of themselves on Facebook confronting members of the Asian community. They also visited the office of Labour councillor Nazam Azam. Mr Azam said, ‘They have come to Bradford to cause residents to fear for their safety. As far as I understand they have tried to access mosques and hand out leaflets but I don’t know anyone who took anything.' According to the anti-fascist organisation Hope Not Hate, Britain First is a Protestant far right group with its roots in Northern Ireland and Scotland. A Facebook site statement said, ‘This is the first of many such operations to be launched across Yorkshire against Islam.'

Pray:

this will not escalate or disrupt community relations in or around the city of Bradford. (Mt.5:9)

Balkans: Floods prompt more evacuations

Serbia has ordered the evacuation of at least 12 towns situated along the Sava river after a fresh surge of floodwaters wreaked havoc and forced more people to flee their homes across the Balkan region. At least 47 people have died after the region's worst rainfall in more than a century inundated large swathes of Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia in recent days and unleashed more than 3,000 landslides that swept away homes and unearthed land mines from the region's 1992-95 war. The fresh evacuation orders included one for the town of Obrenovac, where soldiers, police and volunteers worked around the clock to protect the coal-fired Nikola Tesla power plant. Hundreds of people in the country were evacuated by helicopters and buses, joining about 7,800 residents already forced from their homes since Friday. Hundreds more were believed trapped in the higher floors of buildings, without power or phone lines.

Pray:

that the Lord of creation will reduce the floods, restore the countryside and help the rescue teams. (Ps.69:15)

UN warns of election threat in ‘lawless’ eastern Ukraine

The UN’s human rights representative in Ukraine has warned that a dark shadow looms over the prospect of holding next weekend’s presidential election in eastern Ukraine. After visiting Donetsk in the east and Odessa in the south, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic said the situation had deteriorated so much that the region could collapse. ‘I felt fear in Donetsk. And it is widespread. And the fear is not only related to security challenges, it’s also related to common criminality,’ he said. Simonovic added that he had received numerous reports of intense pressure being put on election officials in the region, which could put in doubt the possibility of holding the May 25 elections. Ukraine’s Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said there has been an increasing number of separatist attacks on polling stations in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, with the objective of disrupting Sunday’s elections.

Pray:

that the elections will be held peacefully and those who seek to bring down the government will be quashed. (Job.22:21)

Sudan: Christian awaiting death sentence

A pregnant Christian Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death last Thursday has been spending her days shackled in prison. Meriam Ibrahim, from a Muslim background, was raised a Christian and married a Christian. Meriam was arrested and charged with adultery and apostasy (The government doesn’t recognise the couple's marriage, hence the adultery charge). Her American husband is of South Sudanese origin. The court in Khartoum has delayed carrying out the ruling of death by hanging until Meriam gives birth and nurses her newborn. Her attorney is working on an appeal and a statement from several attorneys associated with the Sudanese high court called for a repeal of the death sentence. Muslims are punished by death if they convert to other religions. Muslim women are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims. ‘I was never a Muslim,’ she told the Sudanese high court: 'I was raised a Christian from the start.’ See also: http://www.meconcern.org/index.php/en/prayer-requests/755-su dan-update-on-believer-sentenced-to-death

Pray:

Meriam and her family will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus. Pray all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him. (Mic.6:8)

Nigeria: Police not up to fighting Boko Haram & military not acting on information

Despite an increased security presence, police feel under-equipped to serve as any sort of meaningful deterrent against further attacks. They’re unable to enter into a combat situation with militants armed with heavy machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Residents in Chibok say they are in constant fear of further attacks, with abductions and killings taking place on a regular basis. Amnesty International says Nigerian forces had advance warning of the attack by Boko Haram that led to the kidnapping of more than 276 schoolgirls, but military officials failed to take immediate action. Amnesty said it had verified the information about the abduction with credible sources. ‘The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram's impending raid, but failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime,’ said Netsanet Belay, Amnesty International's Africa director. See: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/9/nigerian-gove rnmentbokoharamkidnappedgirls.html

Pray:

for the removal of everything causing the Nigerian authorities to be ineffective. Ask God to bind fear that leads to fraudulent activities. Pray for much wisdom for President Goodluck Jonathan. (Pr.23:23)

Nigeria: Latest atrocities

Five people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in the northern city of Kano on Sunday, then on Tuesday explosions in Jos left 118 people dead in a twin bombing. Police said dozens more were injured in the explosions at a bus terminal and market. There are fears more bodies will be recovered from the wreckage of destroyed buildings. The country's president, Goodluck Jonathan, said, ‘The government remains fully committed to winning the war against terror, and this administration will not be cowed by the atrocities of enemies of human progress and civilisation.’ Jos is in an area known as the ‘Middle Belt’ where the largely Christian south and mostly Muslim north meet.

Pray:

for the victims families caught up in this war to know God’s presence and comfort, removing fear from those living in vulnerable communities. (Ps.23:4) Ask God to help the survivors to follow His paths towards reconciliation. (Mt.6:1-2)

Honduras: The Church must wake up!

Swedish missionary Miriam Mondragon is working to see transformation in Honduras, one of the world's most dangerous countries. Supported by Tearfund, Miriam is passionate about seeing the Church mobilised to bring peace and reconciliation in a country fractured by civil war, violence and extreme political unrest. In addition to working directly with victims of horrific violence and sexual abuse, her organisation partners with local churches to advocate for justice. They work in reconciliation, supporting pastors and leaders working in difficult and violent areas, coordinating a rescue programme for children who suffering from sexual abuse and coordinating a programme in slum areas helping kids at extreme risk, and their families. They aim to reach the top ten per cent of the most vulnerable of the population, working in the worst areas where everyone is part of a gang. They’re reaching those that no one else wants to work with. The only hope for Honduras is a Church that stands up and demands justice.

Pray:

for the Church in Honduras to be a prophetic voice, giving hope and working towards a more just society. (Eph.5:14)

South Africa: Church response to poverty and injustice

The Warehouse was established in 2003 through the parish of St John's, Cape Town, and exists to serve the South African church network in its response to poverty, injustice and division. They work with local churches in all communities, helping them to implement sound, effective and practical acts and renewed attitudes, to see communities where the vulnerable are cared for because the local church is a transformed and a transformative presence. Their vision is to inspire equip and connect churches to effectively address poverty, injustice and division. Please pray for the church leaders to successfully build relationships, making the use of all opportunities, events and media resources. Please pray for those leaders who are changing their lifestyles and have been equipped with theology, theory and tools to transform. Please pray for the church in Cape Town networking across racial, economic and denominational barriers and with government and civil society initiatives in broader society.

Pray:

for the church as it stands courageously against corrupt systems; pray for change in their nation through non-violent, participatory ways. (Dt.31:6)

Iran: Nuclear negotiations with IAEA and P5+1

The U.N. nuclear watchdog (IAEA) had talks with Iran on Tuesday to advance a long-stalled investigation into Tehran's atomic activities, but it was not immediately clear whether any headway was made, leaving open the possibility agreements might be made later. They were expected to discuss IAEA requests for information about detonators that can be used to set off a nuclear explosive device. How Iran responds is regarded as a litmus test of its readiness to allow investigation into the possible military dimensions of the country's nuclear program. The IAEA-Iran talks were separate from those about to resume between the US, UK, France, China, Russia plus Germany (P5+1) in Vienna to draw up a draft agreement providing comprehensive solutions to the Iranian nuclear issue. These talks will need to overcome differences on Iran's uranium enrichment capacity, the heavy-water reactor at Arak and the possible military dimensions of Iran's nuclear programme. See also http://www.iranwatch.org/weapon-programs/nuclear

Pray:

for a genuine cooperation pact between the P5+1 and Iran and clear workable Iranian commitments to work with the UN atomic agency. (Pr.28:2)