Legislation to tackle human trafficking backed by MSPs

A new law to tackle human trafficking, with better protection for its victims and tougher penalties for those convicted of the crime, has been backed by the Scottish Parliament. Holyrood supported the general principles of the legislation, which creates a specific offence of human trafficking for the first time and increases the maximum penalty for offenders to life imprisonment. The Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill was brought forward by the Scottish Government to strengthen existing criminal law against the practice, enhance the status of victims, and boost support for them. Under the proposals, prosecutors will be given guidance from the Lord Advocate setting out a presumption against prosecution of victims in cases where trafficked people have been forced into committing crime. The legislation will also commit Scottish ministers to publishing and updating a human trafficking strategy. Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said, ‘We intend to make Scotland a hostile place for traffickers and those who exploit others, and to better identify and support potential and confirmed victims’

Praise:

God for the adoption of the bill on trafficking; may Scotland be a hostile place for traffickers. (Ps.25:9)

Afghanistan – Magnifying Jesus as Lord

God is using Hazara Herald Ministries to draw Afghans and Iranians to the LORD. While their special focus is on the people of Hazaras, through the years Hazara Herald Ministries has been used of God among all the people of Afghanistan. Afghan Christian Television programmes are being used very powerfully by God's grace. Viewers can see and hear how people from all ethnic groups including Pashtoons, Hazaras, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Turkomans are giving their lives to Christ on the live shows. Missionaries are coming back to England and telling amazing testimonies of God working among the Afghans through this and other global ministries. At the moment they are asking God for more technicians to help design Christian websites.

Praise:

God for Afghan Christian radio, TV and website ministries. Thank Him for His protection over them. (Ps.145:1)

Teenage gangsters drawn to terrorism

Teenage gangsters drawn into the ‘cult’ of Islamic State are fuelling a record high in terrorism activity and arrests. Nearly 20% of terror suspects are teenagers, underlining concerns that young men previously drawn into gang crimes were instead choosing a fundamentalist path. They contributed to a rise in terrorism arrest to 338, a record in the year to the end of March. More than half were linked to Syria. The Quilliam Foundation said that radical speeches are no longer being delivered in the mosques, but they are talking Islamic extremism online and new strategies are needed to root out Muslim extremism and radicalisation amongst our young.

Pray:

for more community policing and technological breakthroughs to silence militant viewpoints. (Ps.16:11)

No to police budget cuts – they’re vital to thwart growing terrorist threats

Britain’s counter-terror chief, Mark Rowley, said he will fight for police to be kept on the beat, amid fears that budget cuts will see fewer officers gathering vital intelligence needed to thwart a growing tide of people trying to stage terrorist attacks. His comments came as he warned that hundreds of people who travelled to Syria to join Islamic State had returned to Britain, and there is a growing threat of attacks (several plots to kill were foiled recently). There are five Government counter-terrorism threat levels. They indicate the stages of security needed to protect our nation. They range from LOW - an attack is unlikely - through to SEVERE - an attack is expected imminently. The current threat level from international terrorism is SEVERE. Terrorism in the UK remains real and serious. An attack could take place at any time and any organisation could be directly or indirectly affected. See also

Pray:

for adequate police funding and powers, so that the public can go about their business without fear. (Ps.23:2)

Permission for court appeal for Christian parents

A Christian couple whose adopted children were taken into care have been granted permission for their case to be heard in full before the Court of Appeal. At the conclusion of a hearing Lady Justice Black ordered the case to proceed to a full hearing for a review as to whether the Family Court had taken the right factors into account when deciding the boys’ future, and whether they had given proper weight to the good parenting given to the children for three years prior to their forced removal. They had provided a loving home for the two boys who had come from highly traumatised backgrounds. The Christian Legal Centre said they are dealing with an increasing number of cases where children are separated from parents and because of the closed nature of the Family Court system it is difficult to expose such heartbreaking injustice. This has to change.

Pray:

for the family as they prepare for a full hearing, and that justice will be done. (Am.5:24)

Church leaders ask for review of benefit sanctions

The leaders of four Protestant denominations have written an open letter to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to review the benefit sanctions regime and to delay a decision on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system. They also urge ‘assertive international action to uphold human rights and deliver humanitarian assistance in Syria’ and ‘action to make freedom of religion a human rights priority in all aspects of foreign policy’. The open letter was signed by leaders of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. It says, ‘We hope and pray that as you make decisions about your programme for government, you will choose to offer the greatest support to those of our neighbours who are the weakest, the most vulnerable and the most in need of our help. Such policies will not always be popular, but they are necessary if we are to live out the common good.’

Pray:

for wisdom and guidance for the Government as they respond to this open letter. (2Ch.1:10)

The authority of religious leaders has fallen

A YouGov poll of 3,000 adults found that the public is interested in religious leaders, but no longer give them the authority they used to possess. To influence people and make a difference in today's world, religious leaders have to possess personal charisma and an important post. They also have to show they have triumphed over personal struggle and strife of their own. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, was found to have made the ‘best contribution’ to moral and religious life in Britain. Pope Francis was joint second with the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The British are particularly impressed by leaders who have made stands for the marginalised.

Pray:

for every expression of church to give a clear message of salvation that changes lives not just opinions. (Is.60:1&3)

Calls for ‘Olive's Law’ after suicide of UK's oldest poppy seller

The suicide of a 92 year-old Christian woman, dubbed Britain's oldest poppy seller, has prompted calls for an ‘Olive's Law’ to be introduced, to curb unsolicited phone calls from charities looking for money. According to her family and friends, Olive was driven to her death partly because she was ‘exhausted’ by the constant demands of cold calls and direct mail from charities, many of which she had supported over the years. Now the Government is being urged to take action, by introducing a so-called ‘Olive's Law’. Labour MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy, said, ‘We don't want to impede charities in their efforts to raise much-needed support, but if a law change is needed to stop vulnerable people like Olive being harassed, then so be it.’ The Institute of Fundraising Standards Committee said it will bring together representatives from across the charity sector to review the case.

Pray:

that the response to Olive's tragic death will prevent similar deaths, while not impeding honest and trustworthy requests for donations to charities. (Jas.1:27)

Irish bishops urge ‘no’ vote in gay marriage referendum

On Sunday four Irish bishops simultaneously published statements urging Catholics to vote ‘no’ in Ireland's referendum on gay marriage. They defend marriage between a man and a woman as the natural order and argue that a vote against same-sex marriage is a vote for the common good. Bishop of Killala John Fleming admits that during the past fifty years there has been a great change in the home environment in Ireland. It must be acknowledged that single parents and, in recent years, same-sex parents provide children with a loving home environment. However this does not take away from the fact that it’s the firm belief of the bishops that the traditional family environment of a father, mother and children is in fact the best environment in which to raise children, despite the fact that family life as we know it is not without its problems and difficulties.

Pray:

for the strengthening of fundamental building blocks of Irish society, particularly the unique relationship between a woman and a man in order to have and raise children. (Gen.1:27,28)

Russia: Increased fines for ‘extremist’ texts

Russian people and religious organisations charged with distributing banned ‘extremist’ texts face sharply increased fines after changes to the law this month. Confiscations of religious texts from all religions, mostly during raids or detentions, frequently result in prosecutions of people. Convictions have led to liquidation, or threats of liquidation of ministries. The possession of allegedly ‘extremist’ texts is not the only obstacle to exercising freedom of religion or belief. Communities face barriers to holding public events. Baptist pastor Pavel Pilipchuk was imprisoned for five days in mid-April for refusing to pay a fine for allegedly organising an open-air meeting for worship without informing the city administration beforehand. The increases are part of a number of legal changes proposed by the Communications Ministry in December 2014, which introduce specific charges for media outlets accused of inciting "extremism’ and harsher existing punishments for related offences. There have been 19 prosecutions so far in 2015.

Pray:

for Christians in Russia to find ways to avoid arrest and fines from the government. (Eph.5:15)

Danger from IS terrorists posing as refugees

Islamic State (IS) terrorists are being smuggled into Europe by posing as refugees trying to cross the Mediterranean. Intelligence analysts fear that would-be jihadists are exploiting the growing crisis of desperate migrants fleeing war-torn North African countries by joining them on risky boat crossings. Once ashore in countries such as Italy and Greece, there are fears that militants could evade detection by the authorities – and try to plot violent attacks. It is reported that IS commanders are also profiting from the trade in refugees making the perilous voyage by demanding half of the money taken by the traffickers. Meanwhile, British Special Forces divers are poised to launch a series of daring operations along the Libyan coastline to destroy the ships used by traffickers. The claims that IS terrorists are posing as refugees were made by a Libyan security adviser, Abdul Basit Haroun, who used to live in Britain.

Pray:

for the British Special Forces and European police to eradicate foreign fighters hiding amongst migrants. (Dan.2:21)

Iraq: Calls for volunteers to fight as more residents flee from their homes

Iraq's government has called for volunteers to fight against Islamic State and help retake the city of Ramadi. A voluntary recruitment drive was necessary to fill shortages in squads. Thousands have fled Ramadi since its capture by IS on Sunday. Officials inside the city reported, ‘burned bodies can be seen littering the streets’. More than 250 civilians and security forces have been killed in the past two days. A security analyst affirmed that a grim fate awaits the residents of Ramadi who are now in IS's grasp. ‘Anybody who supported the government will probably be executed. It will be a bloodbath in coming days.’ IS claim that ancient Christian religious relics and other faith groups promote idolatry that violates their interpretation of Islamic law. They have been destroying churches and minorities for some time in a systematic campaign to rid the region of any vestiges of other faiths. The jihadists are committing 'genocide'. See also

Pray:

for the persecuted to find safe places to live and for nations to support local ground forces. (Ps.10:14)

Sudan: Pastors on trial

Two South Sudanese pastors, Michael Yat and Peter Yen Reith, are on trial in Khartoum. They were detained by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service in December 2014 and January 2015 respectively and were charged with a range of criminal offences, including crimes against the State which are punishable by death, a life sentence or lesser detention and confiscation of property. A court hearing began on 19 May, but the prosecutor did not finish and will continue to present his evidence on 31 May. After this the defence lawyer will have an opportunity to present his case. He believes there is no real evidence against the two pastors for any of the charges. He also believes that the sole reason for the court case is the two pastors' exercise of their Christian faith. Christians in Sudan ask us to pray for God to protect the pastors and their families.

Pray:

that the next hearing will be held as scheduled, and that all officials involved will act justly. (Mic.6:8)

Iran: Sending aid to Yemen

Last month the USA sent a guided-missile cruiser towards the Arabian Sea to block a convoy of eight Iranian ships believed to be carrying arms for the rebel Houthis in Yemen (many believe Houthis receive arms from Iran). Prayer-Alert readers prayed for vital shipping lanes in the region to remain open and safe. On Thursday 21 May, an Iranian aid ship is due to be inspected by the UN in Dijbouti before being allowed to dock in Yemen. The Shahed is carrying aid and foreign activists. Its destination is the port of Hodaida in the Yemen. Saudi Arabia is worried about the increasing influence of Iran in the Middle East. Iran wields great influence in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq with the help of proxies such as Hezbollah. On Tuesday the Times of Israel reported, ‘Defying US objections, two Iranian warships joined an Iranian cargo ship carrying supplies to Yemen.’ See also

Pray:

for effective peace negotiations in Yemen to proceed, and for vital shipping lanes to remain safe.(Mt.26:52)

Burundi: On the edge of ethnic/religious conflict

Scarred from civil war, people in Burundi need to recover from years of tribal wars and loss. 70-80% live below the poverty line. Last weekend the army attempted to overthrow President Nkurunziza ahead of an election which has now been postponed. Opposition and rights groups say that Nkurunziza's bid for a third five-year term in power is against the constitution. Former rebel leader Nkurunziza, who claims to be a born-again Christian, believes he has divine backing to lead the country, arguing his first term in power did not count as he was elected by parliament, not directly by the people. Burundi has a Hutu/Tutsi divided population. Hutu rebels are loyal to the government, while the army is dominated by Tutsi (sympathetic to the opposition). Weapons and military training have been given to the ruling party's youth wing. Disagreement over a third presidential term could descend into conflict either along ethnic lines or the new military divisions. See also

Pray:

that Burundi will return to the peace of recent years. (Ps.34:14)

USA: Money sent to India in students' backpacks

Gospel For Asia (GFA) is fending off accusations of financial impropriety and putting students at risk following revelations about its way of transferring money from the US to India. The widely respected US-based mission organisation, which works in evangelism, education and community development across South Asia, was found to have been sending large amounts of cash with students and staff members on mission trips. As much as $135,000 was divided between group members in packages each containing less than $5,000, the limit above which money brought into India has to be declared at customs. US law stipulates sums greater than $10,000 either entering or leaving the country have to be declared and cannot be split among fellow travellers. One person said fear of losing it or having it stolen was a constant preoccupation. They worried they were doing something that didn't sound right, even though the leaders assured them that the practice was fine. GFA said the practice had been signed off by auditors as long as receipts were provided and there was no attempt to avoid paying appropriate taxes.

Pray:

for GFA and other charities sending donor funds abroad to be wise in all transactions. (Ps.139:23)