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TOP NEWS - Worldwide Kingdom/Revival NEWS
OpenHeaven.com Forum : TOP NEWS - Worldwide Kingdom/Revival NEWS
Subject Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide Post Reply Post New Topic
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Posted: 02/17/2016 at 3:09pm | IP Logged Quote News Room


News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide

Praise Reports - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


Obama’s declaration to the nation: ‘Jesus is a good cure for fear’

In his last National Prayer Breakfast speech while in office, President Obama spoke of how his faith overcomes his fears. ‘For me, and I know for so many of you, faith is the great cure for fear: Jesus is a good cure for fear.’ He said he is comforted by Scripture and the faith of others, and has lately focused on 2 Timothy: ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ The president said, ‘What better time in these changing and tumultuous times to have Jesus standing beside us, steadying our minds, cleansing our hearts and pointing us towards what matters!’ Hollywood power couple Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, the other keynote speakers, said that with God’s help our world can heal some of the hurts that wound us and the confusion that divides us, but it begins with us.

Praise:

God for biblical proclamations and declarations to the nation from the White House. (1Ch.16:24)

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Incredible divine moments

‘Jesus' presence was stronger than I have ever felt, in that little dirty room. There were about 25 people in there, and Jesus' presence was stronger than any conference, any prayer room or camp-high moment. Jesus was there in the middle of the desert, in Iraq, in the dirt, with Muslims. He is attracted to the broken-hearted, the contrite, the desperate. The King of Heaven was right there with the poor in spirit.’ Tyler Connell is with the Ekballo Project and has been touring college campuses around the USA, sharing stories and videos from his most recent trip to the Middle East, where he documented a dramatic move of God among Muslims, particularly refugees. Back in the States, when speaking on college campuses, he saw the presence of Jesus break in and touch students, with bodies healed, people saved, and people giving their lives to serve in the mission field.

Praise:

God for His Spirit visiting colleges and refugees - saving, healing and delivering the unreached. (Ps.105:1)

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British Isles and Ireland - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


‘Safe Haven’ for Muslim-background believers

Last November, Christian Concern launched an initiative to protect those in the UK wanting to leave Islam but fearing the consequences. ‘Safe Haven’ (SH) was set up in response to the brutal treatment of some who have left Islam and become Christians, offering confidential advice and support and even help for individuals to relocate. This week an advertising campaign to raise support and funding has been launched to create a national network of safe-houses for Christians who’ve converted from a Muslim background and are living under threat of violence for freely choosing to follow Jesus. SH does this mainly by connecting victims with those who can provide a safe place to stay - a secure and loving home away from the hostility. It acts as a go-between, bringing together those in need with those offering help. SH needs more individuals who can provide help: it is keenly aware of the need for anonymity in these kinds of situations, and maintains strict confidentiality in all its dealings with both victims and helpers. It also needs more funding to support this growing need. See also

Pray:

for successful networking between those wishing to support and protect Muslim converts. (Heb.10:24, 25a)

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Pressures on junior doctors

The Rt Revd Peter Forster, Bishop of Chester, said the Government's proposed changes to junior doctors' contracts are a good thing, but the Government has gone about implementing the changes the wrong way, particularly given the amount of stress medics are under. He was speaking as junior doctors walked out for a second time in less than four weeks over the potential changes to pay and conditions. Bishop Peter said, ‘It isn't just the hours. It's the way they oscillate from days to nights to unsocial hours, sometimes ten, twelve hours at a go, maybe with relatively few senior doctors in the hospital overnight. People who work in that sort of way need handling with considerable care and quite frankly kid gloves. I think the Government tried to make well-meaning changes thinking that the argument was on their side, without properly stopping to take people along with them.’ Since he spoke, the Government has decided to impose its proposals on the junior doctors, which is likely to cause even more aggravation.

Pray:

for a just and fair resolution to this dispute. (Mt.7:2,3)

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The effects on Christians of Government’s counter-extremism strategy

Last year Christian Concern took a look at the Government’s counter-extremism strategy, and identified a number of worrying implications for Christian freedom. They commented, ‘Although we need to recognise that the government is trying to address a serious problem, the strategy in its current form is not the best way to proceed. This is because the policy threatens the freedom of the innocent, and will not be as effective as it should be in tackling the real problem.’ Christian Concern has begun a campaign to raise more awareness that Christian freedoms are under threat if the strategy isn’t amended, saying, ‘The only way that the guidelines will be amended is if Christians speak out and make the Government aware of the problems.’ See also the article below, about Ofsted as a regulator of religion.

Pray:

for God to provide wisdom to politicians who know Him in the government, enabling them to prepare the way for necessary changes. (Ps.37:30)

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Long-distance admissions for psychiatric patients must end

The phasing out of unacceptable long-distance admissions for severely mentally ill patients and quicker access to acute psychiatric care are two key recommendations for improving services in England. The Independent Commission on Acute Adult Psychiatric Care was set up by the Royal College of Psychiatrists last January, in response to growing concern about the provision of acute in-patient psychiatric beds across the country. It found that access to acute care for severely ill mental health patients is ‘inadequate nationally’ and in some cases ‘potentially dangerous’. This is especially because there are ‘major problems’ both in admissions to psychiatric wards and in the provision of alternative care and treatment in the community. Five hundred mentally ill people have been admitted to hospitals over 50km away, largely because of no acute in-patient beds or suitable alternatives in their home area. Pray for an end to inequalities of care, hospital bed-blocking, and inadequate residential provision.

Pray:

for families and friends who do not have the time or finances for regular visits; and for the isolated, confused and depressed patients, experiencing confinement and needing regular contact with familiar faces. (Ps.10:1,12)

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Ofsted to become a national regulator of religion?

Christians in the UK are concerned that a Government proposal to curb Islamic extremism will affect religious liberty for churches. Prime Minister David Cameron announced a five-year plan last year to weed out growing Islamic extremism among Muslim youth. However, many fear the unclear language in the plan may allow the government to target Christian Sunday schools and youth groups. The proposal comes two years after the British government investigated reports that radical Muslims plotted to overtake and radicalise the Birmingham public school system. The government responded to the threat by mandating that the education curriculum must incorporate the British values of ‘democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.’ According to an article in Christianity Today, the Evangelical Alliance called the plan to monitor education of religious youth a ‘fundamental threat to religious liberty.’ The proposal requires all religious groups and institutions to register their children’s activities and allow government officials to visit for inspection if they meet for six hours or more a week.

Pray:

for the Evangelical Alliance as they voice concerns on children’s education while addressing the rise of radical Islam. (Pr.1:3)

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Twelve men sentenced for sexual exploitation of teenager

Eleven men were convicted of rape and a twelfth of sexual activity in a trial in Bradford. The victim was aged thirteen when she was first raped and abused repeatedly by the men. Mr Justice Thomas QC told them, ‘The attitudes that you demonstrated to these proceedings have been contemptuous, disrespectful and arrogant on a scale I have hardly seen in many years of criminal law practice.’ Some say that the fact that the victim was white and non-Muslim was a factor in her abuse; the ringleader of the rapists saw her as ‘a little white slag.’ That label would probably go some way to buying the Muslim community’s silence regarding the gang’s actions. Rather than risk the wrath of their fellow-Muslims and being reported to the police for abusing a Muslim girl, the victim’s race and religion was of significance in them choosing her.

Pray:

for God to strengthen those experiencing abuse, so that they can speak out and be heard. (Ps.18:17,18)

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Fairtrade Easter eggs

Boys as young as ten are trafficked to perform the back-breaking and hazardous job of harvesting cocoa beans in West Africa. These beans are turned into the chocolate that we buy from local supermarkets. As Easter approaches, millions of chocolate Easter eggs will be sold which may have been made with cocoa beans picked by a trafficked child. Supermarkets have enormous buying power and influence, and STOP THE TRAFFIK are asking them to help end the trafficking of children by stocking more certified chocolate eggs - those stamped with the Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ Certified mark. This certification shows that the chocolate has been made in monitored conditions that aim to prevent the trafficking of children. STOP THE TRAFFIK are asking us to visit local supermarkets and then report back in an online questionnaire what kind of Fairtrade Easter eggs they have in stock.

Pray:

for many to complete this survey, and for this year’s STOP THE TRAFFIK campaign to surpass the successes of previous drives to eliminate slave child labour. (Ps.72:12)

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Europe - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


Slovak PM says EU will either control migration this year or collapse

The prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, says, ‘Overlooking tension, nervousness and fear that the EU does not have a real solution to the migration crisis while the migration wave continues could have catastrophic consequences. 2016 will be the year when the EU will either get the migration crisis under control or collapse.’ Tackling the flow of refugees is prominent in his campaign for Slovakia's 5 March parliamentary election. He argues for strengthening EU border protection, and has filed a lawsuit against EU decisions to redistribute 160,000 asylum seekers among member countries. His immigration stance resonates with the country’s 5.4 million Catholic voters. Fico's statements come ahead of next week's Visegrad meeting of central European countries. The Visegrad Group is an alliance of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia which aims to further their European integration and to advance military, economic and energy cooperation. The group has taken a tough stance on migration, and is at odds with EU neighbours over how to deal with the influx of over one million migrants last year.

Pray:

for the leaders of these countries to be blessed with the wisdom and compassion to meet the current situation head on with workable solutions. (Job 6:24)

More:

Attacks, epidemics and migrants redraw tourism map

The world's tourism map is being redrawn as holiday-makers switch preferences, prompted by terror attacks and migrant crises in some European countries. Euromonitor research said they expect countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain to benefit considerably from the situation, offering similar weather and security. However, the sudden surge in demand is leading to higher prices in these destinations. ‘Hotel owners tell clients, “Instead of charging 50 euros per double room, I'm going to charge 55. Take it or leave it: if you don't want it, others will”', said Olivier Petit at the ‘In Extenso’ firm. The migrant crisis has also taken a heavy toll on Greek islands, once a very safe bet for operators, but where masses of refugees have landed, scaring tourists. ‘The Greek islands, especially Kos, have been severely damaged, as holiday-makers feel uneasy about the situation,’ according to Euromonitor’s data.

Pray:

for God to show Greece and other countries that rely on tourism creative ways to revive their economies. (Ps.32:8)

More:


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Worldwide - CLICK to return to Top of Bulletin


DR Congo: suffering but awaiting a new beginning

At least fifteen people were killed in clashes between armed groups as ethnic tensions broke out in the village of Mukeberwa in North Kivu province. Clashes then erupted between the assailants and the Hutu rebels of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR, who control the village. A UN peace-keeping mission has reported rises in inter-ethnic tensions since January. Meanwhile Prayercast report that Christianity has multiplied and evangelicals have increased ten-fold since 1960, fruit of the many martyrs who gave their lives for Christ in 1964. Their blood has truly been the seed of the Church. However, deep demonic strongholds still hold DR Congo in bondage. Untold horrors, civil wars, killings, tribalism, corruption, rape, cannibalism, witchcraft, and occult practices hold many captive to fear and the forces of evil. The Church largely lacks a true understanding of the Gospel. See also

Pray:

for this shattered and wounded nation to be granted a new beginning through Jesus Christ. (Jn.1:4)

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Afghanistan: prayer request from a missionary

‘Workers arriving in the country need to fly onwards; however, our aviation organisation’s licence has been withdrawn. Air travel is crucial for working in remote areas. There are people studying the local languages who need to enter the country, so please pray for the difficult visa situation. Pray for brothers from the neighbouring country who visit believers in the mountain region, where the security is not good. We are thankful for a good start to our medical project in the west. Pray for wisdom to carry out projects in a skilful way, building relationships with those to whom we reach out. A brother visited a group in the north and was amazed how many believers were present. Please pray for a defence minister, as no-one has yet been appointed. There is still much T*ban fighting: they destroyed a major power line, so the capital only has electricity during the night for a few hours.’ For information on the struggling government, click the ‘more’ link.

Pray:

for safety and protection for our teams, other foreigners working in the country, and high government officials and police who are often targets. May local brothers and sisters continue to grow in their faith. (Ps.18:6)

More:

Church stance on contraception in face of Zika virus

The Catholic Church is under growing pressure to relax its ban on artificial contraception as women in some Latin American countries have been advised not to get pregnant for up to two years amid fears over the Zika virus. The official Catholic view is that artificial birth control is forbidden under any circumstances, even to help prevent HIV infection. Church leaders who have spoken out have reaffirmed the catechism teaching that contraception is evil. Father Luciano Brito, spokesman for the area most severely affected, said that Catholics should avoid using birth control, regardless of Zika. A bioethicist and priest at Boston College said, ‘I've never seen this advice before, and when you hear it, you think, “What are the bishops going to do?”’ Pray for adolescents, poor women, and those living in rural areas, who are most likely to be exposed to the virus.

Pray:

for the bishops as they attempt to sort out this challenge and thread a fine theological needle. Pray for the protection of the 1.2 billion Catholics living in Latin America. (Ps.31:3)

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Syria: displaced people struggle to survive

In a town east of Damascus, now under regime control, a stream of filthy water runs in the street and children refer to it sarcastically as ‘the river’. An unfinished building houses 25 families displaced by the war. A chill blows through cracks in the walls, dim light enters the windows. They get three hours of electricity a day and have mouse-traps everywhere against rodent infestation. ‘We used to live in dignity in our own houses. Now we're chasing charities.’ Meanwhile 35,000 people fled a government offensive in Aleppo last week. They hoped to enter Turkey at the Kilis border region. But Turkey closed the border despite appeals by EU leaders to allow access. Turkey already shelters over 2.5 million refugees and is trying to achieve a balancing act between providing sanctuary to Syrians and reducing the numbers of refugees travelling to Europe. Deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus said, ‘Turkey has reached its capacity to absorb refugees.’ See also

Pray:

for the families living in poverty, needing healing of heart and soul, and salvation through Jesus. Also for the thousands experiencing extreme loneliness, fear and desperation. (Ps.3:1, 5)

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Burkina Faso: Christian surgeon remains captive, wife is released

An Australian Christian missionary was freed after she and her husband were kidnapped last month in Burkina Faso. Jocelyn and Ken Elliott, both in their 80s, have run a hospital for forty years there, meeting physical needs with the ultimate aim of showing the love of God to everyone. They were abducted by an al-Qaeda-linked group three weeks ago, and held in neighbouring Niger. Mrs Elliott was freed following mediation by the president of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou. He said that efforts to release her surgeon husband were being intensified. A statement released to Al-Jazeera by al-Qaeda said the woman had been released because of guidance from its leaders ‘not to involve women in war’.

Pray:

for the success of the ongoing negotiations for Ken’s release and peace of mind for all involved. (Ps.70:5)

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Israel: mother apologises to guard stabbed by her daughter

The mother of a thirteen-year-old Israeli Arab girl who stabbed a security guard issued an impassioned apology, praising the guard for not opening fire on her and said she hoped all Israel would soon find peace. She had no idea her daughter was planning a terror attack, or where she got the knife from. The student and a friend in the mixed Jewish-Arab town of Ramle pulled kitchen knives out of their clothing and stabbed the guard in the leg and hand, saying the attack was ‘revenge for the situation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque,’ and in protest against Israel ‘killing Palestinians.’ The stabbing was the latest in a series of attacks (killing 31 Israelis) carried out mainly by Palestinians, and a handful of Israeli Arabs, over several months. Some of the attackers have been young teens. On Wednesday, Palestinians opened fire on a group of policemen, killing one and seriously wounding another.

Pray:

for Israel and the Palestinians to find peace soon.(Nu.6:24-26)

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Turkey: Christians’ challenges last year

The Association of Turkish Protestant Churches released its annual report summarising human rights violations and the challenges faced by Christians in 2015. The numerous cases of threats made to pastors and churches by radical Islamists make for disturbing reading. Misleading newspaper reports warning Muslims of Christian missionary activities also surfaced again, and school religious education textbooks continue to portray Christian missionaries as a national threat. Escalated violence between Turkish forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is affecting the small number of Christians who live in the Kurdish South, home to Syrian Christians with roots in the first centuries of Christianity. A 1,700-year-old Syrian Orthodox church in Diyarbakir was damaged in crossfire, and the priest and his family were forced to leave. Media outlets falsely claimed police found PKK weapons in the church. Pastors from across the country travelled to Diyarbakir to meet local government officers, and called on all participants to seek peace.

Pray:

for Protestant pastors and missionaries to be protected and encouraged in 2016. (Jdg.18:6)

More:

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