From Peru to Paris: people defending the right of life from conception

Latin American nations have been under an unremitting assault from international abortion activists, with some allies in top positions of political parties. But last Saturday, Peruvian pro-lifers took to the streets of Lima to defend the right to life of all persons from conception to natural death, with 750,000+ people Marching for Life. The Archbishop of Lima said, ‘This march has brought together the greatest number of citizens ever in Peru's history, all of them united by one mission, to defend the paramount right to life.’ Also on Saturday a new European pro-life initiative attracted 1,200 EU participants for the public launch of the ‘One of Us’ event in Paris. All of the 28 countries of the European Union were represented as well as 31 national organisations, plus ministers and politicians who want to break with Europe’s continual slide towards the culture of death. See also

Praise:

God for a groundswell of people across continents rejecting abortion in the public arena. (Ps.127:3)

India: 564 slaves rescued

A rescue operation by Indian police and International Justice Mission (IJM) saved 564 women, children and men from forced labour at a massive brick kiln. This is IJM’s largest anti-slavery operation ever. It took place in the same factory where they rescued 500+ slaves in 2011. On that occasion the kiln owner walked free on bail; this time, police arrested him and five others from an organised trafficking network. They will face charges under India’s anti-trafficking laws and Bonded Labour Act. The operation highlights a critical need in the fight against slavery. Workers live in tin-roofed rooms or tattered tents, and receive an allowance that barely buys the lowest-quality rice. Many don’t eat for days at a time. They mould, stack and haul heavy bricks for hours on end, suffering verbal and physical abuse. If criminals remain free, the violence will continue. But if laws are enforced and traffickers go to jail, we can end slavery for good.

Praise:

God for this success, and ask Him to protect and anoint IJM workers as they fight injustice. (Lk. 4:18)

‘Great wave of prayer’ for evangelism at Pentecost

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting all churches to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday. They have written to every serving parish priest, expressing their longing ‘to see a great wave of prayer across our land, throughout the Church of England and many other churches from 8 to15 May. The week will culminate in ‘beacon events’ around the country over Pentecost weekend, with people praying for Holy Spirit renewal and confidence to share their faith. At the heart of the prayers will be ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done.’ It’s impossible to overstate the life-transforming power of the Lord’s Prayer. The Archbishops are suggesting ways in which churches can engage with the initiative. These include holding a day or week of continuous ‘24/7’ prayer as parishes, teams or deaneries, saying special prayers in Sunday worship, prayer walking, and handing out prayer cards to congregation members. See also

Pray:

for every inch of our land to be bathed in prayer, and for an awakening to come to the British Isles for both the salvation of individuals and the transformation of society. (Lk.11:9, 10)

Britain in the EU and the migrant situation

The European Union was birthed to foster cooperation between countries to avoid another war. It has grown into a ‘single market’ for goods and people to move around as if the EU was a country with its own currency, its own parliament and setting rules on the environment, transport, consumer rights and things like mobile phone charges. Mr Cameron’s package of changes to the UK's EU membership will take effect immediately if we vote to remain in the EU. Changes include child benefit payments to migrant workers for children living overseas to reflect the cost of living in their home countries. Mr Cameron originally wanted a complete ban on migrants sending child benefit abroad but had to compromise. Other changes are to deny free movement rights to nationals of a country outside the EU who marry an EU national, to tackle ‘sham’ marriages, and to have new powers to exclude people believed to be a security risk - even if they have no previous convictions.

Pray:

for the Government not to confuse refugees with economic migrants. Pray that whatever the referendum outcome, poor vulnerable refugees living amongst us will be cared for. (Heb.13:1, 2)

Damning report - C of E's failure to act on abuse

The Church of England is to make far-reaching changes to the way it deals with cases of sex abuse, following an independent report detailing how senior C of E figures failed to act upon repeated disclosures of a sadistic assault by a cleric. The first independent review commissioned by the Church into its handling of a sex abuse case highlights the ‘deeply disturbing’ failure of those in senior positions to record or take action on the survivor’s disclosures over a period of almost four decades. The Church acknowledged that the report made ‘embarrassing and uncomfortable’ reading. Last October, the C of E paid £35,000 in compensation and apologised to the victim. Now a government-appointed inquiry into child sex abuse prepares to examine hundreds of thousands of files relating to the abuse of children and vulnerable adults within the Church. Justin Welby has said that abuse by Church figures and within other institutions has been ‘rampant’.

Pray:

for the Church to prioritise pastoral responsibilities above all other considerations, and for Justin Welby as he makes a personal commitment to implementing recommendations swiftly. (Ps.72:4)

Economic justice

A bill introduced on 15 March by MP Caroline Flint, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, has proposed that companies should have to file new-style financial reports with Companies House so that their global tax records are publicly available to all. ‘After years of tax scandals, the Chancellor has recognised that these company reports should be made public,’ said Toby Quantrill, a principal adviser on economic justice. If he did this, George Osborne would have cross-party support as well as the knowledge that he will be helping the UK and other countries to collect their fair share of tax from giant companies. Allowing politicians, investors, journalists, academics, campaigners, and fellow taxpayers to see multinationals’ country-by-country reports would pressurise companies to pay their fair share of tax in all the countries where they operate. Christian Aid joined more than thirty MPs in supporting this bill.

Pray:

for tax transparency and for full public country-by-country reporting in the UK; also for the Government to ensure that this reporting is implemented. (Ecc.5:10)

Praying for Jehovah’s Witnesses

A knock on the door and an inconvenient visit are often our only encounters with Jehovah's Witnesses, but Jesus loves them deeply and unconditionally. Do we love them too? Though they identify themselves as ‘Christian,’ Witnesses are captive to many false teachings. For example, they deny the Trinity and the physical resurrection of Jesus, and base all doctrine on the Watchtower Society and the New World Translation of the Bible (not a scholarly or accurate translation). They teach that 144,000 will go to heaven to rule the earth, and those who remain will be resurrected to paradise on earth. They believe eternal life is based on their morality and faithfulness in witnessing to their beliefs. Many are increasingly being awakened to the Witnesses' control over their lives and eyes are being opened to doctrinal inconsistencies. However, embracing the Biblical Jesus and leaving the Witnesses results in a painful shunning from all community and family.

Pray:

for God to deliver Jehovah’s Witnesses from the clutches of intimidation, fear, and lies. (Mt.7:21)

Affordable accommodation needs

The organisation Housing Justice is the national voice of Christian action in the field of housing and homelessness. They believe that human dignity is challenged by the lack of decent housing; so they support night shelters, drop-ins, and hundreds of practical projects nationwide by providing advice and training for churches and other community groups who work with homeless people. They provide a range of supportive forums to ensure that people feel free to express their views in a positive environment and that their opinions are heard. They work to unite Christians and churches of all denominations across the country to work for change and embrace partnerships with people of all faiths (and none) who share our values of social justice and compassion.

Pray:

for God to work through Social Services organisations, various Christian organisations and all who support and speak out for the homeless, and for those on long council lists without hope. (Ac.20:35b)

Nursery 'raised fears of radicalisation over boy's cucumber drawing'

Staff at a nursery school threatened to refer a four-year-old boy to a de-radicalisation programme after he drew pictures which they thought showed his father making a ‘cooker bomb’. The child’s drawing actually depicted his father cutting a cucumber with a knife, but staff misheard his explanation and thought it referred to a type of improvised explosive device. The boy’s mother showed the Guardian video footage of her son in which he is playing happily on the floor of his home and is shown a cucumber and asked what it is. ‘A cuker-bum,’ he says, before going back to his toys. In between the odd tear and laugh of disbelief, the mother spoke about the experience. At one point she was told, ‘Your children might not be taken off you - you can prove yourself innocent.’ In another exchange with nursery staff, she added, ‘When you look at me, do I look like a terrorist?’ The reply was, ‘Well, did Jimmy Savile look like a paedophile?’

Pray:

for a balanced response to terrorism suspicions and threats, and for God to give the Church a voice to speak out and pray against the fear that terrorism appears to be causing in the land. (Is.41:10)

Refugees - terrible statistics

13.5 million Syrians (including six million children) will be displaced in 2016, according to the Syria Humanitarian Response Plan. Less than 20% of Syrian refugees seek safety in Europe. 3.6 million Syrians registered by UNHCR are in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey. In 2015 Germany officially saw one million people, from all nations, arrive in the country as asylum seekers. In November alone, 200,000+ people were added to the list, smashing all forecasts. 218,394 were registered in Greece by October 2015, with an average of 6,604 refugees arriving each day in Macedonia. 3,485 refugees have drowned or have gone missing in the past year. The oldest refugee passing through Macedonia was a 105-year-old woman from Afghanistan: the youngest was a 20-day-old infant. 51.2% of all refugees are children younger than 18 years of age, and 50.3% are women. $4,319 billion is required to assist the refugees right now.

Pray:

for the Lord to use the terrible situations across the region to bring many thousands to Christ, and for God to expand the hearts of His people and nurture a revived Church working among refugees. (Col.3:12)

Russia and Ukraine discuss prisoner transfers

Ukraine has asked Russia to repatriate several high-profile prisoners, raising hopes for an exchange that could free controversial detainees caught up in the confrontation between the two countries. The two countries are separately considering appeals from thirteen Russians jailed in Ukraine to serve out their sentences in their home country. The ministry said it would take thirty days to consider the Ukrainian request, and that any repatriation would be carried out under the 1983 convention on the transfer of sentenced prisoners. Four Ukrainian men were jailed in Russia last year on what critics say were fabricated charges of terrorism designed to punish them for being pro-Ukrainian activists.

Pray:

for God to cause these neighbouring countries to behave positively towards each other, and for their decisions to produce encouraging results in the region. (Mk.12:31)

Threats to Israel on border with Syria

A senior Israeli Defence Forces official warned: ‘The relative quiet on Israel’s Syrian border can be shattered by Hezbollah, IS, or another fringe jihadist group making a statement about its dedication to fight against Israel’. The Syrian threat is not only intentional attacks, but also spillover from the rebel infighting and battles against Assad’s forces. The immediate threat comes from jihadi organisations that are less interested in capturing territory and more interested in either anti-Israel ideology or a desire to please Iran by carrying out attacks against the Jewish state. Ask God to protect Israel from the al-Nusra organisation, which has a few tanks and some light machinery and is known to have ties with al-Qaeda, who are devoted to the destruction of Israel. Also, Hezbollah has a presence in Hader (Assad-controlled territory). It’s a prime base of operations as there is less for the IDF to destroy in retaliation for an attack.

Pray:

for God to protect Israel’s borders and for Israel to keep its cool in the face of accidental spillover, while maintaining its vigilance against deliberate attacks. (Is. 62:6)

Yemen: attack on Catholic care home

Yemen's civil war has split the country in two, with ongoing warfare and humanitarian needs. Shiite rebels control the north. The south is controlled by a government backed by Saudi Arabia. There is a power and security vacuum: lawlessness and extremist groups such as al-Qaeda prevail. Christians need our prayers. Last Friday a care home in Aden for eighty elderly and disabled, run by the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity and founded by Mother Teresa, was attacked. At least sixteen were killed. The dead include four missionary sisters (two from Rwanda, one from India and one from Kenya) and several of their helpers (including at least five from Ethiopia). No members of the community they served were harmed. There is concern for the safety of an Indian priest, whose whereabouts are unknown. Pray that families, friends and colleagues of those murdered will know the comfort of Jesus.

Pray:

for Christians in Yemen to have God’s protection and the Spirit's guidance in every aspect of their life and witness, and for peace and justice to be restored in the country. (Php.4:7)

Russia: world summit in defence of persecuted Christians

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and the Russian Orthodox Church are planning an October summit in Moscow on religious persecution. The summit will shine a global light on persecuted Christians and draw attention to this crisis. Delegates from around the world will be able to join hands with people of other churches and denominations to pray for their brothers and sisters in Christ. They will hear firsthand reports of the suffering that is taking place. Also, earlier this week, a new 280-page report chronicling the persecution of Christians by IS was submitted to the US state department, proving that there is enough irrefutable evidence for the agency to designate IS atrocities against Christians as ‘genocide.’

Pray:

for the preparation and promotion of this Christian summit and for more similar events raising the profile of the needs of persecuted Christians across the nations. (Heb.13:3)

Turkey: ministry and missionaries

Multi-lingual missionaries know persecution but continue to distribute tracts and share the gospel with Turkish, Iranian and Iraqi people groups using materials in Farsi, Arabic, Turkish and other languages. People in the villages are very receptive and open to the gospel. Once word gets out that missionaries are in a village the authorities come and stop their ministry, so they go in and out in less than one day, then wait for another opportune time to visit. Cities are more open. Authorities have a hard time controlling missionaries. They go door-to-door, giving out 12,000 evangelistic tracts, New Testaments, and other materials every month. New believers are formed into small groups. This organisation and other similar ones need translators for unreached people groups, funding for laptops (internet cafes are not safe), vehicles (they travel miles in their work), and most of all God’s anointing, direction and protection.

Pray:

for Turkish, Iranian and Iraqi people to travel their countries with the gospel. (Mt.28:18-20)

North Korea’s fifth nuclear test

It was reported today that North Korea has test-fired two ballistic missiles, the fifth time it has done so. This was in defiance of the sanctions resolution which the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted this month against the country. A panel of experts found ‘serious questions about the efficacy of the current United Nations sanctions regime’, said the Arms Control Association. The most recent Security Council resolution addresses deficiencies in sanctions by providing states with new tools and expanded authority to enforce limitation measures more effectively. This could help curb North Korea’s access to dual-use materials and technologies. On 31 March leaders of more than fifty nations will gather for the fourth and final nuclear security summit. See also

Pray:

for diplomatic negotiations and new commitments to improve global nuclear security protocols. (Ps.4:8)

Australia: we can do better than ‘Seven Year Switch’

In television’s ever-growing quest for shock-driven ratings, Channel 7 has stooped to a new low with its ‘Seven Year Switch’ offering. Australian Christian Lobby managing director Lyle Shelton said a programme glamourising partner-swapping and disloyalty did not present a vision of flourishing human relationships conducive to building a civil society. ‘Channel 7 really should ask itself if this presents a vision of human dignity or is just crass voyeurism. Many marriages and relationships have produced children by seven years. Is glamourising partner-swapping really a good idea for the individuals and children who may be involved?’ Mr Shelton said that the programme plumbed a new low of so-called reality television. He urged shareholders to express concerns to management: complaints could be lodged online, on the Channel 7 Facebook page, or on twitter @Channel7.

Pray:

for the Australian Christian Lobby to succeed in having this programme removed. (Heb.13:4)

Iraq: IS dig countless tunnels under captured cities

Kurdish forces recapturing cities from Islamic State in Iraqi Kurdistan have discovered incredible tunnel networks which jihadists use as escape routes. In the Yazidi city of Sinjar, seventy tunnels have already been discovered. The narrow tunnels, less than a metre wide, could be as deep as nine metres under the surface. They are equipped with electric lighting and basic amenities. Some are fortified underground command and communication centres, some are rigged with explosives. A news correspondent travelled to Al Anbar province and flew over abandoned IS positions near Fallujah, where they filmed entrances to some of the IS tunnels. There are tunnels running all across this region. In some areas the infrastructure has been made unsafe by them.

Pray:

for the tunnels to be exposed. Pray for the areas where the infrastructure is unsafe. (Ps.12:5)