A compassionate judge shows God’s love

District Court Judge Lou Olivera presides over a treatment court for veterans with mental health issues in North Carolina. Sergeant Joseph Serna had been through a lot and earned three Purple Hearts, but suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He recently came to Judge Olivera’s court charged with driving ‘under the influence’, even though he has fought to stay sober. He confessed to Olivera that he had lied about a recent urine test. In response Olivera sentenced Serna to one day in jail, drove him to the jail, and spent the 24-hour sentence with him. ‘When Joe first came to turn himself in, he was trembling,’ Olivera said. ‘I decided that I’d spend the night serving with him.’ As Serna sat down on the cot in his cell, the door rattled open again and Olivera came in and sat down beside him. Serna said, ‘Are you here for the entire time with me?’ He replied, ‘Yeah, that’s what I am doing.'

Praise:

God for the work of those in authority giving compassion to the vulnerable. (Mt.25:35,36)

The Holy Spirit touches soldiers on front line

‘I was with my family, whom I hadn't seen in 13 weeks, and was soon to graduate from the Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego, California, when a man walked up and thanked me for helping his son return to the Lord. While in the service, I found myself witnessing in many non-traditional forms. I led a prayer group at boot camp and marched recruits to chapel services, all as a previously burned-out youth pastor with plans to become a chaplain. Later, while I was training for deployment to Iraq as a field radio operator, a close friend of mine gave me the call sign “Preach”, which stuck. The call sign was a term of endearment as well as a fresh reminder of God's call on my life. I was amazed to experience first-hand the fulfilment of the prophecies in Joel 2:28-29 and Acts 2:17-19. Wherever I went, I witnessed God speaking to men and women in uniform. He even spoke in dreams to fellow infantrymen while they were on training operations in the field leading up to deployment.’

Praise:

God for those who spread His light while surrounded by combat darkness and hatred. (Jn.1:5)

CofE’s prayer for the EU referendum

The Church of England has released a prayer intended to be used by churches and individuals ahead of the EU referendum vote on 23 June. The text of the prayer is: ‘God of truth, give us grace to debate the issues in this referendum with honesty and openness. Give generosity to those who seek to form opinion and discernment to those who vote, that our nation may prosper and that with all the peoples of Europe we may work for peace and the common good; for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.’

Pray:

for us all to pray with integrity as we seek the wisdom of God. (Ps.43:3a)

‘Reality check’ - the EU referendum

The media are quoting our politicians as they blitz the public with claims and counterclaims of why we should vote this way or that way in the EU referendum. The British public are fairly evenly split, according to the latest opinion polls. Many of the debates have been borderline self-justification by individuals rather than practical, honest arguments. We can pray for those on both sides of the debate to improve dramatically the quality of their discussions, resist the temptation to exaggerate statistics, and give strong factual arguments, not suppositions, to back up their advice. We can also ask God to help the nation to be led by the Holy Spirit to discern the difference between career-driven political views and opinions based on solid research and facts. The BBC has provided an easy to understand guide to the referendum debate and honest answers to some questions. This can be found by clicking the ‘More’ link. The World Prayer Centre, Birmingham has compiled some links to helpful resources here

Pray:

for the electorate not to flounder under politicians’ pressure but rather reflect on the moral and spiritual battle for the United Kingdom. (Ps.143:10)

Hillsborough - truth revealed, now for justice

Churches on Merseyside have been holding vigils for the football tragedy at Hillsborough for 27 years. This week a report exonerated the fans: now justice is needed. The following prayer is from the Baptist Times: ‘God of justice and peace, help us to hold fast to the dignity restored through the Hillsborough report. Truth, unwrapped from deception, has paved the way for justice and peace to be found. Give us grace to walk on with dignity, and help us to live lives that bear testimony to our true character that has now been acknowledged. Grant diligence and courage to those who must now take forward the cause of justice, and patience to those who long for its coming. Bless this ongoing and noble pursuit, and thwart any plan to stand in its way. Bless the waiting and the hopes of the families, survivors, supporters and all who feel the pain of these events. Bless those whose endeavours may indeed bear the fruit of justice. Bless our city and those throughout the world who suffer injustice.’

Pray:

for ongoing investigations to have renewed commitment to oppose corruption in its every form. (Ps.14:5b,6)

Government avoids defeat over child refugees

On Monday the Government crushed a cross-party amendment, tabled by Lord Alf Dubs, to the immigration bill that would have seen the UK accept 3,000 child refugees from Europe. The Government recently announced that it would take in an extra 3,000 child refugees from the Middle East over the next four years, but not those from Europe, saying such a policy would encourage more. The Christian charity Home for Good said, ‘We are very disappointed that Parliament voted against the amendment that would have allowed 3,000 unaccompanied refugee children currently in Europe to be brought into the UK. This crisis has not gone away, and there are still many children in need of loving homes. Last year 3,000 children arrived unaccompanied into the UK and claimed asylum. These children desperately need homes and people to care for them.’ See also

Pray:

for Home for Good and similar organisations to continue to pursue this compassionate step. (Dt.10:18)

Wave of prayer from 8 to 15 May

Last month we reported that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting churches to pray for the evangelisation of the nation during the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday. They called on every serving parish priest to participate in a great wave of prayer across our land from 8 to 15 May. The World Prayer Centre now reports, ‘There are very encouraging stories about how many individuals, churches and cathedrals are planning to respond to the archbishops’ call for prayer.’ Partners in this prayer initiative include 24-7 Prayer, HOPE, the World Prayer Centre, the Neighbourhood Prayer Network, and the National Day of Prayer and Worship. Let us pray for a real release of a spirit of prayer and mission to flow across our lands. See all resources here

Pray:

for millions to know the renewal of the Holy Spirit and increased confidence in sharing their faith. (Jn.14:26)

Who is to blame for the junior doctors' strike?

This week 45,000 junior doctors took part in the first all-out strike in the history of the NHS. Junior doctors and Telegraph readers on both sides of the debate shared their views in the Telegraph newspaper. There were many interesting submissions. Some key themes were: –people feel used, burned out, ill-treated and are showing it; some patients and even some senior doctors are even angrier. –polls show there is an even split between those in favour and those who think it is dangerous, arrogant, and wrong. –it's not clear how this contract will actually help the seven-day NHS come into being. Certainly it isn't enough on its own. Instead, it may merely be a way of cutting costs. –it’s not clear how the new contract will endanger patient safety, or lead to doctors being more tired than they are now, even though many doctors say this.

Pray:

for both sides in this dispute to see more clearly any potential undesirable consequences of their arguments and agree on a way forward that is workable for all. (Amos 3:3,4a)

Imams promoting Islamic extremism

Christian Concern's Director of Islamic Affairs reported that prison imams are distributing extremist literature to prisoners. This follows various recent reports of radicalisation from hard-line Islamists in a number of UK prisons. He emphasised the need for major changes to prevent imams from routinely distributing extremist pamphlets and CDs which encourage the murder of apostates and ‘contempt for basic British values’, which are freely available at more than ten prisons. There are around 200 full-time and part-time Muslim chaplains working in jails; 70% of them were taught at Deobandi institutions (a branch of Islam with known links to extremism). 80% of all British imams are Deobandi-trained, and over 40% of British mosques Deobandi-controlled.

Pray:

for better discernment and understanding of Islam by prison authorities, an overhaul of the Muslim prison chaplaincy system, and for Christian chaplains to see a revival in our prisons. (Jn.8:32)

German intercessors praying for UK

Germany’s intercessors are taking an interest in the UK referendum. Their May prayer letter says, ‘Thank you for all your support in prayer for the European Union of Prayer meeting in The Hague in Holland in April. It was a great success! Prayer topics were Israel, and also the UK referendum on EU membership and the consequences for the EU’. The letter also says, amongst other things, that Christians from Europe are taking part in 40 days of prayer and fasting through the European Union of Prayer. They are asking God to protect and preserve His great gift of peace and freedom for Europe (Isaiah 26:3-4) and for a clear majority in the UK referendum on EU membership on 23 June (Psalm 33:13-15). See also

Pray:

for all Europeans who are praying for the UK at this time to be led by God’s Holy Spirit. (Ps.33:10,11)

EU told not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs

Beijing ‘strongly opposes’ the European Union making irresponsible accusations about Hong Kong affairs, and ‘warns foreign governments not to interfere in the city’s affairs’. Hua Chunying, from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made these remarks at a press conference a day after the European Union released a highly critical annual report on Hong Kong. The report described the case of five booksellers who were abducted last year and later surfaced on the mainland as ‘the most serious challenge’ to the governing principle since the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, and warned it could undermine Hong Kong’s standing as an international business centre. Christians in China continue to face persecution because the Party wants to control all activities deemed to be a threat to the officially atheist government. See also

Pray:

for China to stop bullying those who are regarded as a threat. (Pr.25:28)

Nepal, one year after ‘killer quake’

After last year’s horrific earthquake, Nepal's Christian community have demonstrated the love of God. Many Christians started helping people, and now those people, mainly Hindus and Buddhists, are testifying, 'Your religion is the best because you love and care for us, and you come to help us.’ Various Christian ministries are now active in the overall rehabilitation phase. Their focus will be rebuilding schools, community halls and livelihood programmes for the communities and individual families. While physical recovery is slow, spiritual growth and recovery has been strong. Churches are being planted in the mountains and hills. The pastors say that because of the assistance CBN, Compassionate Hands and the church have provided to victims, the local community is working to protect and build the church. These are challenging times in Nepal but it is the right time for God’s kingdom to be established there.

Pray:

for even more of God’s power to impact the lives of those rebuilding communities. (Mt.16:18)

Droughts and heatwaves

Water levels in Vietnam’s Mekong delta, a region that accounts for 50% of the country's rice and fruit production, 90% of its rice exports and 60% of shrimp and fish exports, are at their lowest levels since 1926. This affects the lives of the Vietnamese farmers and it affects people in Indonesia and the Philippines, the biggest buyers of Vietnamese agricultural goods. They will also go hungry if the Thais and Vietnamese don't produce enough rice. In India more than 150 deaths are blamed on the heat. Maharashtra is experiencing the worst dry spell in four decades, destroying crops, causing livestock deaths and drying up reservoirs. In Malaysia, hundreds of schools have closed and farmers are losing their vegetables. In Thailand, a record low rice yield is predicted. Unfortunately the heat will increase in the coming weeks and the death toll is expected to rise. See also

Pray:

for God in His mercy to prompt governments, industry, commerce and agencies to support and serve the poor and vulnerable facing further poverty and even death from these droughts. (Pr.31:9)

Australia: Queensland government and safe schools

The Queensland government has ignored community concerns surrounding the controversial Safe Schools programme, refusing to release the names of schools that are teaching children that their gender is fluid. The media is reporting an increased focus on sexualising children from four years old by programmes devised by La Trobe University, which is also behind the Practical Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships which asks students as young as 12 graphic sex and masturbation questions. Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) said that the Federal Government should immediately defund and pull the programme out of schools as Queensland and other states ignore the Federal Government’s directive to clean up the programme and ensure parents are made aware of which schools are participating in it. ACL was refused access to the names of the schools, despite over 11,000 Queenslanders signing an e-petition calling for them to be released.

Pray:

for Australian children to be protected from induction into contested gender theory which could put them on a path to irreversible and controversial changes to mind, spirit and body. (Dt.4:10)

Nigeria: a midnight raid

On Sunday night, in Enugu State, an attack by more than two hundred suspected armed Fulani herdsmen left at least 48 people dead. Scores of people were critically wounded, and sixty houses and two churches completely razed to the ground. 56 people with gunshot wounds were taken to different hospitals. The state police confirmed the attack but cannot give an exact figure of people killed: however, the police and security agencies have been mobilised to curtail the situation so that it does not degenerate into all-out war. The attackers were armed with AK-47 rifles and grenades, bows and arrows, and machetes or swords. Many villagers escaped to neighbouring communities, but people in nearby towns are also worried about possible attacks from the herdsmen. Sources disclosed that the villagers had resisted the use of their farmlands as grazing fields by the herdsmen.

Pray:

for God to comfort those mourning and living in fear, and to strengthen security in the area. (Is.41:10)

Syria: deadly air strike on Aleppo hospital

At least fourteen patients and three doctors were killed on Thursday in an airstrike on a hospital in Aleppo, the charity Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says. Among those killed in the al-Quds hospital was one of the city's last paediatricians. Local sources blamed the Syrian government or Russian warplanes, but there has been no official comment. Violence in Syria has intensified recently, despite a truce. The violent upsurge comes amid reports that the Syrian army, backed by Russian air power, is gearing up for a major offensive in Aleppo. The escalation threatens to derail the peace talks. On Wednesday, the UN envoy to Syria urged the US and Russia to intervene ‘at the highest level’ to save the talks. On Tuesday an Iraqi military officer reported that Russia is resuming bombing moderate opposition fighters in Syria. President Obama called President Putin, asking him to help ‘press’ Syria to end its airstrikes that violate the ceasefire brokered by the US and Russia in February.

Pray:

for God to fortify the leaders committed to shoring up the peace process. (Rev.3:2a)

Egypt: Coptic teenager kidnapped for ransom

Earlier this month 13-year-old Anthonius Farag, a young Christian boy, was kidnapped in Upper Egypt. He was released twelve days later after a hefty ransom payment. This is not an isolated case. According to the Coalition of Coptic Egypt (CCE), a Coptic advocacy group, the province of Qena alone saw no less than 72 cases of kidnappings, extortion and related violence against Copts from 2011 to 2014, the most recent figures available. Those targeted for kidnapping ranged from children to the elderly, with rescue efforts often hampered by police inadequacies or unwillingness. ‘For years Copts have been pleading for help against kidnappings, but no one seems to care,’ said a local CCE coordinator. ‘Since the revolution in 2011 kidnappings have become more common in Upper Egypt, where relatively more Christians live. Families pay from EGP 250,000 to seven million to free their loved ones.’

Pray:

for God to bring about better security for Copts so that kidnappings will end. (2Ch.20:6)

Pakistan: suspects in 'blasphemy' killing bailed

The four main culprits accused of the murder of Christian couple Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi, who were tortured and thrown into a burning brick kiln last November, have been set free on bail. This decision suggests complicity by the police, and does not help to establish justice. The Christian couple were said to have 'desecrated the Quran’: blasphemy is a very sensitive issue, with allegations often prompting mob violence (as they did this time). . However they were indentured labourers at the kiln, and one of those charged with their death is the owner. Brick kiln labourers have harsh working conditions and are paid approximately £1.30 a day. Child labour is common. 1.7million children from the age of five work in illegal brick factories 14 hours a day.

Pray:

for the Christian lawyer to be able to ensure the guilty parties are punished; pray for more protection for brick kiln workers. (Heb.1:8)

Source: Prayer Alert - World Prayer Centre UK