North Korea: US missionary Kenneth Bae and another American freed

North Korea has released American missionary Kenneth Bae, who his family said had been imprisoned for his Christian faith, along with fellow US citizen Matthew Todd Miller. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) confirmed that Bae and Miller are on their way back to the United States. Kenneth Bae, 45, had been held since 2012. He was sentenced to 15 years' hard labour on charges of trying ‘to overthrow’ the state. However family members linked the detention of the Korean-American to his Christian work in a nation where devoted Christians are forced to meet underground. Many thousands of Christians are believed to be among those held in prison camps, according to several advocacy groups and other sources. Fellow prisoner Todd, 24, was detained in April after he tore his tourist visa to pieces and shouted that he had come ‘to the DPRK after choosing it as a shelter,’ North Korea said at the time.

Praise:

God for the freedom restored to these American prisoners. Remember all those still in the camps. (Ps.146:7)

Vietnam: War Veteran walks coast to coast for spiritual awakening

A pastor and Vietnam veteran is on a cross-country march for spiritual awakening in America. Sixty-eight-year-old Chick McGill of Tennessee said God moved him to make the trek from sea to shining sea. Starting in North Carolina, McGill is walking 3,200 miles with an American flag calling attention to the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and his nation's founding principles. While walking, he said he salutes every passing driver along the way. Many people stop to talk with him. He said prayer is the only thing that can change the nation. ‘He (God) approached me three times,’ McGill said. ‘The first two times I thought I was hallucinating. The third time I said, 'This is God talking to me'. 'I can't argue with God,' he added.

Praise:

God for the obedience of Chick Mcgill to His call. (Rom.11:29)

Schools being told 'Sex at 13 is normal'

Schools are being recommended a teaching resource suggesting that ‘sex at 13’ is normal, a Parliamentary committee has been told. Appearing in front of the Education Select Committee today, Sarah Carter of the Family Education Trust pointed MPs to the ‘Traffic Light Tool’ produced by ‘sexual health’ group Brook. The Traffic Light Tool suggests that ‘interest in erotica/pornography, sexually explicit conversations with peers and consenting oral and/or penetrative sex with others of the same or opposite gender who are of similar age and developmental ability ’express‘ safe and healthy sexual development’ Ms Carter said. This material should be outlawed. It is dangerous. It will harm our children. It encourages them into premature sexual activity which is damaging to them. It sexualises them and encourages illegal activity. The Government should immediately review all the material produced by Brook and suspend its use in schools' said Andrea Williams of Christian Concern.

Pray:

for the Government to review and suspend the use of this resource in schools.(Gal.5:19)

Pray Day for Schools across the World

Prayer is especially important for those that educate others. The third Tuesday of November every year is Pray Day, when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer. This year it will be held on Tuesday 18 November, with UK schools taking part. Intercessors and students alike are looking at Colossians 4. While we can't watch our children at every point of the day, we can ask God to protect, care for, and watch over them. Teachers have the often stressful task of moulding children for the future, and many Christian teachers find that prayer helps them do their jobs with more patience and joy. The day is for all types of school from nursery to sixth form, pupils, school staff, governors, parents, church leaders, youth workers and anyone else concerned about young people, anyone who believes that God hears our prayers.

Pray:

for the many who will make the time in busy schedules to organise prayer meetings, prayer walks, prayer evenings for their church. Pray for opportunities to teach children why Christians pray.(Ps.54.2&4)

Nearly half of British Christians think religion is a 'negative force'

Around 45% of Christians in Britain think religion is a negative force in modern life, with around a third believing it does more good than harm. Christians also think that atheists and religious people are just as likely to be moral, at 69% and 60% respectively. Muslims surveyed were more unsure, with 53% saying they ‘didn't know’. Of the 2,004 people surveyed in the HuffPost/Survation poll, 56% described themselves as Christian, 2.5% were Muslim, 1% were Jewish and the remainder were of another faith or none. More than 55% of those surveyed said that atheists are just as likely to be moral people than religious people. Around 30% of 18-24 year -olds believe religion does more good than harm, compared to just 19% of 55-64 year-olds. This article suggests many people are unaware of the considerable contribution made by the Church and other faithgroups to our society.

Pray:

that the Church will be able to raise the profile of its work in the community. (Matt.5:16)

UK doctors have 'ethical duty' to prevent waste

Doctors have an ethical duty to prevent waste in the NHS, argues a report by the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges. Its authors point to potential savings of nearly £2bn. Examples include better use of medication, tests, hospital beds and operating theatres. The British Medical Association said doctors were ideally placed to identify savings, but patients must come first. The authors argue it is better to develop a culture of finding the best way to do something, and then do it right across the health service. ‘We need to be innovative to tackle the huge financial challenges we are facing’ Surgeon Jeremy Lavey. A manager can't make those decisions whereas we are ideally positioned and we have a responsibility to make sure we do that properly.’

Pray:

for wisdom and expertise for our doctors who may be able to recommend savings without compromising the welfare of their patients. (Pr.22:17)

Government preparing for fracking

Many are petitioning for ‘Frack Free Somerset,’ the Economist has called fracking the ‘Dash for cash’. tens of thousands are concerned that the government is considering proposals to allow the fracking industry to drill below people's land without permission, and the RSPB is objecting to Cuadrilla’s plans for sites. On Wednesday the Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy named a Blackpool College as the first UK training centre for the fracking industry. It will be a hub for the National College for Onshore Oil and Gas with other colleges serving as spokes for the hub, delivering advanced qualifications including honours degrees for engineers and technicians. Also on Wednesday researchers and experts from the UK Energy Research Centre said that ministers have ‘completely oversold’ shale gas potential. Promises of lower prices and that ‘greater energy security from UK shale gas were hype and lacking in evidence’. See also

Pray:

for the government, commerce and engineering experts to have God- given wisdom and insights as they plan the UK’s energy future while trying to meet Climate Change Act targets (Is.11:2)

So-called equality laws victimise marriage supporters

Legislation aimed at boosting equality is actually victimising traditional marriage supporters, a gay journalist has warned. Andrew Pierce, who has repeatedly spoken out against redefining marriage, accused the Government of making ‘empty promises’ to protect freedom of conscience. The public was given repeated assurances that freedom of conscience would be respected if the law on marriage was changed. Maria Miller – the Tory Cabinet minister responsible for the Bill – ‘insisted’ that those opposing the plans would not be subjected to any discrimination. Mr Pierce quotes many examples of people being prosecuted for holding to their traditional views of marriage including that of the McArthur family who are being taken to court by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland over their refusal to make a pro-gay marriage campaign cake. Same-sex marriage has not been introduced in Northern Ireland, with MLAs voting three times in two years against changing the law.

Pray:

for the law to be amended or clarified to allow freedom of conscience matters to be exempt in accord to the promises made to Parliament by the Government. (1Jn.2:5)

Christians urge sacking of gay lecturer with ‘1,000 conquests’

A Christian pressure group is campaigning to oust a high-profile university professor who boasted about his 1,000 sexual conquests. Eric Anderson, 46, a Winchester University professor of sports studies, told a gathering of gay and lesbian students at Oxford that he liked sex with ‘16, 17, 18-year-old boys’. He dismissed Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, as a ‘total bigot’ and ‘liar’ and said ‘the damage that’s caused by child molestation is socially constructed by the western world’. The pressure group Because Children Matter wrote to Joy Carter, Winchester Universities vice-chancellor, urging her to dismiss the professor. It warned that the gay/lesbian group will distribute thousands of leaflets with the professors comments to members of the university’s board, head teachers of secondary schools in its area, students and members of the public. The university says it has reprimanded the professor for his remarks, but defended him as an ‘internationally renowned sociologist.’(Ps.5:4)

Pray:

that the material being distributed by this group will not be able to increase their influence.

The war against diabetes rages on

Diabetes is an increasingly serious problem in Europe. Today, at least 32 million Europeans are suffering from the disease. In 2030, that number is expected to have risen to more than 38 million. The EU and tits member states have an opportunity to lower this estimate and reverse this trend. If we act now, we can save lives, improve the quality of life of those affected and save money in the long run. According to the International Diabetes Federation, member states are currently facing and addressing the challenge of diabetes in different ways and at different paces. However, they all have one thing in common. The number of people suffering from the disease is growing. Some countries have been focusing on treating those suffering from the illness, while others have been concentrating on prevention.

Pray:

that research will bring lasting success and relief for those suffering from this disease. (Ps.103:3)

URGENT PRAYER: Romania is at a crossroad in history

After 70 years of demonic influence of communism and because of the continuous threat coming from the East (Russia) they are desperate for freedom. This coming Sunday, the 16 November, they hold the final election for the President of Romania. There are two candidates: Victor Ponta is the current Prime Minister. He is the representative of the left and extremist parties, the most corrupted person they have ever had as a leader of the government. Johannis Klaus is the Mayor of Sibiu City. He represents the Christian Liberal Alliance. Under his leadership Sibiu was brought up from bankruptcy to one of the most prosperous and civilized city of the country. Mr Johannis is an Evangelical Lutheran believer. He has a personal relationship with God and the Bible is the most important book for him. Mr Johannis has a clear message about the future of the nation. ‘Jesus Christ is Lord of our nation!’

Pray:

on behalf of the nation, for the right person to be elected on 16 November. They need our prayer support now! (Matt.4:10)

Nigeria: Death toll rises after school bombing

The death toll has risen to 49 after a suicide bomber disguised in a school uniform blew himself up at a boys' secondary school in northern Nigeria on Monday. 57 people were injured. Other reports put the number of injured victims at 79 in the attack in Yobe state, which took place as students were in the yard of the boarding school during the morning roll call. All schools in the town are closed now. The attack came six days after a similar one on a Shi'ite Islamic school in Potiskum, in which 30 people died. Boko Haram targeted both schools. The UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said attacks on children are attacks ‘on the future of Nigeria’, warning that the country already has the largest number of children out of school in the world. (see item 2 below)

Pray:

for God to comfort the victims and give much boldness to the government investigations. (Ps.143:8,9)

Nigeria: The issue of education

Nigeria’s population growth has put immense pressure on overstretched public services and infrastructure. 45% of the population are under 15 years of age and 4.7 million primary school age children are not in school. Statistically, 40% of those aged 6-11 don’t attend primary school and 30% of those in primary education drop out, with only 54% progressing to Junior Secondary Schools. The Northern region has the lowest school attendance rate, particularly for girls. The proportion of girls to boys in school ranges from 1 girl to 2 boys and 1 girl to 3 boys. Children skip school to work or when families cannot afford uniforms and textbooks. Sometimes a school is beyond a safe walking distance from homes, sometimes girls marry early. UNICEF reports that the prospects of Nigeria achieving’ Education For All by 2015’ are frail.

Pray:

for the Government’s Basic Education scheme to reach all schools, particularly in urban areas.(Ps.36:7-8)

USA: The Ferguson Response

Following protests and civil disorder when Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson, Christians erected a tent where 8-10 hours of praise, worship, intercession, and evangelism occurred daily. Believers of every hue united to provide opportunities for Ferguson to experience God. There were miraculous healings and deliverances; a couple of major protests were turned into prayer meetings, a few violent situations were defused through supernatural intervention, 50 people surrendered their lives to Jesus, and many heard the Gospel. The tent expression ended on 25 October. Minister Thomas said, ‘We've only just begun. The crisis invited the Church to manifest God’s love. He’s exposing our hearts. Jesus deals with iniquity in us before He deals with inequity around us. Regardless of the facts, and final outcome, every believer has a role to play in the healing of these wounds and bringing peace.’

Pray:

for spiritual transformation to continue as St. Louis braces itself for a potential further eruption of violence in anticipation of the pending Grand Jury announcement concerning Officer Darren Wilson. (Ps.16:1)

Global: Obama and Putin warily circle each other at APEC

APEC is a 21-nation Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum that met this week to move towards a new free trade zone and agree as a climate deal. America and Russia are part of APEC. President Barack Obama and President Vladimir Putin met three times while there, though relations between their countries continue to deteriorate. The White House said they tackled the tough issues of Russia's provocations in Ukraine and support for Syria's embattled government. They also discussed the fast-approaching deadline in nuclear talks with Iran, in which the US and Russia find themselves on the same negotiating team. Unlike some of their past meetings, Obama and Putin kept their deep-seated policy disagreements behind the scenes, but their public encounters suggested relationships between two of the most powerful leaders in the world remains tense.

Pray:

for positive political dialogue between Russia and America and negative tendencies to be reversed.(Jer.18:7-8)

Israel: Palestinian President talks of global religious war

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned that Palestinians will not allow Israeli extremists to ‘contaminate’ the Temple Mount, saying that allowing Jewish prayer at the site would risk a global religious war. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeated several times in recent days that he does not intend to change the status quo at the site. Jews are allowed to visit but forbidden from praying at the contested site, which Israel captured from Jordan in the 1967 war, but where it allowed the Muslim Waqf authorities to remain in administrative charge. Abbas also said the Palestinian claims to all territory captured by Israel in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza in 1967 were not up for debate and, ‘The Muslim and Christian worlds will never accept Israel’s claims that Jerusalem belongs to them. The Jerusalem that was occupied in 1967 belongs to us.’

Pray:

for the peace of Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.(Ps.122:6-8)

Australia: Trafficking, slavery and forced marriage

Federal police are investigating a record number of human trafficking cases involving sex slavery, forced marriages and child brides. The number of active investigations into human trafficking has doubled in the past two years to 60. Police said trafficking crimes are grossly under-reported. The Victorian police force is urging its officers across the state to be on the alert in cafes, on farms and in the construction industry. Police are also examining whether some Melbourne karaoke bars are hosting trafficked women or operating as illegal brothels, which would add to the estimated 300 illegal brothels already operating across the city. Police are also uncovering more cases of trafficking related to forced marriages and have 20+ active investigations into alleged forced marriages.

Pray:

for help and healing for victims. Pray for the police to uncover and remove evil trafficking syndicates. (Is.5:20)

North Korea: After Kenneth Bae's release; missionaries continue

Christian groups in North Korea are vowing to carry on their missionary work despite mounting risks since Korean-American activist Kenneth Bae was imprisoned two years ago. (see news of his release) ‘We are getting more nervous,’ said Kim Seung-eun, a missionary for the Caleb Mission, which is based in South Korea's South Chungcheong Province but frequently travels to North Korea. ‘We have to come up with a strategy to avoid another case like Kenneth Bae's.’ Reticence is necessary, said one US-based activist, because of the dangers involved in propagating religion, especially in an overt, organised way, in a totalitarian state. If one person is caught, then everyone else can suffer the consequences. Open Doors says North Korea has 70,000 Christians held in labour camps.

Pray:

for protection and wisdom for those spreading Christianity and strength for prisoners of faith.(Ro.8:37)