Videos of Christians forgiving Islamic State go viral in the Arab world

SAT-7 Egypt Director says ‘Resistance through forgiveness’ videos of a 10-year-old Iraqi displaced by Islamic State (IS/ISIS) and of a brother of two Egyptian labourers beheaded in Libya, both voicing forgiveness for their persecutors, have been watched by a million viewers and drawn the attention of mainstream Arab media which rarely cover Christian news. Under the title ‘Iraqi Girl Myriam Faces IS with Love’, pan-Arab broadcaster Al Arabiya told how the clip of young refugee Myriam had spread via social media and was impressing ordinary viewers and media commentators. A columnist in Lebanese newspaper Al Nahar said the SAT-7 interview with her ‘should be presented in Lebanese schools as a lesson in humanity’. Farid Samir, Egypt director of Christian satellite channel SAT-7, which made both clips, said: ‘The massive interest in them shows the impact of resisting violence through forgiveness’.

Praise:

God for the powerful way He uses testimonies. (Ps.130:4)

Christian businesses fighting the sex trade ž

Every night in Sonagacchi, in India, more than 10,000 women stand in line waiting to be picked up for sex. Many of them were trafficked into prostitution. But now Freeset, a Christian business, has bought a building that will transform India's most infamous sex district. The 20,000-square-feet Gateway building is situated at the front of the red light district, but it will not be turned into more brothels where probably 1,000 women would be working. The new space will give Christian businesses the opportunity to employ women and free them from sexual slavery. One of the biggest issues facing those who want to start businesses in Sonagacchi is a lack of space. The Gateway building would act as a business incubator, gradually helping more and more freedom businesses to start and so providing an increasing number of opportunities for Sonagacchi's women.

Praise:

God for Kerry and his wife Annie for their work in the red light district. (Pr.24:3,4)

Mothers' Union calls for prayers for election candidates' families

The Mothers' Union is calling on its thousands of members up and down the country to pray that the families of election candidates ‘will not be affected by criticism or physical threats’. The organisation, which has 140 years experience of working with families, says in its pre-election advice that people should also ‘thank God’ that anyone is actually willing to stand for public office. ‘Pray for energy and stamina for the candidates as they campaign,’ the union adds. It urges people to take seriously their involvement in the coming general election, and even consider organising hustings. Other things they should pray for include ‘positive not negative campaigning’ and ‘true and honest manifestos’ as well as mutual respect between the parties. The union is also calling for an increase in paternity leave and for new policies to prevent violence against women and girls. It urges prayers for the winners as well as the losers.

Pray:

that these calls to prayer by the Mothers’ Union will be responded to by all its members. (Ps.88:13)

Faith schools under attack by 'forces of intolerance', says Tory MP

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh made a passionate defence of faith schools in the face of what he said was an attack on their basic ethos by the ‘forces of intolerance’. Leigh proposed the motion that ‘this House believes that Ofsted should respect the ability of faith schools to teach their core beliefs in the context of respect and toleration for others’. He was particularly critical of Ofsted because of what he said was its inappropriate treatment of Christian schools such as Grindon Hall and the Durham Free School, which is fighting closure after an adverse report. He said: ‘Ofsted appears to be guilty of trying to enforce a kind of state-imposed orthodoxy on certain moral and religious questions.’ He said: ‘The Minister should remind Ofsted that the law prioritises the teaching of the Christian faith in RE and school assemblies because we are a Christian nation with a Christian heritage.’

Pray:

for anti-radicalisation legislation to be amended so that it does not affect good practice in mainstream faith schools. (2Tim.2:15)

Most deprived areas bear the brunt of local government cuts, says new report

Research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that the most deprived areas of England have seen the largest cuts in funding since 2010. There is still scope for many councils to save money by redesigning the way services are run but the current pace of the cuts risks making this more difficult. Many local authorities will struggle to invest in and remodel services to lower costs in the medium term, while still meeting residents’ needs and balancing their budgets. Analysis of local government expenditure data reveals that the poorest English authorities have seen reductions of £182 more per head than the most affluent, this breaks the historic link between the amount a local authority spends per head and local deprivation levels. In 2010/11, the most deprived councils had an extra 45 per cent of expenditure per head to cope with additional needs. By 2014/15, this had been reduced to 17 per cent.

Pray:

for the truly vulnerable to be properly protected during the forthcoming round of cuts. (Acts.20:35)

Unacceptable variations in end of life care, say MPs

A report by the Health Select Committee found that acute and community care for people reaching the end of their lives varies around the UK, and has called for long-term sustainable funding for hospices. Report author Dr Sarah Wollaston MP said: ‘There are unacceptable levels of variation in the care that people receive and this needs to be addressed so that high quality end of life care is available to everyone regardless of their age, medical condition or where they live. We must make sure that specialist palliative care expertise is accessible within hospitals and community settings as well as within our hospices.’ Hospice director Dr Ros Taylor, who is also national director of Hospice UK, explained that some patients still get lost within the NHS system and people die waiting to leave hospital. End of life care should be made available free of charge, MPs have concluded.

Pray:

for a national approach with appropriate funding to support end of life care. (Ps.71:9)

UK faith leaders call for new initiatives to bring an end to nuclear weapons

Faith leaders across the UK have signed a statement calling on nuclear weapons states to join with other states to implement new approaches to eliminate nuclear arsenals. Ahead of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference meeting from 27 April to 22 May 2015, senior representatives from eight faiths in the UK, including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist, have given their backing to a statement calling for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The faith leaders argue that nuclear arsenals ‘violate the principle of dignity for every human being that is common to each of our faith traditions’. The statement urges nuclear weapons states to ‘develop a robust plan of action that will lead us to a nuclear weapon free world’ but in recent years, the UK government has strongly resisted proposals for negotiation of a new treaty that would lead to the elimination of such weapons.

Pray:

for all the nuclear weapons states to work together to set up a programme that will lead to the elimination of all such weapons. (Matt.26:52)

Teacher stress levels in England 'soaring', data shows

Stress levels among teachers in England's classrooms are soaring, a BBC investigation has found. Unions are blaming workload for large numbers of staff taking time off work or leaving the profession. Insurance industry data suggest stress is the biggest cause of staff absence save for maternity. The Department for Education insists it is working ‘to tackle the issue of unnecessary workload which we know can lead to stress’. The BBC has also seen a survey of 3,500 members of the NASUWT teaching union which shows more than two-thirds of respondents considered quitting the profession in the past year. Workload was the top concern, with 89% citing this as a problem, followed by pay (45%), inspection (44%), curriculum reform (42%) and pupil behaviour (40%). In addition: NASUWT General Secretary Chris Keates described the results as ‘frightening’. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has expressed her concerns over excessive working hours.

Pray:

for teachers throughout the profession, for levels of stress to be controlled. (Ps.90:17)

Researchers urge families to be more active

Researchers compared the TV viewing habits of more than 6,000 British people born in a single week in 1970, at the ages of 10 and 42. Parents should increase children's physical activity to ensure they become fit and healthy adults, the University College London (UCL) authors conclude. ‘Do something active to displace TV,’ advised co-author Lee Smith. ‘In the evening time when families tend to sit down and watch TV they should try to go for walks instead.’ If you can't go outside, try active computer games, anything that gets people up and expending energy rather than sitting down and snacking,’ said Dr Smith, of the UCL epidemiology and public health department. The authors acknowledge that for today's children TV viewing is often replaced by time on computers, smartphones or tablets. Parents should play active computer games with their children, say researchers.

Pray:

that by increasing our activities we will be able to ensure a healthier lifestyle. (Pr.3:8)

Turkey: Supporting Mosul from the sidelines

At the moment Turkey is supporting forces forming to retake Mosul from IS by assisting America to train and equip Syrian rebel forces in Turkey, strengthening border security and upgrading discussions with the international coalition. Turkey also has influence among the Sunni Arab tribes of Mosul and other Sunnis, which allows it to collect human intelligence. A Turkish security official requesting anonymity said, ‘1.3 million people live in Mosul, at least 300,000 people will escape toward the Turkish border. We have to get ready for this potentially massive wave of immigration. Sadly Turkey is not at all ready for this serious issue.’ Another Turkish intelligence official said that Turkey is the only country with considerable influence with all Mosul tribes and other Sunni Arabs; and Turkey could easily be an intermediary, talking to all the parties and potentially achieving results with minimum bloodshed.

Pray:

for measures to be implemented that will minimise further bloodshed and cater for exiles. (Ps.3:5,6)

Switzerland: Geneva - Supporting the Human Rights of Christians

Part of a statement released at the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the 13 March said, ’The Middle East is living in a situation of instability and conflict. The consequences are disastrous for the entire population of the region. The existence of many religious communities is seriously threatened. Christians are now especially affected. These days even their survival is in question. Efforts to build a better future for all are frustrated. We witness a situation where violence, religious and ethnic hatred, fundamentalist radicalism, extremism, intolerance, exclusion, destruction of the social fabric of whole societies and communities are becoming the features of a non-viable political and social model, endangering the very existence of many communities, the Christian community in particular. We are confident that, all civic and religious leaders in the Middle East, will join us in addressing this alarming situation by building together a culture of peaceful coexistence. In our globalised world, pluralism is an enrichment.’

Pray:

for a future of peaceful coexistence in this region. (Ps.3:8)

Vanuatu: Cyclone Pam and disaster relief

Last Friday, 13 March, the President of the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu travelled to Japan to attend the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction which opened the following day. For most of Friday and Saturday cyclone Pam pummelled the Vanuatu nation. Sixty-five of Vanuatu’s islands are inhabited by small communities; a total 260,000 people live in flimsy homes built mostly of thatch. Reports from islands so far visited reveal everything flattened and thousands of families made homeless. A state of emergency has been declared. Yesterday the conference on Disaster Risk Reduction ended. We can pray that decisions made concerning workable guidance on reducing mortality and economic losses from disasters will be successfully implemented for those recovering from Cyclone Pam.

Pray:

for the communication networks and distribution systems of international agencies as they meet the large-scale needs of those made homeless and those who have lost livelihoods. (Ps.32:8)

Pakistan: Deadly blasts hit churches in Lahore

Christians make up less than 2% of Pakistan's overwhelmingly Muslim population, and Christian communities are often targeted by militants. Last weekend an offshoot of the Pakistan Taliban claimed responsibility for bombing two churches in the Christian neighbourhood of Lahore. Fifty people were hurt and fourteen killed in explosions which took place within minutes of each other. Large crowds who were already in the area to attend Sunday mass turned violent after the blasts. This is not how Christian victims usually respond to terror attacks in Pakistan, but it was the latest in a long line of horrific attacks on religious minorities. Catholic leaders asked Christians to refrain from violence and cooperate with police investigations. Last June Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered the creation of a police task force to ‘eradicate a social evil that has taken root in our society in recent years.’ Please read the article below regarding intercession to eradicate evil.

Pray:

for the victims of terrorism and those living in fear of persecution in Pakistan. (Ps.34:15-18)

Pakistan: Letter from Lahore

A brother in Pakistan writes, ‘The government continues to crack down on terrorism. In some places it has made it hard for smaller groups of Christians. Churches and schools have to have metal detectors, high walls and an armed guard. If they cannot afford this their schools or churches have been closed. A good pastor friend of ours is in jail because his church did not do this. There are major strongholds that control this country. Evil is birthed from them and this evil goes out across the nation and the world. It controls the religious and governmental systems. Pray for teams of intercessors from five different areas that will be going to major satanic strongholds controlling this country. They need heavy prayer support from Saturday, 11 April to Monday, 13 April. Pray that people would be prepared spiritually. Pray for safety for all involved. Pray we will walk in God´s authority. May God demonstrate His power - comparable to Jericho.

Pray:

for the government to support churches struggling to follow government directives to ‘take care of their own security’; Pray also for the many intercessors in Pakistan taking a stand against evil strongholds. (2 Cor.1:11)

Nigeria: Christ in the midst of war

As Boko Haram brings death and destruction to Nigeria, a radio ministry is reporting miraculous testimonies of salvation and protection in the midst of terror. The Tide radio talks about Jesus in the language they were born to speak. One Muslim listener heard a programme in the Hausa language, the official language of Islam in Nigeria. Although a believer in Jihad, he was challenged by the message of hope and peace that only Christ can offer. He responded to the Gospel message, called the number at the end of the programme and is now a follower of Christ. Another listener said, ‘I’m a Nigerian soldier with the 15th armoured brigade in the war against Boko Haram and listen to your radio programme. Thanks for your prayers. God has kept me alive. By God’s grace Boko Haram will be defeated and the northeast border will witness the flushing out of the terrorists.’

Pray:

that those opposing God in war zones would instead run to Him and accept His offer of salvation and reconciliation. Ask God to remove the principality behind terrorism in Nigeria. (Eph.6:12)

Libya: IS kidnaps 20 medical workers

A group of 30+ gunmen attacked the Ibn Sina Hospital in Sirte and abducted 20 workers. The hospital workers had decided to leave the city because of the poor security situation there and the Islamic State wanted them to stay because they were the only people able to treat its wounded fighters. IS murdered 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya last month and took control of Sirte last year. Libya's security situation has disintegrated. Warring tribes and interest groups provide fertile ground for IS success. IS kidnapped nine foreign oil workers and reportedly beheaded eight guards earlier this month; they also killed oil workers and took hostages in February. They are causing Libya to become more dangerous by the day. These latest attacks don’t bear the hallmarks of militias driven by local grievances or political rivalry, as seen in the past. Their aim is to instil fear, mark territory and wreak havoc.

Pray:

for an end to IS feeding on Libya's collapse, and for an end to chaos in towns and cities. (Ps.94:1-3)

Israel: Victorious Netanyahu – next steps

The next step following the Israeli election is to form a coalition government. The final results of the ballot boxes will be known by Friday as the soldiers’ and diplomats’ votes need to be counted. After that the country will be faced with a period of uncertainty, during which the president will choose the candidate whom he believes has the highest prospect of setting up a coalition. Then this candidate will negotiate with his prospective coalition partners. Once a deal is reached the new government will be formed and the various ministerial portfolios will be distributed according to the agreement. That could take some time. Benjamin Netanyahu has not made himself beloved of his people, many leaders in the free world hoped and he would be pushed off Israel’s stage. Following weeks of tension between the White House and the Prime Minister’s Office, there is now a need to push the reset button.

Pray:

for the 120 Knesset members who will serve a four-year term of office in a very dangerous region. (Ps.23:3)

Syria: Four years since teenage graffiti sparked civil war

Four years ago this week a group of young teenagers with a can of paint sprayed messages on a wall in Daraa city. They couldn’t have known it but, over the next nine days, their graffiti started the Syrian civil war, which reaches its fourth anniversary on 15 March. The sprayed messages said ‘the people want to topple the regime’- echoed in other countries during the Arab Spring. The Syrian government was quick to act. It arrested the 15 boys, aged 10 to 15, interrogated and tortured them. Thousands turned out on the streets and the boys were released. The protests continued and spread to cities across Syria before turning violent and developing into full-scale civil war. The first protestors to die were killed on 18 March, - by security forces trying to stop a rally. At least 220,000 have lost their lives according to the most recent UN figures, including over 10,000 children.

Pray:

for the war to end; pray for those mourning the dead, those living in fear, the displaced, the wounded and those barely surviving.