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Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
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News Room
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Joined: 07/25/2004
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Posts: 6560
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Posted: 12/12/2015 at 7:07am
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News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
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112 people per second open a Bible
app |
Every second, the world
conducts 40,000 Google searches, creates five new Facebook profiles, and opens
YouVersions Bible App 112 times. In the app, three bookmarks are created, four
verses are shared, and 18 verses are highlighted. More than fifty Bible chapters
are listened to, and 342 chapters are read. YouVersion was launched in 2008 and
now has 200 million installs, offering the Bible in 1,200 versions and 900
languages. Mobile devices are being changed into Bibles that people carry with
them everywhere they go. 200 million installs represents countless moments of
individuals transformed by their time in the Bible. The most popular Bible verse
is Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what
Gods will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will. |
Praise: |
God for the
global hunger for His words of wisdom and comfort.
(Pr.4:6) | |
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Dominican Republic: pro-life landmark
victory |
The constitutional tribunal
of the Dominican Republic has issued a landmark ruling overturning a law pushed
through by President Danilo Medina. The new law, which had been personally
advocated by the president as part of a broader revision of the criminal code,
introduced a paragraph that would have allowed abortion to be legalised in cases
of rape or incest, or when doctors deemed the preborn child to be suffering from
illnesses or disabilities which rendered them incompatible with life. After
the president signed the law, two non-profit organisations filed a lawsuit
challenging its constitutionality, arguing that it violated the constitutional
protection of Article 37 of the Dominican Republic's constitution, which
guarantees the right to life as inviolable from conception to death.
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Praise: |
God for a
pro-life victory amidst an international flurry of efforts to legalise abortion.
(1Cor.15:57) | |
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Flood defences |
It is going to be a grim
Christmas for many in Cumbria as they clean up after the floods. Those who were
also affected by the 2009 floods might not be inclined to believe the once in a
lifetime mantra which accompanied last weekends weather. The Met Offices
chief scientist suggested that all the evidence points to a link between climate
change and our record-breaking winter rainfall, and new methods of prevention
and cure must be found and funded. As a nation of islanders we may have to
rediscover a lost resilience in our relationship with water. Many are now saying
that councils should utilise the skills of those who know the countryside best -
and pay farmers appropriately to take natural flood management seriously. Pray
for wise land management of the large swathes of north-west England, southern
Scotland and Northern Ireland that are vulnerable to flooding.
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Pray: |
for the
flood victims. Pray for the Government to release funds to local authorities and
farmers to enable them to improve land management upstream from vulnerable
residential areas.
(Ps.10:17) | |
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RAF continue to bomb IS targets |
Royal Air Force aircraft have
continued airstrikes against the IS terrorist network inside Syria and Iraq. RAF
Tornados and Reaper drones have now been reinforced by a detachment of Typhoon
fighters, which carry the same Paveway IV precision guided bombs as the
Tornadoes. The deployment of the Typhoons and an extra two Tornados offers a
significant increase in strike capacity to both the RAF component and the wider
coalition air campaign. Pray for wisdom and accurate intelligence for those
conducting these airstrikes and for protection of the innocent; for protection
for the RAF pilots carrying out these raids; for the families of RAF personnel
stationed in Akrotiri, Cyprus, and particularly for the families of the 300+ RAF
personnel deployed at short notice, who remain at home in the UK.
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Pray: |
that our
Government and other coalition member states will have wisdom in determining a
long-term solution to the conflict that brings peace and justice to the region.
(Micah 6:8) | |
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A call to prayer following the decision for military action in
Syria |
Whatever we feel about the
Government's decision for military action in Syria, we must pray! Christians
cannot underestimate the spiritual warfare we are now in - not demonising
peoples or communities, but prayerfully intercepting the powers of darkness
seeking to steal, kill and destroy. Dr Jonathan Oloyede is calling us to stand
in the gap and pray protection, blessing and intervention over our streets,
communities, towns and cities now that Great Britain is at war. As the Church,
we are under the authority of our Lord to blow the trumpet and sound the alarm!
We must ask for God to thwart the plans of those who are planning acts of
terrorism within the UK and abroad, praying protection over those in our armed
forces engaged in airstrikes and praying for our intelligence services, police
and ancillary departments directly or indirectly involved in the safety of all
peoples in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. |
Pray: |
for
believers to immerse our nation in prayer, and for the Gospel to spread across
the land. May His Kingdom come and His will be done in the British Isles.
(1Ki.8:45) | |
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British lorry drivers in Calais in
danger |
It is being claimed that the
migrant crisis is putting the lives of British lorry drivers at risk in Calais -
and the government is being accused of not doing enough to protect them. Lorry
driver Stephen Paul Morecroft has been describing his fear as he does his job to
a BBC reporter, They've got gas and knives and ammunition now. I don't know
where it is going to end. Last month the boss of a British haulage firm claimed
that the migrant crisis in Calais has descended into lawlessness and warned that
it won't be long before someone is killed. One female driver said they attempted
to open the doors to her vehicle and attacked the vehicle, leaving her very
shaken. They are saying the situation is completely unacceptable and hauliers
need someone they can go to in order to sort out this situation. To watch Mr
Morecrofts interview, see here
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Pray: |
for
resolution of a precarious situation, help for the desperate, and an end to
violence. (Ps.84:3) | |
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Britain should stop acting as a Christian
country |
An inquiry into the place of
religion in modern society, chaired by senior judge Baroness Butler-Sloss, has
concluded that Britain is no longer a Christian country and should stop acting
as if it is. The report calls for British public life to be systematically
de-Christianised, pointing to a decline in churchgoing and the rise of Islam and
other faiths. It states that a new settlement is needed for religion, giving
more official influence to non-religious voices and those of non-Christian
faiths. Thankfully Cabinet ministers called it seriously misguided and the
Church of England said it has been hijacked by humanists. But the Church needs
to stand and pray against some of the reports suggestions such as abolishing
the compulsory daily act of worship in school assemblies, cutting the number of
Christian bishops in the Lords to give places to imams, rabbis and others,
rethinking anti-terror policy, and ensuring students can voice radical views on
campus without fear of being reported. |
Pray: |
for the
Church to wake up to her identity and commission to proclaim the Gospel.
(2Tim.4:2) | |
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New
service for young people hit by benefit
sanctions |
Merseyside Youth Association
service in Liverpool helps 16- to 25-year-olds who have been hit by benefit
sanctions and are going hungry but feel uneasy about visiting foodbanks. They
might go to their nans or to their friends and say Can I borrow a few tins of
beans? Each client is helped to complete a form asking why they are attending,
and a counsellor is available for emotional support. Although the service is
only in its second week, organisers say 36 young people have already used it,
with debt and benefit sanctions the most common reasons. These young people are
constantly worried about whether or not theyre going to be able to afford to
feed themselves, as whatever money they do get has to go on rent. Research has
shown that young people are disproportionately affected by benefit
sanctions. |
Pray: |
for
vulnerable young (and older) people who do not have families to fall back on and
who are struggling to live.
(Mt.25:35) | |
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Fight to protect life
continues |
Last week we reported a lost
legal challenge against two doctors performing abortions based on the sex of
unborn baby girls. This week Christian Concern reports that even though the High
Court refused a judicial review, Aisling Hubert and Merv and Nikki Kenward will
appeal the rulings and continue to challenge the failure by the Director of
Public Prosecutions to protect life from its beginning to its natural end.
Explaining her decision to appeal, Aisling said, Every human being is made in
God's image. God delights in justice and demands that we practise it. He cares
for the vulnerable. We must continue to challenge injustice and seek to uphold
protections for unborn children, who cannot defend themselves. We continually
see those responsible for pursuing justice turning a blind eye, perhaps hoping
that the horrors of abortion will be swept under the carpet and the problems go
away. |
Pray: |
for justice
for the unborn child and against abortion on demand, for whatever reason.
(Ps.72:13) | |
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EU says IS has chemical and biological
weapons |
Islamic State is armed with
biological and chemical weapons but Europeans dont take the existential threat
seriously, according to a European Union parliament document. Also, Israeli
experts say IS is armed with weapons forbidden by the Geneva Convention and that
it is a state in every sense of the word, with its own currency, a university
and even licence plates. The EU report said that chemical, biological,
radiological or nuclear substances (CBRN) have been carried undetected into the
European Union. Interpols monthly CBRN intelligence reports show numerous
examples of attempts to acquire, smuggle or use such materials. The report also
said, At present, European citizens are not seriously contemplating extremist
groups using chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear materials in Europe.
Under these circumstances, should it occur, it would be even more destabilising.
See
also |
Pray: |
for the
Western coalition to succeed in removing IS infrastructure in the dozens of
countries it currently inhabits, and for Middle East countries to create
alternatives for their population to rely on.
(Ps.143:9,10) | |
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EU meeting to discuss UK
proposals |
On Thursday and Friday next
week a meeting of the EU Council will be held in Brussels. David Cameron was
warned that a central demand to curb immigration might be asking too much.
Donald Tusk, president of the council, will chair the first detailed talks on
the issue between Cameron and his 27 peers. He sent EU leaders a progress report
after Cameron laid out the reforms he wants if he is to campaign for continued
EU membership in a referendum due to take place in 2017. Mr Tusk said, We have
made good progress, but have to overcome substantial political differences on
the issue of social benefits and free movement. Many governments are willing to
make changes to keep Britain in the Union; however the main stumbling block is
Cameron's pledge to cut immigration to Britain by denying benefits to workers
from other EU states for four years after they arrive. The draft agenda for the
meeting on 17-18 December 2015 can be seen
here |
Pray: |
for a
solution that will not allow illegal and / or unjust discrimination against the
poor and vulnerable.
(Ps.9:18) | |
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India: Christian orphanage accused of brainwashing
children |
An orphanage in India has
been taken over by local authorities, after a court ruled that the young women
who live there have been brainwashed. Christian Today reports that the Moses
Ministries orphanage in Tiruchy, Madras, is run by the Christian Initiative for
India, initially founded in Germany by the Rev Gideon Jacob who was born in
India. The court ruled that Jacob and the orphanage had not obtained sufficient
documentation before admitting some of its children, and, after taking them in,
had brainwashed them. Jacob said the girls were brought to the orphanage by
parents who did not want them, and this is why the orphanage does not have
records such as date of birth and parents names. When you bring a baby to give
her away you are committing a crime for which you can be imprisoned, Jacob
said. If you give away your child you aren't going to give your telephone
number. |
Pray: |
for the
Christian ethos of the orphanage to be continued and for Pastor Jacob to be
exonerated. (Ps.82:3,4) | |
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Egypt: latest election results
announced |
Since the outbreak of the
first uprising in Egypt almost five years ago, two presidential elections, three
referendums over constitutions, and two parliamentary elections have been held.
However, queuing at polling stations has not yet led to change. Recent elections
experienced both violence and apathy. Egypt's branch of IS bombed a hotel in
North Sinai where seven judges overseeing the parliamentary elections were
staying. Polling was light (28%), with many Egyptians indicating distrust and a
feeling of apathy over the political process. It is probable the liberal Free
Egyptians party has won a majority of seats, with the Islamist Al-Nour party
coming second. The world waits to see how President El-Sisi and this new
legislature will fulfil his pledge to set Egypt on a roadmap to democracy.
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Pray: |
for the
Lords plans for Egypt to be fulfilled through decisions made now and in 2016.
(Ps.33:10-11) | |
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Vietnam: Christian lawyer beaten up by police after human rights
conference |
Christians constitute 8% of
Vietnam's population. On Sunday Nguyen Van Dai, a Christian lawyer, was beaten
after leaving a human rights conference that sought to educate citizens about
their rights of freedom of religion or belief. The police had requested that the
conference be cancelled, but it went ahead without incident. Then Mr Nguyen and
his friends travelled to the capital of Nghi Loc District where they were met by
20 plain-clothes police, who beat their shoulders and thighs with wooden sticks.
Mr Nguyen was pulled onto a motorcycle and driven to a different province where
the beatings continued. His documents, phone, camera, wallet, jacket and shoes
were confiscated, and he was pushed into the cold sea. He was finally able to
borrow a phone and call for help. Pray for Mr Nguyen. Pray for Vietnamese -
particularly those with traditions of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism - to
hear the gospel of Christ. |
Pray: |
for lawyers
and human rights defenders to be heard.
(Is.35:3) | |
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Argentina: Mauricio Macri sworn
in |
Military dictatorship and the
failed Falklands / Malvinas war, followed by economic disaster, have led
Argentina into spiritual hunger and receptivity to the gospel of Christ.
Operation World states that evangelical numbers, under one million in 1980,
reached 3.7 million by 2010. But spiritual openness is also seeing many drawn
into Umbanda occultism from Brazil as well as some churches with questionable
teachings. As Mauricio Macri takes over as president of Argentina, pray that he
will be able to harness its vast natural resources to revive an economy that has
for decades fallen short of its potential. Pray also for investments to stream
into the country, bringing with it Christians to reach out to the
highly-educated workforce. See
also |
Pray: |
for the new
government to succeed in fighting poverty and creating more jobs, and for the
Spirit to continue to draw many to himself and to do deeper work in believers.
(Ps.71:20) | |
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Lebanon: Islamist militant
activity |
Lebanon is bordered by Syria
and Israel, and is at the crossroads of the Mediterranean basin and the Arabian
heartland. It had a rich identity of peaceful religious and ethnic diversity.
Recently the army carried out a series of raids after two IS suicide bombs
killed 44 people in crowded commercial and residential areas of Beirut. Then, on
Saturday a suspected IS terrorist killed himself, his wife and mother when he
blew himself up during an army raid on his home near Tripoli. At least ten other
people were wounded in the blast, including four security personnel. Security
forces carried out further raids in the same town after the incident, and
arrested several Lebanese and Syrian nationals. Last week a Lebanese court
charged 26 people with belonging to IS. 23 of them were directly linked to a
Beirut bombing in November which targeted a Shi'ite Muslim suburb.
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Pray: |
for an end
to the war spilling into Lebanon, Sunni militants bombing Shi'ite targets, gun
battles between opposing sides, and clashes between the army and rebels. Pray
for Christian revival there.
(Ps.85:8,9) | |
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Australia: trafficking women for
sex |
In a country that promotes
gender equality, its a sad fact that women are being trafficked to Australia
and sold for sex. The problem is bigger than most people realise. The UN and the
USA have identified Australia as a destination country for trafficked persons.
Research shows that there is a clear link between legalising prostitution and
human trafficking. Women are trafficked into Australia and into brothels.
Prostitution is a trap for the exploitation of women. The Australian Christian
Lobby believes that the solution would be for public policy to tackle the demand
for prostitution and criminalise the purchase of sex. This would lead to a drop
in the number of prostitutes, and fewer people being trafficked into the
country. |
Pray: |
for
legislators to introduce laws that would bring about an end to the exploitation
of women. (Lk.4:18) | |
More: |
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Global: social media, the new megaphone for violent
perpetrators |
Tashfeen Malik, the woman
involved in Californias mass shooting, is the latest in a growing number of
extremists using social media to publicise their crimes. Facebook said she used
an alias to praise IS online shortly before, or during, the attack. Malik's
posting echoes similar bids for attention by violent perpetrators; for example,
a disgruntled Virginia TV broadcaster recorded himself shooting two co-workers
and then posted the video online, and a Florida man killed his wife and shared a
photo of her body on social media. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social
media companies do their best to block or remove posts that glorify violence,
but experts say it's an uphill battle. The advent of new services enabling
people to stream live video from events makes the task more challenging. Online
services use automated software to help detect posts depicting or encouraging
violence; however, all the policies in the world won't help unless companies
devote staff and resources to enforcing them. |
Pray: |
for
intelligence officials and online services to take effective steps to prevent
terrorist groups, their followers, and deranged killers from glorifying
violence. May they have enough manpower to avoid data overload.
(Rom.16:20) | |
More: |
| | Source: Prayer Alert - World Prayer Centre UK
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