News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Printed From: OpenHeaven.com
Forum Name: TOP NEWS - Worldwide Kingdom/Revival NEWS
Forum Discription: Daily News of What God is Doing Worldwide - Read and Comment
URL: http://archive.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=53058
Printed Date: 01/17/2017 at 3:58pm
Topic: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Posted By: News Room
Subject: News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
Date Posted: 01/29/2016 at 2:48pm
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News From British Isles, Ireland, Europe and Worldwide
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UK justice secretary says, 'I believe in
redemption' |
On Tuesday, justice secretary
Michael Gove said his Christian faith informs his prison policies, telling
critics, I believe in redemption. He was rejecting criticism from Philip
Davies, who sits on the justice committee. It's because Im a Conservative I
believe in the rule of law as the foundation stone of our civilisation. It's
because I'm a Conservative I believe that evil must be punished. But it's
because I'm a Conservative and a Christian that I believe in redemption. The
purpose of our prison system is to keep people safe by making people better.
Since May he has removed the ban on prisoners receiving books and also scrapped
the criminal courts charge. He has also ditched a ministry of justice contract
that would have meant the UK government was involved in constructing Saudi
Arabian prisons. |
Praise: |
God for this
generation of politicians who are standing on their Christian values as they
address challenges and change. Ask God to favour Michael Gove as he prepares a
British bill of rights.
(Jer.29:11) | |
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Downton Abbey actress heads new faith-based
documentary |
Many Beautiful Things is a
film about Lilias Trotter, an accomplished artist who gave up her most cherished
dream as one of historys greatest female artists to pursue her lifes true
calling as a missionary in Algeria. The film makes its debut on 6 February in
Washington DC, USA, with theatrical screenings taking place around the country
between 7 and 14 February. The film will be available for download and DVD from
March. It features the voices of Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) and John
Rhys-Davies (The Lord of the Rings) and introduces viewers to an extraordinary
woman of faith who caught the eye of an art critic who promised she would become
the worlds greatest living painter - but only if she gave herself completely to
her art. Trotter refused. She believed God was calling her down a different
path, and resolved to seek first the Kingdom of God by becoming a missionary
in Algeria. |
Praise: |
God for this
Christian avenue into the arts. May it initiate many fruitful faith-based
discussions around
Mt.6:33. | |
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Storm Gertrude: thousands without
power |
The Atlantic storm system
brought winds gusting up to 130km/h to Northern Ireland and Ireland. Ten
thousand homes and businesses were left without power after being battered by
heavy winds. Road travel has been affected by fallen trees and debris while
there has also been disruption to air and sea routes. In Scotland Gertrude has
caused similar travel disruption: one landslide led to a 154-mile diversion. The
Met Office has issued amber be prepared and yellow be aware warnings for
Scotland and large parts of the rest of the UK with more than forty flood
warnings covering areas across Scotland. Seven thousand homes across the north
of Scotland have lost electricity supplies. The Met Office said the amber
warning for wind across Shetland will later be upgraded to red, with gusts of
100mph expected. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WG5Ktp6wRPXTqQNG-lA89Sdh8LO5Z mv9Uf14aWZ1ADZ4szIhR9UwEdX-xOfZTByW23KsTmoSiEjcQPlknXVBA05WM fpzjVS9jn7_UJuijybvKTep7UtwPsqAY5Ij7Th-eG2EM_Xb-9w3_tOf2Rtsl nmLiuMlhOIw6UkKAIld3orguCfyaDXm-nIIYOQGCkJ8WNyCcMFcj_WryV9IT ESP1kT7UtQOhMOaM8H-ayPlSx8=&c=qcv7y1Sdbbp4HLWkF1QYjpqENx lhBbAvZT7W_LSi9A4sWM-b_fYiEw==&ch=IyXT3h4qrstPokrVy2hMXI qWvr6XGlo6YpGLbUynuVLuWTS6gymKGA==" alt="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands -35427984 - See
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Pray: |
for
hospitals working on generators, the emergency services, and the vulnerable and
elderly without electricity feeling alone and helpless.
(Ps.22:11) | |
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British Legion calls for more research into Gulf War
illnesses |
Over 33,000 former soldiers
are thought to suffer from illnesses related to their service. The illnesses
come under the title of Gulf War Syndrome and include chronic fatigue,
headaches, sleep disturbances, joint pains, irritable bowel, stomach disorders,
respiratory disorders and psychological problems. The British Legion said that
too little was known about the condition and the Government should fund more
research into it. The Ministry of Defence said it was always open to new
research proposals, but the overwhelming consensus of the scientific and medical
community is that the range of symptoms is too broad for this ill-health to be
characterised as a syndrome in medical terms. More than 60% of the 50,000
members of the armed forces deployed in 1991 now suffer from illnesses related
to the conflict. Nearly 10,000 receive a war pension, the only financial aid any
ex-service personnel with an illness due to service can get.
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Pray: |
for
Government investment into research so that the lives of those affected can be
improved. (Ps.20:2) | |
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No home for persecuted Pakistani
Christians |
At present there are only a
handful of Pakistani lawyers in the UK, and many Pakistani Christians
desperately need shelter and refuge in Britain. The suffering of Pakistans
Christian minority is well documented, but people are not aware of the tragic
way in which many of those who muster up the courage to seek refuge in the West
are turned away at the door. There is a need for the Pakistani church in Britain
to work in tandem with the church in Pakistan to ensure that members of their
flock know in advance what support is available for them from the church and
where they can turn upon arrival in a foreign and bewildering land. For many,
their poor English makes receiving guidance from a British advisor a daunting
challenge. Even if they are able to find a fellow Pakistani to assist them, the
advisors tend to be Muslims and so the problem of distrust arises.
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Pray: |
for Britain
to understand the level of persecution that Pakistani Christians experience, and
for more Christian lawyers to be available who know the asylum process and speak
asylum-seekers languages.
(Jer.31:3) | |
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Scotland: Trypraying |
Last week we highlighted
Tryprayings launch of forty days of prayer for Lent, and Parliamentary Prayer
Scotlands promotion of a forty-day prayer call prior to the Holyrood elections
on 5 May. We continue, with Prayer for Scotland, to pray for David Hill and the
Trypraying team as they seek to finalise all the details for Lent, the March bus
adverts and the Use it and Lose it booklet campaign. Pray for the money needed
to place adverts on buses throughout Scotland: may it miraculously come in. Pray
that the information meetings for leaders in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in
late January and the launch event on 10 February in Edinburgh will be
successful. Pray that many in Scotland will grasp the vision for praying for
their family and friends, themselves and the nation through Lent, and that many
will take the Trypraying booklet and use it to share their faith.
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Pray: |
for wisdom
and energy for the teams as they finalise details for the forty days of prayer
and encourage praying folk in every community to raise a prayer shield over
their area. (Jude 1:20) | |
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'Speak up before there's nothing left' - National Libraries
Day |
Libraries face closure around
the UK. A week of events and a nationwide celebration of libraries on 6 February
is supported by campaigners and writers highlighting the importance of the
public service. Bestselling author Ann Cleeves has urged people to go out and
join their local library next week. She said that she wouldnt have been a
writer without a library and that lots of authors will tell you the same thing.
There should be equal access to books, information and facts for everybody.
Campaigners will lobby Parliament on 9 February calling for a port of call for
books, local information, human contact, internet access, newspapers and
magazines; a safe and quiet environment, help with form-filling, advice, and the
countless other little things that all add up to bigger things. More than 100
libraries closed last year; the public library service is in the middle of its
worst-ever crisis. |
Pray: |
for God to
run this campaign and initiate the action needed to secure the future of
libraries. (Pr. 29:26) | |
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Mali: Swiss nun kidnapped by British
militant? |
A video released by al-Qaeda
features a militant with a British accent claiming responsibility for kidnapping
Swiss nun Beatrice Stockly in Mali. She was taken on 7 January when armed
militants surrounded her home in Timbuktu. Beatrice is accused of declaring war
against Islam. A man with a British accent said, We, al-Qaeda in the Islamic
Maghreb, declare our responsibility for the kidnapping of this Christianising
kaffir Beatrice Stockly, who by her work drove out many from the fold of Islam
by seducing them with crumbs of this worldly life. The sister was previously
kidnapped in 2012 but broke her conditions of release by refusing to stop
preaching the gospel. Beatrice appears in the video wearing a hijab and next to
a flag. The group also claimed responsibility for the terror attacks two weeks
ago on a hotel and restaurant in Burkina Faso when thirty people were killed.
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Pray: |
for God in
His mercy to reveal himself powerfully to Beatrice, with encouragement and
protection. (Heb.4:16) | |
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Disability benefit
cuts |
The Government has been
defeated in the House of Lords over plans to cut the benefits of people with
illness and disabilities. Ministers wanted to cut Employment Support Allowance
(ESA) by £30 a week to spur new claimants to return to work. But Labour, Lib Dem
and independent peers joined forces to block the move, arguing it would make it
harder for those affected to pay for the support that might allow them to find
work. The Government may try to overturn this decision at a later date in the
House of Commons. Mencap's Rob Holland, who is chair of the Disability Benefits
Commission, said: The Government wants to get more disabled people into work,
but as a sector we have warned that cutting ESA and Universal Credit will
directly undermine that commitment, whilst pushing disabled people further from
work and closer to or into poverty. |
Pray: |
for the
Government to recognise the struggle adults with physical and learning
disabilities have just to get by and to make ends meet, so as to be integrated
in society. (Ac.20:35) | |
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Older people are being 'let down by
NHS |
English and Welsh health
leaders say, Older people in need of urgent help are being failed by the NHS.
Too many over-65s end up in Accident and Emergency unnecessarily because of a
lack of help when they fall ill. Once in hospital, they face longer stays and
losing some of their independence. The leaders call for radical steps, including
providing urgent care at home and getting doctors to carry out ward rounds in
care homes. They say that older people need more help navigating the
complexities of the health and care system. They point to an Age UK scheme in
Cornwall, where the frailest people have coordinators helping to organise their
care. Their report also highlights a scheme in north-east London where hospital
and ambulance staff are working together to provide emergency care in people's
homes. Nurses and paramedics assess and treat older people who have fallen but
not suffered a fracture. Equipment such as walking frames can be arranged.
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Pray: |
for these
and other best-practice schemes to be adopted across the nation by the NHS.
(1Th.5:14) | |
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Germany: police and internal
security |
240,000 police take care of
the internal security of Germany, upholding public order and playing an
important role in maintaining the trust of citizens and ensuring their safety.
The influx of large numbers of refugees presents a huge challenge for the police
and calls for much sensitivity and intuition. They quickly come under criticism
and seldom get recognition for their service. They are exposed daily to attacks
and are themselves frequently victims of crime. There is an increasing lack of
respect from the public. Criticising the state and complaining about officials
is now perfectly acceptable in social circles. Because of the shortage of
personnel the police cannot always adequately respond to demands. Consequently
danger is rising in cities and crime goes unpunished with a state of
lawlessness. Upholding the law is a major challenge. Every loss of control leads
to public unease. Please pray for respect for the police, and for their work to
be restored. (2 Pe.2:9-10) |
Pray: |
for more
support for the police in both political actions and judicial decisions, for
protection of the police from attacks, and for a wise and skilful approach in
all situations. (Ps.20:2) | |
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Sweden: adults posing as refugee
children? |
Back in July 2015 the
Gatestone Institute reported that the fastest growing refugee group in Sweden is
the so-called unaccompanied refugee children. The number of children seeking
asylum has exploded because children are granted asylum quicker than adults, and
Sweden cannot always verify the age of these children. Refugees are allowed to
bring their entire family to Sweden once they get residency status - even if
they claimed to be alone in the world when they arrived. This week a 'child
refugee' has been arrested, accused of murdering Swedish aid worker, Alexandra
Mezher, at a shelter for unaccompanied young asylum seekers. Although claiming
he is only 15, he is suspected of being an adult posing as an orphan. Alexandra
is said to have earlier warned that she was caring for 'big powerful guys' aged
up to 24. Miss Mezher's mother said 'orphans' at the centre often lied about
their age. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WG5Ktp6wRPXTqQNG-lA89Sdh8LO5Z mv9Uf14aWZ1ADZ4szIhR9UwEdX-xOfZTByWuM87ivQdBbuesMLlQWPQFqLRg JZjZYtkOtkERiCBdgf6XFNFmmQ31llwbeV5SHwIBuQF0AwnMFraV4g-YnSso HC2Szi153i0Mz7GcAOkn6K7uZ4zTNgPDVA96jAV7M5KMuS4_yWsSTomqQxj8 KuV6gaDVaKO7iIS&c=qcv7y1Sdbbp4HLWkF1QYjpqENxlhBbAvZT7W_L Si9A4sWM-b_fYiEw==&ch=IyXT3h4qrstPokrVy2hMXIqWvr6XGlo6Yp GLbUynuVLuWTS6gymKGA==" alt="http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6190/sweden-refu gee-children - See
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Pray: |
for the
Swedish immigration service to release the funding to provide creative new types
of screening and homes for suspected dishonest applications into the country.
(Ps.10:14) | |
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Australia: national call to
prayer |
On 7 February, designated as
National Day of Prayer and Fasting, Christians of all denominations will unite,
pray, and fast for revival and transformation in Australia. The Prayer Day team
have a vision for a country where children can flourish and play safely in the
streets; marriages produce happy families and build a strong and vibrant nation
for the greater good of all; the contribution to the local community by people
of faith is valued; and the Judeo-Christian ethics and values that Australia was
built upon are the source of national prosperity for future generations. Their
vision statement says, We live to see a society where justice, fair play and
the common good provide the foundation for the legal, governmental and social
framework that protects every Australian, and the same protection is afforded to
the ageless institutions of marriage and family and the Judeo-Christian heritage
and traditions that our nation has been built upon. |
Pray: |
for
thousands to invite friends, family and church members to participate and pray
powerful nation-changing prayers. Pray for the forty days of prayer and fasting
following the National Day. (2 Chron.
7:14) | |
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Ethiopia: worst drought in fifty years - how can we let this
happen again? |
Ethiopia's northern regions
have been hit by a drought that is estimated to be more terrible than that of
1984, which led to the deaths of over one million people. The United Nations and
Save the Children are appealing for funds to save lives and ensure that
Ethiopia's current developmental momentum remains on track. But how could this
happen again? Thirty years ago a global humanitarian appeal raised many
millions, and foreign NGOs established a host of infrastructure projects
designed to prevent such a disaster recurring. Donor fatigue? The harsh truth is
that Ethiopia is competing for international funds against the likes of war-torn
Syria and Yemen, and a migrant crisis. In addition, the cogs of the bureaucratic
donor system are not renowned for turning quickly. 400,000 children are
suffering from severe acute malnutrition and ten million more need food aid.
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Pray: |
for God in
His mercy to assist administrators of funds, aid and assistance in the droughts
aftermath. (Ps.33:19) | |
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South Africa: worst drought on
record |
The parched landscape of Free
State in South Africa has whirlwinds tossing huge spirals of dust into the sky.
Usually January brings tremendous thunderstorms, with up to 90mm of rain falling
on this traditional farming heartland of the country. But South Africa is
experiencing the worst drought in recorded history. Small-scale farmers, who are
mostly black, are worst affected; unable to plant crops, many are forced to kill
or sell their livestock at below market value prices. Increased food prices, a
stagnating economy and 25% unemployment have created a scenario for social
unrest. Some commercial farmers fear that the country could see widespread
social disturbances. They are concerned that the drought could precipitate land
occupations similar to those in neighbouring Zimbabwe. Members of the ANC Youth
League recently travelled to Zimbabwe to research Zimbabwes land reform
programme. Four thousand white-owned farms have been occupied since the land
grabs began in Zimbabwe fifteen years ago. |
Pray: |
for God in
His mercy to send rain and for late planting to yield sufficient crops. Pray
against unrest. (Ps.34:6) | |
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Syria: peace talks or military
solution? |
The UN special envoy on
Syria, Staffan de Mistura, hopes to start peace talks in Geneva today between
the government and opposition groups. The sides will not talk directly to each
other to begin with, but negotiators will move between them. Priorities are to
agree a general cease-fire, stop the IS threat, and clear the way for
humanitarian aid. On Monday, the day the talks were originally scheduled to
start, Mr de Mistura said, We want to ensure that when and if we start, it will
be on the right foot. It will be uphill. Turkey's foreign minister said that
any participation of Kurdish forces in these peace talks would be dangerous and
spell the end of the UN-led initiative. Meanwhile US vice-president Joe Biden
said that the United States and Turkey are prepared for a military solution
against IS in Syria if the Syrian government and rebels fail to reach a
political settlement. http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001WG5Ktp6wRPXTqQNG-lA89Sdh8LO5Z mv9Uf14aWZ1ADZ4szIhR9UwEdX-xOfZTByWRQAb044N_j5M-jp9Yve0nvDp0 GzdIUMipd4h1RDq40L1-nTxcmDyXEBlBPkmRSgvQQAzzuXN-JjqqSUHXYwA3 lahsT1AMDm5lixSTruUks6AP50F1nvccW2-c1HZuZLirGR7etlYwhiNWWOvi 7Hx_rKl_WetyAISTgOP3d_Z4Qo=&c=qcv7y1Sdbbp4HLWkF1QYjpqENx lhBbAvZT7W_LSi9A4sWM-b_fYiEw==&ch=IyXT3h4qrstPokrVy2hMXI qWvr6XGlo6YpGLbUynuVLuWTS6gymKGA==" alt="http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php? id=31317 - See
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Pray: |
for God to
work through this initiative by Mr de Mistura to help to end the five-year-old
war. (Ro.8:28) | |
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North Korea |
For fourteen years North
Korea has been the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.
Believers face arrest, torture, imprisonment and death for daring to think there
is a higher authority than Kim Jong-un. Many follow Jesus in secret. Parents
don't even tell their children about their faith, for fear they will be
revealed. Thousands of Christians are trapped in horrific labour camps, prison
camps, and isolated closed villages. Most will stay there until they die.
Despite the risks North Koreans are still choosing to follow Christ. A social
stratification system called 'Songbun', similar to the Indian caste system,
divides people into three classes: the loyal, the wavering and the hostile.
These are further divided into 51 subclasses. Christians are part of the
'hostile' class, with Protestant Christians being number 37 and Catholic
Christians number 39. Food and basics are often scarce, so pray for protection
for those who smuggle food, medicine and Christian material into the country.
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Pray: |
for comfort
and strength for those facing daily horrors of labour camps, for secret
believers protection and wisdom for them to know who to trust. Pray for
successful Christian radio broadcasts. (Rev.2:10b,
11) | |
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Iran's president asks the Pope to pray for
him |
Pope Francis met the Iranian
president on Tuesday, joining in discussions touching on the nuclear accord and
Iran's role in the region. Before these discussions, the two men met privately
for forty minutes. The Vatican described the talks as cordial, with good
Iranian-Vatican relations. After the meeting President Rouhani asked the Pope to
pray for him. The Vatican meeting was a key part of an Iranian effort to take a
more prominent place on the world stage after a nuclear deal with Western
powers. The Vatican said that Iran was also urged to help fight arms
trafficking. Rouhani's visit to the Holy See saw the first meeting between a
pope and an Iranian president since 1999. He is on a four-day European visit to
boost Iran's image abroad as well as to rehabilitate economic ties with a
continent that had been a big trade partner before sanctions.
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Pray: |
for God to
bring about change as a result of this visit: for a calm positive relationship
with potential trading partners in Europe, and a softening of Irans attitude
towards Iranian Christians.
(Ps.46:10) | |
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South
Sudan: urgent support needed |
An alert from the Integrated
Food Classification (IPC) states that in some areas of South Sudan the situation
has reached catastrophic and emergency levels. Over a third of the
population are experiencing severe levels of hunger, and many are eating wild
foods and drinking unsafe water to survive. In Unity State, one of the three
areas worst affected, Christian Aid is supplying fast-maturing vegetable seeds,
fishing nets and water purification tablets. To prevent the spread of disease,
they are also distributing hygiene kits which include soap, sanitary products,
jerry cans for transporting and storing water, and mosquito nets. Unless the
response can be scaled up, livelihoods and lives will be lost. Further
catastrophe can be averted. Christian Aid and other NGOs urgently need more
funding to respond to this humanitarian crisis. |
Pray: |
for God to
help all those working to bring dignity and well-being to the people, and those
supporting the Church in its historic and important role in speaking truth in
power and preaching messages of peace.
(Ps.18:16,17) | |
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