Russian hotels to have a Bible in every room
With so much bad news coming out of Russia these days, it is surprising (and encouraging) to learn that this month, Russian hotels are to have Bibles in every room. According to Teresa Neumann of Breaking Christian News (http://breakingchristiannews.com), the first 6,000 copies of the New Testament and Psalms were installed this month in rooms of Izmailovo, one of the largest hotels in Moscow. ‘The move is supported by the government's Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of the Moscow Government and the Commission with the Diocesan Missionary Council of the capital’, reports The Christian Telegraph. Dimitriy Pershin, the chairman of the Commission said, ‘Actually, in every European hotel, guests can find Bibles in the rooms. The Gospel is a book that has become the foundation of European culture. It is an essential feature of the respectful and hospitable attitude towards the guests, as well as an indicator of the cultural level of the owners of hotels.’
Praise: God for this initiative and pray that it will lead to more opportunities. (Ac.6:7)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13080097.htm
Church ‘like drunken man nearing a precipice’
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that the Anglican Church is moving towards the ‘edge of a precipice’ amid disputes between liberals and traditionalists. Justin Welby said the church was in danger of abandoning its core beliefs while also falling into a ‘ravine of intolerance’ in the way its deals with divisive issues such as gay marriage and female bishops. Speaking during a visit to Mexico, he likened the behaviour of the Church to a ‘drunk man’ staggering close to the edge of a cliff and drew parallels between the crisis afflicting the 77-million-strong Anglican community and the atmosphere in the Civil War. ‘I sometimes worry that as Anglicans we are drifting back in that direction. Not consciously, of course, but in an unconscious way that is more dangerous,’ he said. ‘It is a dangerous place, a narrow path we walk as Anglicans at present.’
Pray: for the church as it seeks direction and less confusion. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide our leaders with clarity and true vision. (Ps.48:14)
More: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/main-topics/general-news/church-like-drunken-man-nearing-a-precipice-1-5978385
Church of Scotland spearhead justice campaign for garment workers
A former Church of Scotland Moderator is leading the charge for better rights and safer working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers in the run up to Christmas and the winter sales. The Church of Scotland and an alliance of British churches and other agencies have united to help end the many injustices faced by the garment workers. The Very Rev John Christie in his year as Moderator of the General Assembly of The Church of Scotland was deeply affected by the plight of garment workers and the injustices they face daily during a visit to Bangladesh. Mr Christie has put his weight behind the campaign, the aim of which is to mobilise church members and others in the United Kingdom, America and Canada to lobby retailers and politicians to improve wages, safety and working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers.
Pray: for the success of this campaign and that it will help to bring better working conditions for Bangladeshi garment workers. (Pro.29:4)
Britain: Muslim TV hate preachers ‘inciting murder’
An Islamic television channel has been hit with a hefty fine after a Muslim hate preacher told viewers, live on air, that it was the duty of all Muslims to murder anyone who shows disrespect for the Prophet Mohammed. Noor TV, a British-based Satellite Television Channel that broadcasts programmes about Islam throughout Europe, was fined $115,000 by the British broadcasting regulator known as Ofcom for inciting people to commit murder. Ofcom said the fine imposed on August 21 was so large due to ‘the serious nature of the breaches of the Broadcasting Code.’ It said young Muslims watching Noor TV could become ‘radicalized’ and take ‘violent and criminal action as a result of watching videos of Muslims with extreme views.’ The programme in question, Paigham-e-Mustafa, is a talk show aimed at young British Muslims with questions about a wide range of issues and personal conduct relating to Islam and Islamic teachings.
Pray: against this trend to radicalize Muslims and incite murder. (Mt.5:21)
More: http://europenews.dk/en/node/70934
Germany’s Lower Saxony seeks help over ‘modern slavery’
Crowded dormitories, excessive work schedules and low pay. These are the conditions faced by some migrant workers in Germany – the economic powerhouse of the EU. Many of the foreigners were promised much more before they left their own countries. The government in the north-western region of Lower Saxony is asking for federal help to tackle these abuses. ‘This has to stop. These are people who work in German companies and must be treated humanely and they also need to be represented by working councils,’ said Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil. There is no minimum wage in Germany. This can even mean pay of between three and six euros an hour or a monthly salary of between 300-500 euros. These types of low wages are prevalent in certain sectors, such as the meat industry. There are around two million of what are called ‘working poor’ in the country
Pray: that the government will seek ways of establishing fair and just pay for all workers. (Ps.112:5)
Germany’s Lower Saxony seeks help over ‘modern slavery’
Crowded dormitories, excessive work schedules and low pay. These are the conditions faced by some migrant workers in Germany – the economic powerhouse of the EU. Many of the foreigners were promised much more before they left their own countries. The government in the north-western region of Lower Saxony is asking for federal help to tackle these abuses. ‘This has to stop. These are people who work in German companies and must be treated humanely and they also need to be represented by working councils,’ said Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil. There is no minimum wage in Germany. This can even mean pay of between three and six euros an hour or a monthly salary of between 300-500 euros. These types of low wages are prevalent in certain sectors, such as the meat industry. There are around two million of what are called ‘working poor’ in the country
Pray: that the government will seek ways of establishing fair and just pay for all workers. (Ps.112:5)
Czech Republic detains 100 in massive anti-Roma protests
A tense calm has returned to the Czech Republic where officials say some 100 far-right activists have been detained in violent demonstrations against gypsies, also known as Roma. Officials said arrests were made in at least eight cities, which resembled a warzone on Saturday. Riot police used teargas to prevent hundreds of far-right activists from entering a district mainly inhabited by Roma. There were violent clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police in what rights activists viewed as a show of hatred towards the already discriminated and largely impoverished Roma minority. Advocacy group Amnesty International had urged the Czech government to ‘ensure that these protests do not lead to violence against Roma communities, and that those at risk get the protection they need’. Rights activists held counter demonstrations in several cities, including in the capital Prague. Government officials said the anti-Roma protests were fuelled by what they called ‘a list of lies’ distributed through the Internet. (See Prayer Alert 32-2013)
Pray: that the activists that instigated these protests and hate moves against the Roma will be stopped.
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/30084-news-watch-czech-republic-detains-100-in-massive-anti-roma-protests
Czech Republic detains 100 in massive anti-Roma protests
A tense calm has returned to the Czech Republic where officials say some 100 far-right activists have been detained in violent demonstrations against gypsies, also known as Roma. Officials said arrests were made in at least eight cities, which resembled a warzone on Saturday. Riot police used teargas to prevent hundreds of far-right activists from entering a district mainly inhabited by Roma. There were violent clashes between stone-throwing protesters and police in what rights activists viewed as a show of hatred towards the already discriminated and largely impoverished Roma minority. Advocacy group Amnesty International had urged the Czech government to ‘ensure that these protests do not lead to violence against Roma communities, and that those at risk get the protection they need’. Rights activists held counter demonstrations in several cities, including in the capital Prague. Government officials said the anti-Roma protests were fuelled by what they called ‘a list of lies’ distributed through the Internet. (See Prayer Alert 32-2013)
Pray: that the activists that instigated these protests and hate moves against the Roma will be stopped.
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/30084-news-watch-czech-republic-detains-100-in-massive-anti-roma-protests
NIGERIA: Education under threat
Boko Haram’s name means ‘Western education is sacrilege.’ They recently kidnapped three teachers at a school in Benin City, the fifth school attack since June. They killed 48 students and 7 teachers in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno. In Yobe a school was set on fire while students aged 10-15 slept. Anyone trying to escape was shot. At Mamudo terrorists killed 22 students and a teacher. At Adanu students were lined up, stripped, made to lie face down and shot. Then the bodies were burnt. Boko Haram wants to reinstate a 19th century caliphate - believing secular schooling has brainwashed Nigerians to accept post-colonial Western order and forget Islamic ways. Consequently, Yobe schools are now closed in response to the bloodshed, teachers and students across Nigeria have withdrawn from schools remaining open and one teacher (who possibly represents many) said she was not prepared to die for teaching and is looking for a new job.
Pray: for the Lord to demolish the demonic forces that are using Boko Haram to harm innocent children, teachers and the education system throughout Nigeria. (Dan.10:13)
More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/08/nigeria-state-closes-all-schools_n_3559417.html
Syria: Treating war casualties
Three hospitals in that area are supported by the international medical organisation ‘Doctors Without Borders’ (MSF) reported receiving approximately 3,600 patients displaying neurotoxic symptoms in less than three hours on Wednesday. Three hundred and fifty-five died. MSF has a strong and reliable collaboration with medical networks, hospitals and medical points in the Damascus governorate - providing them with drugs, medical equipment and technical support. Medical staff provided detailed information regarding large numbers of patients with convulsions, excess saliva, pinpoint pupils, blurred vision and respiratory distress. They were treated with a drug used to treat neurotoxic symptoms. MSF is now trying to replenish empty stocks and provide additional medical supplies and guidance. 1,600 vials of atropine were supplied over recent months to hospitals and a further 7,000 vials more recently to facilities in the area treating neurotoxic patients. MSF is now including neurotoxic treatment strategies in all its Syrian programmes. Pray: for medical needs to be met in war zones. Pray against extreme violence, displacement and deliberate destruction of medical facilities.
Pray that the use of chemical and biological weapons would never be repeated. (Ps.35:17-20)