Street preacher arrested for ‘homophobic’ language
The Christian Legal Centre is supporting a man who was arrested on Monday (1st July) for using ‘homophobic’ speech whilst preaching on a London high street. Tony Miano was preaching from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 on sexual immorality and the need to abstain from it. Mr Miano was arrested and taken to the local police station where he was photographed, fingerprinted and had a DNA sample taken. Mr Miano commented: ‘It surprised me that here in the country that produced the Magna Carta that an otherwise law abiding person could lose his freedom because one person was offended by the content of my speech.’ Although a US citizen, he plans to send a letter to every member of both Houses of Parliament, expressing his concerns about diminishing free speech in the UK and his fears that the proposed legislation redefining marriage will lead to an increasing number of cases like his.
Pray: that those who preach God’s Word will be protected. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/media/interview-with-tony-miano-and-footage-of-his-arrest
British military restructuring
Several military barracks are to close and more than 30,000 soldiers relocated to new bases across the UK as part of a restructuring of the army. The moves are part of the wholesale re-organisation and shrinking of the army as almost 16,000 soldiers return from Germany over the next six years and thousands more are pulled out of Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The army will restructure around seven regional hubs in the UK.
Pray: for wisdom for those involved in the shaping of Britain's armed forces over the coming decades. Pray for those civilian as well as military staff affected in these changes; some facing relocation of job, home and schools and others redundancy. (Pro.3:13)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/05/seven-military-barracks-army-restructuring
Belarus: Praying in homeless shelter a crime
A young Catholic layman, who turned his home in a western Belarus village into a shelter for homeless people with a prayer room, is being accused of leading an unregistered religious organisation, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. Aleksei Shchedrov - who says he has helped about 100 local people since December 2011 - is being investigated on criminal charges under Article 193-1, and faces a maximum possible sentence of two years' imprisonment. Shchedrov denies the authorities' accusation of founding an unregistered religious organisation. ‘I am a Christian and I started to help those who are in need,’ he insisted to Forum 18 on 24 June from the village of Aleksandrovka, Grodno [Hrodna] Region. ‘I give them food, a bed, a bath and clothes and I pray together with them. But this is no religious organisation, just charity.’ Local police launched the criminal investigation against the 28-year-old Shchedrov following raids on the shelter in February and April.
Pray: for Shchedrov that the authorities will release him and allow him to continue to care for those in need. (Rom.12:13)
Belarus: Praying in homeless shelter a crime
A young Catholic layman, who turned his home in a western Belarus village into a shelter for homeless people with a prayer room, is being accused of leading an unregistered religious organisation, Forum 18 News Service has learnt. Aleksei Shchedrov - who says he has helped about 100 local people since December 2011 - is being investigated on criminal charges under Article 193-1, and faces a maximum possible sentence of two years' imprisonment. Shchedrov denies the authorities' accusation of founding an unregistered religious organisation. ‘I am a Christian and I started to help those who are in need,’ he insisted to Forum 18 on 24 June from the village of Aleksandrovka, Grodno [Hrodna] Region. ‘I give them food, a bed, a bath and clothes and I pray together with them. But this is no religious organisation, just charity.’ Local police launched the criminal investigation against the 28-year-old Shchedrov following raids on the shelter in February and April.
Pray: for Shchedrov that the authorities will release him and allow him to continue to care for those in need. (Rom.12:13)
Germany: Heavy metal evangelism
Watchman Team international Europe have forwarded the following prayer request, ‘We would like to mention two ‘Heavy Metal’ music festivals this summer in Germany. ‘Wacken Open Air’ takes place from July 28th to August 4th in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein (northern Germany) with an estimated 75,000 visitors from all over the world, and ‘Summerbreeze’ takes place in Dinkelsbuehl in Franken (southern Germany) from August 15th to 17th with about 30,000 visitors. Please pray for the Spirit’s protection and power for the Christians who will be witnessing at these events – that many young people will be drawn out of darkness into the light. Extra copies of the ‘Metal-Bible’ are being printed for distribution to visitors who are drawn to hear the gospel message.
Pray: that God will powerfully anoint all who are called to share the gospel at these events. Pray for successful printing and timely delivery of all evangelistic material. (Ps.134:3)
Germany: Heavy metal evangelism
Watchman Team international Europe have forwarded the following prayer request, ‘We would like to mention two ‘Heavy Metal’ music festivals this summer in Germany. ‘Wacken Open Air’ takes place from July 28th to August 4th in the small town of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein (northern Germany) with an estimated 75,000 visitors from all over the world, and ‘Summerbreeze’ takes place in Dinkelsbuehl in Franken (southern Germany) from August 15th to 17th with about 30,000 visitors. Please pray for the Spirit’s protection and power for the Christians who will be witnessing at these events – that many young people will be drawn out of darkness into the light. Extra copies of the ‘Metal-Bible’ are being printed for distribution to visitors who are drawn to hear the gospel message.
Pray: that God will powerfully anoint all who are called to share the gospel at these events. Pray for successful printing and timely delivery of all evangelistic material. (Ps.134:3)
NIGERIA: School massacre
Secondary schools have been ordered to close across Nigeria's north-eastern state of Yobe after a massacre in which Boko Haram Islamist extremists torched Mamudo Boarding school killing 22 students. ‘Boko Haram’ translates as ‘Western education is forbidden’ and dozens of schools have been burned in attacks by them since 2010. Eyewitnesses said some victims were burned alive while others were shot as they fled. An Associated Press reporter found chaotic hospital scenes where traumatised parents struggled to identify their children among the charred bodies and gunshot victims. Survivors said suspected militants arrived with containers full of fuel and set fire to the school. Yobe Governor Ibrahim Gaidam condemned the ‘cold-blooded murder’ and ordered secondary schools to be closed until September to allow state and federal government officials plus community leaders to work towards guaranteeing school safety. He also asked the government to remove mobile phone signal blocks across the state as the lack of mobile communications prevents patriotic citizens from reporting suspicious movements in their neighbourhoods.
Pray: for God to comfort those who mourn and to bless those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.(Mat.5:3-10)
Global: Ramadan July 10 – August 7
The word Islam means ‘submission to the will of Allah’. Allah is the God of Islam. Members of Islam are called Muslims meaning ‘those who submit’. The purpose of the Ramadan season is to take Muslims away from their normal lifestyle and make them re-examine their life in the context of a higher ideal. For example, experiencing hunger makes you more aware of the poor. During Ramadan Muslims around the world face towards Mecca, the holiest city in Islam to pray five times a day. Today, and throughout Ramadan during your time of prayer, ask that God's spirit would descend upon all these people. During this season of Ramadan as Muslims seek the truth pray that they will know the True God. Pray also for Christians living in Saudi Arabia and other closed countries to embody the essence of God in their speech, actions and thoughts, allowing Him to be revealed to all. For a Ramadan prayer calendar go to: http://www.prayirannow.com/calendar/ramadan.html
Pray: that seekers will be found by the Alpha and the Omega of faith. (Rev.1:8a)
More: http://www.prayirannow.com/
Egypt: Morsi supporters attack Christians
Twelve hours after the military expelled Mohamed Morsi and his cabinet from office reports from scattered locations across Egypt of attacks against Christians by Morsi supporters began. Angry over what they saw as a coup hard-line Muslims attacked Christian homes, business and church buildings as part of nationwide protests culminating in a ‘Friday of rage.’ On Friday afternoon the national police notified church leaders to be on the lookout for license plate numbers of several cars that informants said terrorists had packed with explosives and were heading toward churches in Cairo and the surrounding area looking for targets. Christians across the country are uncertain about their future. Is the past week’s violence the start of a civil war in which they would be targeted as the Christians in Syria are targeted? Meanwhile the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Britain announced three days of prayer for Egypt's minority Coptic Christians. See http://www.bosnewslife.com/29427-egypt-christians-pray-after-massacre-amid-concerns-over-nations-future
Pray: for protection for those caught up in the confusion and violence in Egypt, pray that the turmoil would be short-lived and a workable government and constitution be agreed upon quickly. May this be a real moment of opportunity for Christians to share the gospel of peace with those around them. (Ps.4:6-8)
Lebanon: Car bomb inflames tensions
A car bomb injuring 53 people exploded Wednesday in Beirut, at a Lebanese stronghold for the Shia militant group Hezbollah. It’s feared several were killed. No group has claimed responsibility. Lebanon’s neighbouring Syrian rebels threatened to target Hezbollah because they sent troops to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The area of the blast is a commercial and residential site swelling with people. SAT-7 ARABIC is a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa that attracts 8.5 million teens and adults with a Christian worldview. Their studios in Lebanon posted on their Facebook page, ‘Please join us in praying for those affected by today's car bombing near Beirut. SAT-7 staff members are safe and the studio is secure.’ The car bombing smoke had barely cleared before nearly 100 angry Hezbollah supporters flooded the area shouting, ‘The Shiite blood is boiling.’ Lebanon’s Sunni Muslims mostly support the Syrian rebels while Shia Muslims in Lebanon back Assad.
Pray: against escalating tensions between the Sunni and Shia and for Christian ministries as they seeks to communicate the peace and truth of Jesus Christ amid turmoil. (Ps.20:1)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18738