Syria: Fighting overspills
On Tuesday explosions rocked the centre of Damascus and a car bomb went off in the Shi'ite quarter of Beirut. – see item 4 above. These events served as a reminder that Syria continues to bleed and the repercussions of the horrendous civil war are still being felt by neighbours. In the south of the Golan Heights near where Israel, Jordan and Syria meet, sits a UN outpost deserted by international observers months ago when the fighting between the Syrian army and extremist Sunni rebels escalated. The observers fled and the outpost is now held by a small group of armed Sunni extremists. From the Israeli side of the border you can easily spot them. When they're not fighting Assad's forces they spend their time in the small swimming pool abandoned by the UN soldiers. Some Israelis fear that sooner or later they might seek some other pastime on the western side of the fence and Syria’s internal violence will be reflected in tensions with Israel as Syria’s war overspills onto neighbouring borders.
Pray: that in the midst of turmoil and change - God’s purposes will be achieved in the Middle East. (Mat.16:18) Pray that Believers will know the reality of His peace. (Ps.29)
More: http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/tensions-in-syria-and-egypt-are-flaring-but-israel-s-responses-are-limited.premium-1.534876
Zimbabwe: Churches asked to pray for Zimbabwe
Tensions are rising as Zimbabwe nears its election (due on 31 July). Previous elections led to the economy collapsing, critical food shortages and violence. As July 31st approaches many fear the same may happen . There is conflict between the two leading parties the election date and political change might shake the country. Churches have been asked to pray for Zimbabwe, that peace and stability will be found in Zimbabwe and there would be no violence. The coalition government has brought some hope and the economy has slightly recovered, but there’s a widening gap between the rich and poor. The country is unstable. Churches have been asked to pray that Zimbabwe will reach a point where people are safe and not living in poverty. Evangelical Alliance Viva's patron Rev Stephen Gaukroger said, ‘We are calling on UK churches to make Zimbabwe a focus for prayer at this crucial time.’
Pray: against violence and fear and for peace and stability. Pray that the children can grow up knowing they have a future and a hope. (Ps.9:3-4)
More: http://www.eauk.org/church/stories/churches-asked-to-pray-for-zimbabwe.cfm
Pakistan: Attacks on Christian minority groups
Suspected Islamic militants attacked The Assembly of God (AoG) Pentecostal church in the Swati gate area of Peshwar north western Pakistan early on Friday amid heightened tensions over minorities in the region. Christians said the two attackers tried to enter the building where pastors gathered for a refresher training course. They were stopped by a police guard who was shot three times and died at the scene. They then took his gun, fired at the AoG church building and fled. Christians said the attack followed threats against the AoG prompting local authorities to send two police officers to the church for security. But there was only one on duty during Friday's attack. He’s the latest casualty in an on-going ‘war against terror’ in the province where over 22,000 people have been killed in the past five years. Islamic militants, who rights activists claim have links to government officials, often described Christianity as a ‘Western religion’ and accused Christians of having ties to ‘Western occupiers.’
Pray: against a culture of state sponsored Islam and social and legal repression of Christianity. Pray also that God will protect and sustain Christians. (Ps.140:4-7-8)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/12480-pakistan-militants-attack-pentecostal-church-1-killed
Police Facing 'Serious Drag' On Morale
A string of scandals and budget cuts have left police morale and public confidence at an "all time low", says the Police Minister. Damien Green said recent allegations involving the improper behaviour of the police have had a "really serious drag" on serving officers as well as harming public confidence in them. Speaking to Sky News, the minister said that despite complaints by the Police Federation that cuts are harming frontline officers, crime is falling. Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, added: "I talk to my officers and they’ll say absolutely, morale is low. Yet what I see, day in day out, is officers going to extraordinary lengths, working ridiculous hours, taking personal risks to try and serve the public." Home Secretary Theresa May, said: "The vast majority of police officers are out there and they are working with integrity and honesty, and doing the job that the public wants them to do.
Pray: for all serving police officers as they undertake increasingly demanding work. (2Ti.2:15)
More: http://news.sky.com/story/1112504/police-facing-serious-drag-on-morale
Child abuse apology from Church of England
The Church of England's parliamentary body has apologised to victims of sexual abuse at the hands of Anglican clergy, noting its failure to prevent it and respond effectively. The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, said addressing the issue had been "absolutely agonising". Speaking in a meeting of the General Synod in York on Sunday, the Archbishop admitted some victims had been "badly treated" by the Church. He said there needed to be a "complete change of culture and behaviour" in the Church of England. "We cannot in 20 years be finding ourselves having this same debate and saying 'Well we didn't quite understand then'," he said. "There has to be a complete change of culture and behaviour and in addition there is a profound theological point. We are not doing all this, we are not seeking to say how devastatingly, appallingly, atrociously sorry we are for the great failures there have been for our own sakes, for our own flourishing, for the protection of the Church.
Pray: for all those affected by this issue and that both they and the church will be able to move on. (2Pe.3:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/child.abuse.apology.from.church.of.england/33106.htm
New Vice-President urges Methodists to fight poverty
The newly inaugurated Vice-President of the Methodist Conference, Dr Daleep Mukraji, called on the Methodist people to "speak out, take sides," and "stand up for justice" in his inaugural address to the Methodist Conference last Saturday. Urging Methodists to become "agents of change", Dr Mukarji said that the UK had not seen higher levels of poverty and inequality since World War Two. One out of five people in the UK live in relative poverty including around 3.5 million children who are more likely to live in a low income household than the population as a whole. "Working with others, people of faith or no faith, we need to work for justice, inclusion and development that benefits the poor and marginalised here in the UK and across the world," he said. "This requires that we be prepared for the education, organisation and equipping of our members so that we build the necessary energy and commitment to see changes in our society."
Pray: for us all to become agents for change and to work to overcome poverty. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18618
Church of England 'has 20 years to reassert its position as national Church'
The Bishop of Sheffield has told the Church of England the next five years must see a deeper and more sustained engagement with its current primary goals of contributing to the common good, growing the Church, and re-imagining ministry. The goals were the subject of a report, Challenges for the Quinquennium, considered by the Church of England General Synod meeting in York last Saturday. Bishop Steven Croft told Synod members the Church of England needed a "more outward focus" that implied action as well as reflection. He welcomed the rise in the number of younger vocations to ordained ministry. However, he said there needed to be more diverse vocations and more from different ethnic backgrounds. The bishop admitted the area of growing the Church and of making disciples was the "most challenging" out of the three goals. "We urgently need to deepen that conversation about the challenge of passing on the Christian faith in our own Church."
Pray: for the Church as it looks ahead that it will be inspired and led by God. (Ro.8:28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.of.england.has.20.years.to.reassert.its.position.as.national.church/33103.htm
Wave of revival sweeping through South African schools
A new wave of revival is sweeping through schools as God is moving among the youth of South Africa, says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month and about 500 learners there committed their lives to Jesus. There was also a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Since last month Gateway News has reported on a growing prayer walk movement at Port Elizabeth schools with reports of healing miracles and changed lives; a powerful move of God at a Uitenhage Christian School that has impacted a neighbouring Government school and spread to a Christian school in Alexandria; and an outbreak of revival at a Christian school near Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Praise: God for this move of the Holy Spirit through the schools and young people. (Mat.28:19)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/27/wave-of-revival-sweeping-through-sa-schools-kzn-principal/
Wave of revival sweeping through South African schools
A new wave of revival is sweeping through schools as God is moving among the youth of South Africa, says Matt Hogarty, principal of Oasis Christian Academy in Howick, Kwa-Zulu-Natal. He says that as a result of what God has been doing at Oasis, a team from his school was invited to minister at a Government school in Pietermaritzburg earlier this month and about 500 learners there committed their lives to Jesus. There was also a powerful time of ministry during which children opened up about issues of abuse and trauma in their lives. Since last month Gateway News has reported on a growing prayer walk movement at Port Elizabeth schools with reports of healing miracles and changed lives; a powerful move of God at a Uitenhage Christian School that has impacted a neighbouring Government school and spread to a Christian school in Alexandria; and an outbreak of revival at a Christian school near Tzaneen in Limpopo.
Praise: God for this move of the Holy Spirit through the schools and young people. (Mat.28:19)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/27/wave-of-revival-sweeping-through-sa-schools-kzn-principal/
Concern over teenagers buying alcohol via online shopping
Young people are increasingly using online supermarket delivery services to buy alcohol, figures show. A total of 21% of 14-15-year-olds questioned for the Alcohol Concern Cymru Wales-wide survey said they had bought alcohol online. The charity surveyed nearly 1,000 teenagers aged 14-17. Calls for procedures to be toughened have been made but retailers have said they take their responsibilities seriously. The Alcohol Concern Cymru survey found that 15% of all respondents said they had successfully bought alcohol online while 7% had tried to buy alcohol online but were unsuccessful. Mark Leyshon, policy and research officer for Alcohol Concern Cymru, said young people regarded internet shopping as an ‘easy’ way to buy alcohol. ‘Retailers offering home delivery services need to toughen up their processes to ensure that children and young people are prevented from accessing alcohol through this channel,’ he said.
Pray: that the authorities will be able to find ways to stop this form of alcohol abuse. (1Sam.23:21)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23124507