South Africa: Learn to let Mandela go
The Archbishop of Cape Town said he is glad people are offering heartfelt prayers for the recovery of Nelson Mandela but he also welcomes the growing acceptance that the former South African President, aged 94, in hospital with a lung infection and in a critical condition, cannot go on forever. Writing in a Sunday newspaper Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said it was time for South Africans to break the taboo of death and learn to deal with mortality. It troubled him that people had become so poor at addressing this fundamental part of what it means to be truly human. ‘I was glad to see that alongside our heartfelt prayers for his recovery, there is also growing acceptance that he cannot go on for ever - we must learn to let him go. This is both good and necessary for Madiba's sake and for ours. In fact a more honest attitude to our own mortality helps us all in the daily business of life.’
Pray: for our brothers and sisters in South Africa as they pray for Nelson Mandela; may he have peaceful days and a good end. (Mt.6:10)
More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/24/archbishop-south-africa-must-learn-to-let-mandela-go/
Pakistan: The Turi tribe
The Turi tribe inhabit Kurram Valley, Pakistan with a smaller number in Afghanistan. They are known for their resistance to Taliban, Al Qaeda and Haqqani supporters who seek to launch attacks against Kabul which is only 90 km away. They have suffered brutal attacks, been killed byTaliban landmines, faced a shortage of food and other supplies - the prices of which have skyrocketed since the blockade, while education and other services have deteriorated. The Turis refuse to be sacrificed to government strategies and accuse the Pakistani Government of failing to support them, despite their loyalty, because they are Shia. Christians ask us to pray that the Turi tribe will be strong as they take a stand against the forces of extremism in the region. May they know God’s blessing & protection and come to know Jesus Christ as Lord. Three years ago the BBC reported them as being the ‘tribe that has taken on the Taliban’ and they continue to do so.
Pray: that the Government would support the Turis. Ask God to enable them to be used in bringing life & truth to the surrounding region. (2Cor.10:16)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11486528
Pakistan: Militants threaten to kill Christian lawyer
The chief lawyer defending Christian women who were reportedly sexually abused by activists of Pakistan's ruling party said that Muslim militants have threatened to kill him if he and his legal team continue with this case or others, including attacks on a Christian neighbourhood and rape. Sardar Mushtag Gill, who heads the Legal Evangelical Association Development group said he and a friend were forcibly stopped at gunpoint by three armed men last Sunday when returning from meeting the mistreated women and their family to discuss presenting a petition asking the Pattoki Court to detain the suspects, who have been linked to the governing Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N). He explained that sisters Arshad Bibi, Sajida Bibi and Sauriya Bibi, were abused by armed men and an influential landlord because goats owned by the women allegedly entered the landlord’s fields and damaged crops. (See Prayer Alert 13th June)
Pray: that the Christians' complaint will be upheld and the aggressors brought to justice pray for the protection of Human Rights Defenders in Pakistan. (Ps.86:14-17)
USA: Texas - Late-Term Abortion
Members of the Texas House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a 20-week late-term abortion ban during the wee hours of Monday morning authorising a Senate Bill which will now be sent to the Texas Senate for consideration later this week. Recently Texas Governor Rick Perry said, ‘The horrors of the national late-term abortion industry are continuing to come to light, one atrocity at a time. Sadly some of those same atrocities happen in our own state. In Texas we value all life and we’ve worked to cultivate a culture that supports the birth of every child. We have an obligation to protect unborn children and to hold those who peddle these abortions to standards that would minimize the death, disease and pain they cause. The 19-page bill would tighten restrictions on abortion procedures and ban abortions after 20 weeks. Hundreds of protesters crammed into the State Capitol on Sunday night and Monday morning protesting against the bill, while pro-life supporters are praising the legislation.
Pray: that this step will prompt peaceful further stages towards saving lives in Texas and across the United States of America. (Job.1:21 & Is.44:24)
Women celebrate purity and preciousness
Milk & Honey, a non-for profit organisation and online hub for young women launched their inaugural event 'The Precious Conference' over the weekend. St Mary's Church in Marylebone opened their doors to young women aged 16 to 25 for a day of sisterhood, worship and empowerment. The conference supports the 'I Am Precious Campaign', a movement by Milk and Honey that strives to tackle the common societal pressures that 21st century women face. Guest speakers delivered hard hitting testimonies of how God has used them to win souls, and the spiritual nourishment they have received as a result of their choice to surrender. Hannah Thompson, shared her story of how God turned her life around and helped her realise the importance of acknowledging self-worth. She explained the importance of surrendering to God and discarding the past. "No matter what your past may look like, no matter what hurt, what thing you're ashamed of, God is alive in you.”
Pray: for God to to touch the lives of women around the world to affirm them in their daily lives. (Jn.1:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/women.celebrate.purity.and.preciousness/32946.htm
Teacher probed over her gay marriage views
A Christian teacher from London is under investigation because she refused to give a lesson telling children that all opponents of gay marriage are homophobes. The unnamed teacher didn’t think that it was a “fair characterisation of the debate”, she says, but is now under investigation at her school. She is also under suspicion for being a member of a church, and a colleague is demanding to know whether it impacts her job. ’The head teacher investigated the incident and concluded there was no case to answer. Another colleague, who is also a union rep, then followed up the complaint, and has formally raised additional concerns about the teacher's Christian beliefs and her membership of a church demanded an investigation into whether membership of the church had any negative impact on her job as a teacher. That investigation process is currently underway.
Pray: for the teachers currently being investigated and that this case will very quickly be rejected as spurious and that there is no case to answer. (Matt.5:10)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-teacher-probed-over-her-gay-marriage-views/
Global and local focus as Just Festival launches in Edinburgh
The Just Festival has launched its ambitious 2013 programme in Edinburgh, with a challenge to build bridges and break down barriers between communities, globally and locally. The festival, in August this year, will feature some 129 events in 450 performances across 28 venues, and will attract tens of thousands of visitors and participants. It is reckoned to be the largest inter-cultural event of its kind in Britain, with backing from civic, religious, secular, educational and charitable partners. It is supported and sponsored by the Scottish Government, St John's Church Edinburgh, the European Parliament, the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish Episcopal Church, Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together, Edinburgh Inter Faith Association, and the beliefs and values think-tank Ekklesia. 'We're not saying peacemaking is an easy process. Indeed, many of our events this year are about facing the reality of violence. But to make peace, it is important to know where you are starting," explained Just Festival director Katherine Newbigging.
Pray: for all those working hard to prepare this important event. (Heb.12.14)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18564
Church of England faces fresh clash with ministers over welfare reform
The Church of England is facing a fresh clash with the Coalition over welfare reform after publishing a new report accusing ministers of acting as if they were deliberately trying to “destabilise” society. In a highly critical analysis of the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith’s overhaul of the benefits system, the established Church questions the “moral” case for such reforms in a time of austerity. The poor and vulnerable, it claims, are bearing a “disproportionate share of the burden” from recession yet being “squeezed” ever tighter by the Government - while the rich are allowed to escape “largely unscathed”. The comments come in a policy paper prepared for members of the Church’s General Synod which meets in York in two weeks time, where welfare will be one of the main items on the agenda alongside the Church’s difficulties over women bishops.
Pray: for a better understanding of the needs of the genuinely vulnerable and for appropriate measures put in place to support them. (Pr.30:8)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10136435/Church-of-England-faces-fresh-clash-with-ministers-over-welfare-reform.html
Post Trumpet Call update
In Birmingham last weekend In Birmingham last weekend1100 intercessors prayed for the British Isles in the midst of brokenness. There were awesome moments as different groups gathered at the Cross during the day, under 30s, people from nations outside the UK and those praying for the return of prodigals. Within hours of that heart cry the following message was sent to the World Prayer Centre from a church leader in East Sussex. ‘Well, we had 7 prodigals this morning - 3 said ‘I'm coming home’ - and 11 fatherless teens off the estate turned up out of the blue - never been in church before. Just happened to be the Father’s Day special and probably 90% were from awful home situations. God moved in very deep ways! Such mind blowing stuff happening and electric atmosphere! Let us thank God together and let us continue to press in to Him as we boldly go out to proclaim His goodness to a broken and hurting world. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!' To continue to pray into Trumpet Call’s 30 day prayer vigil click on the link below
Praise: and give thanks to God for answered prayer, and a clear prophetic message to the church to stand up and proclaim Biblical truths as He leads us to build and to plant. (Jer.1:10)
Post Trumpet Call update
In Birmingham last weekend In Birmingham last weekend1100 intercessors prayed for the British Isles in the midst of brokenness. There were awesome moments as different groups gathered at the Cross during the day, under 30s, people from nations outside the UK and those praying for the return of prodigals. Within hours of that heart cry the following message was sent to the World Prayer Centre from a church leader in East Sussex. ‘Well, we had 7 prodigals this morning - 3 said ‘I'm coming home’ - and 11 fatherless teens off the estate turned up out of the blue - never been in church before. Just happened to be the Father’s Day special and probably 90% were from awful home situations. God moved in very deep ways! Such mind blowing stuff happening and electric atmosphere! Let us thank God together and let us continue to press in to Him as we boldly go out to proclaim His goodness to a broken and hurting world. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness!' To continue to pray into Trumpet Call’s 30 day prayer vigil click on the link below
Praise: and give thanks to God for answered prayer, and a clear prophetic message to the church to stand up and proclaim Biblical truths as He leads us to build and to plant. (Jer.1:10)