Prime Minister urged to drop same-sex 'marriage' bill
Conservative MPs are calling on David Cameron to drop his sa me-sex ‘marriage’ plans in order to halt the progress of UKIP. According to The Times, the Prime Minister has been told that he must uphold traditional Conservative values to prevent core Conservatives from abandoning him for Nigel Farage. Former Defence Minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, said thathis constituents were ‘fed up to the back teeth’ with the Government’s failure to uphold its promises. He urged the Prime Minister to adopt a plan that would include ditching the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, as well as taking Britain out ofthe European Convention on Human Rights and holding an EU referendum. Peter Bone, the Wellingborough MP, said that the government should scrap proposals to redefine marriage and cut overseas aid. He added: ‘those are things that Conservatives want and that’s what UKIP voters want’.
Pray: that following the recent elections and the pressure on the Prime Minister to drop the same sex bill that it will in fact be scrapped. (1Ki.8:45)
Foodbank visits tripled in a year
Numbers visiting foodbanks have almost tripled in a year, according to Christian food crisis charity the Trussell Trust. At more than 350,000, the number was around 100,000 more than anticipated, the trust said. The rise is the biggest since the charity started its work in 2000. Foodbanks provide emergency aid for people who cannot feed themselves or their families. They are run by churches and community groups and rely on donations from local people. Clients are given three days worth of nutritionally balanced non-perishable food. According to the trust, the rising cost of living, static incomes, changes to benefits, underemployment and unemployment have meant increasing numbers of people in the UK have hit a crisis that forces them to go hungry. The rise in usage predates April’s welfare reforms, which could see numbers increase further in 2013-14. While the number of foodbanks has been rising – the Trussell Trust launches three new ones every week – established foodbanks are also seeing a dramatic rise in the number of their clients.
Pray: that the needs of those who are hungry will be met by the generosity of those that support the Foodbanks. (2Cor.9:11)
More: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm
France keeps al-Qaeda threats seriously
French President Francois Hollande has said that he is taking threats made by al-Qaeda against his country seriously. He was responding on Tuesday to threats made by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a video message posted on April 25. ‘We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,’ Hollande said in Paris, adding that despite considerable losses inflicted on Islamists in Mali, ‘the terrorist threat has not disappeared’. So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror.’ So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror’. Hollande said he had ordered measures to protect French installations abroad.
Pray: that those who threaten peace will be thwarted. (Act.4:29)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201357201852923861.html
France keeps al-Qaeda threats seriously
French President Francois Hollande has said that he is taking threats made by al-Qaeda against his country seriously. He was responding on Tuesday to threats made by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a video message posted on April 25. ‘We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,’ Hollande said in Paris, adding that despite considerable losses inflicted on Islamists in Mali, ‘the terrorist threat has not disappeared’. So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror.’ So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror’. Hollande said he had ordered measures to protect French installations abroad.
Pray: that those who threaten peace will be thwarted. (Act.4:29)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201357201852923861.html
Anti-Semitism growing in Europe
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged anti-Semitism was on the rise in the country because of the economic crisis but said his government had a ‘zero-tolerance’ towards it. On Saturday the far-right Jobbik party – who regularly issue anti-Semitic statements and are Hungary’s trhird largest political force - held a protest against the Hungarian capital of Budapest hosting a World Jewish Congress meet ing where the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke. The WJC usually hosts its assembly in Jerusalem but chose Hungary this year to highlight what it says is growing anti-Semitism in Europe. Addressing the opening session, Mr Orban said, ‘Anti-Semitism is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.’ He said his government had a moral duty to declare zero tolerance on anti-Semitism. The president of the World Jewish Congress said Jews were wondering if they were safe in Hungary.
Pray: against the growth of Anti-semitisim in Europe, pray also for the Lord to protect all who are persecuted for their faith. (Ps.32:7-8)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22423812
NIGERIA:More powerful prayer needed
On Tuesday fifty-five people were killed, a police station, military barracks and government buildings were burned to the ground and 105 prisoners were freed in a pre-dawn raid in Bama, Borno state. Extremist attacks are common in the region but the scale of bloodshed makes this raid stand out. This strike - coming on the back of other deadly attacks - undermines the suggestion that the military operation against the militants has diminished the threat they pose. President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to agree the terms of an am nesty for the rebels but Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has so far rejected the idea. Some of the attackers wore army uniforms for the five hour assault. The army says it was the work of Boko Haram - sending out the defiant message that it cannot be defeated by the state security forces. There are reports that the militants have acquired more powerful weapons. President Goodluck Jonathan has put his faith in the power of God for his country.
Pray: ‘God arise and scatter your enemies.’ Pray for the Islamist militants to accept an amnesty. (Ps.37:10,11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22444417
Uganda: 19,161 affected by Kasese floods
Heavy rains at the beginning of May 2013 caused flooding in Kasese district. By 7th May over 19,000 people had been affected and over 3,100 were living in shelters. The local Red Cross reported a need for emergency provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits. There is also a need for water, water purification tablets and sanitation campaign/awareness plus provision of psychosocial support to the affected families. The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in makeshift camps as a measure to control disease outbreak. See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305071468.html
Pray: for the government as they deploy regional risk disaster officers in various areas, pray against a further tragedy of disease. (Ps.18:16-19)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305061956.html
Lebanon: Church ministry to refugees
Zahle is full of refugees from Syria arriving daily. Every spare building, shed and patch of ground is being rented by families at crippling prices. Even those leaving Syria with money can afford almost nothing in Lebanon where prices have rocketed because more people are competing for the same lands. Many essentials are out of reach for desperate refugees. A small church with 50 members greets the refugees flooding into Zahle. They distribute what food, blankets and mattresses they can collect for the families. They arrange for a doctor to visit the sick; they pray with those who want prayer. Then they visit more families, find more clothes, more mattresses. Recently a crowd of desperate, newly arrived refugees gathered outside the church demanding food, mattresses and cooking materials. The church team were 'five minutes from calling the police' It is not easy. See also: http://danutm.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/world-watch-monitor-a-refugees-camp-just-for-syrian-christians-in-turkey-4/
Pray: that the input by local churches will make the refugees spiritually rich, despite having 'lost' everything. (Ps.22:26-28)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/life.among.syrias.christian.refugees/32284.htm
South Africa: May 19th Day of Prayer
A National Day of Prayer has been called by a group of Pretoria Churches standing in unity for God’s blessings for their nation. May we as part of God’s global body support their call. In Pretoria there are SA Christian Leaders Indaba, SA Council of Churches, The Evangelical Alliance of SA, Africa Enterprise, Turn2God and Kairos Ministries. In Cape Town there is Cape Town Transformation, CCFm, Global Day of Prayer, Jericho Walls, Christian Chamber of Commerce, Prayer Mushroom Ministry all standing in unity along with Friends From Abroad. This is the unity that God wants to see in His Body across the nations. South African brothers and sisters will be praying for Unity among Christians, for Education, for the Government and progress to a righteous society, an end of violence against women and children, for revival in their country and the world. For restoration of the Body of Christ, for families and the nations.
Pray: that there will be a great response to this call, as the South African churches recommit to pray together for revival and righteousness in the land. (Ps.51:10-13)
More: http://www.globalprn.com/south-africa-national-day-of-prayer/
Pakistan/ Malaysia/ Philippines: Election controversy
In Pakistan energy shortages, inflation and insecurity are concen trating the minds of a generation about to vote for the first time on Saturday. Election-watchers regard young people as critical swing voters. Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 46% of the population, and many of them are eligible to vote for the first time.See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/08/pakistan-elections-imran-khan In the Philippines the husband of a town mayor was killed and a bomb attack injured four people in separate incidents of violence linked to mid-term elections next week. See: http://main.omanobserver.om/node/163407 Final results in Malaysia’s election show the ex-deputy prime minister's three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition won just 89 of 222 parliament seats, despite capturing the popular vote during Sunday's polls. The ex-deputy prime minister is vowing to stay in his post and lead a campaign challenging the results of a controversial defeat.
Pray: against all in positions of authority across the nations who conspire and plot their own selfish ambitions. (Ps.2:4-5)
More: http://www.voanews.com/content/malaysias-anwar-vows-to-challenge-election-results/1656668.html