Friends in Egypt have written..."Due to the very tragic events which happened on Sunday night, 9th of October, in Cairo (24 Christians have been killed and over 200 people injured during demonstrations which started peacefully), the Pope Shenouda made a call of prayer to all Coptic Christians around the world starting from Tuesday, the 11th of October.
His call is to encourage anyone to pray and fast during 3 days for our country
....we would like to kindly ask you to join us, according to your possibilities and capacities, during the 3 days of fasting and prayers for our land which needs so much of your intercession. Let's stand with our brothers and sisters who are passing by a terrible tragedy, sorrow, fear and incredible challenges we have not seen or heard of since the revolution. Together, let's cry to our heavenly Father so that the situation in our area may change and that the leadership may recognize the existence of the Christians in Egypt.
In the media, in the social aspect, there is a total ignorance of the Christians and their rights...thousands of people were at the funerals which took place in the large cathedral in El Embassyia, Cairo. A great sadness and sorrow was on the entire attendance.
As we are writing, the army is threatening the Christians who are demonstrating downtown. Hundreds are already in prison. Thank you for your precious intercession and receive our sincere blessings."
Please pray and fast along with our Egyptian brothers and sisters for peace and religious freedom. Pray for their safety, for lines of good communication, for changed hearts of their persecutors, and for the grieving families and friends who have lost their loved ones. May Jesus be glorified in Egypt.
Morality still matters
Nearly half of people are prepared to change their vote for moral reasons. The personal moral standards of politicians and journalists still matter to most of the population, a ComRes poll for think tank Theos has found. The poll is featured in the Party Conference issue of Total Politics. 43% of people would change their vote if their local candidate was shown to have low personal moral standards, and even more (52%) would change the newspaper they buy because of the immoral behaviour of journalists. The majority of people (71%) think that politicians ought to have higher moral standards than the public they serve, and those most likely to vote (the elderly) have higher expectations than most. On balance, people do not believe you can divorce public from private morality. A majority of people believe that ‘If a politician is unfaithful to their husband or wife it does affect their job as it shows they cannot keep their word’ (51% agreeing vs. 36% disagreeing).
Pray: that morality and integrity would be considered essential for our politicians and a guide for a vote. (Jas.1:21)
More: http://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/Morality_Still_Matters.aspx?ArticleID=4799&PageID=14&RefPageID=5
X Factor in hot water again
The X Factor was embroiled in a fresh sleaze row after screening raunchy scenes from a contestants' drink-fuelled party before the watershed. The ITV1 show was accused of 'not taking its responsibilities seriously' after it featured scenes of bikini-clad youngsters getting drunk, kissing intimately and frolicking in a hot tub. The footage, which was broadcast on Saturday at 8.15pm, was filmed over the summer during a welcome party for 186 contestants at the show's so-called Bootcamp stage. Last night, Vivienne Pattison, director of Mediawatch, said: 'A couple of weeks ago Simon Cowell was making out there wasn't going to be a re-run of the Rhianna and Christina Aguilera scenes last year. 'But they have to take their responsibilities seriously - because they are not at the moment. They also have a duty of care to the kids, not just on the show, but also those watching at home.' See also: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsvideo/celebrity-news-video/8792817/Rihanna-ordered-to-cover-up-in-music-video-appearance.html
Pray: against this continued flow of sleaze on our airwaves. (Dt.31:29b)
More: http://www.mediawatchuk.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=452&Itemid=117
Medical Council to continue case against Christian doctor
A GMC Investigatory Committee has decided to continue to pursue the case against Dr Richard Scott, the Kent GP accused by a patient of sharing his faith in a one-to-one consultation, despite the witness not being at the hearing and showing an ‘unconditional disinclination to attend’. The case has now been temporarily adjourned by the GMC's Investigatory Committee whilst another attempt is made to get the complainant to attend. With no witness at the hearing this week, Dr Scott was not able to cross-examine and challenge the evidence of the complainant on what was allegedly said between the two individuals in the consulting room. Concerns have been raised that without the chance to cross-examine, any doctor would be made extremely vulnerable to allegations. (See Prayer Alert 21-2011)
Pray: for Dr Scott and pray that the GMC would be granted true wisdom. (Ps.89:21-22)
Poland: Archbishop calls for divine intervention during EU crisis
The Polish government prayed for the health of the EU on Sunday at a special ‘EU Mass’ in Warsaw. ‘The construction of a European union of countries, people and nations can become permanent not on the basis of a joint economy and foreign policy, but mainly on the basis of spiritual unity and common values,’ Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk said in his homily to a congregation including Poland’s foreign minister. The Archbishop also prayed for Poland’s EU presidency saying, ’We commend unto God the Polish presidency in the EU Council. It is a great undertaking, challenge and opportunity for our executive powers, and our whole society.’ The call for divine intervention came as the Euro fell to an eight-month low and US president Barack Obama told a public meeting in Mountain View, California, that the debt crisis in Europe is ‘scaring the world’ Source: http://euobserver.com/1016/113745
Pray: for God to use the EU as a force for good in the world. (Ps.2:1)
More: http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/55788,Archbishop-calls-for-divine-intervention-during-EU-crisis
Poland: Archbishop calls for divine intervention during EU crisis
The Polish government prayed for the health of the EU on Sunday at a special ‘EU Mass’ in Warsaw. ‘The construction of a European union of countries, people and nations can become permanent not on the basis of a joint economy and foreign policy, but mainly on the basis of spiritual unity and common values,’ Archbishop Jozef Kowalczyk said in his homily to a congregation including Poland’s foreign minister. The Archbishop also prayed for Poland’s EU presidency saying, ’We commend unto God the Polish presidency in the EU Council. It is a great undertaking, challenge and opportunity for our executive powers, and our whole society.’ The call for divine intervention came as the Euro fell to an eight-month low and US president Barack Obama told a public meeting in Mountain View, California, that the debt crisis in Europe is ‘scaring the world’ Source: http://euobserver.com/1016/113745
Pray: for God to use the EU as a force for good in the world. (Ps.2:1)
More: http://www.thenews.pl/1/12/Artykul/55788,Archbishop-calls-for-divine-intervention-during-EU-crisis
Germany: Pope leaves Germany after calling for renewal
Pope Benedict has ended a visit to his native Germany with a call for spiritual renewal among the German people. The pope drew hundreds of thousands to services during his trip, including a final Mass Sunday that attracted about 100,000 people to an airfield beside the airport in the southern city of Freiburg. During the four-day visit, he also addressed parliament and met with victims of clerical abuse. In his parting words before leaving for Rome, Benedict wished Germans
‘strength and confidence’ in their faith. He said even those who doubt God's existence ‘are closer to the kingdom of God than believers whose faith is routine and who regard the church merely as an institution.’ The Catholic church in Germany lost 181,000 members after last year's clerical abuse scandal there.
Pray: for God’s Holy Spirit to flood the nation with His power and renewal. (Tit.3:4-6)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/shows/cwn/Religion-Roundup/#8
Germany: Pope leaves Germany after calling for renewal
Pope Benedict has ended a visit to his native Germany with a call for spiritual renewal among the German people. The pope drew hundreds of thousands to services during his trip, including a final Mass Sunday that attracted about 100,000 people to an airfield beside the airport in the southern city of Freiburg. During the four-day visit, he also addressed parliament and met with victims of clerical abuse. In his parting words before leaving for Rome, Benedict wished Germans
‘strength and confidence’ in their faith. He said even those who doubt God's existence ‘are closer to the kingdom of God than believers whose faith is routine and who regard the church merely as an institution.’ The Catholic church in Germany lost 181,000 members after last year's clerical abuse scandal there.
Pray: for God’s Holy Spirit to flood the nation with His power and renewal. (Tit.3:4-6)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/shows/cwn/Religion-Roundup/#8
Street Pastors start new patrols in Westminster
Street Pastors has formally launched in Westminster to provide support to young and vulnerable people out and about in London's West End. A team of Street Pastors was commissioned during a service last week attended by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, and the organisation's founder, the Rev Les Isaac. During the service, the organisation appealed for more volunteers to come forward to join the 15 Street Pastors in Westminster who have already completed their training. Prior to the formal launch, the team undertook two patrols in the area around the Strand and Victoria where they were able to provide assistance and support to people, including young revellers and a stranded family of tourists unable to speak English. As more volunteers come on board, there are plans to expand the patrols to cover more areas of Westminster. Street Pastors are now working in over 200 towns and cities around the UK.
Praise: God for the continued expansion of this work across the country. (2Tim.4:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/street.pastors.starts.new.patrols.in.westminster/28630.htm
Street Pastors start new patrols in Westminster
Street Pastors has formally launched in Westminster to provide support to young and vulnerable people out and about in London's West End. A team of Street Pastors was commissioned during a service last week attended by the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres, and the organisation's founder, the Rev Les Isaac. During the service, the organisation appealed for more volunteers to come forward to join the 15 Street Pastors in Westminster who have already completed their training. Prior to the formal launch, the team undertook two patrols in the area around the Strand and Victoria where they were able to provide assistance and support to people, including young revellers and a stranded family of tourists unable to speak English. As more volunteers come on board, there are plans to expand the patrols to cover more areas of Westminster. Street Pastors are now working in over 200 towns and cities around the UK.
Praise: God for the continued expansion of this work across the country. (2Tim.4:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/street.pastors.starts.new.patrols.in.westminster/28630.htm