Iraq: Christian man held to ransom then killed
Ashur Issa Yaqub, a 29-year-old Chaldean Christian construction worker was abducted by gunmen in the northern city of Kirkuk, held to ransom over the weekend for $100,000, but then his body was found Tuesday in Kirkuk with signs of torture and his head almost completely cut off. A source told the Aswat al-Iraq news agency that the abductors killed Yaqub when the ransom was not paid. The killing was blamed on Al-Qaeda insurgents.Christians continue to endure hardship and discrimination in Iraq, where human rights organisations warn that Islamic extremists are trying to drive them out of the country.
Pray: for God to hide his people from spiritual attack, protect them from physical attack and empower them to stand against opposition. (1Cor:15:58)
Egypt: Rising violence against Christians
A group of experts, advocates and faith leaders with an interest in Egypt, religious freedom and human rights released a statement expressing concern at the increasing attacks on Coptic Christians in Egypt, and the manner in which such attacks are being reported by international and local media. The group’s statement says, ‘The collapse of ‘powerful state apparatus' and ‘subsequent power vacuum’ quickly opened a ‘Pandora's Box’ of social problems that the Mubarak regime had either maintained or failed to address. We are now witnessing political struggles for power and influence in the new Egypt.’ (See last weeks PA re Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt) According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide 60+ people were injured on Saturday when Christians protested outside Cairo’s television buildings against attacks on churches the previous weekend, that left 12 dead, were themselves attacked by 100+ people with stones, gasoline bombs and guns. Fighting continued for several hours before the army restored order. Pray: for true democracy in Egypt and an end to civil unrest and attacks on Christians. (Ps.45:6)
Guatemala: 'Emergency' over killings
Guatemalan president Alvaro Colom has declared a ‘state of siege’ along the Mexican border, where at least 27 people were killed over the weekend in a ‘Mexico Zetas’ drug gang massacre. The state of emergency will restrict demonstrations and allow police to carry out raids at night, and try to track down the killers. The order finishes Tuesday. Police have captured one suspect and killed two others in an operation in which two policemen were wounded. Alvaro Colom said that Guatemala must confront the aggression which had infected the entire region. Authorities have identified 15 of the 27 migrant farm workers beheaded in the massacre, three children and two women were among the victims, the youngest was 13 years old. (See last weeks PA re. Mexico borders Drug/Human trafficking)
Pray: that this investigation will be completely lawful, protected from corruptive influence and ask Him for a season of justice and restoration for the area. (Ps.9:16)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/video/americas/2011/05/2011517103516680111.html
Queen's symbolic Ireland visit
The Queen is sowing seeds of reconciliation that no amount of government negotiation could achieve. The Queen, who arrived wearing emerald green, laid a wreath at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance which commemorates those who died resisting the British rule in the 1916 revolution. The wreath-laying ceremony has been viewed as a symbolic act of reconciliation between the two countries. The British national anthem was played, which is something that would have been unthinkable ten years ago. A motorcade then took the 85-year-old Queen to sign a visitors' book dating back to 1802 and plant an Irish oak sapling. Her actions mirror Queen Victoria’s planting a redwood there in 1861. HM visited Trinity College Dublin where she viewed the Book of Kells, a ninth century gospel manuscript kept in the Old Library with the college's royal charter signed in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. The visit coincides with the 37th anniversary of the Dublin-Monaghan bombings. Pray: for seeds of reconciliation sown by HM Head of State and Church to produce abundant fruit of God's purposes for our nations. (Jn.4:35-37) More: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/queen-visits-ireland-despite-bomb-threat-030220372.html
SNP Government urged to make gay marriage a top priority
The SNP won a majority in the Scottish elections last Thursday; it’s the first time since devolution in 1999 that a majority government has been elected. First Minister Alex Salmond indicated during his campaign that he personally supports the idea of same-sex marriage, and within hours of the historic win the SNP majority government was being urged by a homosexual lobby group (Equality Network) to fundamentally redefine marriage. Daniel Donaldson of the charity said, ‘We hope and expect that a consultation will now proceed quickly.’ Critics are concerned about the implications for society and schools if marriage is redefined. The Guardian’s Michael White has expressed concern about same-sex marriage, saying that heterosexual marriage is distinct because it ‘is there to produce and raise children in a more or less stable environment’. The homosexual activist group, Stonewall, has already sent a teacher training pack to primary schools urging them to use story books pushing same-sex marriage.
Pray: for First Minister Alex Salmond, and that God will work through the SNP’s election manifesto, and Scottish Parliament’s law makers. (Ps.2:10-11)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/snp-govt-urged-to-make-gay-marriage-a-top-priority/
Archbishop allows freemason to be bishop
Dr Rowan Williams named the Rev Jonathan Baker as the next Bishop of Ebbsfleet despite knowing he was an active and senior mason. The appointment, announced earlier this month, marked a significant U-turn by Dr Williams who had previously said that Freemasonry was ‘incompatible’ with Christianity and had refused to promote Masons to senior posts. Last week, as news of Fr Baker’s membership of the Masons began to circulate through the Church, it provoked growing concern and criticism from clergy and members of the General Synod. When contacted by The Sunday Telegraph last Friday, Fr Baker defended his continued membership of the Masons and insisted it was compatible with his new role as a bishop. Yet yesterday he said he had changed his mind and was leaving the Masons so that he could concentrate on being a bishop, adding: ‘I wish nothing to distract from the inauguration of that ministry.’
Pray: that the confused messages from Fr Baker would lead to his finding God’s truth and freedom from false ‘religion’. (Jer.23:16)
More:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8514169/Archbishop-allows-freemason-to-be-bishop.html
Brits clueless that common phrases come from the Bible
Many people are unaware that a number of everyday phrases come from the King James Version of the Bible, instead attributing them to pop stars, politicians or Shakespeare. In a poll for the Bible Society less than a fifth of people correctly said the phrase ‘The writing on the wall’ comes from the KJV. Over 10 per cent thought ‘a drop in the bucket’ came from Tony Blair, and 14 per cent attributed it to Shakespeare. In fact Isaiah 40:15 is where it originates. Luke Walton, from the Bible Society, said: ‘It’s clear that people’s knowledge of the Bible is limited and they just don’t realise how significant and wide-ranging its influence has been.’ He added: ‘Making a connection with the text helps us both to appreciate its role in our own culture, history and politics, and that it can enrich our lives personally. The Bible remains the world’s best seller and we can’t afford to exclude it from public life.’
Pray: for a wider recognition of the importance of the Bible in the life of our nation. (Mk.12:24)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/brits-clueless-that-common-phrases-come-from-the-bible
Christian Aid Week raises money to tackle global poverty
The annual fundraising event Christian Aid Week has got off to a ‘tremendous start’, say supporters in churches and communities across the country. Christian Aid is a UK-based churches' international relief, development and advocacy agency. It acts on behalf of over 40 denominations and church bodies - but its ethos is to carry out anti-poverty work alongside partners of all faiths and none, in many parts of the world. Its emphasis is on ground-up solutions. In 2011, Christian Aid Week is aiming to raise more than £13 million for poor communities across the globe. Around 200,000 people are expected to take part all over Britain, going door-to-door collecting, joining in with sponsored events, holding novel fundraisers or simply donating online. Many Christian Aid supporters also try to raise awareness as well as funds - though in an economically constrained environment, bringing money to the cause obviously remains vital. For information and resources follow link: See Pray: that people would be generous in proportion to their resources. (Pro.22:9)
More churches signed up to Olympics outreach
More churches in the UK are getting behind plans for joined up outreach during the London 2012 Olympics than with any previous Games. With just over a year left before the Games come to the capital, churches are drawing up their plans for coordinated outreach and engagement during the Games. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, the umbrella group for outreach during the Games, has coordinated church engagement in Sydney, Athens, Beijing and Vancouver. He said there were more churches and agencies getting behind the London Olympics than with any other Games previously. Chairman of More than Gold, Lord Brian Mawhinney, expressed his excitement at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Esher, Surrey this week saying, ‘ It has even been suggested to me that More Than Gold could well turn out to be the largest venture of inter-church cooperation the United Kingdom has ever seen.’
Pray: for this Olympic outreach and all involved in preparing for it. (Lev.9:23)
'Pay tax where it is earned'
Tax avoidance strategies used by some multi-national companies working in the developing world have been described as ‘morally illegal’ said Malcolm Broad, treasurer of the Baptist Union, speaking at the Baptist Assembly in Blackpool. ‘About 60% of all multi-national companies use off-shore tax havens,’ he said. ‘It creates a world imbalance between the haves and the have-nots.’ The assembly overwhelmingly agreed with a resolution calling for tax to be paid where it has been earned. Malcolm Broad agreed reducing revenue demands by moving money to a more favourable tax regime is not illegal, but he says it can have devastating effects on those countries who don't receive their full quota. He told BBC Radio Lancashire: ‘Nobody wants to pay tax, but the taxes are used to pay for the likes of hospitals and education. If tax is avoided where that need is great, then all that does is keep those countries poorer than they are today.’ Pray: for a more morally positive attitude to tax payments by all companies. (Ro.13:6) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-13360191