Launch of equalities and conscience petition
The recent judgment in the case of Owen and Eunice Johns provoked huge national interest and wide scale media coverage. The Judgment highlighted once again the difficulties that Christians can encounter when attempting to participate in some parts of public life without compromising their beliefs. The Johns, along with Christian Concern, have launched a major new petition, calling on the Prime Minister to respect Christian conscience and take urgent action to address the problems created by equalities legislation. You can read and sign the petition here. You can download the petition forms here. Please forward the petition to your friends and colleagues, and download the forms to gather signatures locally. Pray:that this petition and other submissions to the Government will encourage them to review and amend recent legislation. (Isa.10:1) More:http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/launch-of-equalities-and-conscience-petition
Survey claims RE boosts faith tolerance
Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of the British public believe if a child is taught Religious Education (RE) at school, then they are more likely to be tolerant towards other faiths and cultures as an adult. The ComRes poll of 2,000 adults also found that 72 per cent agree that RE is an important means through which children learn about other people's faiths and ways of life, and 73 per cent believe it is important for young people to learn about a range of religious beliefs other than their own while at school. Chief executive, Baptist minister the Revd Peter Kerridge, said 'This poll clearly reveals that British public are overwhelming in favour of religious education in schools, and understand the benefits the subject can for young people growing up in today's modern, multicultural Britain. 'What is so surprising is the unity across all faiths on this issue. Pray: for the Government to recognise the place of R.E. in the school curriculum. (Ex.18:20)
One in four pupils admit swapping porn images
A disturbing number of children - some as young as 11 - are taking pornographic images of themselves and swapping them with friends via text messages or the internet, experts warn. A survey reveals that 40 per cent of 11- to 14-year-olds have used their mobile phones or computer to send pictures of themselves or receive naked or topless images of friends. And more than half of youngsters who sent these images - a trend known as ‘sexting’ - did so knowing the pictures would be passed on to a number of recipients. And four in ten of the 11,000 children surveyed thought it was ‘appropriate’ to circulate pictures of topless girls in their school. Experts said the findings showed a significant shift from children viewing internet pornography - to creating it themselves. The shocking trend has been blamed on the volume of internet pornography seen by boys who, as a result, expect girlfriends to be promiscuous and flaunt their bodies. Pray: against this trend of ‘sexting’ amongst the young and pray that ways would be found to control this and other forms of pornography. (Tit.2:1)
Norway: Statistics show members go to church once a year
The average Church of Norway member went to church once a year in 2010, Statistics Norway reported in the annual statistical report it sends to the church. Although church attendance has remained the same since 2000, other indicators show dwindling participation in the Lutheran state church in the past decade. A main reason why church attendance remains rather stable is the large number of people attending child baptisms. While these numbers are growing, the number of regular church-goers is dwindling. Of Norway's five million inhabitants, 78 per cent were members of the Church of Norway in 2010, as opposed to 86.3 per cent in 2000. Out of total newborns, 66.3 percent were baptised in the Church of Norway last year, down from 81.4 per cent in 2000. The percentage of 15-year-olds being confirmed edged lower to 64.9 from 68.3. The percentage of funerals performed in church continued to be very high at 91.1, but that was down slightly from 92.5 per cent. Pray: that God would send revival to the church in Norway freeing it from stagnation to life. (Ps.85:6)
Norway: Statistics show members go to church once a year
The average Church of Norway member went to church once a year in 2010, Statistics Norway reported in the annual statistical report it sends to the church. Although church attendance has remained the same since 2000, other indicators show dwindling participation in the Lutheran state church in the past decade. A main reason why church attendance remains rather stable is the large number of people attending child baptisms. While these numbers are growing, the number of regular church-goers is dwindling. Of Norway's five million inhabitants, 78 per cent were members of the Church of Norway in 2010, as opposed to 86.3 per cent in 2000. Out of total newborns, 66.3 percent were baptised in the Church of Norway last year, down from 81.4 per cent in 2000. The percentage of 15-year-olds being confirmed edged lower to 64.9 from 68.3. The percentage of funerals performed in church continued to be very high at 91.1, but that was down slightly from 92.5 per cent. Pray: that God would send revival to the church in Norway freeing it from stagnation to life. (Ps.85:6)
Germany: Parents jailed over sex education row
A Christian father spent another day in a German prison Saturday, March 26, after refusing to pay a fine for not allowing his children to attend government-run ‘sexual education’ classes, his lawyers said. Eduard Wiens is now serving a 40-day sentence that will end April 23. Eduard Wiens is one of several Christian parents being prosecuted by German authorities over the controversial sex-classes, adding that it asked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to quickly review appeals filed last year on their behalf. Eduard and Rita Wiens, chose to keep their children from attending obligatory ‘sexual education’ in the town of Salzkotten that they believed taught students ‘an unbiblical view of sexuality.’ They were subsequently fined and sentenced to prison after they refused to pay. Eduard Wiens served five days last year and is now serving a 40-day sentence. Pray: for these Christian parents who are standing up for their conscience and rights. (Mt.10:22) More:http://www.bosnewslife.com/16249-germany-jails-christian-parents-over-sex-education-row
Germany: Parents jailed over sex education row
A Christian father spent another day in a German prison Saturday, March 26, after refusing to pay a fine for not allowing his children to attend government-run ‘sexual education’ classes, his lawyers said. Eduard Wiens is now serving a 40-day sentence that will end April 23. Eduard Wiens is one of several Christian parents being prosecuted by German authorities over the controversial sex-classes, adding that it asked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to quickly review appeals filed last year on their behalf. Eduard and Rita Wiens, chose to keep their children from attending obligatory ‘sexual education’ in the town of Salzkotten that they believed taught students ‘an unbiblical view of sexuality.’ They were subsequently fined and sentenced to prison after they refused to pay. Eduard Wiens served five days last year and is now serving a 40-day sentence. Pray: for these Christian parents who are standing up for their conscience and rights. (Mt.10:22) More:http://www.bosnewslife.com/16249-germany-jails-christian-parents-over-sex-education-row
About 650 Christian leaders from across the USA will gather for this "post" Lausanne gathering being arranged by the Mission America Coalition (MAC).
Paul Cedar, Chairman of MAC has said, "One of the major ministries of the Mission America Coalition/U.S. Lausanne Committee (MAC/USLC) is to convene Christian leaders to focus upon how we can be more effective in ministering together to invite as many people as possible to become disciples of Jesus Christ…We will spend a lot of time around tables praying, interacting, and strategizing together both in our general plenary sessions and in 30 affinity consultations."
Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit with great unity and clarity for this strategic gathering. May there be valuable new ministry initiatives to reach the increasingly diverse society of Americans as well as real breakthroughs in spiritual revival and social transformation.
Prayer Concerns:
1. For the eight planning task forces and their coordinators- Program, Logistics, Mobilization (including the Media Strategy Group), Finance, Registration/Website, Youth, Children, and Prayer Support- that they will all be led of the Lord to work diligently, joyfully, and unitedly together.
2. Since the word “world” adds a great deal of complexity and challenge to the planning process- we hope to have 5000-7000 ministry leaders from all 220 nations- pray for excellent organization on the part of the Indonesians and Koreans who are co-hosting the event, for the International Coordination Team, and for the right people from every nation to hear about the WPA and participate.
3. For the WPA Concert of Prayer in Indonesia this year in 100 plus cities on May 17, 2011 that it will be well organized, anointed and blessed. It will also serve as preparation for the WPA that is one year to follow.
4. Pray for protection over the WPA and all of those working on it. The spiritual battle, as you can imagine is intense.
5. Pray finally for a breakthrough in funding- approximately $2.3 million is needed.
Please also help us get word of the WPA out to “ministry leaders of influence” who will represent the “seven mountains” of society (Arts/Media, Business/Marketplace, Church, Development of the Poor, Education, Family, and Government) who should be part of the WPA. Again, for more information, please have them see www.worldprayerassembly.com where they can also register their interest in participating.
Our goal is to mobilize focused, fervent, united intercessory prayer of God’s people in every region of the world on April 14th for the Raising up of a New Generation from the 4/14 Window to transform the world.