America: Tucson tragedy
Faith leaders are calling for prayer and ‘soul searching’ in the wake of the shooting of U.S. politician Gabrielle Giffords and 19 others in Tucson Arizona. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham offered words of condolence and encouragement to those shaken by the bizarre incident which killed six people and left more than a dozen people wounded. He denounced the attack as ‘horrible’ and prayed for God to comfort those personally affected by the occurrence. Arizona Bishop Minerva G. Carcano called for healing prayers for the 14 injured, their families and community members of all the victims. Some are pointing the finger at conservatives and rally participants for hate speeches in the political spectrum. Others accuse Tea Party leader Sarah Palin who in a December poll was voted the top religious newsmaker out of six other choices, even though she does not profess to be a Christian. See: Pray: for the freedom of speech that leaders have to be responsibly and graciously used without error or pride. (2Pt.3:17-18)
Tunisia: Riots
Weeks of anti-government protests in Tunisia with police using lethal force is rare in this Islamic country with tight controls to prevent dissent. However the Tunisian Government ordered all schools and universities to be indefinitely closed following continuing violent protests linked to frustrations with poverty, poor job prospects and the country's leaders. The Secretary-General called for restraint urging all parties to resolve differences through dialogue. The US has summoned Tunisia's ambassador to Washington, expressing concerns about the violent riots and encouraging the Tunisian government to ensure civil liberties were protected. They also raised the issue of what they described as the government's apparent interference with the internet and social media sites. See: A Tunisian exiled opposition politician said, ‘The government presents Tunisia as a democracy while everybody knows that it's a fake democracy, and is a corrupted state, a police state.’ Analysts say Wikileaks government corruption leaks may have exacerbated the situation. see also Pray: for freedom of expression and for protection of Tunisian Christians as they quietly work towards bringing the knowledge of freedom in Christ to Tunisia. (Ps.119:45)
Haiti: One year on
One year on from the earthquake that devastated Haiti, the massive aid effort has yet to bring stability to the country as cholera, rape and despair take hold. Some $11bn (£7bn) worth of aid has been pledged to the country over the next 10 years, but much of that money has yet to arrive following concerns about government corruption and ongoing riots after November's disputed election. In the centre of Port-au-Prince, the presidential palace still lies in ruins. What was a large, green open space just beyond the palace grounds is nothing but a sea of tents. After all this time, the piles of rocks, wood and mangled metal that were once homes and offices still line the streets. Mountains of it fester between the homes that were spared, like rotten teeth. For many, the blame lies firmly at the door of the estimated 4,000 international aid agencies operating in the country. Pray: that the funding pledged by various nations and agencies be released. (Zec.7:9)
BREAKING NEWS: Lebanon: Hezbollah and allies topple government
Lebanon's national unity government has collapsed after 11 ministers from Hezbollah and its allies resigned. Energy Minister Gibran Bassil said the decision was prompted by a dispute over the UN tribunal investigating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder. The announcement came as Prime Minister Saad Hariri, his son, was meeting US President Barack Obama in Washington. Tension has been high in Lebanon, amid indications that Hezbollah members could be indicted by the UN tribunal. The Canadian broadcaster, CBC, reported in November that evidence gathered by the Lebanese police and the UN pointed ‘overwhelmingly to the fact that the assassins were from Hezbollah’. Hezbollah has rejected any suggestion of involvement in the assassination. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has called the tribunal an ‘Israeli project’ and warned of dire consequences if it indicts his followers. Pray: against any violence in Lebanon and a release to this political deadlock. (Pr.15:18)
Churches to focus evangelism on Men
Anglican churches in the Oxford Diocese are being urged to focus their evangelistic efforts on men in an attempt to redress the gender balance in many parish churches. Estimates indicate that 65 percent of regular worshippers are women, and in many churches, the percentage is much higher. On February 5, the Oxford Diocese, in partnership with Men And The Church (MATCH), is to host a one day conference for clergy and lay people. The aim is to review resources and ideas for churches wanting to reach un-churched men with the gospel, to explore why so many men leave the Church, and to encourage new strategies for evangelism to men. The event is the idea of the Revd Paul Eddy, curate at Grove Parish Church, who said: ‘In churches across the diocese, clergy are very concerned about the lack of men in their congregations and have been asking for resources and support in developing effective evangelism’.
Pray: for the Holy Spirit to open up the way to bringing the Gospel to more men or more men to the Gospel. (3Jn:8)
Britain’s woes require sacrifice from all
With austerity being the talk of the day, the Bishop of Bath and Wells has challenged the church to step up and be the ‘bigger society’ at a time when sacrifice is being asked of all. Preaching in Wells Cathedral last Sunday, the Rt Rev Peter Price said: ‘Nationally we face the ongoing realities of overseas conflict, a war economy, a national debt, difficult decisions by government, calling all of us to sacrifice. For some the sacrifice will be all too real in terms of lost jobs, homes, even futures. In any democracy, calls for sacrifice to meet pressing realities require the trust of people that government will keep covenant – faith – to fulfil its obligations of serving the common good, and the possibility of a ‘better future for everyone’. Here we find sure ground for faith, firm support for hope, and the basis of a society in which trust, neighbourliness and humanity is found’.
Pray: that the Government and electorate will keep faith with each other to ensure fairness to all. (Isa.26:2)
YWCA ditches ‘Christian’ from its name
The YWCA England and Wales, one of the country’s best-known charities, set up in 1855 to help young women going to London for the first time, has renamed itself as ‘Platform 51’ claiming that its original name ‘no longer stands for who we are or what we do’. YWCA managers say that the name was chosen to reflect the fact that 51 per cent of people are female and that they can use the charity as a platform ‘to have their say’ and ‘to move to the next stage of their lives’. YWCA’s chairman is a homosexual ‘rights’ activist and former equality quango manager. Officials at the World YWCA headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, told the media that none of the 124 branches in other countries will follow Platform 51's move. ‘We see our name as an opportunity for promoting Christian values and principles,’ a World YWCA official said.
Pray: that despite its name change the organisation’s Christian heritage will shine through its work. (Ro.3:28)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/ywca-removes-link-to-christian-roots
Women in crisis
A report produced by Platform 51 (see previous item), entitled ‘Women like me: supporting wellbeing in girls and women’, warned there is evidence that women’s mental health is getting worse. ‘Policy makers need to act now to address this crisis in women’s mental health. In summary it states that ’Generations of women are in crisis due to relationship breakdown, bereavement or debt, and one in three has taken anti-depressants. More than 15 million women have suffered mental health problems of some kind, and are twice as likely as men to be depressed’. The group called on ministers to review the ‘over-reliance’ on anti-depressant drugs to treat mild and moderate mental health problems and to make counselling and psychotherapy more easily available to women.
Pray: for the recognition of problems in the care given to women’s mental health. (Ps.69:19)
Anger over Channel 4’s new show
A graphic Channel 4 show which will provide sexually explicit advice to teens has been branded ‘pornographic’ by the UK’s leading media campaign group. The controversial show, entitled The Joy of Teen Sex, is due to be broadcast later this month amid news reports of teenage girls being lured into sex slavery, and a Government investigation into the sexualisation of childhood. Vivienne Pattison, director of MediaWatch UK, said: ‘This programme crosses the line into prurience, with graphic scenes of sex that can only be described as pornographic. Also, if you make a programme with the words ‘teen sex’ in the title, you are surely asking for trouble. A teenager who enters that into a search engine will surely yield rather different results on top of the advice programme they were looking for’. The programme centres around visitors to a walk-in sex clinic.
Pray: that the broadcasting channels 'programme planners’ standards are raised by insights into the grace of God. (Ro.5:20)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/the-joy-of-teen-sex-anger-over-channel-4s-new-show/
Petition to support B & B owners
Mr David Skinner is to present a petition to the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, in support of Peter and Hazelmary Bull who run a Christian bed and breakfast business in in their home in Cornwall. They are facing a civil court claim for £5,000 and possibly the closure of their business because they refused a double bed to two gay men. It is alleged that Mr and Mrs Bull have contravened the Sexual Orientation Regulations (2007). It must be noted, however, that the Bulls have a policy that denies anyone a double bed who is not married, whether gay or straight. As will be seen, this issue is much greater than someone losing their B&B and possibly their home. Whether we are 'religious' or not the Bulls represent all of us who see that our freedom is being stolen through groups who are determined to re-engineer society. Please sign the petition here.
Pray: that this petition will be well supported and will be favourably received by Mr Cameron. (Dt.16:20)