Legacies as part of Christian's discipleship
Christian relief and development agency Tearfund is asking Christians to consider leaving a legacy in their will as part of their discipleship. Tearfund made the call following its decision to join the Christian Legacy consortium, a group of Christian charities which encourages people to leave a gift to their favourite Christian charities when writing their will. Paul Brigham, Tearfund’s UK Director, says: ‘Because so many Christians have not yet considered leaving a legacy to a Christian charity as part of their lifetime’s discipleship, Tearfund is passionate about joining with other charities to encourage people to consider prayerfully this important area of ministry. Partnerships are key to everything Tearfund sets out to achieve, and we’re pleased and privileged to be working alongside other Christian organisations as part of this consortium.’ Pray: that the Spirit will continue to remind us that everything we have belongs to the Lord. (Lk.16:11)
British brothels have 12,000 foreign 'sex slaves'
A new report commissioned by the Association of Chief Police Officers revealed for the first time the true scale of immigration prostitution and trafficking. At least 2,600 women were confirmed as being trafficked into England and Wales and forced to work as prostitutes, it found. A further 9,200 sex workers at brothels and other premises were considered to be ‘vulnerable migrants’ working unwillingly in the sex trade, but whom researchers could not be certain had been trafficked. Half of the women are Chinese, police said, with the majority of others from Eastern European and other south east Asian nations. Mohib Rahman, a Home Office official, said: ‘We need to step up our efforts and to do more to get a handle on why so many people are trafficked from China.’ Pray: for the authorities as they seek way to combat this evil trade. (Lev.19:29)
Charity begins at home?
Marolin Watson of Hope UK has expressed concern that we are quick to support international outreach, but may be neglecting the needs on our own doorstep? Children and young people in Great Britain are losing their way for want of spiritual guidance and direction. Many children and young people have little more than a rudimentary understanding of the Bible. A recent article in the Telegraph (Prayer Alert 2410) reported an Ofsted finding that ‘Schools are neglecting to teach children the core beliefs of Christianity in religious education lessons’. This is illustrated in the article by a recent survey of more than 500 12-year-olds which revealed that only 54% knew that Christians celebrated the Resurrection at Easter. Is it any wonder, then, that practically a whole generation have no core values by which to order their lives and their behaviour? Marolin writes ‘The Church must do more to help save this generation.’ Pray: for our young people and for the many initiatives that are beginning to address these concerns. (Jdg.2:10) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/charity.begins.at.home/26496.htm
Two registrars subjected to investigation over beliefs
Two registrars at Lambeth Council are under investigation because they swapped shifts in order to accommodate their religious beliefs over homosexual civil partnerships. The informal arrangement came to light when it was praised as an example of good practice during a diversity training seminar. But a homosexual colleague complained, and the pair are now being formerly investigated by council bosses. Other councils have chosen to accommodate the religious beliefs of registrar staff by not forcing them to conduct civil partnership registrations against their will. But some, such as Islington Council, have chosen to discipline registrars who don’t fall in line. The complaint against the Lambeth registrars was taken up by Brian Palmer, a homosexual Liberal Democrat councillor, who described their actions as ‘grossly offensive’ and ‘wholly unacceptable’. Steve Reed, the Labour leader of the Council, responded by saying that the Council ‘does not tolerate bigotry for any reason’. Pray: for the council to avoid bigotry themselves and accept this arrangement as ‘good practice’. (1Pe.3:15)
Anger at ‘Bibles for the courts’ campaign
The Scottish Bible Society (SBS) has come under fire from the National Secular Society for sending thousands of Bibles to Scottish law courts and judges. The campaign was launched in July by the organisation’s honorary president, Lord Mackay of Clashfern, to make the Bible readily available to judges as a reference book. Terry Sanderson of the National Secular Society said the campaign ‘could put the Sharia laws of the Middle East to shame.’ SBS is sending Bibles to judges in the Court of Session and each of the Sheriff Courts in Scotland, the Faculty of Advocates Library, the Crown Office, and countrywide offices of the Procurator Fiscal Service. SBS has produced a pamphlet, entitled The Bible in Scots Law: A Guide for Legal Practitioners, to accompany the Bibles. In it, Lord Mackay, a former Conservative Cabinet member, speaks of how ‘vitally important’ the Bible is in giving guidance for daily living. Pray: that this initiative will help Judges understand the Biblical foundations of Scottish law and its relevance today. (Heb.4:12)
Catholic adoption agency faces closure
The last remaining Roman Catholic adoption agency to resist Labour’s equality laws is facing closure, after the charity watchdog ruled that it could not avoid considering same-sex couples as potential parents. Catholic Care had been given hope earlier this year that it could get around the controversial anti-discrimination rules that forced other agencies either to close down or sever their links with the church. In March a High Court judge had ordered that the Charity Commission consider whether to allow the agency's request to continue refusing to consider same-sex parents, thanks to a loophole intended to protect homosexual charities. Catholic Care had argued that a clause inserted to ensure gay organisations could not be sued for discrimination, entitled it to change its ‘charitable objects’. But in a judgement published on Thursday, the quango has ruled that it will still not allow Catholic Care to restrict its services to heterosexuals only. (See also Prayer Alert 1110 & 2010) Pray: that even at this late stage the authorities would reconsider. (Pr.21:30)
Armenia: The POWER OF GOD manifest
Despite opposition David Hathaway spoke to encourage the believers and to pray for victory over all opposition in an Armenian evangelistic outreach. Four thousand people prayed Our Father Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And God’s will was done with people saved and signs and wonders following.- A 10 year old tumour the size of ping-pong ball on a ladies left jaw vanished! A cancer tumour on a child’s back completely disappeared A grandmother testified for her 4 year old crippled granddaughter who couldn’t walk and was healed! An 18 year old pain in a mans head disappeared. Five tumours on a young mans head completely gone! A broken left arm healed! A skin disease of open wounds on a ladies hands and feet now perfect flesh. - These are just a few of the recorded miracles; for more faith building encouragement click the more button below. Praise: God for doing great things in Armenia, and pray that His fire will fall on all who step out in the ministry of evangelism and prayer. (Ac.2:21) More: http://www.propheticvision.org.uk/MediaResources/121/PV57UK.pdf
Armenia: The POWER OF GOD manifest
Despite opposition David Hathaway spoke to encourage the believers and to pray for victory over all opposition in an Armenian evangelistic outreach. Four thousand people prayed Our Father Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And God’s will was done with people saved and signs and wonders following.- A 10 year old tumour the size of ping-pong ball on a ladies left jaw vanished! A cancer tumour on a child’s back completely disappeared A grandmother testified for her 4 year old crippled granddaughter who couldn’t walk and was healed! An 18 year old pain in a mans head disappeared. Five tumours on a young mans head completely gone! A broken left arm healed! A skin disease of open wounds on a ladies hands and feet now perfect flesh. - These are just a few of the recorded miracles; for more faith building encouragement click the more button below. Praise: God for doing great things in Armenia, and pray that His fire will fall on all who step out in the ministry of evangelism and prayer. (Ac.2:21) More: http://www.propheticvision.org.uk/MediaResources/121/PV57UK.pdf
Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)