Blind pursuit of profit must end
The Archbishop of York has hit out at the selfish pursuit of profit and called for a return to the pursuit of social justice and generosity as a means to building a truly wealthy nation. Addressing the Church of England’s General Synod in York, Dr John Sentamu said it was understandable that governments wanted to achieve economic recovery after two years of financial crisis, but stressed that recovery should be regarded as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. People should not just be consumers but rather live out their common citizenship in social action or ‘good work’ beyond paid employment. He argued that profit making was a ‘simple and stupid’ objective, and called for a return to the principles of honesty and generosity towards neighbours. He said that an obsession with wealth was ‘evil’ and that society should pursue economic justice rather than solely profit. Pray: for the Holy Spirit to infuse our leaders with social ethics as well as fiscal focus. (Ac.11:15) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/blind.pursuit.of.profit.must.end.says.archbishop/26261.htm
Homosexuals and ‘religious marriage’
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone disclosed that homosexual couples may be permitted to use ‘religious readings, music and symbols’. She said that the Government would now hold talks with those with a ‘key interest’ in the issue. Unlike in civil marriages, there is little leeway for heterosexual couples to stamp their own mark on the Church wedding vows in a Christian ceremony. Such heterosexual couples tying the knot at Church of England or Church in Wales weddings essentially make the same pledges to one another. Lord Tebbit said: ‘I wouldn’t want anything done to add to the pretence that a civil partnership is a marriage. That’s the key thing.’ Andrea Williams of Christian Concern for our Nation says: ‘It is vital to safeguard traditional marriage for future generations and for the benefit of society. When society has been described as ‘broken’, we need to restore a Christian moral framework and family values.’ Pray: that Marriage continues as a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. (Jer.29:6) More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=8133&this=Homosexuals_could_marry_in_religious_ceremonies
Foster mother reinstated
A Christian foster mother has won the right to be reinstated having been struck off after a Muslim girl in her care became a Christian. The foster mother, who had looked after more than 80 children in the last ten years and had an unblemished record, was removed by her local council who accused her of failing to preserve the girl’s religion and failing to prevent her from getting baptised. The Muslim girl in question was sixteen at the time and had decided by her own initiative to become a Christian. The foster mother said that she had put no pressure on the girl and had even tried to discourage her initial interest. The girl was in care as she had been threatened with an arranged marriage and faced violence from her family. Prayer-Alert Article
Praise: God for answered prayer and continue praying for His protection over those that convert from the Muslim faith. (1Tim.4:12)
Foster mother reinstated
A Christian foster mother has won the right to be reinstated having been struck off after a Muslim girl in her care became a Christian. The foster mother, who had looked after more than 80 children in the last ten years and had an unblemished record, was removed by her local council who accused her of failing to preserve the girl’s religion and failing to prevent her from getting baptised. The Muslim girl in question was sixteen at the time and had decided by her own initiative to become a Christian. The foster mother said that she had put no pressure on the girl and had even tried to discourage her initial interest. The girl was in care as she had been threatened with an arranged marriage and faced violence from her family. Prayer-Alert Article
Praise: God for answered prayer and continue praying for His protection over those that convert from the Muslim faith. (1Tim.4:12)
Dominican Republic: Largest ever Christian outreach
Nearly 70,000 people in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico placed their faith in Jesus through the ’My Hope’ Billy Graham TV project. After months of preparation, Christians across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico`, equipped with evangelism training and filed with a passion for the Gospel, opened their homes for meetings and witnessed; culminating in over 59,000 home events, TV sermons from Billy or Franklin Graham and a personal testimony from the host. In the Dominican Republic, 55,391 people made commitments to Christ, with 13,797 doing so in Puerto Rico. Altogether more than 5,500 churches from across the evangelical spectrum were involved in the projects. Since My Hope began in 2002, such projects have been implemented in 50 countries. Praise: God for the members of the body of Christ who are stepping out in evangelism. (1T.2:3-5)
Dominican Republic: Largest ever Christian outreach
Nearly 70,000 people in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico placed their faith in Jesus through the ’My Hope’ Billy Graham TV project. After months of preparation, Christians across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico`, equipped with evangelism training and filed with a passion for the Gospel, opened their homes for meetings and witnessed; culminating in over 59,000 home events, TV sermons from Billy or Franklin Graham and a personal testimony from the host. In the Dominican Republic, 55,391 people made commitments to Christ, with 13,797 doing so in Puerto Rico. Altogether more than 5,500 churches from across the evangelical spectrum were involved in the projects. Since My Hope began in 2002, such projects have been implemented in 50 countries. Praise: God for the members of the body of Christ who are stepping out in evangelism. (1T.2:3-5)
US Congressmen defend National Day of Prayer
CNS News reports that 63 members of the House and four senators (both Republican and Democrat), members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, have filed an amicus brief to defend the National Day of Prayer. Jordan Sekulow, attorney at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which is representing the congressmen, was quoted as saying the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment protects the National Day of Prayer because it is not the call of, or for, a specific religion, it is not mandated, and there are no punishments for not participating. ‘That goes back to, what I think the First Amendment is about, which is an establishment of a religion in the United States. That means you don't say that it is, for instance, the Baptist Day of Prayer, just the National Day of Prayer,’ Sekulow said. Praise: God for this move to establish prayer to be central to the US government. (Heb.13.7) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8040
US Congressmen defend National Day of Prayer
CNS News reports that 63 members of the House and four senators (both Republican and Democrat), members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, have filed an amicus brief to defend the National Day of Prayer. Jordan Sekulow, attorney at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which is representing the congressmen, was quoted as saying the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment protects the National Day of Prayer because it is not the call of, or for, a specific religion, it is not mandated, and there are no punishments for not participating. ‘That goes back to, what I think the First Amendment is about, which is an establishment of a religion in the United States. That means you don't say that it is, for instance, the Baptist Day of Prayer, just the National Day of Prayer,’ Sekulow said. Praise: God for this move to establish prayer to be central to the US government. (Heb.13.7) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8040
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Ramadan1431 – Muslim month of fasting
There are at least 200 Muslim people groups of over 100,000 individualsThere are at least 200 Muslim people groups of over 100,000 individuals who do not receive any Christian witness. During the 30 days of Ramadan, August 11 to September 9, many Muslims will sincerely seek God through prayer, fasting, repenting of past sins, and attempting to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. In closed countries where Christians are forbidden to openly share their faith we hear testimonies from Muslims to whom Jesus has directly revealed Himself through dreams and visions during Ramadan. We may not be able to reach them ourselves, but we can and ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on the spiritually dry and thirsty in the three weeks leading up to and through this ‘Holy Month’. For inspirations to help your prayers for Muslims click link. (see also item 3) Pray: .for many Christian prayers to be released, preparing the way for revelations of God's Kingdom. (1Jn.4:18)
Iran: Pastor facing execution plus fears for Christian in solitary confinement
A well-known Iranian pastor detained in June faces execution after two judges agreed to make him ‘liable to capital punishment,’ in a crackdown on growing Protestant churches. A senior pastor of the Church of Iran movement, comprising house churches across Iran, said judges had already signed an Islamic death sentence order, pending further investigations. see Also Ali Golchin has been in Evin Prison’s solitary confinement since April 29, and is believed to have been ill-treated. After weeks of petitioning authorities his father was allowed a ten minute visit and found his son 'crying uncontrollably' and in obvious pain. Ali, a chemical analyst, had twice been sent to the prison health centre due to 'weakness and severe stomach aches'. Farsi Christian News Network’s sources believe Ali has been ill-treated during interrogation sessions. But praise God for the release of two Church of Iran Christians and the expected release on bail of two other Christians identified as ‘brothers Mehdi and Afshin'. Pray: for Ali's spiritual and physical strengthening, and for God to touch the hearts of Iranian officials charged with detaining Christian prisoners of faith. (2Ch.11:17)