Belfast flag protest riots 'a disgrace'
Rioters have been warned against ‘holding Belfast to ransom’ after a petrol bomb attack on a police officer by suspected loyalists which is being treated as attempted murder. A gang of 15 men targeted, surrounded and smashed the unmarked vehicle on Monday night outside the offices of Alliance Party MP Naomi Long in Newlands Road. It was the worst incident in nine nights of violence in parts of east and south Belfast involving loyalists who took to the streets again in protest against a decision to restrict the flying of the Union Flag at Belfast City Hall. In a statement to the House of Commons, Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said that while the matter was a sensitive issue, the clashes would not be tolerated. ‘There can be absolutely no excuse or justification for this kind of thuggish and lawless behaviour,’ she said. ‘It is a disgrace. We condemn it unreservedly and it should stop immediately.’
Pray: that God would stay the hand of the enemy and bring about a peaceful resolution to this situation. (2Th.2:9-10)
More: http://news.sky.com/story/1023570/belfast-flag-protest-riots-a-disgrace
Census reveals fall in number of Christians
There has been a drop in the number of people in Britain identifying themselves as Christians, according to new data released from the 2011 Census. The statistics reveal that the number of Christians has fallen from 37 million to 33 million since 2001. Christians now make up 59% of the population, as opposed to 72% in 2001. The number of Muslims has risen from 1.5 million to 2.7 million - or 5% of the population - while the number of people describing themselves as having no religion rose by 10% to 25% of the population. Obviously the fall in those choosing to identify themselves as Christians is a challenge. Knowsley had the highest percentage of Christians, while Norwich registered the highest number of people with ‘no religion’. Newham, Haringey, Brent, Boston and Lambeth all showed increases in the number of Christians. There has also been a fall in the number of people who are married, from 50.9% in 2001 to 46.6% - or 21.1 million - today.
Pray: for the Church to take up the challenge by raising God’s standard across the nation in all areas where we have influence. (1Sam.2:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/census.reveals.fall.in.number.of.christians/31225.htm
British servicemen and women deployed over Christmas
According to available published official figures from the Defence Analytical Services Agency the UK has 173,020 regular trained and serving personnel in the Armed Forces. The total number of personnel serving on permanent postings abroad is approximately 23,570. At this Christmas season we are asked to remember the men and women away from their family and
homes. Their work doesn’t finish on Christmas Eve and their routine will continue as normal, even on Christmas Day. Please pray for a peaceful and quiet time for those deployed - for opportunities to attend Church and to be able to reflect on Christ this Christmas and for good communications home to loved ones. Pray also for the Military Chaplains who provide spiritual leadership, moral guidance and pastoral support irrespective of religion or belief, in order to meet their needs, over the Christmas season.
Pray: for those service families celebrating Christmas alone and for children missing their deployed mum or dad. (Lk.2:14)
More: http://www.militarychristians.org.uk/
Poland obstructed EU climate ambitions at Doha
Climate activists say Europe failed to deliver at the UN’s Doha conference on climate change. ‘This time Europe - usually seen as a leader on climate change - comes away with dirty hands,’ Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace international, said in a statement on Saturday. Poland demanded to keep its ‘hot air’ carbon credits awarded to them in the 1990s in opposition to developing countries, which wanted the surplus emissions scrapped altogether. The credits were handed out under the initial 1997 Kyoto protocol and allow Poland to emit far greater carbon into the atmosphere than its EU counterparts. European decision makers at the summit, says Greenpeace, sided with Poland to keep the surplus emission credits. A recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change says current global carbon emissions may increase the world's temperature between 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. The Doha summit brought together almost 200 nations to extend, by seven years, the Kyoto Protocol.
Pray: for the EU decision makers that they will not keep procrastinating over decisions that affect our world. (Ge1:26)
More: http://euobserver.com/environment/118464
Poland obstructed EU climate ambitions at Doha
Climate activists say Europe failed to deliver at the UN’s Doha conference on climate change. ‘This time Europe - usually seen as a leader on climate change - comes away with dirty hands,’ Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace international, said in a statement on Saturday. Poland demanded to keep its ‘hot air’ carbon credits awarded to them in the 1990s in opposition to developing countries, which wanted the surplus emissions scrapped altogether. The credits were handed out under the initial 1997 Kyoto protocol and allow Poland to emit far greater carbon into the atmosphere than its EU counterparts. European decision makers at the summit, says Greenpeace, sided with Poland to keep the surplus emission credits. A recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change says current global carbon emissions may increase the world's temperature between 4 to 6 degrees Celsius. The Doha summit brought together almost 200 nations to extend, by seven years, the Kyoto Protocol.
Pray: for the EU decision makers that they will not keep procrastinating over decisions that affect our world. (Ge1:26)
More: http://euobserver.com/environment/118464
Poland: Believing in God is same as killing and stealing
A Polish atheist billboard campaign compares believing in God to killing and stealing, in what observers call an open challenge to the Roman Catholic Church. ‘In a country considered to be Catholic it's hard to be an atheist. Contrary to popular belief there are many of us although not all of us have let our beliefs be known. The billboard action is not aimed at believers. It is to show people that in a country where the stereotypical Pole is a Catholic there is a large group of atheists,’ Jacek Tabisz, President of the Polish Association of Rationalists, explained to The Scotsman. Over 80% of the Polish country identify as Catholic. The controversial billboards have been put up in several Polish cities featuring three boxes labelled ‘Do Not Kill,’ ‘Do Not Steal,’ ‘Do Not Believe,’ with tick marks next to each one. Another billboard asks the question ‘Don't believe in God,’ following it by ‘You are not alone.’
Pray: that this billboard action will have the opposite effect to that intended by causing many non believers to discuss and seek out Christian values.
Poland: Believing in God is same as killing and stealing
A Polish atheist billboard campaign compares believing in God to killing and stealing, in what observers call an open challenge to the Roman Catholic Church. ‘In a country considered to be Catholic it's hard to be an atheist. Contrary to popular belief there are many of us although not all of us have let our beliefs be known. The billboard action is not aimed at believers. It is to show people that in a country where the stereotypical Pole is a Catholic there is a large group of atheists,’ Jacek Tabisz, President of the Polish Association of Rationalists, explained to The Scotsman. Over 80% of the Polish country identify as Catholic. The controversial billboards have been put up in several Polish cities featuring three boxes labelled ‘Do Not Kill,’ ‘Do Not Steal,’ ‘Do Not Believe,’ with tick marks next to each one. Another billboard asks the question ‘Don't believe in God,’ following it by ‘You are not alone.’
Pray: that this billboard action will have the opposite effect to that intended by causing many non believers to discuss and seek out Christian values.
YOU ARE INVITED to make history in the Himalayas with your prayers! Your cry to heaven is needed and a team of church planting ministries is asking YOU - will you help us storm heaven's gates through intercession?
Dr. Wesley Duewel, author and missionary to India, writes: “Prayer is the only adequate way to multiply our efforts fast enough to reap the harvest God desires.”
There are missions specialists who believe that some of the principalities that rule the world reside in these "high places," which are the mountains connecting Tibet and the Northern side of India's Hindu Kush region, as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan. This area hosts a full range of practiced religions, including Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism and tribal spirit worship.
The High Places Prayer Patrol is a website that will equip you with powerful prayer tools as well as connect you with other believers around the world in heartfelt prayer for spiritual breakthroughs in these rugged, yet beautiful, mountain tops.
Our Interactive Peoples Map will connect you with profiles of unreached people groups Pray along at the Regional Prayer Stations, where slideshows featuring authentic local music will bring you face to face with the peoples of each mountainous region. Sign up via email to join thousands of others believers in unified Daily Prayers for the region. Lift your voice in worship to usher in His Presence at one of the Worship Stations that feature modern powerful worship songs. Lastly, get to know the Pioneers, some of Jesus' history-makers who sowed their very lives into the high places.
Are YOU ready to become a history-maker? History belongs to the intercessor.
Ann Clwyd MP's campaign for compassion in nursing
An MP who said her late husband died 'like a battery hen' in hospital says she will start a campaign for greater compassion and care in nursing. Ann Clwyd, Labour MP for Cynon Valley, has criticised the 'indifference and contempt' of some nurses who treated her late husband at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. She said she had received an 'amazing response' since speaking out. Mrs Clwyd will now meet campaign groups to see how best to raise standards. “There are some good nurses, but there are also some very bad nurses and people have talked about their own experiences. I've had hundreds and hundreds of emails from people from all over the country and the theme is the same. Mrs Clwyd said she intended to meet patient bodies and campaigning groups to see how the issues raised could be addressed.
Pray: for a society that cares more for everyone especially the vulnerable such as the sick and the elderly. (Php. 2:3-4)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20657747
One out of six charities say they may have to close in 2013
The UK's flatlining economy is having a devastating effect on charities, according to research that suggests that two out of five face closure, with many set to disappear as early as next year unless things improve. A poll commissioned by the Charities Aid Foundation confirms that public spending cutbacks and falling donations are conspiring to devastating effect. The foundation warns that as many as one in six charities believe they may close in the coming year, while nearly half say they are being forced to dip into reserves. One in three say they fear being forced to cut services. The figures will make gloomy reading in Downing Street, which believes the third sector has a vital role to play in delivering the prime minister's vision for his 'big society'. The funding crisis comes as charities report that there is more demand for their services.
Pray: for charities and their supporters that they may be able to continue to do their good work. (Ro.2:7)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/dec/09/one-in-six-charities-close