Church prayers for the Royal couple ahead of wedding
The Church of England and Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales have released new prayers ahead of the royal wedding this month. The Church of England’s prayer for Prince William and Kate Middleton is posted on its website and is also for all those ‘made one in marriage’. The prayer has been adapted from Common Worship and joins one made available earlier for schools and young children. The new prayer asks God to ‘look in favour’ on the royal couple and ‘all who are made one in marriage’. It also asks God to ‘deepen their love’ and help them to keep their vows to each other. The Catholic prayer asks for God’s blessing upon Prince William and Miss Middleton and to give them strength to serve God, the country and the Commonwealth ‘with integrity and faithfulness’. Pray: for William and Kate as they prepare to marry and for their wedding to be a positive model for many other young couples. (Jn.2:1-2)
Italy: Bibles for North African refugees
Evangelical Alliance Italy is distributing aid and Bibles to tens of thousands of North African refugees who have fled to Lampedusa, an Italian island 75 miles from the Tunisian coast. The island is struggling to cope with the influx of migrants and many of the 20,000 migrants estimated to have arrived in Italy in the last few months have been relocated - but there are around 6,000 still on the small island, many of them Tunisian. Teams of volunteers have been sent by the Evangelical Alliance Italy to work alongside local authorities in facilitating the relationship between the refugee community and the local people. The volunteers will also distribute aid, including Bibles and other Gospel literature, and witness to the refugees of the love of Christ in appropriate ways. The alliance is appealing for prayers for the thousands of migrants who face an ‘uncertain future.’ An estimated 50,000+ migrants will come to the shores of Italy. Pray: for the Church to be strengthened as she steps into opportunities to give humanitarian aid and share God’s provision. (Mt.4:19) More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/bibles-aid-being-distributed-to-n-african-refugees-49794/
Italy: Bibles for North African refugees
Evangelical Alliance Italy is distributing aid and Bibles to tens of thousands of North African refugees who have fled to Lampedusa, an Italian island 75 miles from the Tunisian coast. The island is struggling to cope with the influx of migrants and many of the 20,000 migrants estimated to have arrived in Italy in the last few months have been relocated - but there are around 6,000 still on the small island, many of them Tunisian. Teams of volunteers have been sent by the Evangelical Alliance Italy to work alongside local authorities in facilitating the relationship between the refugee community and the local people. The volunteers will also distribute aid, including Bibles and other Gospel literature, and witness to the refugees of the love of Christ in appropriate ways. The alliance is appealing for prayers for the thousands of migrants who face an ‘uncertain future.’ An estimated 50,000+ migrants will come to the shores of Italy. Pray: for the Church to be strengthened as she steps into opportunities to give humanitarian aid and share God’s provision. (Mt.4:19) More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/bibles-aid-being-distributed-to-n-african-refugees-49794/
Churches debate response to anti-Christian violence
‘We're living in globalised times causing groups to feel insecure about their identity which has become radicalised and closed rather than open to others,’ said the director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). In early April the CEC launched a ‘Euro-Arabic Dialogue’ in Crete to determine how Christian and Muslim groups can build on existing relationships of trust. ‘In Europe where religion has often been seen as a problem public opinion hasn't been concerned about the fate of religious communities. This is changing now as false images of religion give way to a greater awareness of its contribution to the common good. It isn't up to churches to suggest practical action, we're calling for a clear warning of consequences to continued persecution.’ Some say Christians present a soft target because they don't fight back - but many Muslims view Christians as a strong missionary network and are on the defensive. Pray: for decisions made by this group and other similar meetings to usher in God's spiritual provision over Europe. (Ps.125:3)
Churches debate response to anti-Christian violence
‘We're living in globalised times causing groups to feel insecure about their identity which has become radicalised and closed rather than open to others,’ said the director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches (CEC). In early April the CEC launched a ‘Euro-Arabic Dialogue’ in Crete to determine how Christian and Muslim groups can build on existing relationships of trust. ‘In Europe where religion has often been seen as a problem public opinion hasn't been concerned about the fate of religious communities. This is changing now as false images of religion give way to a greater awareness of its contribution to the common good. It isn't up to churches to suggest practical action, we're calling for a clear warning of consequences to continued persecution.’ Some say Christians present a soft target because they don't fight back - but many Muslims view Christians as a strong missionary network and are on the defensive. Pray: for decisions made by this group and other similar meetings to usher in God's spiritual provision over Europe. (Ps.125:3)
Libya: Yes we are free now
John, a secret believer travelling covertly by jeep to escape the country, had been dropped off at an oil field in the middle of the desert to await a driver to escort them to the next location. A close encounter with armed oil-field workers thinking they were bandits alerted John to existing dangers and he silently thanked God for His protection. When his next contact came out of the desert John was amazed to recognize Christian music playing inside the jeep. As his journey continued with Samy the driver they listened to ‘Jesus, only you’ and ‘Blessed are those who dwell in the house of the Lord.’ John asked Samy if he knew what the music is about and he replied. ‘Yes, we are free now!’ Author's note: the ancient Berbers of Libya were called Imazighan, meaning ‘free men’. John’s prayer, ‘May Libyans experience political, personal and religious freedom.' Praise: God for divine appointments, giving us hope and courage in difficult situations. (1Thes.1:3)
Libya: Yes we are free now
John, a secret believer travelling covertly by jeep to escape the country, had been dropped off at an oil field in the middle of the desert to await a driver to escort them to the next location. A close encounter with armed oil-field workers thinking they were bandits alerted John to existing dangers and he silently thanked God for His protection. When his next contact came out of the desert John was amazed to recognize Christian music playing inside the jeep. As his journey continued with Samy the driver they listened to ‘Jesus, only you’ and ‘Blessed are those who dwell in the house of the Lord.’ John asked Samy if he knew what the music is about and he replied. ‘Yes, we are free now!’ Author's note: the ancient Berbers of Libya were called Imazighan, meaning ‘free men’. John’s prayer, ‘May Libyans experience political, personal and religious freedom.' Praise: God for divine appointments, giving us hope and courage in difficult situations. (1Thes.1:3)
Jesus: He Lived Among Us’
The Voice of the Martyrs announces ‘JESUS: He Lived Among Us’, an animated film on the life of Jesus with the persecuted church in mind. The film relates the story as told by Jesus' last surviving disciple - John the Beloved. Check out the website http://www.thejesusmovie.com/ Watch the trailer. Watch opening sequence. View production photos. View animated characters. Praise: God for this translation of the English script and the recording of the voice actors into twelve strategic languages in hostile and restricted nations.(Mt.28:19)
Jesus: He Lived Among Us’
The Voice of the Martyrs announces ‘JESUS: He Lived Among Us’, an animated film on the life of Jesus with the persecuted church in mind. The film relates the story as told by Jesus' last surviving disciple - John the Beloved. Check out the website http://www.thejesusmovie.com/ Watch the trailer. Watch opening sequence. View production photos. View animated characters. Praise: God for this translation of the English script and the recording of the voice actors into twelve strategic languages in hostile and restricted nations.(Mt.28:19)
Nigeria:Non-Muslim Nigerians need protection
Attacks on non-Muslim villages gained momentum in the run-up to the elections, in an effort to disenfranchise non-Muslim communities. Following a warning from ‘Federation of Islamic Council from the 36 states of the Federation’ saying it would bomb polling booths, political party offices and vehicles unless ‘Christian commoners, ordinary people resident in the North East, North West, and North Central’ left immediately a bomb injured 6 and killed 1 at a polling station. Nigeria began the first of three crucial April elections on Saturday and dozens were killed in separate attacks. 25 killed and 200 injured in an explosion at the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission. 8 killed and 56 injured when gunmen stormed a police station as election materials were being sorted. The Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party was shot. Attacks by 1,000 armed Fulani men on non-Muslim areas resulted in 10 dead, a village destroyed and some elderly people reported burnt to death in their homes. Pray: for Christians to be protected from physical attack and fear, for the Nigerian government to step up security and peacefully turn back the militants from northern states. (Job 5:20,22)