China: Authorities raid Christian's home
Approximately 10 police officials raided the home of a Christian in Beijing searching for Hua Huiqi, a formerly imprisoned pastor. Every room in the house was ransacked, including a bedroom belonging to a child. The officials questioned the homeowner about intentions to meet with foreigners later that evening. In response to the incident the owner later spoke these powerful words: ‘Because the Beijing police have crossed the line, and have blatantly and continually abused the basic rights of my entire family, I hereby announce that today I will begin to continually fast and pray. I will pray to the Lord to bless China and to fill it with righteousness! I also request, brothers and sisters, that you pray for me and my family, and that God may grant us freedom from fear!.’ Prayer Alert office asks you to spread the news of this article so that many Christians will stand with Hua Huiqi for China. Pray: that Hua Huiqi will not give in to fear and for other Christians facing opposition in China to remain confident in Christ. (1 Pe.3:14-17) More: http:// ww.persecution.net/cn-2010-11-04.htm
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Saudi Arabia: Hajj awareness campaign underway
This year Hajj falls on November 14th to 17th. The Hajj (or pilgrimage to Mecca) is one of the five pillars of the Islamic religion. Muslims from all over the world flock to Mecca to perform rituals believing the Hajj cleanses them from all sins. As Christians we would never condemn Muslims from wanting to be clean of sin, and by clicking on the info button below and using this weeks INSIGHT’s into the 4 days of Hajj we can enter into informed intercession for Muslim seekers of God. Also see a Hajj 5 minute video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUofxXeT3VM The Saudi government’s preparations for the pilgrimage includes officials spending five hours a day spreading a message of Hajj awareness to security challenges on the pilgrimage route. As Christians we can also prepare for the Hajj and pray that God's Holy Spirit will meet seekers at every junction of their pilgrimage route. Pray: for 1.4 billion Muslims globally to see the risen Lord and for the 3 million pilgrims to be physically safe from stampedes and ‘Mecca flu’ disease. (Lk.24:45)
Christians to ‘prepare for persecution’
Barnabas Fund says Christians in the West need to be ready for suffering if they are to make a stand for Christ. They are inviting churches in the UK to dedicate one Sunday in November to the issue of persecution around the world – as well as at home. The theme of this year’s Suffering Church Sunday, ‘Be on Your Guard’, reflects Barnabas Fund’s growing concerns over the freedom of Christians in the West. ‘More insidious threats are creeping into Western society – and we need to be prepared,’ the group said. It warned that full religious liberty, including the freedom to choose one’s faith, was ‘under attack’. It said religious liberty was being ‘publicly undermined’ by world leaders on the international stage, who have adopted the term ‘freedom of worship’ instead of ‘freedom of religion’. ‘Any person of faith knows that religious exercise is about a lot more than freedom of worship.’ Pray: for God to strengthen us to make a stand for Christ. (1Pe.5:9) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/christians.in.west.told.to.prepare.for.persecution/27018.htm
Call for change to public order law
Christian hoteliers from Liverpool who were subjected to a criminal trial because of comments they made about Islam have called for a change to the law. Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang, declared innocent last December, were prosecuted under Section 5 of the Public Order Act after a female Muslim guest complained that she had been offended by their comments. To protect other Christians from a similar ordeal, the Vogelenzangs have encouraged Christians to visit their MP and ask for the word ‘insulting’ to be removed from the Public Order Act as part of the Coalition’s forthcoming Freedom Bill. ‘We stood trial, accused of a crime. It was awful. After a two-day hearing, the judge threw out the case against us. As Christians we should help each other. We want to help people by making sure that this can’t happen again to anyone else.’ Pray: for Christians to have freedom of expression without fear of prosecution. (Mt.24:14) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-vogelenzangs-call-for-change-to-public-order-law/
Portsmouth: year’s worship in one day
Portsmouth Cathedral has held its first ‘24 Hours of Worship’. Churchgoers worshipped in a different style each hour, including prayer, praise, music, reflection, healing, and silence, beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday 5 Nov and ending at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The event was the idea of the diocesan youth and children’s work adviser, Ben Mizen, who joined forces with the City Centre Pioneer Minister, the Rev Mark Rodel, and the diocesan liturgy and worship group, to celebrate the main festivals of the church calendar in one day, beginning with Advent and ending with Pentecost. Groups known to have a unique style of worship were invited to take part. The 13th-century chapel of St Thomas was used for plainsong lauds at 2 a.m., and a healing service at 7 a.m. The nave was used for a Christmas Taizé Eucharist; an episcopal Eucharist, led by the new Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster; and for psalms chanted by the congregation. The chior was used for a choral Passion. Pray: this event in Portsmouth will strengthen the congregation’s faith and be a light to others. (Ac.4:24)
Call for ‘sanctuary’ for would-be refugees
Senior church leaders and representatives from the main Christian denominations have called for Yorkshire to be a region of Sanctuary for people escaping persecution and who are seeking protection in the UK. The church leaders have a long record of supporting asylum seekers and refugees in their flight from terror abroad and their plight of destitution in this country. West Yorkshire Ecumenical Council (WYEC) urged all churches in the region to take practical steps to promote a culture of hospitality and to become places of sanctuary and welcome for asylum seekers. The Rev Dr Clive Barrett, Executive Secretary of WYEC, said that 'Welcome and hospitality are at the heart of Christian life. Church leaders encourage everyone, especially local churches, to extend that welcome to people who come to us seeking safety.’ Pray: for the stateless that they might find refuge. (Is.16:3) More:http://www.networkleeds.com/Articles/223427/Network_Leeds/Recent_News/West_Yorkshire_churches.aspx
Olympic mega-mosque
The first planning clash over what is known as the ‘Olympic mega-mosque’ is set to take place at a major public inquiry in the New Year. This inquiry is into the current use of the West Ham site of the proposed mega-mosque by separatist Islamic sect Tablighi Jamaat. A pre-inquiry meeting is being held on Thursday 11 November at Newham Town Hall. In February Newham Council ordered Tablighi Jamaat off the site which is owned by the Muslim group and is half a mile from the main 2010 Olympic stadium. They are currently and unlawfully using it for a temporary mosque and have erected buildings on site without planning permission. The website sensibly expresses reasons for opposition to the mosque’s construction. Pray: that the fomentors of anti-Christian bias in Newham will be restrained by law at the 2011 Inquiry. (Ps.7:9) More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/islam/olympic-mega-mosque-public-inquiry
Resignation of Anglican bishops
The Archbishop of Canterbury accepted ‘with regret’ the resignation of Church of England bishops planning to convert to Roman Catholicism in protest over the ordination of women bishops and joining a network that will allow them to retain some Anglican traditions. The move involves three serving bishops, who minister to parishes opposed to female clergy, and two retired bishops. The serving bishops are the bishop of Ebbsfleet, Andrew Burnham, the bishop of Richborough, Keith Newton and the bishop of Fulham, John Broadhurst. They will be joined by the former bishop of Richborough, Edwin Barnes, and a former Australian bishop, David Silk. All wanted more accommodation from the Anglican Church for opponents of women clergy. Groups within the Church of England have been campaigning for female clerics to become bishops without any concessions that would undermine their authority. Traditionalists and conservative evangelicals oppose the historic change, claiming the concept of women bishops runs contrary to doctrine. Pray: that these issues will not hinder the spreading of the Gospel message. (Phl.1:27) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/08/archbishop-canterbury-accepts-bishops-resignation
Churches that serve rural communities
Rural Presence is the new interactive website for Christians engaged in rural mission. It provides a forum for all Christians to share good news stories and information about the church in rural communities. The aim is to encourage and inspire mission and discipleship in rural churches. By sharing the wealth of ideas and practical approaches from churches around Britain it is hoped that an effective Christian presence can be promoted and sustained in the countryside. ‘This site offers an opportunity to share in all that is good and exciting about the rural church,’ said Rev Graham Jones, National Rural Officer for the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. ‘Whether it’s setting up community cinemas or hosting local post offices, the opportunities for rural churches to serve their communities are endless. We want to resource, enthuse and inspire Christians to think differently about their ministry in the countryside.’ Experiences may be shared at www.ruralpresence.org.uk where creative ideas can be found. Pray: for the mission and work of rural churches and for their leaders. (Ac.16:5) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=474
A Day of Light and Darkness
November 9 is the day in 1938 when Hitler’s gangs attacked Jewish property in a prelude to the Holocaust, and the very same day 51 years later when the wall dividing East and West was breached, signaling the end of the cold war. People lined up in Berlin for an exhibition of photographs celebrating the opening of the Bornholmer Strasse border crossing in 1989. Nov 9 has always presented the dilemma of how to celebrate the joy of the wall’s coming down while at the same time commemorating the night of terror known as Kristallnacht, or the night of broken glass. ‘I think it’s the beginning in the shift in narrative,’ said Deidre Berger, director of the American Jewish Committee’s Berlin office. ‘It’s a concern of what young people know about this day.’ The nightly news seemed to support her view, reporting Germany’s celebrating the wall coming down, followed by a report on the ‘Jewish community’ marking Kristallnacht. Pray: that the world may always remember the devastating lessons of fascism and genocide. (Ps.107:39) More: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/10/world/europe/10germany.html?_r=1&ref=global-home