Military Christian Organisations (MCOs)
November 6th will be a National Day of Prayer for our Armed Forces. A number of Christian organisations support the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and work closely with the Service chaplaincies. These organisations include the Armed Forces’ Christian Union; others can be seen at www.afcu.org.uk. All these organisations work together to encourage Christians serving within the Armed Forces, to pray for them, evangelise, provide Bible teaching and studies and Christian resources, to support marriages and family life and to encourage discipleship and spiritual growth. There are also links to Christians of other Armed Forces, through Military Missions International. There are 120 Military Christian Fellowships (MCFs) worldwide so far and they desire to encourage the formation of more MCFs to support and equip Christians in Armed Forces around the world. Pray: for the work of all these MCOs in the service of our Armed Forces (Heb.12:11)
Vatican meeting of Middle East Bishops
Middle East Bishops have demanded that Israel end occupation of Palestinian lands. In a final joint communiqué, they also told Israel not to use the Bible to justify ‘injustices’ against the Palestinians. While they condemned terrorism and anti-Semitism, they laid much of the blame for the conflict squarely on Israel. They listed the ‘occupation’ of Palestinian lands, Israel’s separation barrier with the West Bank, military checkpoints, political prisoners, demolition of homes and disturbance of socio-economic lives as factors that have made life increasingly difficult for Palestinians. All forms of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Christianism and Islamophobia are to be condemned. Religious leaders’ responsibilities are to promote dialogue between cultures and civilizations. That the bishops are making these ‘bold’ statements is a testament to Israel’s essential decency and humanity. The bishops know that there will be no serious consequences or massive reprisals against Christians in Israel for ‘speaking out’, whereas similar Christian criticism or questioning of an Arab government in the region, or Islamic extremism, would produce such. Pray: for even-handedness to prevail in judging Middle East issues by opinion-formers. (Pr.16:10) More: http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/10/singling-out-israel-isnrsquot-christian
Vatican meeting of Middle East Bishops
Middle East Bishops have demanded that Israel end occupation of Palestinian lands. In a final joint communiqué, they also told Israel not to use the Bible to justify ‘injustices’ against the Palestinians. While they condemned terrorism and anti-Semitism, they laid much of the blame for the conflict squarely on Israel. They listed the ‘occupation’ of Palestinian lands, Israel’s separation barrier with the West Bank, military checkpoints, political prisoners, demolition of homes and disturbance of socio-economic lives as factors that have made life increasingly difficult for Palestinians. All forms of racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Christianism and Islamophobia are to be condemned. Religious leaders’ responsibilities are to promote dialogue between cultures and civilizations. That the bishops are making these ‘bold’ statements is a testament to Israel’s essential decency and humanity. The bishops know that there will be no serious consequences or massive reprisals against Christians in Israel for ‘speaking out’, whereas similar Christian criticism or questioning of an Arab government in the region, or Islamic extremism, would produce such. Pray: for even-handedness to prevail in judging Middle East issues by opinion-formers. (Pr.16:10) More: http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/10/singling-out-israel-isnrsquot-christian
Hungary: EU response to toxic flooding
EU crisis response commisioner Kristalina Georgieva says massive toxic flooding in Hungary that killed nine people and injured more than 120 others has underscored the need for a stronger European disaster response. Since October 4 about 800,000 cubic-meters of toxic sludge has leaked from a reservoir of a metals plant flooding towns and villages in an area as large as 40 square kilometres. Experts from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are investigating the sludge and hope to provide European assistance similar to that given to the US oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. But Hungary would not receive additional money from the EU solidarity fund because the chemical spill was allegedly caused by human error. They may transfer funds from rural development protection projects. Commissioner Georgieva, who has visited the devastated villages and towns will present a European strategy for disaster response by the end of this month. Pray: that Commissioner Georgieva is able to produce guidelines for stronger and better responses when livelihoods are destroyed and people killed. (Ps.67:1-2) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/14128-news-watch-european-aid-in-hungarys-toxic-flooding
Hungary: EU response to toxic flooding
EU crisis response commisioner Kristalina Georgieva says massive toxic flooding in Hungary that killed nine people and injured more than 120 others has underscored the need for a stronger European disaster response. Since October 4 about 800,000 cubic-meters of toxic sludge has leaked from a reservoir of a metals plant flooding towns and villages in an area as large as 40 square kilometres. Experts from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden are investigating the sludge and hope to provide European assistance similar to that given to the US oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. But Hungary would not receive additional money from the EU solidarity fund because the chemical spill was allegedly caused by human error. They may transfer funds from rural development protection projects. Commissioner Georgieva, who has visited the devastated villages and towns will present a European strategy for disaster response by the end of this month. Pray: that Commissioner Georgieva is able to produce guidelines for stronger and better responses when livelihoods are destroyed and people killed. (Ps.67:1-2) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/14128-news-watch-european-aid-in-hungarys-toxic-flooding
Japan: 1,765 decisions for Christ
A three-day evangelistic festival in Japan headlined by US preacher Franklin Graham concluded Sunday with 400 new commitments to Christ, bringing the weekend total to 1,765. The Festival, held in Osaka, was the culmination of efforts by hundreds of churches, 400 of which had invited Graham to preach in a region which represents about one quarter of Japan’s national population. ‘This is God's time for Japan,’ Graham said at the conclusion of Saturday’s evening service. When asked on Thursday how the event’s success would be measured, Graham told reporters that the success of any evangelical meeting depends on prayer. ‘There have been thousands of people praying. If one person were to give their life to Jesus Christ this week, it would be successful,’ he responded. With this Festival finished Graham will prepare for the next one which will be held in Riga, Latvia, November 5 to 7. Praise: and thank God for His miracle of salvation and ask for thousands more to enter his kingdom in future outreach events.
Japan: 1,765 decisions for Christ
A three-day evangelistic festival in Japan headlined by US preacher Franklin Graham concluded Sunday with 400 new commitments to Christ, bringing the weekend total to 1,765. The Festival, held in Osaka, was the culmination of efforts by hundreds of churches, 400 of which had invited Graham to preach in a region which represents about one quarter of Japan’s national population. ‘This is God's time for Japan,’ Graham said at the conclusion of Saturday’s evening service. When asked on Thursday how the event’s success would be measured, Graham told reporters that the success of any evangelical meeting depends on prayer. ‘There have been thousands of people praying. If one person were to give their life to Jesus Christ this week, it would be successful,’ he responded. With this Festival finished Graham will prepare for the next one which will be held in Riga, Latvia, November 5 to 7. Praise: and thank God for His miracle of salvation and ask for thousands more to enter his kingdom in future outreach events.
Gambia: British missionary freed from jail
The Foreign Office said it had been informed of David Fulton's release on Friday but could not confirm if he had returned to the UK yet. Mr Fulton's wife Fiona was freed in December last year and deported back to the UK after serving a year of hard labour for sedition. In a statement at the time Mr Fulton apologised to the Gambian public and the country's president. Gambia is a former British colony ruled by the same regime since President Yayha Jammeh seized power in a 1994 coup. Its people are given limited scope for free speech. The couple were reportedly advised to admit the sedition charges in an attempt to win a less stringent punishment. The tactic arguably failed when the hard labour sentence was handed out. The pair pleaded guilty in December 2008 in a Gambian court and were sentenced and also fined £6,250 each. The Fulton’s moved to Gambia 13 years ago to work as missionaries. (See Prayer Alert 5008 -12 December 2008)
Praise: God for answering all of our prayers for the Fulton family. (Lk. 4:18)
Gambia: British missionary freed from jail
The Foreign Office said it had been informed of David Fulton's release on Friday but could not confirm if he had returned to the UK yet. Mr Fulton's wife Fiona was freed in December last year and deported back to the UK after serving a year of hard labour for sedition. In a statement at the time Mr Fulton apologised to the Gambian public and the country's president. Gambia is a former British colony ruled by the same regime since President Yayha Jammeh seized power in a 1994 coup. Its people are given limited scope for free speech. The couple were reportedly advised to admit the sedition charges in an attempt to win a less stringent punishment. The tactic arguably failed when the hard labour sentence was handed out. The pair pleaded guilty in December 2008 in a Gambian court and were sentenced and also fined £6,250 each. The Fulton’s moved to Gambia 13 years ago to work as missionaries. (See Prayer Alert 5008 -12 December 2008)
Praise: God for answering all of our prayers for the Fulton family. (Lk. 4:18)
Indonesia: Christian villages at heart of triple disaster
Mainly Christian islands are at the heart of the three-fold disaster of earthquake, tsunami and volcanic eruption that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands in Indonesia this week. A 7.7 magnitude undersea earthquake triggered the three-metre high tsunami, which pounded the Mentawai Islands, off the coast of West Sumatra, on Monday evening. The following day Mount Merapi on the island of Java erupted, spewing out clouds of ash and jets of searing gas. The combined death toll has topped 300 with over 400 missing and tens of thousands displaced as homes were destroyed. Pray: thet the aid agencies and authorities would be enabled to bring speedy relief to those in desperate need.