Catholic adoption agency faces closure
The last remaining Roman Catholic adoption agency to resist Labour’s equality laws is facing closure, after the charity watchdog ruled that it could not avoid considering same-sex couples as potential parents. Catholic Care had been given hope earlier this year that it could get around the controversial anti-discrimination rules that forced other agencies either to close down or sever their links with the church. In March a High Court judge had ordered that the Charity Commission consider whether to allow the agency's request to continue refusing to consider same-sex parents, thanks to a loophole intended to protect homosexual charities. Catholic Care had argued that a clause inserted to ensure gay organisations could not be sued for discrimination, entitled it to change its ‘charitable objects’. But in a judgement published on Thursday, the quango has ruled that it will still not allow Catholic Care to restrict its services to heterosexuals only. (See also Prayer Alert 1110 & 2010) Pray: that even at this late stage the authorities would reconsider. (Pr.21:30)
Armenia: The POWER OF GOD manifest
Despite opposition David Hathaway spoke to encourage the believers and to pray for victory over all opposition in an Armenian evangelistic outreach. Four thousand people prayed Our Father Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And God’s will was done with people saved and signs and wonders following.- A 10 year old tumour the size of ping-pong ball on a ladies left jaw vanished! A cancer tumour on a child’s back completely disappeared A grandmother testified for her 4 year old crippled granddaughter who couldn’t walk and was healed! An 18 year old pain in a mans head disappeared. Five tumours on a young mans head completely gone! A broken left arm healed! A skin disease of open wounds on a ladies hands and feet now perfect flesh. - These are just a few of the recorded miracles; for more faith building encouragement click the more button below. Praise: God for doing great things in Armenia, and pray that His fire will fall on all who step out in the ministry of evangelism and prayer. (Ac.2:21) More: http://www.propheticvision.org.uk/MediaResources/121/PV57UK.pdf
Armenia: The POWER OF GOD manifest
Despite opposition David Hathaway spoke to encourage the believers and to pray for victory over all opposition in an Armenian evangelistic outreach. Four thousand people prayed Our Father Your Kingdom come Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And God’s will was done with people saved and signs and wonders following.- A 10 year old tumour the size of ping-pong ball on a ladies left jaw vanished! A cancer tumour on a child’s back completely disappeared A grandmother testified for her 4 year old crippled granddaughter who couldn’t walk and was healed! An 18 year old pain in a mans head disappeared. Five tumours on a young mans head completely gone! A broken left arm healed! A skin disease of open wounds on a ladies hands and feet now perfect flesh. - These are just a few of the recorded miracles; for more faith building encouragement click the more button below. Praise: God for doing great things in Armenia, and pray that His fire will fall on all who step out in the ministry of evangelism and prayer. (Ac.2:21) More: http://www.propheticvision.org.uk/MediaResources/121/PV57UK.pdf
Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
Skateboarding priest in Hungary
A Hungarian Catholic priest has become an internet sensation for spreading the word of God - from his skateboard. A video of Reverend Zoltan Lendavi has become a YouTube hit. The video shows 45-year-old Lendavi, in full clerical dress outside his church in Gaborjanhaza, a small village on Hungary's border with Slovenia. Father Lendavi, whose first skateboard is said to have featured the Papal coat of arms, said he believed his skateboarding could help encourage more youngsters to go to church. He learnt his skateboarding skills when he was a teenager, but it wasn't until he became a priest, he realised he could use his skills to help youngsters find God by spreading the word from his wheels. He said he got the idea from Saint John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator in the 19th century who dedicated his life to improving the lives of youngsters and used games as part of their education. Praise: that the Spirit continues to work in mysterious ways. (Col.4:3)
Burma: International action needed
A CSW report included a Burmese man’s cry, ‘We are so forgotten. Our suffering continues. We have never experienced freedom. No one cares for us. Inside Burma it is getting worse and worse. We want the world to know we are still suffering.’ With democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned CSW said free and fair elections in November was impossible and called the EU, USA, the Association of South East Asian Nations and the UN to unite and send Burma the strongest possible message that its continuing crimes against humanity are not acceptable and will no longer be tolerated. They are calling for a universal arms embargo and the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate crimes against humanity and war crimes. They are also calling for more humanitarian aid and protection for the displaced peoples receiving sanctuary in Thailand. Pray: the world would no longer ignore the suffering in Burma, and for God to release the country into physical and spiritual freedom. (2Sam.22:7) More: http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=report&id=125&rnd=0.0109064
World: Thirty Days movement
Millions of Christians around the world are participating in the largest ongoing intercession for the Muslim world as they pray for Muslims for 30 days. This prayer movement began in the Middle East in 1992 when believers heard God's call to intercede for Muslims during the Islamic season of Ramadan. Today globally, Christians are setting aside the 30 days of Ramadan to pray specifically for Muslims and see precious souls set free from the bondage of Islam and introduced to the Saviour of all mankind. The ‘30 Days’ movement emphasises God's love for Muslims, encouraging all believers to cultivate a spirit of humility, love, respect and service toward Muslims. For more information and to download the 30 Day Prayer Guide click the more button, for Prayer Alert Ramadan INSIGHT go to: Pray: that Ramadan 2010 will become a window of opportunity for the Holy Spirit to speak to Muslims and open their eyes to the salvation available only in Jesus Christ. (Eph.1:17-18) More: http://www.30-days.net
Maldives: Poor religious freedom
After Saudi Arabia, the Maldives is the only nation that claims a 100-percent Muslim population. The Indian Ocean archipelago has more than 70,000 expatriate workers representing several non-Islamic religions, including Christianity, but those who intermingle must exercise caution. ‘If you engage any Maldivian in a discussion on Christianity and the person reports it to authorities you can be in trouble.’ said a source who requested anonymity. ‘A Maldivian youth studying in Sri Lanka became a Christian recently but when his parents came to know about it they took him away. We have not heard from him since then.’ According to President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom no religion other than Islam should be allowed in the Maldives. Public practise of the Christian religion is prohibited. In 1998 all known Christian foreigners who were suspected of missionary work were expelled and some indigenous Christians were arrested. Christian missionaries are not allowed. The collective identity of the people of the Maldives is Islam. Pray: for Christians to be wise and more intentional in sharing God's love with their Muslim neighbours and fellow workers. (Jas.2:24)
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Afghanistan hazards for Christian workers
The Asia Evangelical Alliance has condemned Taliban's slaying of ten aid workers in Afghanistan. See: The bodies of a Briton, six Americans, a German, and two Afghan interpreters were discovered in northern Afghanistan. Media reported that the aid workers were associated with the International Assistance Mission (IAM), a non-profit Christian NGO working in Afghanistan since 1966. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killings saying the medical workers were ‘foreign spies’ and were spreading Christianity. Executive Director of IAM spoke of the ‘senseless killing of people who have done nothing but serve the poor.’ This week’s INSIGHT ARTICLE comes from a Christian NGO in Afghanistan. Pray: for humanitarian workers protection in Afghanistan and other countries under Taliban influence. (Dt.5:32-33) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Afghanistanconcerns2.pdf
Pakistan: Rapes of Christian girls escalating
Three Muslim men raped a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint on July 21 stand her father was later kidnapped and tortured. He was working the fields when three men who work for his Muslim employer overpowered his daughter at their home, dragged her into one of the rooms at gunpoint and raped her. The following evening in a different district more than a half dozen madrassa students gang-raped a 12-year-old schoolgirl. Her teacher overheard one student saying, ‘We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget.’ Seven or eight of them then raped the girl while the others looked on. Local police admitted to Compass Direct they were under pressure from Muslim leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a report. The Centre for Legal Aid said Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel. Day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging. Pray: that God would comfort and strengthen Christians at the times of persecution, and enable them to forgive as they face hatred. (Mat.24:13-14)