Warning over religious persecution
Former Tory minister Ann Widdecombe has accused the Government of double standards when it comes to religious and homosexual persecution abroad. Miss Widdecombe told a Christian charity's conference that Prime Minister David Cameron was threatening to cut aid to countries which persecuted gays but was not doing anything to help persecuted Christians. ‘If David Cameron is tough on governments which persecute gays, why can't he be tough on those who persecute Christians?’ she told the Aid to the Church in Need annual conference. ‘You stand a better chance of earnest representation if you are a hedgehog than if you are a persecuted Christian.’ Aid to the Church in Need claims 75% of all religious persecution in the world is directed against Christians with 105,000 killed every year for faith-related reasons.
Pray: that our Government would be wise in its judgements and speak out for all those who are persecuted. (1Pet.4:6)
Peer in bid to dismantle law on Christian assemblies
A Lib Dem peer in the House of Lords has tabled an amendment to remove the requirement for Christian worship in schools. Currently schools must have a daily act of collective worship. Collective worship must be ‘wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character.’ Parents can withdraw their children and teachers are also permitted to opt out. But now Lord Avebury, a Liberal Democrat peer, has tabled an amendment to end the requirement for collective worship in all schools apart from faith schools. Earlier this year a secularist campaign group said that Christian assemblies should be banned because they breach children’s human rights. The National Secular Society wrote to Education Secretary, Michael Gove, demanding that the law on Christian assemblies be abolished. But a spokesman for the Department for Education said the law on Christian assemblies ‘encourages pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in the traditions and values of this country.’ (See Prayer Alert 36-2011)
Pray: that this further challenge to our faith would be thwarted. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/peer-in-bid-to-dismantle-law-on-christian-assemblies/
Church helping Scotland's poorest communities
The Church of Scotland has launched a radical new regeneration programme to boost some of the poorest parts of the country. The Chance to Thrive project will work with eight communities on development initiatives over the next five years. The Church says the onus of the project will be on the hopes of the people, rather than buildings. It wants to support local people in bringing about long-term change through their own ideas rather than ‘having ideas imposed from outside’. Communities will be supported by a panel of volunteers with relevant experience as entrepreneurs, community workers, business planners, artists and architects. It is hoped that the projects will lead to the development of major new and sustainable church-based community facilities. ‘Over the last decade the Church of Scotland has doubled its commitment to Scotland’s poorest neighbourhoods.’
Pray: that this move by the Church of Scotland would lead to long-term change to some of the neediest people. (Dt.15:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.helping.scotlands.poorest.communities.thrive/28806.htm
Turkey: Earthquake
Tens of thousands are sleeping in tents or cars. The Turkish Red Crescent has already distributed 13,000 tents but Reuters reported tent shortages, particularly in remote villages. After announcing to the world they did not want help to deal with the earthquake aftermath, Ankara has now accepted Israel’s offer of aid and allowed their Defence Ministry to send a plane carrying 7 mobile homes to quake-devastated areas with more aid to follow. Turkey also agreed to receive relief from
Armenia, but a formal request had not been received by Wednesday, four days after the earthquake struck. Turkey is now prepared to receive relief missions from thirty countries, which earlier had offered assistance but been rejected. These countries include Russia, US, China, Japan, as well as the EU. See: http://news.am/eng/news/79414.html Aslan International, working in Turkey, said ‘The hearts of the whole nation are shaken. Let us grieve with those who have lost everything, we ask you to plead with God for mercy on the nation of Turkey.’
Pray: for all government rescue efforts, for more rescue vehicles and paramedics, doctors to get to Van quickly, for the weather - meteorologists are predicting snow. For those still trapped to be found quickly. In your mercy Lord hear our prayer.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/call.for.prayer.as.turkey.quake.death.toll.rises/28813.htm
