In a significant policy shift, the Law Society has issued an apology and withdrawn controversial guidance for solicitors on how to draft ‘Sharia-compliant wills’ that would deny women an equal share of inheritance and exclude non-Muslims entirely. The advice, released in March this year, was intended to ‘assist solicitors who have been instructed to prepare a valid will which follows Sharia succession rules’. But today Andrew Caplen, the President of the Law Society, has apologised and announced the withdrawal of the guidelines: ‘Our practice note was intended to support members to better serve their clients as far as is allowed by the law of England and Wales,’ he said. ‘We reviewed the note in the light of criticism. We have withdrawn the note and we are sorry.’ The guidelines attracted severe criticism when they were published.
A new generation of Arab and Jewish followers of Jesus met together last week to strategise on how to ‘turn Israel upside down.’ Two hundred and sixty Messianic Jewish and Arab pastors, youth leaders, evangelists, Bible-school teachers and ministry leaders gathered for a three-day council to discuss, study, pray and work together to effectively bring the Word of God in power to Arabs and Jews throughout the whole Land of Israel. These seasoned men and women of faith embody decades of labour proclaiming the Gospel to local Arabs and Jews. Most have given up everything to preach Messiah to their unbelieving Muslim and Jewish families and friends. Despised because of their faith, they have lost jobs, suffered rejection and endured multiple other hardships, yet their passion to bring the Good News to their people remains unquenched. ‘We will keep preaching and teaching the Word of God until it changes the people of Israel,’ declared one leading pastor.
An Internet evangelistic website set up by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) marked a milestone as the five millionth person received Christ at PeaceWithGod.net. The ministry uses Bible verses and video presentations to share the Gospel with visitors to the site, which was launched in May 2011. ‘This is significant because we’re following Billy Graham’s legacy of taking the most advanced technical capabilities available and reaching people where they are with the hope of Jesus,’ said John Cass, BGEA’s Director of Internet Evangelism. ‘This has given us the opportunity to go to the ends of the earth.’ More than 20,000 people a day are viewing a presentation of the Gospel via the website. ‘For decades we have worked to fill venues with people so Billy, Franklin or Will Graham can proclaim the Gospel,’ said Cass. ‘The way we look at it, this is similar to welcoming a full arena to hear the message on a daily basis.’
How prayer is transforming nations
28 Nov 2014
John Robb, chairman of the International Prayer Council, can testify to the power of transformational prayer in some of the most difficult places in the world. After a personal encounter with God that stopped him in his tracks, he started taking teams of prayer leaders into war zones. ‘We prayed for the healing and transformation of war-torn nations and saw some amazing wonders happen,’ says Robb. The youtube video link herewith gives just a few of the most impacting stories from Cambodia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Mexico. Prayer is awesome and we have been given the authority to make the invisible kingdom visible.
Three years after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down in the wake of nationwide protests, Christian workers in Egypt are finding an openness rarely experienced before. Forgiveness, and the non-retaliation of Christians, were both unexpected and unprecedented, but have had a huge impact on many non-Christians. Egyptians are now openly questioning their traditional faith, and expressing doubts aloud, said Patrick Stein, a Christian worker in Egypt and leader of a church-planting team there. To doubt isn't rare, but to openly challenge beliefs is. ‘They are hungry for truth in a way that was not present before,’ said Stein. ‘If I am talking to people at a teashop, people around who are not a part of the conversation will often stop me afterwards and want to know more,’ he said. ‘They will ask me their deep questions that have been troubling their hearts for years.’
Romania has a new President, Mr Klaus Johannis. The new president has a personal relationship with the Lord. (See last week’s Prayer Alert) Thank you for your prayer support. The Lord is setting free the Romanian people after 70 years of the demonic influence of communism. Mr Johannis started the election day worshipping the Lord in his local church in Sibiu. There are many things to be shared about the election, but one is clear for all: around 3:00 pm the people started to vote in huge numbers on behalf of Mr Johannis until the end of the legal time. The difference is almost incredible for the politicians: Mr Johannis won by a margin of over 8%. This was considered as an answer to the prayers of His people and God's intervention in the nation.
Pray Day for Schools across the World
15 Nov 2014
Prayer is especially important for those that educate others. The third Tuesday of November every year is Pray Day, when schools across Europe and around the world are the focus of prayer. This year it will be held on Tuesday 18 November, with UK schools taking part. Intercessors and students alike are looking at Colossians 4. While we can't watch our children at every point of the day, we can ask God to protect, care for, and watch over them. Teachers have the often stressful task of moulding children for the future, and many Christian teachers find that prayer helps them do their jobs with more patience and joy. The day is for all types of school from nursery to sixth form, pupils, school staff, governors, parents, church leaders, youth workers and anyone else concerned about young people, anyone who believes that God hears our prayers.
A pastor and Vietnam veteran is on a cross-country march for spiritual awakening in America. Sixty-eight-year-old Chick McGill of Tennessee said God moved him to make the trek from sea to shining sea. Starting in North Carolina, McGill is walking 3,200 miles with an American flag calling attention to the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and his nation's founding principles. While walking, he said he salutes every passing driver along the way. Many people stop to talk with him. He said prayer is the only thing that can change the nation. ‘He (God) approached me three times,’ McGill said. ‘The first two times I thought I was hallucinating. The third time I said, 'This is God talking to me'. 'I can't argue with God,' he added.