No plans to change prayers in House of Lords
12 Apr 2011
Suggestions to make prayers in the House of Lords more inclusive were given a lukewarm response this week. Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked peers to consider ‘widening the scope of House of Lords prayers into devotions encompassing faiths that are represented in the House’. He suggested a minute of silence and reflection in addition to the prayers out of consideration for the diversity of faiths and denominations in the House of Lords and wider society. The proposal was met with opposition from the Chairman of Committees, Lord Brabazon of Tara, who said there were no plans to change the prayers. He noted that the practice of prayer in the House of Lords went back to the 1500s and that change might be ‘premature’ (See Prayer Alert 07-2011) Praise: God for the recognition that prayer would remain at the heart of our Parliament. (Mk.12:17) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/no.plans.to.change.prayers.in.house.of.lords/27767.htm
An ecumenical organization, the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, said it plans to establish small business and agricultural enterprises that will bring Christians and Muslims together in the troubled north-central part of Nigeria. ‘We believe that projects jointly owned by Christians and Muslims would bridge the relationship gap between them,’ said Helen Philemon Haggai, co-ordinator of the fellowship's peace desk. The projects, Haggai said, ‘will focus on establishment of farms that will provide employment opportunities for Christian and Muslim youths. These farms will enable them to produce crops like potatoes, tomatoes and vegetables like lotus and cabbages. This will provide food for their families and at the same time, provide them with incomes. In addition, water projects like boreholes can provide safe drinking water for Muslim and Christian communities’. Furthermore, Haggai said, ‘a skills acquisition centre will be established for the training of both Christian and Muslim youths and widows.’ Praise: God for this initiative and pray that working together will lead to peace. (Ez.37:26)
Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 10 Christians in three villages in Plateau State last week in what authorities called cattle-rustling. A visit to the home where eight were killed revealed the presence of no cows. A state official was quick to deny the attack was rooted in the ethno-religious violence that has convulsed the State. Military officials asserted that security forces recovered 20 cows and killed five of the rustlers in thwarting an attempted theft. However a news reporter found no evidence of cattle ownership there. Fulani Muslims also attacked the villages of Zatsitsa-Kudeson and Chehwyanang killing two Christians.
Pray: that the Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacking Christians will be brought to account for their crimes against the innocent. Pray also for accurate and unbiased reporting by the government, and all in position of authority. (Ps.90:15-17)
Nigeria: Free medical care and gospels
07 Sep 2012Violence between Christians and Muslims in Jos has scarred and segregated the two groups that Doctor Chris Isichei and his surgeon wife Mercy minister to at his Hospital and ‘Faith Alive Clinic; offering free medical services from 300 to 400 patients every day. 60% of the patients are Christians and 40% Muslims. Almost the entire medical staff are volunteers. 90% of the patients are HIV positive. Patients are offered training in sewing, knitting, computers, driving, and kitchen services. A Christian discipleship program is woven into the skills training and 100 graduate each quarter. Faith Alive also has a free school with a Christian curriculum. Those who can't afford school elsewhere go to their school.’ Every morning and evening Doctor Chris, his medical staff and patients take part in a devotional at the hospital. The Gospel message is presented at each gathering with an opportunity to respond. When patients are released but have no place to go, they stay in transitional housing.
Praise: God for the social and spiritual aspect to the hospital, may they continue to know His protection, provision and leading. (Ph.1:19)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=10507
New Christian TV package on Freeview
20 Jul 2012Revelation TV and SonLife Broadcasting Network have joined forces to provide a new package of channels on Freeview. The 'Christian TV' package offers Bible-based programming to audiences with either the latest FreeviewHD enabled television set or a set top box. It is the first package of free-to-view Christian channels broadcasting on Freeview channel 113 and is delivered by Vision247. Revelation TV is a Christian broadcaster with an established religious audience in the UK, while SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN) brings 24-hour Christian faith television from the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, based in Baton Rouge, in the US. From Freeview channel 113, viewers can access ‘Christian TV’ by navigating through the channel selection pages with the TV remote and choosing to watch live Christian TV.
Praise: God for this increase in coverage of Christian TV. (1Tim.2:4)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/new.christian.tv.package.on.freeview/30294.htm
New aid package for Horn of Africa
05 Jan 2012President Barack Obama announced in Christmas week a new aid package worth $113 million for the famine and drought ravaged Horn of Africa. The funding announcement comes as a ‘FWD’ campaign by the US Aid organization on the internet, with videos in which television stars and athletes are asking viewers to forward the humanitarian message using social media to as many people as possible. President Obama said, ‘As we enter the season of giving and renewal, more than 13.3 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia remain in urgent need of humanitarian assistance amid the worst drought the region has seen in 60 years. The heartbreaking accounts of lives lost and of those struggling to survive remind us of our common humanity and the need to reach out to people in need.' ‘Famine, war and drought in the Horn of Africa is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world,’ said USAID.
Praise: God for the campaign, and may it gain momentum as it continues through 2012. (Ps.22:26)
Nepal: Sharing God’s love
18 Jan 2011
Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu is an urban melting pot of people, cultures, entertainment attractions and commerce, surrounded by the majestic Himalaya Mountains. Several Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries serve as pastors in and around the Kathmandu area and it is their desire to share the love of Jesus with as many people in the city as possible. Knowing that only a small percentage of the city’s residents will ever visit their churches, these pastors plan periodic outings to different parts of the city to share the love of Jesus with the people. The group, comprised of 12 pastors, talk to people out walking, in the shops and in public gathering areas. They spend many hours handing out Gospel tracts and New Testaments. They take time to pray with those who shared their life’s problems. Many people also wanted to know more about Christ, and the missionaries were able to tell them about the love of God. Praise: God for the Gospel for Asia pastors as they share His Word and their testimonies. (Jn.17:20-21)
Nepal: Sabres bring Gospel to Himalayas
24 Jan 2013A mission team will be going to Nepal next month with Sabres. No, not light-sabres as in Star Wars. A Vision Beyond Borders (VBB) mission team will be bringing solar powered mp3 players called ‘Sabres’ to people in Nepal. These Sabres play the Bible on audio. The mission team will be taking the Sabres to remote villages high in the Himalayan Mountains. Many of these people have never even heard about Christ. Furthermore, Nepal has an adult literacy rate of 56% according to UNESCO. With so many people who can’t read, getting the chance to hear the Bible is invaluable. There are 153 dialects in Nepal, and VBB has contacts working to translate God’s Word into every single dialect. VBB’s mission team are currently seeking more funds to bring more Sabres to Nepal.
Praise: God as they bring God’s Word to these remote peoples. Pray for their travels and for safety. (Pr.1:33)
More: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18132