China: Journalists need justice
20 Jan 2023
A wave of advocacy has built in the UK through December and January after Beijing denied Jimmy Lai—who holds UK citizenship—access to his preferred legal counsel. In late December, seven UK-based Hong Kong advocacy groups called on London to sanction officials for targeting Lai. Lai’s legal team wrote to Rishi Sunak requesting a meeting to discuss securing Lai’s release. On January 10 a Foreign Office minister met the team. Two days later the Frontline Club, a press membership group, held a London event that included Lai’s son and the head of his international legal team. Pray for Jimmy Lai’s immediate release. Pray also for two freelance journalists in prison for covering pro-democracy protests following late 2022 rulings. Tang Cheuk-yu was jailed for having an ‘offensive weapon’ in a public place. Choy Kin-yue for an unlawful assembly conviction.
Iraq: Christians still largely displaced
20 Jan 2023
On 12th January the Commission on International Religious Freedom released its annual report, detailing key findings for religious persecution issues in Iraq. Iraqi religious minorities have been fighting for normalcy since the ISIS invasion a decade ago. Despite their efforts, tens of thousands of Christians are still displaced and unable to return to their homes as ISIS is still carrying out attacks periodically, causing fear among citizens about returning to their hometowns formally controlled by ISIS. Also, the Popular Mobilization Forces often block roadways making it increasingly difficult and dangerous to return to the Nineveh plains. Also continued airstrikes in northern Iraq by the Turkish military are disproportionately affecting religious minorities, making it unsafe to return to their communities. Turkey has made little effort to protect civilians during these airstrikes, despite calls from the communities for such consideration. Pray for provision for all the families that have been displaced.
USA: Debt ceiling danger
20 Jan 2023
At the time of writing, 19th January America is about to hit their debt limit, meaning the government is not allowed to borrow any more money - unless Congress agrees to suspend or change the cap, currently almost $31.4tn (£25.4tn). Since 1960, politicians have moved to raise, extend or revise the definition of the debt limit 78 times - including three just in the last six months. But Republicans recently took control of the House of Representatives and are calling for spending cuts, raising concerns that politicians will delay acting this time - leading America to intentionally default for the first time in its history. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has estimated that special measures can buy time for the US until at least June, at which point the government will no longer be able to pay its bills. A true economic catastrophe - unpaid defence contractor payments, Social Security cheques, received by retirees and salaries of government employees, including the military, will all be affected.
Should have died, but Christ changed everything
12 Jan 2023
Robby was a homeless drug user after becoming addicted to opiates prescribed for a painful back injury. He said, ‘Opiates were the biggest lie I have ever been associated with. Only by the grace of God am I still breathing today. I should have died more than once. Addiction landed me homeless at the Salvation Army.’ Mia, his wife, was an alcoholic before they met. She had grown up in the church but lost her way and sought help to stop her dependence. Both of their lives dramatically changed when they found Jesus. Robby’s conversion set him on an incredible path away from homelessness and into God’s plan for his life. Now he and a colleague are sharing the Gospel at their Revelations Café that nourishes people physically and helps them grow spiritually so that they live a full and robust spiritual and physical life.
100 hostages rescued from ADF
12 Jan 2023
Recently, a joint military operation between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo successfully rescued over one hundred civilians who were being held hostage by the Islamic extremist group Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The military task force launched airstrikes on the ADF rebel camps for over two months before the rescue operation. One of the rescued women said, ‘The soldiers arrived when we were praying. They fired several bullets, which allowed us to flee to the middle of the bush.’ The ADF started as a force opposing the alleged mistreatment of Muslims by Uganda. It later expanded to the DRC, where it has grown and spread. It is the most violent of 120 armed groups in eastern DRC and has committed crimes against Congolese civilians, including many Christians.
Hope for the future
12 Jan 2023
The Roman god Janus, after which January is named, has two faces, one looking forward, the other backward. In mythology he may represent a door or gateway. Praise God our call is to look forward, to press on (Philippians 3:12b -14), following our Lord with a sure and certain hope of his promises (Hebrews 6:19-20). He promises to open new doors, ones that cannot be shut, and closing those we do not need to worry about (Revelation 3:8-11). Jesus himself is also our gate, our doorway into the very presence of God and to our future hope (John 10:1-10). He is our good shepherd leading us in the right paths whilst guarding what is behind, following us with goodness and mercy (Psalm 23). In 2023, pray that our focus will not be on what the future holds, which will do us no good, but rather on the One who holds the future.
UK could send tanks to Ukraine
12 Jan 2023
Britain is considering becoming the first country to send Western tanks to Ukraine in what would be a major stepping up of international support. Last week foreign secretary James Cleverly said Britain was open to sending Ukraine Challenger II battle tanks and ‘will continue to evolve our support as Kyiv readies the next phase of their self-defence’. The remarks were a shift in the Government’s position, with No 10 previously being in step with other Nato allies in being reluctant to supply heavy armoured vehicles. Any pledge by the UK could be made at the next meeting of the US-led Ramstein Contact Group of international supporters of Ukraine, due next week. Defence sources said the UK could supply Volodymyr Zelensky with the British Army’s main battle tank to encourage other Western allies to follow suit and stop the war.
Hope for the Countryside
12 Jan 2023
There has been a significant downturn in avian influenza cases since the beginning of November. Case rates peaked at over six a day in mid-October, but are now running at less than one a day, the majority of those being backyard flocks: the housing order for kept birds in England and Wales is seen as a contributing factor. Epidemiologists still predict another peak and are genuinely perplexed as to why we have not seen one yet, as there is a sustained increase in winter cases in wild bird carcasses. Housing orders and good biosecurity by commercial flock owners no doubt continue to play their part. Thank God for His mercy and continue to pray for His protection as the upturn threat is still anticipated for our wild bird colonies.