Three elections on 24 February 2019
11 Jan 2019
On this day a national referendum to ratify Cuba's new constitution will take place; the government says that gay marriage protections will be removed from the draft, but this is still being argued by politicians. Moldova’s elections are under a new mixed electoral system which people do not trust. Pray for peaceful electioneering and outcomes in both these situations. Since the military coup in Thailand, a new political party, the youthful Future Forward Party, has emerged (see). Critics say the constitution dilutes the power of elected governments and embeds the role of the military role in politics and policy for the next twenty years. Activists have been calling on the government not to postpone the election again, amid fears that it might do so.
Turkey: Erdogan and USA clash on Kurds
11 Jan 2019
President Erdogan has snubbed US national security advisor John Bolton, who was visiting the region to discuss the withdrawal of US troops from Syria and future US involvement there. Bolton asked for assurances that Turkey would not harm Kurdish fighters in Syria in future. He held discussions with Turkish officials, but President Erdogan refused to meet him and described his comments as ‘a serious mistake’, adding: ‘We cannot make any concessions. Those involved in a Syrian terror corridor will receive the necessary punishment.’ A commentator said, ‘Everyone is jockeying for position in Syria because the war is winding down. There is concern over the US leaving Turkey in charge.’
Since Donald Trump became president, people are talking of renewed Christian political advocacy. With Democrats retaking Congress, and headline-grabbing activism around the migrant ‘caravans’ on the Mexican border, religious liberals could sway policy debates in 2019. Meanwhile the United Methodist Church’s bishops will hold a special conference in February to resolve a year-long debate about its current stance on homosexuality. It currently bans ordaining non-celibate homosexuals or blessing same-sex marriages. Many within and outside the denomination expect the conference to lead to a schism. A 1,300-page report has detailed how 301 Catholic priests abused 1,000+ children over several decades while the hierarchy shielded perpetrators from accountability. On 2 January, bishops began a prayer retreat over this problem, with a summit of Catholic leaders scheduled for February.
USA: the wall - the shutdown – the people
11 Jan 2019
Donald Trump is prepared to prolong the current government shutdown because the ‘humanitarian and national security crisis on the southern border’ necessitates funding a wall. This plan is popular with his fanbase, but most Americans oppose it by a 10-to-20 point margin. Trump has Republican support, but Democrats feel they have public support; so the standoff about the shutdown continues. Also, before signing an anti-human trafficking measure on 9 January, Trump said, ‘Israel put up a wall to protect them, and they don’t have a problem any more’. He seems to equate Hezbollah terrorists, Hamas, IS, and the Palestinian ‘second intifada’ attacks with a few thousand migrant families at the Mexican border. See
New Year’s Day sunrise relay
04 Jan 2019
In late December 2015 God gave the vision of a prayer relay on New Year's Day to an Australian intercessor. She saw people holding Olympic relay flames at seven high points around the Illawarra. The vision then zoomed out and she saw flames spread across Australia, and then around the world. She knew this was a prayer relay, and shared the vision with Warwick Marsh from National Day of Prayer (Australia). With only twelve days until 1 January 2016 they shared the vision; many believers joined them to pray across Australia and around the world. On New Year's Day 2017, believers prayed in over 23 nations. 2018’s relay continued to grow with believers praying in at least 50 nations, including 172 locations in Australia. On 1 January 2019 the prayer declaration across Australia and the nations was ‘Wherever you are at sunrise on New Year’s Day, pray for souls to be saved’. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAq7YT6eXoE
Christians in New Year Honours list
04 Jan 2019
Joel Edwards received a CBE for tackling poverty and injustice. Mervyn Thomas, founder and chief executive of CSW, was made a CMG, for working for religious freedom and advocacy on behalf of persecuted Christians globally. Stephen Addison received an OBE for services to young people in London; he founded Box Up Crime after leaving gang life behind. Gary Streeter, an MP since 1997, is the chairman of Christians in Parliament, mentors younger MPs, and is about to be knighted. Rev Paula Vennells received a CBE for services to the Post Office and charity. Margaret Atkinson received the MBE for services to the church and community in Huddersfield, and Rev Janet Lesley Jackson received an OBE for services to bereaved families.
Hunt orders review of persecuted Christians
04 Jan 2019
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt has asked the Bishop of Truro to review the plight of persecuted Christians worldwide. The bishop will look at government efforts to help the 215 million Christians who faced discrimination and violence last year. Officials say violence against Christians is rising dramatically, with an average of 250 killed every month. The review will map the persecution of Christians in key countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Mr Hunt said the UK ‘must do more. So often, the persecution of Christians is an early warning sign of the persecution of every minority.’ He added, ‘Britain has long championed international religious freedom.’ The review, due to be completed by Easter, will analyse current Government support and offer ambitious policy recommendations.
Channel migrants: legalities
04 Jan 2019
Home secretary Sajid Javid is under increasing pressure to deal with the rising number of migrants crossing the Channel. As some MPs call on him to deploy the Royal Navy, he insists that there is ‘no easy answer’ to what he called a ‘major incident’ unfolding off the south coast. Over 220 people have attempted the crossing in small boats since November 2018. Many of them are university-educated Iranians or Syrians. People-smugglers tell migrants they must enter the UK before ‘borders shut properly’ after Brexit. One refugee group said that most of those trying to cross are Kurds: see https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-29702440 Kent Refugee Action Network said the Kurds could have genuine asylum claims, adding, ‘The Government needs to find a way to process their claims in France instead and then transfer them.’ Pray for UK and French authorities to share intelligence and work on a humane solution.