Tunisia: potential for change
27 Apr 2018
There are many Christian ministries in Tunisia but only one officially recognised Christian body, a training ministry called the Augustine Association, which managed to get registration during the upheaval of the Arab Spring. Christians mostly gather for worship in homes, but some are too fearful of persecution to attend such meetings. After many postponements, municipal elections will be held on 6 May. Tunisian Christians ask for God’s hand to be over these elections so that their country will once again become a blessing for the whole region, as it was in the days of the early Church. The media reported that over 75% of the registered candidates are under the age of 45, with over 50% under 35. The high number of young fresh politicians running for election for the first time came as a shock to the political parties and blocs, and indicates potential changes in the coming years. See
Niger: ministry through medicine
27 Apr 2018
Statistics state that on average every woman in Niger has 7.5 children, and almost 50% of these are currently under five and malnourished. Over 1.5 million people were affected by food insecurity last year, and millions more experience food shortage during every lean season. A Christian Aid ministry partner established a medical clinic for children and maternity services. Their work is reaching eleven villages and providing nutrition and immunisations to around 450,000 people. Another major project conducted by the ministry is sharing the hope of Christ and planting churches. Currently only about 1% of the population is Christian, but addressing people’s physical needs opens doors to minister. As the people see how loving and kind the ministry workers are, they listen to the Gospel truth and are told how much Jesus loves them. Workers are ambassadors in Christ at all times, in all situations.
Venezuela: poverty, politics, and protests
27 Apr 2018
71% of Venezuelans identify themselves as Catholic, and the Church runs numerous charities plus 170 schools for poor children. The country faces 50% hyperinflation, food shortages, black market influences on prices, and failing health systems, with medicine and equipment increasingly not available. Widespread crime is forcing churches to remain locked. There will be a snap election on 20 May, and in the streets there are ongoing protests against a coalition regime they do not trust. Tensions have grown between President Maduro and local bishops. The president has asked them to leave politics out of the pulpit, calling political comments ‘disrespectful’. Not a single thing can be done easily in Venezuela: paying bills, buying food, commuting, visiting loved ones, finding decent-quality women’s hygiene products. In times of crisis like these, religion plays a comforting role for many. See also
Canada: Toronto prayers after van attack
27 Apr 2018
Ten people were killed and fifteen injured in Toronto’s North York district on 23 April, after a white rental van deliberately drove along the pavement and into the crowds of pedestrians who were outside enjoying the warm spring weather. The rampage lasted 26 minutes before police apprehended Alek Minassian, the driver. Archbishop Colin Johnson said, ‘I weep for those who have died. I join in prayer for those who are physically injured or suffering emotionally from having witnessed such carnage, and for having lost loved ones. It is hard to comprehend such violence.’ Throughout Toronto, churches have opened their doors to offer prayer and pastoral care. Pray for those who will be suffering in the coming weeks from trauma, fear, confusion, anger and heartache.
Armenia: urgent international appeal
27 Apr 2018
On 21 April, 37 human rights organisations and NGOs made an urgent appeal to the UN Council of Europe on behalf of Armenia. The opening sentence was, ‘We, the undersigned civil society organisations, wish to bring to your attention the political situation in Armenia that is a clear confrontation between the existing autocratic corrupt regime and the hope for democracy.’ Until 2015 Armenia had a semi-presidential governance system with direct elections for the president to hold a maximum of two terms of service. To maintain power after the expiry of his two terms, President Sargsyan changed the constitution. Since mid-March civil society groups have campaigned to oppose his election of a prime minister with a life-long dictatorship (a common trend in former Soviet countries). The peaceful protests, started independently by different groups, quickly attracted wide support of tens of thousands of dissatisfied people, who are facing brutal attacks by police and criminal groups every day. See
Iraq and Afghanistan: elections
26 Apr 2018
Iraqi religious figures and institutions are debating the 12 May elections in public. Some call for boycotting them, some recommend voting for new candidates. The Shi’ite religious establishment, believing the previous ‘corrupt people’ robbed the nation, insists that politicians who failed to live up to executive or legislative responsibility must not be re-elected: ‘People must not vote for them again, even if they are members of their clan or sect’. Iraqi people groups have strong tribal loyalty in constituencies. Many see voting as ineffective. In Afghanistan long-delayed elections should be possible on 20 October 2018 despite major security and logistic challenges. Lack of security allowed a suicide bomber to kill 57 and injure 119 at a voter registration centre in Kabul, where civilians had gathered to receive identification cards that would enable them to vote. Pray for God’s protection over all registration centres, and the police officers guarding them in the runup to the elections. See
Generations Praise
25 Apr 2018
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever his faithfulness continues through all generations.
(Psalm 100: 1-2, 5, NIV)
Even in the midst of their hurt, poverty and tragedy, we believe God is always present for the world’s vulnerable children, with His enduring, immeasurable love and compassion.
As we join together for the 2018 World Weekend of Prayer, let us do so with an attitude of praise, not forgetting God’s goodness and faithfulness.
Praising God helps us remember what He has done in the past, see how He is at work now, even in the tough places, and trust that He will shape the lives of generations to come.
How marvellous that our God’s power and our answered prayers today will ripple throughout the years!
We’ll be developing resources for WWP18 in the coming months, including a:
· photocopiable prayer book including specific Bible verses, prayers and child-friendly activities
· collection of short videos giving examples of what children and leaders in our partner networks are most thankful to God for, plus answers to prayer that they see.
· thankfulness diary for May
· sketch and sermon outline/reflection
They will be made available, in due course, through the website www.worldweekendofprayer.com
Vicar of Baghdad ‘led’ to Alderney
19 Apr 2018
Children at the first Bible holiday club for a long time on Alderney heard the story of Moses from Canon Andrew White, the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’. He said God put the island on his heart while he was in Jerusalem. The next day he met a lady who grew up on Alderney, which he took as confirmation that he should visit. He visited a children’s Bible holiday club run by several churches, and spoke to 26 children. ‘He’s such a humble, inspiring man,’ said Lisa Adams, a home-schooling mum of four, who helped organise the club. While there he prayed at the site of Lager Sylt, one of four Alderney Nazi labour camps for French Jews who died there under a five-year German occupation. ‘I never even knew this tragedy happened on my doorstep,’ he wrote on Facebook. ‘This land still needs repentance, restoration and healing.’