Global: military ‘killer’ robots
01 Sep 2017
Former defence chief General Sir Richard Barrons says the rise of military ‘killer robots’ is almost inevitable. He stated, ‘The advantages of artificially intelligent war machines that can make decisions, learn and open fire without human control will see countries face growing pressure to adopt the technology, despite ethical misgivings.’ In his opinion a proactive international ban, such as the one called for by technology experts recently, is likely to be flouted by unscrupulous countries. He spoke after over a hundred technology leaders wrote an open letter calling the UN to outlaw ‘lethal autonomous weapons’, the use of which will lead to more civilian casualties and abuses. On 27 August the Bishop of Oxford discussed the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence on Radio 4. To listen, go to
North Korea: brinkmanship
01 Sep 2017
On 29 August North Korea launched a missile over Japan, saying that it was ‘the first step’ of military operations in the Pacific. State media also repeated threats to the US Pacific island of Guam, which it called ‘an advanced base of invasion’. Russia and China said that US military activity in the region was partly to blame for the increase in tensions. BBC correspondent Jonathan Marcus reported, ‘Launching a rocket over Japanese territory, with the possibility that it could deposit debris on Japanese soil, shows that Pyongyang is intent on maintaining its brinkmanship. However, it is noteworthy that North Korea did not make good on its threat to direct a missile towards the US Pacific territory of Guam - something that might well have precipitated a US military response.’ See also British Isles article 4, ‘Theresa May on North Korea’.
Philippines: IS propaganda video
01 Sep 2017
The IS terrorist group has released a disturbing propaganda video in which its fighters are shown stamping on a bust of Jesus, desecrating religious statues, and ripping up photos of Pope Francis, before the church went up in flames. The video, filmed in the Philippines, features a narrator speaking with an American accent; he praises ‘the truthful soldiers of Mohammed’ who have infiltrated the city of Marawi. About 200,000 residents have been evacuated from the city since the start of the conflict in May, but several hundred - many of them Christians - are held captive inside the city. The video narrator claimed that the Philippine government tried to subjugate the Muslims and expel them from the land, and said IS soldiers freed inmates from the local jail and attacked local churches. He added that ‘the religion of the cross’ would be broken.
Israeli psychiatrists fly to Houston
01 Sep 2017
On 30 August the Israel Rescue Coalition sent members of a psychotrauma and crisis response unit to Houston, to aid those who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. ‘People need help on the ground,’ said Dov Maisel. ‘They need to be able to wrap their minds around what was lost, and they need assistance figuring out how to cope and where to go from here.’ Maisel’s previous experience includes serving in Haiti in 2016 following Hurricane Matthew, and in Nepal in 2015 after a devastating earthquake. Meanwhile, Donald Trump's administration has not yet decided whether to accept assistance from Mexico to help the victims. The Mexican government expressed its ‘full solidarity’ with the people and government of the US, and said it had ‘offered to provide help and cooperation’ in the wake of Harvey. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, Mexico provided soldiers to help serve meals, distribute supplies, and conduct medical consultations.
Saudi Arabia: Global Day of Prayer
01 Sep 2017
Saudi Arabia is one of the most unreached nations in the world. A partnership between Windows International, Saudi Advocacy Network and Pray for Saudi has designated 23 September as the international Saudi Global Day of Prayer. The group are dedicated to reaching Saudis for Christ, and know that prayer plays a crucial role. They are inviting Christians and prayer groups across the nations to unite and participate in a thirty-minute prayer slot. The vision is a circle of prayer from around the globe praying for Jesus to reach into the hearts of many Saudis and bring them to salvation. There will be live prayer times broadcast from different locations across continents. Resources and more information can be found by clicking the ‘More’ link.
Hajj and Turkish Muslims
01 Sep 2017
Many have been praying that God would give dreams of Himself to Turkish Muslims even while they are persecuting Christians. We can praise God that He is winning hearts in hard places: Turkish Muslims are having Christian dreams, visions and healings. Pray for God to continue to draw Muslims to Himself as they seek forgiveness during Hajj (which ends on 1 September), and to speak to them in the weeks following as they reflect on their pilgrimage. See:
A NEW SEASON – IT IS TIME TO TURN
31 Aug 2017
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” WPC believes we have entered a new season – a time of turning. Ecc 3:17 talks of “a time to judge every deed”. The key message for this season is – turn away from sin and seek God. The vast majority of people will not see the need to repent and far less the need to seek God. Jesus says “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” John 8:32. He continues “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin….. You belong to your father the devil…he was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” This season of turning is also a season of intensified spiritual warfare. We are fighting the father of lies and praying for a revelation of the truth across our nation.
In this new season, we want to encourage a new approach to prayer. Our starting point is ourselves. Many of us are crippled by lies. The enemy attacks our self-worth, he picks at the scars of our disappointment, and he wants to stop us praying effectively. We often fail to engage in spiritual warfare because the enemy has told us it is not needed. We want to turn away from those lies, which weaken our effectiveness. We turn to Jesus, wanting to spend more time in His presence and listen to Him. We continually ask “how do you want me to pray Lord?” We are “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (Heb 12:2).
This season of turning will include:
• A strong focus on praying for this powerful move of God to turn our nation around. Join us at our Prayershift and Watch and Pray gatherings as they step up a gear.
• Strategically, this is a time to pray for prayer. We have accepted prayer being a minority interest for too long. We believe God wants to mobilise His whole church to pray for and see a turning.
• We will be encouraging you and providing tools and resources to pray for this turning.
• We will be working with prayer and mission organisations and churches to encourage a shared call to pray and work for turning.
Date for your diary 12-14th March. Our next national prayer conference at Swanwick will focus on Time 2 Turn. We expect to see significant change in our nation when we gather together. Book online and take advantage of the early bird offer.
We are praying about what God is releasing – watch this space for more info on prayer events.
‘Teach young people about slavery’
25 Aug 2017
On Wednesday, the director-general of UNESCO remembered the universal demand for freedom that led to the 1791 insurrection by slaves in what is now Haiti. Irina Bokova emphasised the importance of teaching this history to young people. ‘We are counting on the teaching of this history to place tomorrow's citizens on the path to peace and dignity. Everyone must know the scale of the crime of the slave trade, the millions of lives broken and the impact on the fate of continents up to this very day’, she said. UNESCO has played a leading role within the UN system in fostering understanding and recognition of the slave trade. See also http://www.un.org/en/index.html