Archbishop prays for reconciliation
11 Nov 2016
The Archbishop of Canterbury called for reconciliation in the USA, after the most bitter election campaign in modern history. Justin Welby pledged to ‘pray for all the people of the United States’ in the wake of Donald Trump's victory. He said, ‘As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, my continuing prayers are that the USA may find reconciliation after a bitter campaign, and that he may be given wisdom, insight and grace as he faces the tasks before him.’ His statement was muted and contained no message of congratulations. Evangelical Christian blogger Ian Paul said, ‘The election of Trump is a stand against the relentless march of globalisation, just as was the vote for Brexit for many people.’ Chine McDonald, director of communications at the UK Evangelical Alliance, tweeted, ‘Sad day to be a woman. Sad day to be black. Sad day to be an evangelical. Feeling numb. #USElection2016.’
Scandalous treatment of disabled and unemployed
11 Nov 2016
A recent UN report states that the UK’s treatment of disabled people ‘violates basic human rights’. Meanwhile more measures are being introduced to worsen the plight of the worst-off families, with grave consequences. These include a further-reduced cap on benefits for households in which no adult works full-time, and less cash for many too sick or disabled to work. The bedroom tax is to be inflicted on pensioners, and it may be made harder to get unlawful benefit decisions overturned. An earlier UN report pointed out further violations affecting those already disadvantaged. The findings from the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities highlight the urgent need for change. There is reliable evidence of ‘grave or systematic violations of the rights of persons with disabilities’. The core elements of the rights to independent living, being included in the community, adequate standards of living, social protection and rights to employment have been affected.
Tram derailment: churches join PM in prayers
11 Nov 2016
Churches joined the Prime Minister in assuring affected families of their prayers after five people died and 50+ were hospitalised when a tram tipped over in Croydon. Emergency services spent hours freeing trapped people. Theresa May said, ‘My thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected. The Government is closely in touch with the emergency services to ensure that all that is necessary is being done.’ Tom Thompson, senior pastor at Croydon Vineyard church, said, ‘As the people of God, we want to stand up and say that we recognise this as a moment that requires our solidarity with our community'. The assistant priest at a local Catholic Church said, ‘People need a sympathetic ear, empathy, someone who perhaps can bring a different perspective to things; we are ready for people all the time, whether it's major or minor incidents in their lives.’
London man convicted of terror offences
11 Nov 2016
Jabed Hussain, from Acton, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Thursday to two counts of preparing terrorist acts after being caught at the Turkish border. The 22-year-old first attempted to reach the IS strongholds in August 2015, but was detained by Turkish authorities at the border and returned to the UK. Continue to pray for UK Police's Counter-Terrorism Command as more potential jihadists attempt to join IS in its territories, or return to the UK after being trained abroad. Last month it was reported that IS has been recruiting violent criminals and gang members across Europe in a dangerous new ‘crime-terror nexus’. Pray for Interpol and other agencies to thwart and close down terrorist cells wherever they attempt to spring up.
Switzerland - a hub for the Saudis
11 Nov 2016
One of the first Saudi mosques in Europe is near Geneva. The Saudi Arabian-controlled Islamic World League (IWL) is rich in money and influence in Switzerland, spreading an interpretation of Islam which is a breeding ground for radicalism. IWL supports Muslims across the world, especially in the West where the number of Muslims is growing steadily. There are two centres in Switzerland linked to IWL, and thirty mosques loosely connected. They believe that Wahhabism is the only true Islam. Wahhabism is the reactionary branch of Islam and said to be 'the main source of global terrorism'. According to scholars, ‘Wahhabism is a doctrine that does not take account of today's achievements such as human rights or individual rights’.
Russian ships 'chase away' a Dutch submarine
11 Nov 2016
Russia's defence ministry says two of its navy destroyers forced away a Dutch submarine to stop it spying on an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean. The sub was 20km (12 miles) from the Admiral Kuznetsov at the time of the incident. Russia had sent a flotilla to the Mediterranean ahead of an expected resumption of air strikes in Syria. NATO said it was monitoring the ships in a ‘measured and responsible way’: a spokesman for the Western military alliance did not go into details, but said it had been observing the fleet for some weeks. The Russian flotilla’s voyage through the English Channel and into the Mediterranean has rung alarm bells among NATO allies. Dutch military tweeted that they would give no comment on submarine operations. Dutch marine expert Jaime Karreman said that if true the incident was unprecedented. ‘It's pretty shocking that a submarine on a secret mission is discovered’, he told Dutch TV.
USA: election earthquake
11 Nov 2016
Thousands of demonstrators, many shouting ‘Not my president’, took to the streets of several US cities protesting against Donald Trump’s election. They burned orange-haired effigies of the businessman. Pray for a smooth presidential handover and for unity and helpful attitudes to replace divided, aggressive attitudes. Brian Johnson, worship leader at Bethel Church and writer of 'One Thing Remains', tweeted, ‘We pray that our president-elect feels the weight of responsibility and responds with respect, dignity, honour, and wisdom’. The financial world knows very little about Trump’s policies and could reflect that with instability. Pray for global steadiness and wisdom for those dealing with uncertainties. There was a specific Jewish component to this election; some voters are reassessing their view of what it is to be Jewish in the USA as anti-Semitism was unleashed by Trump followers. Across the nations people are also concerned about Trump's comments denigrating NATO and his calls for nuclear proliferation. See also
Syria: Aleppo
11 Nov 2016
Christians in Aleppo struggle to survive. One said, ‘We pray, please God give us strength to remain strong. We are praying for Him to give us the tolerance to accept our situation and to live our faith whilst suffering in this time.’ The poor and the poorest are those who remain. One US dollar used to be 50 Syrian pounds, but now it is 500 or 600. Meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables are available but they are too expensive for many. In the Christian quarter there are 3,221 Christians over the age of 80 who have no one to turn to; their families left the country to escape the war. Sadly, the elderly are neglected even by the churches. As the media focus on the besieged rebel-held eastern enclave of Aleppo, Christians in the government-controlled areas are fighting a daily struggle to survive. Medicines are expensive, and most patients cannot afford them.