‘Three-parent babies’ concerns
27 May 2016
Scientists have raised fresh questions over effectiveness and safety of ‘gene-editing’ techniques which create ‘three-parent babies’. The technique aims to prevent babies inheriting health problems which may lead to developmental delays, seizures, deafness and heart failure. The 'three-parent' IVF technique creates an embryo with no disorder. Many concerns have been raised as to the ethics. Now, a report has discovered ‘potential adverse’ outcomes when using the technique: it states, ‘In some trials the transfer of unhealthy mitochondria could sometimes ‘carry-over’ and dominate the healthy mitochondria.’ This may increase over time, potentially causing one of the diseases the therapy was intended to cure, and therefore nullifying the technique’s effect. Last year, the UK legalised ‘three-parent’ IVF. The fertility regulator, Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), is yet to give it the green light. HFEA will wait for further experiments on the technique’s efficiency and safety before approving it for clinical use.
Praying for God’s will in the migration crisis
27 May 2016
Sometimes we don’t understand what God is doing until, with hindsight, we recognise God’s plan and the beginning of understanding how to respond to His will. Our duty is to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (Ja.1:27) Pray for local initiatives working hard to show a Christian welcome to all those in need. Railway carriages in Eidomeni (Greece) are being used as brothels, women are being trafficked out of camps, people-traffickers are profiting at their expense. Pray for security and police forces attempting to intercept organised criminal gangs which trap, transport and sell refugees. European parliament members are divided in opinion: keep migrants out, welcome them in, give them new residency rights, pay other countries to house them, fly them in, or fly them out? Billions of Euros are spent, and the solution is not clear. Pray for compassion and wisdom to be the bedrock of asylum strategies.
Ukraine: national prayer forum
27 May 2016
Christian politicians will gather next week (2-3 June) in the Ukraine, seeking to form closer links that will protect Christian values in Central and Eastern Europe. Their forum is for ‘cooperation of Christian politicians and civil society in the promotion of Christian values on the international arena’. They aim to develop closer collaboration between Christian politicians and civil society, and will explore ways of protecting the Christian values of human dignity, family and freedom. Pray for the MPs of Ukraine and the international officials as they explore these issues in a ‘western cultural revolution’. Pray for the workshops, where debate and promotion of different ideas will be expressed around subjects of intolerance, discrimination against Christians and challenges to family policies and actual threats. Pray for God’s word to rule and reign as they discuss ‘natural law challenged by gender ideology, redefinition of marriage, and queering of human rights.’
A Messianic perspective on reconciliation
27 May 2016
A Messianic Jew writes, ‘Jews and Arabs, and even Messianic Jews and Palestinian Christians, don’t mix. I am not saying that we don’t attend each other’s congregations or pray together at conferences. Of course we do. But we don’t let our guard down, talk about the tough questions and bring each other into our lives. In these days of terrorism and occupation, it is not surprising that many of us, if not most, give in to the rhetoric of the media and politicians. We assume the worst of each other and demand that “the other side” make concessions or conform to our perspective before being willing to engage in conversation. As Messianic Jews, we struggle not only with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but with all that it means to be an Israeli. Army service, the love we have for our country and our precarious place in Israeli society all come into play.’
USA: pray for peace in Baltimore
27 May 2016
A Baltimore police officer has been acquitted of assault and other charges in the arrest of Freddie Gray, a young black man who died a week after he was critically injured in police custody. A judge found Officer Edward Nero not guilty of misconduct in office and reckless endangerment. He announced his verdict on Monday. Nero was one of six Baltimore police officers charged in the case. He waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead to argue his case himself. An earlier trial for an officer charged with manslaughter in the case ended in a hung jury in December. Gray's death about a year ago led to protests and rioting in the city and fuelled the Black Lives Matter movement. See:
Egypt: air crash investigations continue
27 May 2016
European companies are being hired to find EgyptAir 804’s flight recorders, which are the best chance of finding out what happened on the flight from Paris to Cairo. Egyptian authorities believe terrorism is a more likely explanation than equipment failure for the crash last week. So far no hard evidence has emerged. Debris including life vests, personal belongings, parts of wreckage and small fragments of human remains have been found. Officials in Cairo are trying to identify and match them to victims. Families of the victims have nearly completed giving DNA samples to help with the grim task. Pray for the teams investigating the crash, particularly the forensics department trying to match DNA to family members. Pray for the families in mourning visiting the morgue to give samples. Pray for the Egyptian submarine and for the ships and planes from Britain, Cyprus, France, Greece and the United States taking part in the search.
Muslims welcome Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, as a period of fasting, self-evaluation and spiritual growth. 1.7 billion people (25% of the Earth’s population) will pray and fast during daylight hours. In the UK, that is nineteen hours a day. Muslims everywhere are encouraged to be devout in prayer, read the Quran and practise kindness to the people around them. Muslim believers are the majority in 49 countries, which makes Islam a huge part of the world; the effects of the fast are so great that they affect the global economy. During Ramadan, Muslims worldwide will seek blessing on their lives and families and peace for those in their communities. During this time, the Church can be praying for Muslims, particularly for practising Muslim refugees, many of whom are homeless, without possessions, needing refuge, seeking ‘spiritual relief’ in their brokenness.
Canada: update on fire disaster
27 May 2016
Many are calling it the worst natural disaster in Canada's history: a mammoth inferno sweeping across the northern regions. At the time of writing, 26 May, fire conditions are high to extreme, Fort McMurray remains out of control, and fire covers 566,188 hectares. Fifteen different wildfires are burning. Firefighters are conducting controlled burns to limit potential flare-ups later. There are 2,054 firefighters, 88 helicopters, 256 pieces of heavy equipment and 25 air tankers currently battling the fires. Wildfire crews from across the world are supporting Canada’s efforts. The forecast for today is 22 Celsius, humidity 30%, with a possibility of thundershowers on Thursday or Friday. Pray for rain. Pray for firefighters and their families. Pray for the safe re-entry of residents to burnt-out areas. Pray for those organising and receiving temporary housing support. Pray for the information centres being set up throughout the region to offer resources for returning residents.