Algerian Christians face increasing restrictions as the government is pressured by Islamist groups to implement more Islamic legislation. Only Muslims are allowed to hold public assemblies, and individual churches are often denied registration. Though some historical churches are allowed church buildings, Muslim-background believers (ie almost all Algerian Christians) have to worship in secret. Converting someone from Islam is illegal. Islamist terrorist movements are increasing as militants, particularly in the south, use organised crime to finance their operations. Please pray for Christians from more conservative Muslim communities who have to hide their faith or risk being rejected from schools and universities, and remember those who are being monitored by authorities or who have been thrown into jail for owning Christian literature.

A night-time assault on 3 May at a village in majority-Christian eastern DR Congo left seventeen dead. By 6 May the death toll had risen to 34, as those seriously wounded succumbed to their injuries. It is suspected that the attack was carried out by the Ugandan Islamist group, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). They managed to get past army positions and slash the throats of peaceful residents in their homes. ADF rebels have carried out numerous bloody attacks on the mostly Christian population in this area for years. After the event thousands fled the area. A local Christian worker said, ‘It was eerie. Hundreds of houses abandoned and thousands of people displaced. I saw people carrying their mattresses and belongings in cars, on motorcycles, on foot. Hundreds of homes along the road are abandoned. Where there was a thriving community, there is now a ghost town.’ ADF settled in eastern DR Congo after being expelled from Uganda.

Each year, the Canterbury Diocese produces a little prayer/reflection booklet for the Novena – 9 days of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost.
They choose a series of paintings, either by a single artist or on a single theme, then photograph them for the booklet, and marry each one with Scripture, a bit of text and some prayers. Access each day's material here: https://www.canterburydiocese.org/novena/ 
Order from CPO £1.00 each https://www.cpo.org.uk/product.aspx?prod=C4978BT&cat=3745 

Prayers on the Move, is an initiative from SPCK, and launched in London and Newcastle in February, and in Birmingham later in 2016. SPCK is placing 700 ads on the Newcastle Metro and 3,000 on the London Underground encouraging people to give prayer a go. The prayers are aimed at stressed young commuters and are designed to appeal to people who think of themselves as spiritual but not religious. Alongside the prayer posters are a website, app, booklet and merchandise.

The booklet, app and website contain 31 prayers, mostly written specially for the project by leading Christian writers. The app also contains 31 one-minute audio files so individuals who are unused to praying can challenge themselves to pray for a minute a day for a month. There is also advice on how to pray and where to go to find out more, written from a Christian perspective. These materials may also help Christians who are feeling jaded in their prayer life and want to try something new. Churches in Newcastle have been collaborating in organising local events – prayer vigils, prayer walks and getting volunteers together to hand out travel card wallets with prayers printed on them.

You can download the apps from the website. www.prayersonthemove.com.