Jesus is making headlines in Jerusalem
24 Dec 2015
Walla! is the second largest internet portal in Israel and is putting Hebrew-language testimonies about Jesus on its front page. 95% of Israelis are hooked into the internet. Walla! is producing a series of 24 live interviews with Messianic Jews about Jesus. A well-known Israeli actress will ask believers questions about faith in Jesus. Topics being discussed are: who are these Messianic Jews? what’s the difference between Messianic Judaism and Christianity? why is the Hebrew New Testament not available in Israeli book stores? and Isaiah 53. Of the multitude of subjects argued and debated in Israel, Jesus is by far the most controversial. Walla! has taken a bold and risky step by promoting interest in Jesus, and Messianic Jews, to their massive audience. There are likely to be repercussions. They’re asking Christians around the world to use their blogs and websites to link to their Walla! Messianic websites to increase exposure and raise their rating on Google’s search engine.
The joy (and pain) of giving at Christmas
24 Dec 2015
In many countries Christmas is filled with festivities of exchanging gifts and sharing meals with friends and family. A Daily Mail survey found that this year each individual in the UK will on average spend £868 on Christmas food, drink, decorations and presents. According to debit card Switch, people living in Scotland are the most generous when buying presents, averaging £413.80, while those in the South will spend £335.43. Many will use a credit card or loan, and 19% of the people admitted they failed to budget for the festive season. Last year almost half of us used credit cards, store cards and overdrafts to cover the cost of Christmas, and are predicted to do the same this year and suffer a financial hangover in 2016.
Matt Kägi, a Christian teacher, writes, ‘My main concern is that Christians who work as teachers will maintain their conviction and their joy for their profession, and will thus remain as contagious Christians in schools. I believe that the message of Christ - real love - is as core nowadays as it always was. Schools need real Christians who know they are not themselves the authors of their love, but that they may and must receive this love from Christ, and they may and must let Him guide them in their behaviour and actions; Christians who not only give a ‘redeemed impression’ but are redeemed with a contagious joy, which does not depend on circumstances.’ Pray particularly for teachers with more than 50% immigrant students in their classes, and for those working as special education teachers.
‘Christians in Entertainment’ encourages a Christian presence in the entertainment scene in Britain by providing a network of emotional and spiritual support to professionals. They engage with Christians and those of little or no faith. They help the church to understand, support and pray for the entertainment business. They also work in association with other arts groups. Pray that the good news of Jesus’s birth will be heard and understood as carols are broadcast in shops and on the air. Pray for the fun and laughter of pantomime; and for those producing and taking part. Pray for all who work behind the scenes in the business. Also pray for all in the arts and entertainment business facing 2016 with uncertainty about their next job, that they may have wisdom on the way forward and will see doors open. May they remain encouraged.
Jesus came and brought light into the darkness, so we can pray that his light will be spread even more powerfully through the media into all aspects of our culture over Christmas and in the coming year. Pray for God’s people working in TV, radio, newspapers, and online as they serve and love people in each area of their ministry. Pray for them to reveal Jesus as they interact with the world and their colleagues. Pray for God to position more of his people in these fields. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Pray for organisations like Christians in the Media Network who seek to strengthen the existing Christians by Bible teaching and helping cynical shift workers stay Christian. Pray for more small groups to develop and grow, and for outreach to the next generation, all those studying communications on the various university campuses.
Christian politicians and politics in 2016
24 Dec 2015
There are many Christians in our parliament, and we thank God for the freedom they have to pray and worship together. Please pray that during 2016 this precious freedom will be protected. Pray that Christian MPs, peers, policy staff and house staff will grow in numbers and in the depth of their faith, and that they will be a positive and gracious influence in Parliament, particularly as they take part in political debate. Pray for the wise explanation of God's truth in the public square and that the wisdom of the Bible will be listened to in what it says about human flourishing across all policy areas.
Pray for Christians sharing their faith at work
24 Dec 2015
‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ (Jn. 1:5) Jesus was born into a dark world. No sooner was he born than Herod tried to kill him. Even during this season of celebration the world is still a dark place, but the darkness does not have to have the last word. Pray for those facing darkness in the workplace. Britain has a history of religious freedom and tolerance. UK and European law largely protects an individual’s right to hold and manifest religious beliefs at work, but this is fast being eroded. Due to badly balanced equality legislation, increasing numbers of Christians have been penalised for their faith at work. Some have been threatened with disciplinary action, suspended, and even sacked for refusing to act against their consciences.
British Armed Forces prayer needs
24 Dec 2015
Pray for those whose duties take them away from their families this Christmas and New Year, and that soldiers will find peace and joy in the fact that God sent His Son Jesus to be our Saviour, Redeemer and Shepherd. Pray that deployed military personnel will reach out to one another during Christmas rather than retreat into themselves. Pray that Christian servicemen and women will share their faith with their battle buddies, and that families of deployed military will know the peace, joy and love that God offers through Jesus. Also the Strategic Defence and Security Review has been published, outlining investment in the British Armed Forces to protect the UK and its allies and improve the ability to respond to threats faced by the UK which have increased in scale, diversity and complexity in recent years. Pray for their protection as they protect us. See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/strategic-defence-and-security-review-178bn-of-equipment-spending