Hungary: Introduction of controversial Church rules
Smaller evangelical congregations and other groups were weighing their options after Hungary's parliament introduced new rules on recognizing churches, despite the Constitutional Court’s annulment of several passages in a controversial church law. Criteria for recognized churches include a history of at least one hundred years or minimum two decades of activities in Hungary. Additionally, a church should count 0.1 percent or more of Hungary's 10-million population as its members or supporters. The adjusted law appeared to revive Communist-era rhetoric, demanding that recognized churches must ‘not pose a risk to national security’ and ‘cooperate with government agencies for community purposes’. The government-sponsored amendment demands that churches are those faith groups ‘recognized by parliament’. Other organizations that pursue religious activities must be registered by the Municipal Court. Formal recognition qualifies churches for government support and allows them to collect donations during services and do pastoral work in jails and hospitals of this heavily Catholic nation.
Pray: that the parliament will recognise churches and faith groups for their spiritual beliefs and not just historical criteria. (1Cor.16:18)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/29130-hungary-introduces-controversial-church-rules
NIGERIA: Anglican Church seeks capital punishment
Anglican Archbishop Nicholas Okoh asked the Federal Government to impose capital punishment for perpetrators of rape and killing. He also advised young ladies to avoid indecent dressing and nudity in order to avoid people who lacked sexual self-control. At Tuesday's press briefing in Abuja he counselled religious leaders to concentrate on teaching morality, not how to make money adding, ‘My church has not met to discuss the issue of capital punishment for rapists. But rape is becoming an embarrassing situation in this country and as religious leaders we must continue to react against deviant behaviour. We must continue to support marriage in order to build a decent society.’ He told the story of an incident of violent rape of a family, particularly the mother, by armed robbers and the perpetrator being executed adding, ‘The law of capital punishment for those who rightly deserve it should stay.’ Many favouring the death penalty quote Genesis 9:6.
Pray: that the broken systems in Nigeria will mend and administer justice not more victims. (Mat.6:14)
More: http://www.punchng.com/news/anglican-church-seeks-capital-punishment-for-rapists-others/
Egypt: At a tipping point
Egypt’s democratic experiment is at a tipping point and President Obama is trying to nudge Egypt’s bitterly divided antagonists toward compromise with limited influence. Unpopular President Morsi was democratically elected but needs to strike a workable deal with Egypt's military without alienating millions of protesting Egyptians. Egypt's size and leading position in the Arab world mean its political course will be felt throughout the region, where the United States is already struggling to stem Islamist militants and sectarian strife. The White House is not enamoured with Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader whom it sees as having failed to form an inclusive, effective government. Obama has not hosted Morsi at the White House, and officials cancelled a visit by the Egyptian leader last year after a video surfaced in which Morsi described Israelis as ‘descendants of apes and pigs.’ For INSIGHTS into the roots of Egypt’s violence, the Muslim Brotherhood’s commitment to a unified community of Islamic nations and world rule, please go to: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=448&Itemid=93
Pray: for God to bring peace, reconciliation and freedom to Egypt. Pray also for a new constitution that would enhance equality of citizenship and religious freedom. May Egypt one day be known as a haven of tolerance for all.
More: http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/07/03/uk-usa-egypt-analysis-idUKBRE96203E20130703
Global: 43 million refugees
Persecution, violence and war have displaced 43 million people globally. Consider how your world would change if you were forced to leave your home and possessions at little or no notice and relocate somewhere where you knew no-one. Plus, you have no idea where your next meal is coming from. A refugee is outside their habitual residence because they have suffered (or fear) persecution and/or oppression on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a persecuted 'social group' or they are fleeing natural disaster. They are an 'asylum seeker' until recognized by the state where they make a claim. In Isaiah God told His children to provide shelter to Moabites (a people group the Israelites often fought) This past Sunday we observed World Refugee Sunday! Let us not stop praying for these ‘forgotten’ people of the world. Pray that we will obey the words of Isaiah 16:4 and give shelter to those who have been our enemies.
Pray: and cry out to God to have mercy on the millions of refugees, asking him to give them a future and to foil the plans of the enemy for their lives. (Jer.29:11)
More: http://iafr.org/
