INSIGHT: Aung San Suu Kyi secures parliament seat
A year ago a Burmese citizen could be arrested for mentioning the name of their beloved, ‘The Lady’. On Tuesday she was voted into parliament after winning one of 44 seats in the Burmese parliament. Although her party hardly has control of the government, these election results are a game-changing feat, and Christians across the world are praying that it is the first step in Gods provision for Burma's future governance. From Burmas elections on 1st April until the end of the year there will be sixty six international elections, and United Kingdom local elections are included in this figure. According to 1 Timothy petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving are to be made for all those in authority because God wants all people to come to a knowledge of the truth. (iTim.1-5) For a brief profile of spiritual and leadership needs of each of these countries, and the date of the election please click the info button.
Pray the leadership of Burma will be virtuous, making decisions that would benefit the nation and her neighbours. (Heb.13:16-18)
http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=377&Itemid=93
Mourners pay tribute to murdered vicar
Hundreds of people have paid their last respects to Reverend John Suddards found stabbed to death in the hallway of his vicarage on St Valentine's day. On Saturday he was given a last goodbye in the church where he was installed as priest only eight-and-a-half months ago. The news of his death sent shock waves through the clergy and the close-knit community in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, about 11 miles north of Bristol. Speaking ahead of the service, The Venerable Geoffrey Sidaway, Archdeacon of Gloucester, paid tribute to Mr Suddards. He said that since Mr Suddards's death, the town had come together to support each other. He said, ' This service today and in about three weeks time the vicarage, up to this point has been a crime scene, will be having a service of prayer and blessing to open up the vicarage again. Hopefully in the summer we'll move to appoint a new priest to Thornbury.'
Pray: for John's family and congregation and for healing and new blessings in the parish. (Isa.57:19)
Christian doctor sacked following prayer e-mail
A Christian doctor is suing his employers for unfair dismissal after being sacked following his sending of a motivational prayer e-mail to colleagues and a Christmas text message to one individual. Dr David Drew’s employers at Walsall Manor Hospital complained that his behaviour was inappropriate after he e-mailed a prayer by St Ignatius Loyola to colleagues for motivation. The employment tribunal in Birmingham heard that his bosses also complained that he sent a Christmas text message to a colleague which read ‘have a peaceful Christmas’. Dr Drew started having problems with his employers after he complained about patient care at Walsall Manor Hospital. He claims that his employers responded to his complaints by accusing him of forcing his religion on colleagues. He was told that unless he agreed to the recommendations and accept them without questioning then he should resign. The hearing continues and is expected to last for three weeks.
Pray: for all involved in this dispute that they will recognise that Dr Drew has not acted inappropriately. (Ps.103:6)
Brave new church
The ecclesiastical landscape is changing and new mission movements are growing out of, or in some cases, away from traditional church models. The challenge is: how old and new can grow long into the future in a way that allows them to complement, rather than challenge, each other. Around a hundred Christians engaged in fresh expressions and mission movements across the UK convened at Sheffield Cathedral on Thursday in an attempt to break some new ground on this issue. The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Dr Steven Croft, sees it as one of the most important in the coming years. In his opening address to the New Monasticism conference, he said: ‘The principal challenge for the Church of England in the next 10 years is helping structures of the institutional church relate to the new mission structures that are emerging, and to help these mission structures relate to the Church of England.’
Pray: for both 'new' and 'old' to work together to more effectively carry out the work of the Church. (Isa.13:4)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/brave.new.church/29565.htm
