Christians in the UK are being persecuted – MP
People seem to be able to do whatever they like against Christianity, but not Islam, says one MP. Christian MP David Simpson has raised his concern over the treatment of Christians in the United Kingdom and around the world in a debate in the House of Commons this week. The DUP politician told ministers that if they wanted to see instances of Christian persecution they need not go to other countries but ‘simply look to our own back door'. 'In the United Kingdom, the policy seems to be that people can do whatever they like against Christianity – criticise it or blaspheme the name of Christ – as long as they do not insult Islam,’ he said. ‘It is sad because this country is based on civil and religious liberty for all. When Queen Victoria was on the throne, the secret behind England’s greatness was its open scriptures and open Bible’. Pray: that David’s comments would be listened to and parliament will discern the truth. (Dt.32:28) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.in.the.uk.are.being.persecuted.mp/28044.htm
Decline of the family day out
The high cost of a typical day out and parents’ hectic work schedules mean families spend less time getting away from the daily routine than in the past. A survey of 2,000 adults by researchers at YouGov found that 62% believed family day trips were less common today than 20 years ago. The national charity, 4Children, which commissioned the survey, warned that costs and time pressures could be to blame. The average day trip costs £50 for a family, while previous research suggested that families typically spent just 49 minutes a day together – about five hours per week. Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4 Children said 'day trips and holidays can help families stay together in difficult times. A short break away from the domestic routine allows children and parents to reconnect, especially for those families experiencing tough times. Days out can strengthen bonds and build shared family experiences and memories that we know are so important in keeping families strong and together.’
Pray: for both the desire and opportunity for families to be able to spend time together on a day out. (Ps.122:8)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/8545321/Decline-of-the-family-day-out.html
Bishop warns of threat to society without the Bible
The Bishop of London has warned that fundamental concepts vital to British society will be unsustainable without a Christian underpinning. The Rt Revd Richard Chartres said Britain’s culture and civilisation were founded on the Bible, and expressed concern at any undermining of that foundation. Rt Revd Chartres, who gave the sermon at last month’s Royal Wedding, was speaking at a symposium in the House of Lords on the Bible. He said: ‘The economy and politics must have ground beneath them. In Britain that ground has been biblical since our earliest days – and you do not sacrifice that without sacrificing much of what has been built upon that ground.’ The Bishop also commented that concepts such at dignity and tolerance would be ‘very difficult to sustain without a Christian ground’. Pray: for recognition of the Word of God as fundamental to our society and culture. (Dt.31:12) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bishop-warns-of-threat-to-society-without-the-bible/?e270511
The Battle for Mexico and Strengthening the US Mexican relationship
It was a privilege to participate in the special prayer initiative that happened last week in Mexico City along with thirty representatives from the USA. It is called “Dos Naciones, Un Proyecto” or “Two Nations, One Project” and will be an ongoing effort combining prayer and action to bring deliverance to both Mexico and the United States from the awful drug war and its destructive effects on the two nations. Thanks so much for your support in prayer that we could tangibly feel.
Two brave followers of Christ who have significant positions in the Mexican government boldly arranged this effort to connect Christian leadership from Mexico and the United States in a common effort to pray and work together to bring an end to the trafficking of drugs, arms and human beings that has claimed the lives of 35,000 in the last five years. This dark trade has fueled widespread corruption and drug-related crime in much of Mexico and, because of our long porous border, has enabled drug cartels and other criminal gangs to increasingly operate in various states within the USA.
We as Americans bear a great responsibility for this situation because our insatiable demand for drugs (about 20 million are current users or addicts and over 100 million have used either cocaine, marijuana or methamphetamines) have made the drug trade a multi-billion dollar per year business. In addition, the U.S. Congress’s allowing the ban on assault weapons to expire in 2004 has enabled the drug criminals to acquire tens of thousands of AK 47s and other advanced weaponry that has no purpose other than killing people. They have and are using these weapons not only on law enforcement officers and the military but also on innocent civilians, even including children, without any conscience.
On Thursday, the 26th, we had the honour of meeting with President Felipe Calderon, his gracious First Lady, Margarita Zavala, and a few other key government officials. They briefed us on the situation in the nation, asking for our help in prayer and action. Here are a few key ongoing prayer concerns that you are welcome to share with other intercessors:
1. For the strengthening of President Calderon and his colleagues, including Alejandro and Rosi Orozco, as well as for their security and that of their families. These are courageous men and women who have put their lives on the line to serve their nation and eliminate the drug cartels who in turn would like nothing more than to assassinate them. These cartels have already managed to intimidate or buy off many officials and infiltrate the police, military and parts of the government. Pray for their protection and victory in this dangerous battle.
2. The government has managed to capture or kill 20 of the “most wanted” 37 drug cartel leaders and criminals. There are 17 left to bring to justice. Pray that these ruthlessly wicked people will be found and arrested soon and that their networks of other thugs will be broken up and destroyed in both countries.
3. That the government’s other efforts to provide poverty relief, better and more education for young people and other opportunities will be effective in giving children and youth a reason to live and not get seduced into the grip of organized crime.
4. That the Mexican people will not complain about and criticize this long battle against evil but will be patient, hopeful and supportive of the government’s efforts.
5. That the U.S. Congress and other public authorities in this country will take action to reapply the ban on assault weapons and take actions to stop the flow of such arms into Mexico.
6. That drug shipments will be interdicted and the routes and networks for the smuggling of drugs, weapons and humans for sexual and commercial purposes will be uncovered and cut off by coordinated and effective border patrol efforts.
7. That Hollywood would be conscientized and stop producing movies that glamorize the taking of drugs like marijuana or cocaine.
Some of us believe that breakthrough is coming during this coming year and that the Lord is rewriting the history of Mexico through its growing prayer movement and greater unity among the thousands of Christian leaders. On June 12, Pentecost Sunday and the Global Day of Prayer, they are marching and praying with millions of other believers in most of the state capitals all across Mexico. Let's agree that through the backing of the prayer movement as well as God-given strategies of action our brothers and sisters in both church and government will be able to win complete victory!
John Robb, IPC Chairman
Hunting Down Mexico’s Most Wanted
Praise God that 20 of the original 37 “most wanted” criminal leaders have been removed.
Pray for the remaining 17 drug criminals whose faces appear in the next slide below that they will swiftly be brought to justice and that their cartels and networks will be broken up and come to an end during these coming months.
Flash Report from Mexico on How God is Answering!
The following e-mail has the sole purpose of thanking you once again for travelling to our country to participate together in “Two Nations, One Project”. We would like to share with you the wonders and miracles that God has done in just the few days after our historical prayer meeting.
Saturday, in the state of Chiapas, one of the biggest crystal meth labs ever discovered was confiscated.
In the state of Quintana Roo, 10 people belonging to the “Zetas” were detained.
Sunday, in Michoacan, 36 members of the gang “La Familia” were also detained and 11 more died. That same Sunday in Northern Mexico in the state of Sonora, 400 kilos of marihuana were confiscated, and 4 drug dealers were detained.
In another Northern state of Coahuila, one ton of cocaine was confiscated and 4 members of “Los Zetas” were detained.
Thank God for all of these actions where we can see the beginning of what we declared that night of prayer in faith in regards to the peace, freedom, and security of our nations.
Gloria a Dios!
(e-mail received at the IPC office on 2 June 2011)
