Haiti: One year on
One year on from the earthquake that devastated Haiti, the massive aid effort has yet to bring stability to the country as cholera, rape and despair take hold. Some $11bn (£7bn) worth of aid has been pledged to the country over the next 10 years, but much of that money has yet to arrive following concerns about government corruption and ongoing riots after November's disputed election. In the centre of Port-au-Prince, the presidential palace still lies in ruins. What was a large, green open space just beyond the palace grounds is nothing but a sea of tents. After all this time, the piles of rocks, wood and mangled metal that were once homes and offices still line the streets. Mountains of it fester between the homes that were spared, like rotten teeth. For many, the blame lies firmly at the door of the estimated 4,000 international aid agencies operating in the country. Pray: that the funding pledged by various nations and agencies be released. (Zec.7:9)
BREAKING NEWS: Lebanon: Hezbollah and allies topple government
Lebanon's national unity government has collapsed after 11 ministers from Hezbollah and its allies resigned. Energy Minister Gibran Bassil said the decision was prompted by a dispute over the UN tribunal investigating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's murder. The announcement came as Prime Minister Saad Hariri, his son, was meeting US President Barack Obama in Washington. Tension has been high in Lebanon, amid indications that Hezbollah members could be indicted by the UN tribunal. The Canadian broadcaster, CBC, reported in November that evidence gathered by the Lebanese police and the UN pointed ‘overwhelmingly to the fact that the assassins were from Hezbollah’. Hezbollah has rejected any suggestion of involvement in the assassination. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, has called the tribunal an ‘Israeli project’ and warned of dire consequences if it indicts his followers. Pray: against any violence in Lebanon and a release to this political deadlock. (Pr.15:18)
Churches to focus evangelism on Men
Anglican churches in the Oxford Diocese are being urged to focus their evangelistic efforts on men in an attempt to redress the gender balance in many parish churches. Estimates indicate that 65 percent of regular worshippers are women, and in many churches, the percentage is much higher. On February 5, the Oxford Diocese, in partnership with Men And The Church (MATCH), is to host a one day conference for clergy and lay people. The aim is to review resources and ideas for churches wanting to reach un-churched men with the gospel, to explore why so many men leave the Church, and to encourage new strategies for evangelism to men. The event is the idea of the Revd Paul Eddy, curate at Grove Parish Church, who said: ‘In churches across the diocese, clergy are very concerned about the lack of men in their congregations and have been asking for resources and support in developing effective evangelism’.
Pray: for the Holy Spirit to open up the way to bringing the Gospel to more men or more men to the Gospel. (3Jn:8)
Britain’s woes require sacrifice from all
With austerity being the talk of the day, the Bishop of Bath and Wells has challenged the church to step up and be the ‘bigger society’ at a time when sacrifice is being asked of all. Preaching in Wells Cathedral last Sunday, the Rt Rev Peter Price said: ‘Nationally we face the ongoing realities of overseas conflict, a war economy, a national debt, difficult decisions by government, calling all of us to sacrifice. For some the sacrifice will be all too real in terms of lost jobs, homes, even futures. In any democracy, calls for sacrifice to meet pressing realities require the trust of people that government will keep covenant – faith – to fulfil its obligations of serving the common good, and the possibility of a ‘better future for everyone’. Here we find sure ground for faith, firm support for hope, and the basis of a society in which trust, neighbourliness and humanity is found’.
Pray: that the Government and electorate will keep faith with each other to ensure fairness to all. (Isa.26:2)
