The Time of Opportunity for Egypt | 307 | Report 19

The political revolution that swept Egypt is settling into a political process. Three new political parties were recently registered in Egypt. They are secular (non-Islamic) parties. The most popular is the Free Egyptians Party. The group is comprised of Coptic Christians and secularists, many of whom are the young people who started the revolution in January.

Before the planned elections in September, they would like to see a new constitution drafted. Why? They fear once those elections are held, the Muslim Brotherhood will gain most of the seats in parliament. If the militant groups have most of the power, then they will draft the constitution based on Sharia Islamic law. The Muslim Brotherhood is warning citizens not to vote for a secular state in the elections, and Islamic rule under Sharia is touted as the ‘true answer to freedom’ for Egyptians.

The Free Egyptians are planning to push forward with the Constitution First campaign and they’ll likely have more political rallies in the days ahead. August is the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. During that time, the young people may take to the streets again in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt to push their revolution and democracy forward.

Despite this, a new interest in Christianity and the Bible is evident on TV talk shows, and Christians are interceding for their land at special prayer meetings with a growing trust that God is in control. Egypt’s Christians make up 10% of the population – the largest Christian community in North Africa and the Middle East.

One highly significant development is that cracks have begun to appear within the Muslim Brotherhood. Several leading members have left to form rival groups that do not promote Sharia. Hossam Tamam, an Egyptian expert in Islamic groups, said, “They are the ones who could be the losers.”

Source: CBN News; Prayer Alert; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Daniel 5:17-30

PRAY: That God will overrule in this critical moment for Egypt and that a future government will respect the rights of all and allow Christians every freedom.

Bible Society: “Dare to be a Daniel” | 306 | Report 8

The UK Bible Society is encouraging a generation of believers to ‘Dare to be a Daniel,’ as they partner with Christian organizations hosting a road show tour called SUSA, – the Biblical city from which heroes of God hailed. SUSA aims to educate, inspire and equip Christians to see involvement in politics as being Biblical, and possible. The tour enables Christians to hear leading speakers share their testimony demonstrating God’s people being ‘salt and light’ in the public square; followed by questions and answers. Senior Parliamentary Officer for Bible Society said, ‘Christians are compelled by the love of God to serve and lead locally and nationally in politics, and our historical contribution is vast; there is a growing Christian community in Parliament. We hope the SUSA tour will encourage more Christians to get involved in day-to-day political life, be that locally or nationally’.

Source: Bible Society

BIBLE STUDY: Daniel 1:8-16

PRAY: That God will raise up many Daniel’s to bring glory to His name in the nations of the world.

Signs of Hope for Iraqi Christians | 303 | Report 15

The Iraqi government has pledged to help exiled Christians return to their homeland after thousands have been forced to flee amid intense persecution. The last 20 years have seen episodes of savage anti-Christian violence, resulting in a massive decline in the Christian population of Iraq, from 1.5 million in 1990 to possibly as low as
400,000 today. Much of this decline took place following the 2003 invasion, and many of those Christians remaining have been internally displaced.
The Iraqi government has now offered assistance to the Christian Diaspora. “For its part, the government has committed itself to all those who return, to give them a job, a plot to rebuild their homes on, and 1.5 million dinars,” said the Iraqi Ambassador to the Vatican. He said that the Iraqi Constitution sanctioned the total equality of rights for Christians and also gave them the possibility of creating a semi-autonomous region like Kurdistan.
Whether these promises will be fully kept remains to be seen, but this certainly represents a first step of good intentions that could prove particularly beneficial to Iraqi Christians who have taken temporary refuge in neighbouring countries.

Source: The Barnabas Fund; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Jeremiah 29:12-14

PRAISE: God that a door of opportunity is opening for displaced Christians. Pray that good intentions will materialise and that Christ may be proclaimed.

Life goes on in Afghanistan, the clash of experts and politicians, and humbug – Christmas lights go on in Oxford Street

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Laura Webster,  Head of Policy at the aid agency Tearfund about the latest news from a Christian standpoint. Today, life goes on in Afghanistan as ordinary people live their lives, how experts and politicians can clash, and Christmas comes early once again as the lights go on in Oxford Street.

Story Links:

Afghanistan:

telegraph.co.uk Afghanistan: Gordon Brown digs in

tearfund.org Afghan literacy project scoops UN cash prize

Experts and politics:

telegraph.co.uk MPs demand answers over Nutt sacking

guardian.co.uk Sacked drugs adviser Nutt may set up new body

Christmas Lights:

bbc.co.uk Actor Carrey switches on lights

viewlondon.co.uk Oxford Street Christmas Lights

Kenya: Radio Station Counters Hate | 5th Nov 09

Radio can whip up hatred; inflaming and impassioning almost an entire nation. But countering such broadcasts with messages of reconciliation can make a significant difference. Radio provides all the information, education or entertainment people in thousands of communities seek and receive. It is also well-placed to promote love and forgiveness.

Feba’s Baraka FM in Mombasa, Kenya, demonstrated the positive effect of reconciliation and forgiveness following the bloody post-election conflict in early 2008. Using a talk-show format, they brought together Muslim and Christian religious leaders and human rights activists. At the height of the Kenyan troubles, Baraka FM’s morning show appealed to listeners to forgive and support each other, rather than perpetuate bitterness.

One practical way in which listeners responded was to contact the station during an acute food shortage to provide information about shops and areas where essential food and cooking fuel could be found. Baraka FM staff found this to be a point of healing and reconciliation. Thus Christian radio provides an alternative to politically biased ‘hate media’ that promotes intolerance and incites ethnic violence.

Source: FEBA

BIBLE STUDY: 2 Corinthians 13:11

PRAISE: God for the positive role of Christian radio, both proclaiming Christ as Saviour, and promoting the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Expenses scandal hits MPs families, more troops in the firing line in Afghanistan, and Artic sea thaw danger

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint. Patrick Woodward talks to Jon Hargreaves, (pictured)  of FEBA Radio, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today,  how the MPs expenses scandal has affected their families – and the public’s trust, where now for the Afghan war, and danger looming as Arctic seas thaw out.

Story Links:

Expenses:

bbc.co.uk Cameron says MP ‘right to quit’

telegraph.co.uk MPs’ expenses: James Arbuthnot offers to pay back £1,000 more than initially requested by Sir Thomas Legg

Afghanistan:

mirror.co.uk Time to Quit Afghanistan

cbsnews.com Will We Stay 50 Years In Afghanistan?

Arctic Ice:

nationalgeographic.com Arctic Largely Ice Free in Summer Within Ten Years?

bbc.co.uk Artic to be ice free in summer

After conference season parties support Forgiveness Project, what women 'really want' from work, and Pastor's human peace wall

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.

Today, parties talk forgiveness after the conference season, what women “really want”,  and a human peace wall in Belfast.

Story Links:

Forgiveness:

thisisplymouth.co.uk Gary Streeter defends inviting Brighton Bomber to Parliament to talk forgiveness

dailymail.co.uk Killer in the commons

theforgivenessproject.com Official Site

Women’s work

bbc.co.uk Focus on women’s work needs urged

cps.org.uk Report

Human Peace Wall:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Belfast pastor plans Human Peace Wall

Kenya: Radio Station Counters Hate | 5th Oct 09

Radio can whip up hatred; inflaming and impassioning almost an entire nation. But countering such broadcasts with messages of reconciliation can make a significant difference. Radio provides all the information, education or entertainment people in thousands of communities seek and receive. It is also well-placed to promote love and forgiveness.

Feba’s Baraka FM in Mombasa, Kenya, demonstrated the positive effect of reconciliation and forgiveness following the bloody post-election conflict in early 2008. Using a talk-show format, they brought together Muslim and Christian religious leaders and human rights activists. At the height of the Kenyan troubles, Baraka FM’s morning show appealed to listeners to forgive and support each other, rather than perpetuate bitterness.

One practical way in which listeners responded was to contact the station during an acute food shortage to provide information about shops and areas where essential food and cooking fuel could be found. Baraka FM staff found this to be a point of healing and reconciliation. Thus Christian radio provides an alternative to politically biased ‘hate media’ that promotes intolerance and incites ethnic violence.

Source: FEBA

BIBLE STUDY: 2 Corinthians 13:11

PRAISE: God for the positive role of Christian radio, both proclaiming Christ as Saviour, and promoting the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Agencies rush to Indonesia, new food crisis in East Africa, and Labour low as Sun turns Tory

Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Laura Webster,  Head of Policy at the aid agency Tearfund about the latest news from a Christian standpoint. Today, what’s special about a Christian aid agency as many rush to help victims of the Indonesian earthquake?  There’s a new food crisis looming in East Africa – what’s to be done?  And the labour party’s woes at being dropped by the Sun.

Story Links:

Sumatran quake:

guardian.co.uk Sumatra quake toll mounts as hospital lies in ruins

bbc.co.uk Sumatra quake survivor pulled from rubble

tearfund.org Tearfund appeal

East Africa:

bbc.co.uk Oxfam launches East Africa Appeal

scientificamerican.com How Will Climate Change Impact World Food Supplies?

Labour conference:

thesun.co.uk Sun readers feeling blue too

news.sky.com  Labour’s Conference ‘Bounce’ Falls Flat

China’s Communists “Get Religion” | 1 & 2

When China’s Communist Party members met recently at the National Congress in Beijing, President Hu Jintao did something that had never been done before. He added the word “religion” to the Communist Party constitution. President Hu called the move an historic moment and challenged the party to view religion as a source of economic and social stability. “The window in China is opening more and more,” said Zhao Xiao, a top Chinese economist. In 2002, Zhao went on assignment to the United States to discover the secret of America’s  economic success. The trip changed his life forever.

“After my trip I wrote an essay entitled, Market Economies with Churches and Market Economies without churches,” he explained. “I discovered that Christianity was the reason for America’s success.” Zhao was an atheist and a former Communist Party official when he wrote the paper. He later converted to Christianity after reading the Bible. His essay is one of the most widely read articles on economic reform. “I meet people in the upper echelons of government and I tell them that China will prosper and be a blessing to the world if it embraces the message of the cross,” Zhao said.

And there’s evidence that the government is taking a closer look at how Christianity and other religions can create what party officials call a more “harmonious society.” “So for example, the government knows that Christians are law-abiding citizens and can be good role models for society,” said Yu Xinli, who pastor’s one of the largest government-sanctioned churches in Beijing.

“We found that as many as one in two of the Chinese people consider religion important in their lives,” said Brian Grim, who is documenting the rise of spirituality in China. And the religious appeal stretches across all segments of society, including members of the political class. And it’s Christianity that’s experiencing the most dramatic growth, especially in the unregistered, so-called underground churches.

But let’s be clear: the government still maintains a tight grip on religion. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton monitors religious abuses in China. He says the old Communist tactics of torture, arrests, imprisonment and beatings are still practiced, especially against Christians who are not registered with the government. Still, he’s encouraged by the government attempts to understand people of faith. “Is it a sign that all is good and wonderful with the Chinese church? No. The issue is still control but it is good that at least the Communist Party is recognizing that religion has a role to play in Chinese society, I think that is a positive development,” Nettleton said.

Source: George Thomas CBN News: Revival Media

Bible Study: Habakkuk 2:9-14

Day 1 – PRAISE: God for the businessmen, scientists and politicians who are becoming Christians.

Day 2 – PRAY: That the Chinese Church may begin to experience a time of peace and continued growth.

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