Pakistan church attacks: The Anglican Communion calls for justice and prayers

“In the wake of the violent attacks on churches and Christians in Pakistan, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Bishop Anthony Poggo, has called for justice to be served. …”

– News from the Anglican Communion News Service.

China boosts religious repression, arresting clergymen, removing crosses

“China has intensified its crackdown on the activities of religious groups in recent weeks, from pastoral outreach to religious services.

As part of this, crosses have been removed, members of the clergy arrested or held in administrative detention solely for practising their faith, and places of worship have been forced to support the campaign of ‘sinicisation’ in accordance with the ideology of President Xi Jinping. …”

– Report via Anglican.ink.

Image: Autograph book entry for September 2nd 1938 is a reminder that “China [still] needs our prayers!”

Nigeria’s Archbishop demands security for Christians (and everyone else)

“The Most Rev. Dr. Henry C. Ndukuba, in a lengthy address August 2 to other leaders of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, has renewed the church’s demand that the nation’s government protect the security of Christians.

‘The Church demands that [the] government put high priority on the security of lives and property of citizens by providing adequate security for all citizens,’ Ndukuba said. ‘The present state of insecurity and attacks on Christian churches, communities, and indeed the citizens of this country, is worrisome.’…”

– Report from The Living Church.

The new Chinese Measures for Religious Activity Venues come into force on September 1

“Last April, ‘Bitter Winter’ revealed that a draft of new ‘Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues,’ intended to replace those of 2005, was being ‘circulated for comments.’ Normally, this is a cosmetic exercise of pseudo-democracy, comments are ignored, and drafts become laws.

In this case, however, it appears that some comments came from official agencies and were taken into account. The final text of the Measures, which will come into force on September 1, is even worse than the draft. …”

– Report from Anglican Ink, and a cause for continued prayer.

“Article 3

Places of religious activity shall uphold the leadership of the CCP and the socialist system, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era, abide by the Constitution, laws, rules and regulations and relevant provisions on the management of religious affairs, practice core socialist values, adhere to the direction of Sinicization of China’s religions…”

Image: Autograph book entry for September 2nd 1938 is a reminder that “China [still] needs our prayers!”

Chinese Christians forced to register for church

“There is concern about tracking and persecution in China’s Henan province, where a phone app must be used by worshippers in order to attend church. …”

– Report at SydneyAnglicans.net.

“Deep Grief” for Sri Lanka

“Amid a crisis unparalleled in the history of Sri Lanka, millions of people are suffering the effects of the complete collapse of the nation’s economy.

With less than 30 million dollars in reserves, Sri Lanka does not have enough money to buy what it needs from the outside world. Many essential items are not available, while sky-rocketing inflation means that even when they are available, they are unaffordable for most people. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net Russell Powell has details of appeals for the people of Sri Lanka and a special prayer gathering at Auburn Anglican on Thursday night (20th June).

Head of Nigeria’s Methodist Church freed by kidnappers

“The head of the Methodist Church in Nigeria, the Most Rev Dr Samuel Kanu Uche, has been released after being abducted on Sunday 29 May. …”

– Report from Barnabas Fund.

Suffering servants in Ukraine

“If there is one image that symbolises the Russian invasion of Ukraine for believers, it is the one taken by a photographer from The New York Times showing the body of church volunteer Anatoliy Berezhnyi lying beside the mother and children he was trying to help escape the fighting. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Russell Powell has an update on the tragic events in Ukraine.

APWM Ukraine news and appeal

Australian Presbyterian World Mission has released this video with some news of the Ukraine from neighbouring Hungary. Plus they are running an appeal in Presbyterian chureches.

“APWM Associate missionary, and Presbyterian Church of Australia minister, The Rev Dr Granville Pillar and his wife Ibolya, live just 50km from the Hungarian-Ukrainian border. They have been providing assistance for refugees.”

Anglican Aid — Tonga: Volcano Emergency Response

From Anglican Aid:

“Anglican Aid and the Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia have partnered with the Evangelical Wesleyan Church in Tonga to distribute urgently needed relief to the people impacted by the recent volcanic eruption.

We are also working with Missions New Zealand to provide supplies to four Anglican Churches in the capital, Nuku’alofa, to distribute among their local communities.”

– Details of the appeal here.

Resources for churches to publicise the appeal. Top image: JMA.

Abortion is leading cause of death worldwide for third year in a row

“For the second year in a row, abortions have been the leading cause of death worldwide, with more than three times as many people losing their lives to abortion than the second leading cause of death. …”

– Appalling statistics, via Christian Post.

Image: Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies speaks at the 15 September 2019 Stand for Life rally in Hyde Park. Anglican Media Sydney.

UK Government silence “is another betrayal of Afghanistan Christians”

“Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Fund, wrote on 18 August to three MPs requesting that they ask the government to allow Afghan Christians to be resettled in the UK, and explaining why the UK has a unique responsibility to help and support believers from Afghanistan. To date the UK government remains silent on this matter. …”

– from Barnabas Fund.

Barnabas Fund launches Afghanistan Crisis Appeal

Barnabas Fund’s Patrick Sookhdeo has issued a very strong call to pray for and to provide desperately-needed help for Christians in Afghanistan.

Do take the time to watch his short video, pray, and help if you are able.

Pray with us for Afghanistan

Archbishop Kanishka Raffel has called for prayer for the troubled nation of Afghanistan.

In a video issued today, he addressed the situation after the withdrawal of western forces and prayed for the nation, its people, especially the women facing persecution and repression and Christian churches.

He also prayed for Australian defence personnel who had served in that land, saying “for soldiers who returned from there bearing the scars of war, and their families, these have been days of anger, grief and disbelief.”

See the video from the Archbishop, and download the prayer written by the Rev Mark Charleston at SydneyAnglicans.net.

Afghan Pastors Ask for Prayer

“Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” (Heb 13:3)

As Taliban forces have swallowed up Afghanistan and even now the capital city of Kabul, pastors in the country have been emailing and messaging me over the last few days, even hours, anxious for prayer.

– Here’s a very timely post at 9Marks. Please use it to inform your prayers.

(Kabul scene: 9Marks.)

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