Turkey: Ongoing court case
Middle East Concern (MEC) request prayer concerning a legal case following the murders of three Christians (Necati Aydin, Ugur Yuksel and Tilmann Geske) at the Zirve Christian Publishing House in Eastern Turkey in 2007. Five men were arrested at the scene and charged with the murder. Their trial became complicated due to efforts to identify those behind the perpetrators. At the hearing on 16th December 2011 no verdicts were issued, contrary to expectations. However, a witness testified that he had had knowledge of a plot to murder the publishing house staff and informed the authorities one week prior to the attack. The next hearing is scheduled for 17th February 2012. Under Turkish law, those accused will be exonerated if not formally convicted and sentenced within five years. Delays beyond April 2012 may lead to the perpetrators being released. Please pray that family members and friends of the victims continue to know the peace of Jesus as the trial process continues, for justice and for the perpetrators to be identified.
Pray: for all involved to know the Spirit's enabling, equipping and assisting as they persevere to promote justice. Pray also for judges, officials, lawyers and journalists involved to hear the gospel of Jesus. (Mt.6:10)
More: www.meconcern.org
Clampdown on offensive language on the radio
Media regulator Ofcom has moved to clampdown on offensive language on the radio amid concerns that children are being exposed to inappropriate material. It says that broadcasting offensive language when children are likely to be listening has ‘frequently been the focus of complaints’. In October the watchdog censured one radio station for playing a track which repeated one swear word 41 times at 7.30 in the morning. Now Ofcom, which has a statutory duty to protect young people, has issued new guidance saying that listeners ‘do not expect to hear strong language during the day on radio’ even if children are unlikely to be listening. It has also warned broadcasters that children must be protected from songs with clear references to drugs and sex. The guidance says that ‘broadcasters should avoid broadcasting lyrics that clearly focus on the taking of drugs, sexual acts or behaviour, or convey a clearly sexualised theme, when children are particularly likely to be listening.’
Pray: that the move by Ofcom to restrict the use of offensive language on the radio will succeed in its aim. (Ps.139:24)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/clampdown-on-offensive-language-on-the-radio/
Azerbaijan: ‘Without registration you can't pray’
Following a raid on a Baptist worship meeting in Neftechala, Pastor Telman Aliev, his wife and all Church members were summoned for police questioning on 23 December and threatened with criminal prosecution. The authorities declared the Church ‘closed’ and confiscated all the books they could find. Officials also asked for the full addresses of all Church members and their ethnicity. The State Committee for Work with Religious Organisations said, ‘Without registration you can't pray. We close any place of worship that isn't registered, including mosques. We don't ban, we just demand documents.’ The Church has applied for re-registration, but its application has not been answered. Exercising the right to freedom of religion or belief without state permission is illegal in Azerbaijan, in defiance of international human rights standards.
Pray: that these restrictions would not hinder the spread of the Gospel in Azerbaijan. (2Th.3:1)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue14955.html
USA: Elections 2012
Evangelical Christians and anti-abortion activists united the Republican right behind Rick Santorum for the party's presidential nomination. On Wednesday Mr Santorum declared that his strong Iowa showing means it's ‘game on’ for the party's presidential nomination, and he's heading to New Hampshire for round two after coming second by eight votes to Mitt Romney in Tuesday’s caucuses. The Associated Press did not declare a winner, but Iowa Republican chairman Matt Strawn announced early Wednesday that Romney had 30,015 votes to 30,007 for Santorum. Santorum's camp called the result a moral equivalent of a win because their support grew so fast in the last couple of weeks. Santorum the former senator from Pennsylvania said, ‘God has given us this great country to allow his people to be free. I offer a public thanks to God.’ and ‘It's now or never for conservative voters.’
Pray: that as the USA moves into eleven months of political canvassing, God’s values will be honoured and not used as a political tool. (Ex.20:3,7)
More: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2012/01/04/santorum_declares_game_on_in_close_iowa_race/
