Many Australian Christians have indicated their desire for Australia Day to not only be a day to celebrate our nationhood but also a day to celebrate our spiritual heritage, and to ask God to restore our nation as the Great Southland of the Holy Spirit. Already, with still one week to go, more than 200 Churches and prayer groups have advised us of their intention to hold prayer gatherings on the Night of Prayer for Australia to be held on Wednesday 25th January, the eve of Australia Day. This is expected to more than double by next week. Gatherings across Australia will co-incide with the large Sydney gathering which will be held at the Arncliffe Life Centre, Cnr Kembla & Hirst Streets, Arncliffe commencing at 7.00PM on 25th January.

Prayer points that can be used at the gatherings have been sent to all who have registered with us.  This will ensure common agreement on issues raised in prayer right across the nation. As well as Churches and prayer groups several retirement villages have indicated they will be holding prayer gatherings for their residents. An email was even received from a Church in Kenya indicating they too will be praying for Australia that night.  It is not too late to register your Church or prayer group and to request a copy of the prayer points that are being used that night to unite Australians in prayer. You can do this by writing to us at apn@ausprayernet.org.au   

A reminder to those who cannot attend a meeting that the Sydney gathering will be webcast across the nation and available on your computer from 7.00PM Eastern Daylight Saving Time by accessing http://www.lifecentre.tv/ Australia Day is a great day of celebration.  Let us also make it a day when God is honoured in worship and our nation is upheld in prayer.

Brian Pickering
National Coordinator
Australian Prayer Network

From the Office of the General International Headquarters
Dear Prayer Partners: Before we launch into the New Year, I want to thank you for your faithfulness in prayer during 2011. You have been joining Salvationists around the world in our special prayer emphasis for peace and justice. You have also signed up for the weekly Worldwide Prayer Meeting, joining thousands of others each Thursday as we pray for our Army during a selected half-hour period.    

In my October letter, I asked you to consistently pray through the international Mission Priorities, using praise, confession, petition and surrender as we hold each priority before the Lord. You will, of course, continue to pray for your corps/centre, division and territory. Please continue to pray for these priorities. Perhaps there are some who, because of age or infirmity, cannot commit to a half hour of prayer between 5 am and 8 am every Thursday. That is understandable, but they too can be invited to sign up and join the Worldwide Prayer Meeting when they are able.    

Besides being an expression of gratitude, via this letter I am asking for your help. I believe with 1.7 million Salvationists in 124 countries, we could mobilise tens of thousands of people – no, hundreds of thousands – for this half hour of power on Thursdays. Having travelled to several territories, I am hearing such excitement about this praying together around the world. It is perhaps the most important indicator of our being One Army. But I believe we should encourage others to join us.    

Would you please be that encourager? I would also be pleased to hear from you if you have ideas of how we can better engage people in this prayer meeting. You can register your comments through the links at the end of this letter.    

There is no doubt in my mind that God wants to pour out his blessing on our Army. Prayer is confidently approaching him knowing that this is his desire. It is also an admission of our dependence on him, knowing that only his power can effect the amazing things he wants to accomplish in and through us. We shall continue to uplift the name of Jesus and believe in a mighty outpouring of his Holy Spirit.    

God bless you richly.
Linda Bond    
General    

STORY A HEAVY.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS;BUT I STILL NEED DESPERATELY MORE PRAYER:
COULD  YO PLEASE SUPPORT ME WITH YOUR PRAYERS.THE SATAN HAS FURIOUSLY BOUND MY FAMILY.MY TWO BROTHERS AND THEIR  FAMILIES ARE DEEPLY SURROUNDED AND BOUND BY THE SATAN AS WELL MY MOTHER WHO IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THOSE EVIL SPIRITS WHICH MAKE HER LIFE VERY MISERABLE AND DIFFICULT.

SHE HAS BEEN UNDER THIS 70 YEARS.
Lots of pain is coming to people and to congregations trough my mother.

WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THEM BOTH IN OUT CONGREGATION AS WELL AS IN OTHER CONGREGATIONS BUT UNTIL NOW THOSE EVIL BONDS HAVE NOT YET BEEN BROKEN.

THAT”S  WHY I NEED MORE HELP AND SUPPORT GET THIS PRAYING THROUGH.
FURTHEMORE,I HAVE LOTS OF RELATIVES WHO STILL DO NOT KNOW JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR.I ASK YOU PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM THAT THOSE EVIL POWERS  WOULD BE BROKEN ANS PEOPLE COULD BE LIBERATED AND CONVERT.
I ALSO NEED STRENGTH FROM THE LORD AND THE LORD STRENGTH MY   HUSBAND.

1. The Salvation Army  School in LAE.....Papua New Guinea is having some horrendous fighting happening around their compound,
pray  for:

safety, physical, spiritual & emotional protection of personnel,
also surrounding villages  where many attacks are being made upon the people,

2. Major Mim Adams & her extended family at this time . ( many unwell relatives)

3. Request for prayer from numerous THQ employees varying urgent prayer  needs , including serious health diagnosis, family issues and much more

PICTURE God’s people united in prayer, where one hour isn’t enough in the prayer room and there is a desire for more, where children and youth are crying out for justice, where people are committing themselves for a day, a week, a month, a year or more of non-stop prayer.

Imagine people intentionally giving voice to the issues that are on their hearts, where faith is increasing and prayers are being answered. This beautiful imagery is happening in The Salvation Army. It is a reality.

Since 1 January 2011, scores of Salvation Army territories, commands and regions have been praying as part of the Global Call to 24/7 Prayer – A Day and Night Cry for Justice. The call comes from the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:7-8, where Jesus said:

‘And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will see that they get justice and quickly!’

Now, as we approach 2012, General Linda Bond calls Salvationists around the world to continue in non-stop prayer – a day and night cry for justice.

To get involved visit www.saglobal247.org where you can watch videos explaining the global call. Free downloads are also available including prayer CDs, the 24/7 Prayer brochure and the monthly prayer focus written on a justice related theme, from The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Commission.

Cast the vision to those around you and register your participation on the website.

Latest prayer resources and news are also updated daily on the Global Call to 24/7 Prayer Facebook (facebook.com/saglobal247) and Twitter (twitter.com/saglobal247) pages.

A renewal of prayer is happening in our day, we are called to be part of it. God is listening and responsive. We will see justice on the earth. Let’s pray.

PRAY FOR CHOGM
With only two days to go, we already have people flying into Perth for SHINE. Not far behind them are the delegates for the People’s, Business and Youth Forums and of course for CHOGM itself.
We have assured them all of our prayers!

PRAY FOR SHINE
Please pray too for final arrangements for SHINE and for the team as they prepare to facilitate this amazing evening of prayer, unity and worship.
Pray for all the Church in Perth to come together, during SHINE, Church Together on 23rd and in the various other events that are taking place. Together our voice is more clearly heard.
We have been supported by so many different churches and organisations.  Countless thousands have stood with us on this journey. We hope that the journey will continue long after SHINE in Perth.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
We especially want to thank all the churches who have adopted nations as part of Project 54 here in Perth and around Australia. Also the Bible Society, 98.5 Sonshine FM, TBN, Aglow International Austrlia, The Girls Friendly Society and many, many more organisations. 

PRAY FOR LIGHT
Perth is a city of Light. We want to shine the light of Christ strongly in our city during CHOGM. We want to support the good things our governments are doing and pray for righteousness to increase where they are not doing things that line up with the Word of God. We want to make a strong contribution to the atmosphere in our city during CHOGM.

Dear Salvationists:

Every Thursday, The Salvation Army around the world is in prayer for the entire day. Territories, commands and individual Salvationists have signed up, covenanting to use 30 minutes each Thursday between 5.00am and 8.00am to pray for the Army – its zeal for God, its compassionate service in every community and its daring and fruitful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Driven by a desire to be the people God wants us to be and to do what he wants us to do, we commit ourselves to seeking the only One who can empower us with the Holy Spirit and energise and equip us for ministry in the 21st century.

One officer has written to me, ‘Some corps and divisional headquarters have changed their regular weekly prayer time to Thursday so more and more of us are lifting our requests to God at the same time. I’ve just come from the territorial headquarters prayer meeting where one pray-er likened this worldwide prayer meeting to a “Mexican wave” making its way around the globe as Thursday dawns in each new place – that’s one massive Mexican wave which God will not ignore.’

May the Lord hear the prayers of the tens of thousands of Salvationists united in seeking him.

The logo above features the ‘One Army, One Mission, One Message’ headings which are at the heart of the vision for the international Salvation Army launched on Thursday 13 October 2011. The statement is brought to life through the Vision Plan (downloadable from http://sar.my/one), which includes 12 International Mission Priorities. The priorities are headed by a determined ‘we will’.

Let’s pray through the vision. Let’s pray specifically for each Mission Priority. Dwell on each phrase in the Vision Statement and in each priority. Explore what they mean for you personally as well as for your corps/centre, division, command/territory and for the Army internationally.

Begin with praise and thanksgiving, for we have been a blessed people, and a blessing, since he called the Army into being almost 150 years ago. Then let’s move to confession – where we have failed him – possibly because we have been more concerned about our own image and self-preservation than the winning of the lost. Let’s petition and intercede so that we will be found faithful in holy living, sanctified activism and fruitful ministry. Let’s offer ourselves afresh for him to use his Army for his will and purpose in the 21st century.

Locally your territory/command may be using different language or terminology when it comes to mission and
vision, but at the heart of it all is being faithful as his people in his service.

So together, let’s praise, confess, ask and surrender to him to see Spirit-inspired and Spirit-blessed action.
May the Lord be honoured and glorified as we unite in prayer.

Yours sincerely,
Linda Bond
GENERAL

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your positive support of this international prayer emphasis and your commitment to pray.
The topic of this half hour of prayer will be our Army. The needs of your own corps, centres, and
territorial activities and plans will form part of your prayer list. I would like to add topics of international
concern and will write to you on a regular basis with updates.

For the weeks ahead, I am asking that you hold before the Lord the following:

1) The need to deepen our spiritual life personally and as a people of God
2) In this economic climate, financial resources for our worldwide mission
3) Renewed passion to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in him
4) The courage and compassion to stand for and serve the marginalised.

As we pray together across the Army world, I know the Lord will unite us in a special way as we seek his
direction and blessing. Thank you for your partnership in prayer.

God bless you richly,
Linda Bond
GENERAL

Dear Friends:

This Thursday (1 September) will be the first of our weekly prayer meetings. Thank you for your
positive support of this international prayer emphasis and your commitment to pray.

The topic of this half hour of prayer will be our Army. The needs of your own corps, centres, and
territorial activities and plans will form part of your prayer list. I would like to add topics of
international concern and will write you on a regular basis with updates.

For the weeks ahead, I am asking that you hold before the Lord the following:

1) The need to deepen our spiritual life personally and as a people of God
2) In this economic climate, financial resources for our worldwide mission
3) Renewed passion to bring people to Jesus and lead them to maturity in him
4) The courage and compassion to stand for and serve the marginalised

As we pray together across the Army world, I know the Lord will unite us in a special way as we seek
his direction and blessing. Thank you for your partnership in prayer.

God bless you richly,

Linda Bond
GENERAL

Need Urgent Prayer!!! This weekend we have Evangelist Craig Stephens coming to Ararat and we want to see as many people as possible have encounters with God so that they can win the world for Jesus with us! The devil is attacking, so we need to press in and take the victory by faith!

General Bond Calls The Salvation Army to Prayer
GENERAL Linda Bond has called The Salvation Army to pray for peace and and for victims of sex trade trafficking. A Sunday in September has been set aside for each prayer focus – the fifth year that this has happened.

On Sunday 18 September the international Salvation Army is encouraged to respond to a Call to Prayer for Peace, focusing on the Bible verse: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’ (Matthew 5:9 New International Version).

A week later, on 25 September, Salvationists and friends are called to prayer for victims of sex trade trafficking, with the theme verse: ‘I have come that they may have life’ (John 10:10).

As in previous years, both calls to prayer are publicised with distinctive, thought-provoking images created by Berni Georges of the International Headquarters Communications Section. This year, for the first time, the posters have been produced in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.

To download 'Call to Prayer for Peace' posters, click here

For 'Call to Prayer for Victims of Sex Trade Trafficking' posters, click here

Please pray.
Prayer chain needed... Prayers need to go out for a FB friend's friend, Audri Kate King and her family. Her two year old daughter was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. If you see this post, even if you don't know her, God knows her... Please post this to your profile for 1 hour and say a prayer for this little girl.. The power of prayer speaks volumes. Please Post and God bless you for doing this,Praying

WA GOVERNMENT GETS TOUGH ON BROTHELS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS 17 Dec 2010

Prostitution will be banned in residential areas and clients caught on unlicensed premises could face fines or jail under law reforms proposed by the WA Government. Police will also get extra powers to shut down illegal brothels under the reforms. In addition clients having sex with persons coerced into prostitution would face jail whether they knew the person was coerced or not. These provisions are designed to place an onus on a client to be certain that a prostitute is acting of their own free will.

In announcing the planned changes WA Attorney-General Christian Porter said prostitutes would also be encouraged and supported to leave the industry. What we are trying to achieve first and foremost by this scheme is to get prostitution out of suburban and residential areas,'' he said. "It will be clearly unlawful to have a prostitution business in such areas and we expect it will be very seriously policed with a range of new powers.'' The government plans to have a draft bill ready early next year.

Mr Porter said the state government, not local governments, would also take ultimate responsibility for who was licensed to run a brothel or be a prostitute and where those businesses could be located. The industry would be heavily policed and regulated and when infringements occurred, prostitutes would be encouraged to get out of the trade, the attorney-general said. Mr Porter said the proposed penalty for operating or managing an unlicensed brothel would be up to three years in jail.

He said the penalty for clients caught entering or leaving an unlicensed brothel would be a fine of up to $6000 or up to one year in jail. Clients who engaged in sex with a person coerced into prostitution would face a penalty of up to two years in jail, "irrespective of whether it could be shown they knew the prostitute was coerced'', Mr Porter said. Where they were aware a person was coerced, penalties of up to 14 years jail would apply, or 20 years jail if the coerced person was a child.

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT PRAY FOR PROTECTION FROM EXTREMIST ATTACKS 17 Dec 2010

Christians in Egypt are calling for prayer amid threats of extremist attack and heightened anti-Christian sentiment. Months of raised tension between the Coptic community and the Muslim majority have come to a head with the news that extremists who have killed scores of Christians in Iraq in recent weeks may also target believers in Egypt.  Prayer meetings are being held at churches throughout Egypt amid heightened security.  

In Cairo, the number of security officers standing guard outside churches has doubled. And in Zamalek, visitors to a recent Christmas bazaar and festival at the All Saints Cathedral were met with body searches, metal detectors and sniffer dogs.  The Government has asked pastors to ‘cancel unessential, large-scale public meetings’. President Hosni Mubarak has reportedly made a statement through the state-run MENA news agency promising protection for Copts.  

In his statement the President affirmed his intention to protect the nation’s sons, Muslims and Copts, from the extremist forces of terrorism. There has been heated debate in the national media over Egypt’s ‘Coptic heritage’ and its ‘Islamic identity’ – which has drawn in influential figures from both the Christian and Muslim communities. The threat from militants in Iraq came during the recent hostage siege at the Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad which ended in the deaths of 53 Christians.  

The extremists told the media that the assault was in response to allegations that the Coptic church in Egypt was holding against their will two Coptic women who, militants said, had converted to Islam.Their allegations appear to be based on unfounded rumours surrounding the whereabouts of these women, who had reportedly at some point separated from their husbands, both Coptic priests.

Source: Intercessors Network

INDONESIA: 110 CHURCHES CLOSED IN THREE YEARS

Islamic extremist groups and local governments in Indonesia have closed 110 churches during the past three years according to religious and human rights organizations. Radical Muslim groups coerced local governments to send letters to churches prohibiting any activities. When churches did not comply, they have often been burned down or otherwise damaged.  

The Wahid Institute, a moderate Muslim non-governmental organization, along with church associations and the Indonesian Human Rights Commission reported that discrimination and violence against churches was most common in the provinces of West Java, Banten, Central Java, South Sulawesi and Bengkulu.

Source: Intercessors Network

SUPPORT AT U.N. FOR DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS DWINDLING

Opposition to a defamation of religions resolution is accelerating among member countries of the United Nations General Assembly according to religious liberty experts. The resolution seeks to curtail speech offensive to the religious sensibilities of listeners. What religious liberty advocates find troubling is its arbitrary enforcement and capacity to restrict freedom of religious expression, the International Religious Liberty Association's (IRLA) board of experts said in a statement last year.

The oldest association dedicated to freedom of conscience for people of all faiths and persuasions, the IRLA is vocal in its opposition to the defamation of religions resolution. Dwindling support for the measure is encouraging, said Barry Bussey, director of UN relations for the IRLA. "We are seeing numbers in the right direction," Bussey said. "We are now only 13 votes away from defeating this problematic resolution."

In 2005, 101 UN member countries voted to support a similar resolution, 53 voted against it and 20 abstained, Bussey said. This year, 76 voted Yes, 64 No and more than twice as many countries abstained when compared to five years ago, he said. "As we've raised the problems with the resolution, more country delegates recognize the pitfalls," Bussey said.

Source: Adventist News Service

CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT PRAY FOR PROTECTION FROM EXTREMIST ATTACKS

Christians in Egypt are calling for prayer amid threats of extremist attack and heightened anti-Christian sentiment. Months of raised tension between the Coptic community and the Muslim majority have come to a head with the news that extremists who have killed scores of Christians in Iraq in recent weeks may also target believers in Egypt.  Prayer meetings are being held at churches throughout Egypt amid heightened security.  

In Cairo, the number of security officers standing guard outside churches has doubled. And in Zamalek, visitors to a recent Christmas bazaar and festival at the All Saints Cathedral were met with body searches, metal detectors and sniffer dogs.  The Government has asked pastors to ‘cancel unessential, large-scale public meetings’. President Hosni Mubarak has reportedly made a statement through the state-run MENA news agency promising protection for Copts.  

In his statement the President affirmed his intention to protect the nation’s sons, Muslims and Copts, from the extremist forces of terrorism. There has been heated debate in the national media over Egypt’s ‘Coptic heritage’ and its ‘Islamic identity’ – which has drawn in influential figures from both the Christian and Muslim communities. The threat from militants in Iraq came during the recent hostage siege at the Church of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad which ended in the deaths of 53 Christians.  

The extremists told the media that the assault was in response to allegations that the Coptic church in Egypt was holding against their will two Coptic women who, militants said, had converted to Islam.Their allegations appear to be based on unfounded rumours surrounding the whereabouts of these women, who had reportedly at some point separated from their husbands, both Coptic priests.

Source: Intercessors Network

PUSH TO REPEAL PAKISTAN'S BLASPHEMY LAWS

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, has recommended the repeal of the widely-misused blasphemy laws. The recommendation came as part of Minister Bhatti’s investigation into the case of Asia Bibi, thought to be the first woman sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws, and was submitted to President Asif Ali Zardari on 25 November. The report concluded that the blasphemy case registered against Asia Bibi, a Christian, is without foundation.

According to the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), Minister Bhatti’s report proposed that Asia Bibi be released from prison or pardoned if her pending appeal in the Lahore High Court is not addressed within an appropriate timeframe. President Zardari has reportedly agreed to pardon Asia Bibi if her appeal “languishes” in the courts, and Minister Bhatti has said that the government is making efforts to guarantee the safety of Asia Bibi and her family.

The President has also called for the formation of a high level committee, headed by Shahbaz Bhatti, which will consult with Islamic scholars, political parties and human rights organisations to review the blasphemy laws and propose recommendations to prevent their misuse. Minister Bhatti has regularly spoken out against the blasphemy laws, and the Ministry for Minorities Affairs has long been leading negotiations with other state officials to agree possible amendments to the legislation.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said, “We welcome Minister Bhatti's bold call for full repeal. The significance of President Zardari’s decision to establish a committee on the issue should not be underestimated. It's members should not limit discussions to amendment alone. Regarding Asia Bibi’s case, we hope that due process can be quickly and justly followed by way of a high court appeal so that her innocence can be proven to all". 

Source: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

135 EVANGELICAL CHURCHES RECEIVE LEGAL STATUS IN ALBANIA 17 Dec 2010

In 1965, the Albanian government under its despotic leader, Enver Hoxha, announced the closure of all religious institutions in the country, declaring Albania the world’s first officially atheist state. According to Hoxha, the surge in anti-religious activity began with the youth. The result of this “spontaneous, unprovoked movement” was the closing of all 2,169 churches and mosques in Albania.  Persecution of religion intensified, and religious-based town and city names were changed.

Personal religiously-based names were also made illegal. In 1982 The Dictionary of People’s Names was published containing 3,000 approved secular names. Albanians were told that religion was banned, because it was brought in by outsiders, and foreign influence was not wanted in the country. The Turks brought Islam, the Italians the Roman Catholic Church, and the Greeks Orthodox Christianity. This was in spite of the Government themselves followed a Marxist-Leninist philosophy.  

In 1992, the Papal Nuncio for Albania, said that of the 300 Catholic priests present in Albania prior to the Communists coming to power, only 30 survived. All religious practice and clergymen were outlawed and religious figures who refused to give up their positions were arrested or forced into hiding. Following a heart attack in 1973 Hoxha turned most state functions over to Ramiz Alia. His death in 1985 left Albania with a legacy of isolation and fear of the outside world.

Albania had been the poorest European country throughout the Cold War. Little of Hoxha’s legacy remains today since the transition to capitalism in 1992. But things have now come full circle. On November 22, the Albanian Minister of Culture signed an agreement with the Albanian Evangelical Alliance (AEA), granting legal status to over 135 evangelical churches in Albania. This agreement is truly monumental but Albania still has a long way to go to become a truly democratic nation.  

“This is great news for Albania, and a truly unique and historic moment!” reports Rev. Klajd Vampa, Door of Hope International’s (DOHI) co-worker in Albania. Please continue to pray for Albania as corruption is still rampant and Islam is growing as many Islamic nations continue to pour money and resources into Albania. Child trafficking continues. Revenge killings take place in the north. Please hold the Albanian Church in your prayers Rev Vampa added.

Source: Assist News

POLITICIANS GET THE REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT 17 Dec 2010

New Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu may have brought back Christmas for thousands of Victoria's schoolchildren. Nativity scenes and children singing carols and exchanging cards could once again be part of Christmas celebrations at Victorian schools. Mr Baillieu said that "Australia is a mostly Christian country and the political correctness that banned Christmas at schools should be regarded as the ghost of Christmas past."

Mr Baillieu has asked that school principals take "a reasonable and commonsense approach" saying that children should "have the opportunity to enjoy the simple pleasures of Christmas". Meanwhile Federal Minister for Human Services and Social Inclusion, Tanya Plibersek has overruled a bureaucratic order to ban nativity scenes in Centrelink and Medicare offices in the latest move to thwart politically correct attempts to secularise Christmas.

Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) Managing Director Jim Wallace welcomed the commonsense approach by our political leaders. “Secularists and atheists have gone too far in trying to expunge Christianity from Australian life" Mr Wallace said. “We should not allow political correctness to deny our cultural and religious heritage. “It would be a shame if the message and lessons of the Christ child were lost from Christmas."

Source: Compiled by APN from various sources

SLAVERY A GROWING PROBLEM IN AUSTRALIA 17 Dec 2010

Sex slaves are only one component of a growing number of workers identified in slavery and forced labour in Australia. The Minister for Home Affairs, Brendan O'Connor, says he wants to introduce new crimes targeting the exploitation of hospitality, construction and farm workers. Exploiting labour had the dual affect of harming the overseas worker, while diminishing the appeal for employers to recruit an Australian on legal wages, he said.

''We're looking at what else we can do to broaden the criminal sanctions,'' he said. Mr O'Connor said Australians could find it hard to believe slavery could occur in their country. ''It is such a strong term. I think it's important the government shines a light on the area so we can clean it up,'' he said. The Trafficking in Persons report released recently showed 70% of victims in the past year were women working in the sex trade with Korea and Malaysia overtaking Thailand as the main source countries.

For the first time, two children were referred to police as potential victims of trafficking. Under-reporting of trafficking masks its true scale. Mr O'Connor said organisations such as the Red Cross could provide support to victims who went to police while the government could provide legitimate visas. ''By providing better protection, we are encouraging people to come forward,'' he said. ''We need to do that because we need to prosecute the traffickers …'' he said.

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

THE VICAR OF BAGHDAD SPEAKS OUT ABOUT RECENT IRAQ CHURCH BOMBINGS 8 Dec 2010

The Vicar of Baghdad Canon Andrew White says: "In Iraq Christians have been under attack since  2003 when the war began, but in the past month attacks have escalated. Over the past year, 93 Christians were killed in my church. This month alone over 100 have been killed across Iraq. 59 were killed in a single massacre in the Syrian Catholic Church last month. Since then many more Christians have been targeted, told they no longer belong in Iraq and advised to leave now or be executed.  

"Things are so hard that many Christians are now fleeing. My personal security is very intense and far greater than previously. It always used to amaze me that I attended church each week in body armour, in armoured cars and surrounded by Iraqi Military. I don't think that there were many other ministers in the world who would go to church like this. Nowadays things are very different. I now live in the church Compound, and the security of the church is now completely different than before.  

"We are surrounded by bomb barricades and the number of police and army security, provided by the Iraqi Government, is phenomenal. Not long ago I went to Kurdistan with my board chair Lord Hylton. We were given over 120 military security to get us out of Baghdad. Then we reduced to our normal 35 soldiers when we left Baghdad. "I am constantly at risk and have to listen to my security but at the same time I am acutely aware that the members of my congregation have no security.  

"They do not have my profile, but are all at risk because they are all followers of Jesus. Those who had money fled soon after the war. Those who are left behind tend to be the seriously poor who have nothing. Our church has to provide them with food, health care and rent. We are the only church I know that in our compound has a large clinic with doctors, dentists, a pharmacy and laboratory which we provide for everyone in our community—irrespective of their faith background.

"We know that our Lord has informed us that our faith will indeed be under attack and as we get closer to His return this will not get better but worse. We take hope from the fact that we are under attack because we believe and know that we are trusted by our Lord to persevere, and we will. "I live with many threats, along with my people, but our place is not sad but full of joy. Despite the constant tragedies, our people are not sad and our church is not despondent."

Source: Jerusalem Post

SYDNEY HAS BECOME THE AMSTERDAM OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC 8 Dec 2010

A confidential NSW Government document reveals Sydney alone has more than double the number of legal brothels than in the whole of Victoria and Queensland combined. In Sydney alone, there were 244 legal brothels, with a further 90 complaints about "suspected" illegal brothels. By comparison, all of Victoria has just over 90 legal brothels, while Queensland has 24. In total, NSW has 271 legal brothels, including full-service and "happy ending" massage brothels.

The shocking new figures are the first definitive statistics compiled in the state, and will heighten calls from law enforcement to rein in its growth amid claims the industry is being infiltrated by organised crime. Experts say it is far easier to start a brothel than a pub. What is more alarming is that these numbers may be just the beginning. Just 56 of the state's 152 councils - or just over a third - responded to the survey by the NSW Government. The state's other 96 councils refused.

Many abstainers were in country NSW, where an admission of the existence of working brothels would be highly embarrassing. Senior NSW officials delivered the figures in March this year in a report by the Government Interagency Brothels Taskforce, involving four separate agencies. It is believed the Government has been reluctant to release them because they are seen as political dynamite ahead of next year's state election.

The statistics show 150 illegal brothels operate in the state, with hundreds more are believed to be going unreported. Several industry figures estimate that there are at least 10,000 sex workers in NSW alone - Putting the state on a par with Amsterdam. The European sex capital is now winding back its legal brothel numbers due to major problems with organised crime and people trafficking. It has long been suspected Sydney is the sex capital of Australia, but the figures have shocked industry insiders.

A former ICAC and National Crime Authority organised crime investigator said the figures were the first ever gathered by a NSW government. "The proliferation of brothels has resulted from dysfunctional planning laws and legislation governing sex premises in NSW," he said. "There's no control. The approval process, which only looks at development issues, has no provision for any criminal links with owners or operators, unlike liquor licensing laws."

Chris Seage, a former high-level consultant to the legal brothel industry in NSW, said of the figures: "I'm staggered. I only thought there were about 150 legal brothels in NSW. Now it turns out there's double, and that's only in a third of the councils." Mr Seage said the key reason for the huge growth in legal brothels in NSW was "laissez faire" regulation. "We've left everything in the hands of councils, who are toothless in clamping down," he said.

"There's no probity checks done in NSW. Any Tom, Dick or Harry can own a brothel, irrespective of their criminal background. You can be a murderer or a crime boss and legally own a brothel authorised by council." Acting Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Mike McDermott, agreed councils did not have the ability to stop the spread of brothels: "We've been powerless to stop brothels starting up in our area." Mr McDermott has been unable to limit the 20 brothels in his area alone.

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

POPE BENEDICT CALLS FOR WORLDWIDE PRAYER AGAINST ABORTION 8 Dec 2010

The Pope has issued an unprecedented request for worldwide prayer against abortion. The call is not limited to Catholics with him asking “leaders of all churches to involve the faithful in their respective parishes, religious communities, associations and movements to engage with his prayer initiative. Mary McClusky, from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities in the Catholic Church, says the call is especially important at a time when attacks on the worth of human life seem to be at an all-time high.  

She said “With societies now endorsing the killing of humans as a perceived solution to economic, and environmental problems, the Pope's call reminds us of the necessity and power of prayer to protect human life.,” She said the Pope’s call “may help increase awareness about abortion, embryonic stem cell research, and other threats to children in their earliest weeks of life”.  Women who have had abortions “may be inspired to begin a much-needed conversation about healing from a past abortion."

Human Life International (HLI) director of international coordination, Joseph Meaney said, “The Pope for the first time in history has asked the Universal Catholic Church to gather together in common prayer for our preborn brothers and sisters who are being slaughtered around the world by abortion and other attacks of the culture of death.” Monsignor Ignacio Barreiro, interim president of HLI, says Christians of all streams can find unity in the call to prayer against abortion.    

Barreiro said “As the assaults on human life accelerate, the most powerful response we can make is to pray in unity for an end to the assault. Prayer grounds us in the only Power that can ultimately defeat the culture of death, so we are grateful to be united with the Pope in this historic event. I hope the call will re-motivate pro-life people to the cause. It is easy to become weary in our efforts to advance protection for the unborn and healing for post-abortive women and men.”

Source: LifeNews.com

EUTHANASIA LEGISLATION AGAIN FAILS THIS TIME IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA 8 Dec 2010

A push for voluntary euthanasia has failed in the South Australian Upper House, but proponents say the legislation will be back again next year. A Bill sponsored by Greens MLC Mark Parnell and Labor backbencher Steph Key was not voted on as it became clear the legislation would not get the support required to pass. Mr Parnell said he was disappointed the Bill had been defeated "on the voices", but said it could return to the Upper House next year if adequately amended in the Lower House.

The trend of the debate led Mr Parnell to conclude a vote on the Bill would have been lost 12 votes to 9. In a surprise move, Dignity for Disability member Kelly Vincent said she would support the legislation, but broke down as she told the House how she had grappled with her decision. She said "I have spent sleepless nights debating this Bill in my mind and I know I am disappointing many but I have worked hard to come to what I believe is the right decision for the citizens of this state." she said.

The public gallery of the Upper House was at full capacity included prominent euthanasia campaigner Dr Phillip Nitschke. Family First MLC Robert Brokenshire spoke strongly against the legislation saying it turned doctors from "life-savers into life-takers". Liberal MLC Michelle Lensink said she felt "rushed" and was not comfortable supporting the Bill. She said the fear of the legislation being abused or misunderstood, particularly in Aboriginal communities, had "tipped" her to oppose the legislation.

Independent Ms Bressington was applauded after she said she could not trust the Government to administer the Bill. "I don't care if it is not hip to be pro-life," she said. "There are slippery slopes, they do exist." Liberal Jing Lee, whose vote was one of the few being courted by both sides of the debate, said she had been convinced to oppose the Bill. "There are many problems with this Bill," she said. "What I am afraid of is voluntary euthanasia will inevitably mean in some cases involuntary euthanasia."

Labor Members Carmel Zollo and Bernard Finnigan and Liberal members Terry Stephens, David Rigway, Stephen Wade, Jing Lee, Rob Lucas and Michelle Lensink indicated they would vote against the Bill, while Labor MLCs Ian Hunter, John Gazzola and Gail Gago, Independent John Darley, Liberal John Dawkins and Speaker Bob Sneath spoke in favour of it.

Commenting on the failure of the legislation in South Australia, Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) Chief of Staff Lyle Shelton said "The failure of the bill marks the fifth time a State parliament has thrown out an euthanasia bill in the last two years. He urged Federal parliamentarians to take note of the failure of the SA bill saying that Australian parliaments should be looking to affirm the intrinsic worth of all human beings and looking to build a culture of life and hope - not one of death.

Source: Compiled by APN from various sources

BRITS TOLD TO INSURE THEMSELVES AGAINST DIVORCE 8 Dec 2010

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke wants to scrap legal aid for divorce lawyers. This means anyone who wants to protect themselves from the fallout from a broken marriage will have to pay for their own courtroom advice. The proposal raises the spectre of hundreds of thousands of husbands and wives taking out insurance policies against the cost of divorce. Critics will see such insurance cover as putting further pressure on the bonds of trust and affection that should keep married couples together.

One of Mr Clarke’s ministerial team, Jonathan Djanogly, said: ‘Couples are too ready and too willing to run to the courts. We think there can be a wider market in insurance. We would be creating a new market, but we want to see such a market.’ The decision to end legal aid for divorce comes in the wake of last month’s Supreme Court judgment that gave legal force to pre-nup deals. Many couples will now be paying lawyers to prepare pre-nups.  

The proposal is part of a shake-up of state-funded legal assistance announced by Mr Clarke. His sweeping reforms include: Barring aid for claims against hospitals and schools; Withdrawing support from actions by prisoners and welfare benefit disputes; Slashing payments to lawyers in ‘no-win no-fee’ cases. Mr Clarke wants to save at least £400 million a year from an annual bill of £2.1 billion. Some barristers who live on legal aid paid in civil disputes could see their fees slump by 40 per cent.  

Divorce insurance was introduced in the USA in 2005. It is now available in Britain and one company, Divorce Cover Limited, offers a divorce insurance policy to UK residents. Premiums start at around £750 for a one-off policy – or couples can pay a monthly standing order of around £10 for their entire marriage. The average cost of legal fees for divorce in the UK is £13,000 and the policy promises to cover this.

Source: The Daily Mail

BAPTIST CHURCH SPEAKS OUT ON SOME CURRENT SOCIAL ISSUES 8 Dec 2010

State and national Baptist leaders have given in-principle support for a constitutional amendment to recognise Australians of Aboriginal and Islander origin as first peoples of this nation. The unanimous decision came at a National Council meeting of the Baptist Union of Australia, now known as Australian Baptist Ministries (ABM), in Melbourne last month. Australian Baptist leaders have been in conversation with Indigenous leaders around Australia on the best ways forward in recent times.

"We would welcome a Constitutional amendment that has strong bipartisan support, acknowledges historical reality, and provides a way for all Australians to move forward together," ABM National Director Rev Dr Brian Winslade said. "It is important however to stress that symbolic words and actions do not by themselves bring about reconciliation. An amendment to the preamble of the Constitution must be accompanied by practical reconciliation strategies at the local community level."

"Relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians have a troubled history, but it is our hope that our churches and individuals will be inspired to lead the way in expressing practical reconciliation and forging a harmonious and prosperous future for all Australians." An excellent way to explore what practical reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians might look like is the Reconciliation Action Plans facilitated by Reconciliation Australia.

In another statement Baptist leaders also expressed opposition to the concept of euthanasia.With end-of-life issues gaining attention in parliaments around Australia and in the media, state and national Baptist leaders adopted the following resolution on euthanasia and assisted suicide at their National Council meeting in Melbourne.

The Baptist Union of Australia:

(a)    Accepts the Biblical teaching that all human persons are precious and of intrinsic worth since they are made in the image of God, and that death is a normal and natural part of every human life;

(b)   Affirms that the practice of not prolonging life with futile or burdensome treatment is morally acceptable;

(c)    Affirms that the practice of deliberately ending life in order to alleviate suffering is morally unacceptable;

(d)   Asserts that the state has an obligation to promote the health and wellbeing of its citizens - especially those who are elderly, disabled or otherwise vulnerable to abuse;

(e)    Notes that legalisation of euthanasia may encourage mistrust between patients and their carers, and between patients and their family members;

(f)    Acknowledges our concern that legalisation of euthanasia may result in creeping growth in the number of candidates for euthanasia and reduced funding for terminal care;

(g)   Calls on the Prime Minister and other Australian political leaders to oppose all initiatives to legalise euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide;

(h)   Calls on Federal, State and Territory politicians to request referral of bills to legalise euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide to parliamentary committees for careful scrutiny;

(i)     Calls on Federal, State and Territory Governments to commission research into alternatives to euthanasia and of the negative consequences of euthanasia in jurisdictions that have adopted it;

(j)     Calls on Federal, State and Territory Governments and the corporate sector to encourage alternatives to euthanasia and to provide increased funding for pain management and palliative care.

Source: Baptist Church Press Release

ALL FAITHS PRAY FOR END TO ISRAEL'S SEVEN YEAR DROUGHT 8 Dec 2010

Seven years of drought in the Holy Land has brought together Muslim, Christian and Jewish clerics to offer prayers for rain. At a spring named Ein Heniya in the Valley of the Ghosts that separates Jerusalem from the Bethlehem hills, the clerics gathered recently for an unusual prayer session. They decided to put aside their differences and united their prayers for the much needed rain." Orthodox Rabbi Menachem Froman said, "Before anything else, to live we need rain. If there isn't any rain, there won't be any Jews or Muslims or Christians here.

Rabbi Froman said that according to both the Jewish and the Islamic traditions, rain is due to the deeds of man, and if we make any step of peace between us, perhaps that will open the treasures of the skies and rain will fall. I came here with my Jewish and Muslim brothers to pray that God has mercy on us and bestows blessings and rain on this holy land," said Rev. Issa Elias Musleh, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem. "God willing, our prayers will reach Him, who will grant us all our wishes - for He is capable of changing all things..."

Source: Jerusalem Post

ALGERIA: OFFICIALS ORDER CLOSURE OF 19 PROTESTANT CONGREGATIONS 8 Dec 2010

Police have issued orders for three Algerian churches to cease activity, bringing to 19 the number of congregations told to shut down during the past year. The church closures come amid a flurry of antagonistic media articles warning of campaigns by Protestants to “Christianize” Algeria. Religious Affairs Minister Bu’Abdallah Ghoulamullah has called on Christian groups in Algeria to re-register according to Algeria’s associations’ law.  

Algerian Christians claim that the government has blocked them from carrying out the required re-registration of their churches. As most Algerian Christians are converts from Islam, the law could be interpreted to make nearly all Christian churches in the country illegal. Algerian authorities have begun comparing evangelization with terrorism in recent months. Ghoulamullah claims "Pastors come to Algeria to create minorities thus giving foreign countries a pretext to interfere in our internal affairs.”  

Ranging in size from several dozen to more than 1,000 members, 32 congregations in Algeria belong to the Evangelical Protestant Association (EPA), while another 20 small independent fellowships exist. Krim of the EPA said that five independent congregations and 14 EPA fellowships have been ordered to shut down. Krim said that he had felt the support of prayers from Christians around the world.“ I feel the effectiveness of prayers for me from our greater family everywhere,” the pastor said.

Source: Intercessors Network