Some of the gang are believed to be members of the Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab, which is linked to al-Qaida. Brits Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee, both 18, suffered face and body scarring after acid was thrown at them from a moped. They were victims of one of five acid attacks in the area in less than a year – the latest of which was on a Catholic priest. The motive for the attacks was initially unclear, but reports now suggest it might have been the work of terrorists. Police also seized 29 litres of acid, which they fear was to be used in future attacks.

Pray: that the girls will recover and that the authorities will trace the perpetrators. (Pr.21:15)

More: http://europenews.dk/en/node/71788

Birth statistics in the UK show that abortions on the basis of gender could be taking place in some communities. The findings were made after Government officials analysed the boy-girl ratios of births between 2007 and 2011 and found women in certain communities were giving birth to an unusually higher number of males than females. The Department of Health has refused to release information on the nationalities of such women, stating ‘ it was not in the public interest to do so’. Last week a Ten Minute Rule Bill calling for the Government to monitor the sex of aborted babies was presented jointly by Conservative MP Fiona Bruce and Labour MP Jim Dobbin, with its aims being supported by more than 50 MPs. During the debate, Mrs Bruce said, ‘What should cause real distress is that babies are being aborted because they are the wrong gender. The most dangerous place for girl should not be in her mother’s womb. A second reading on the Bill will take place on 26th April

Pray: for the Department of Health and the Government to open up an evidence based dialogue and then take appropriate action.

More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/abortion/mps-urge-government-to-monitor-gender-of-aborted-babies

Disturbing reports coming from England and Wales as national statistics show that more than a quarter of all deaths in the countries are caused by abortions. The numbers were released by the Office for National Statistics of the UK and offers a complete accounting of the mortality statistics for all deaths that occurred in 2010. The report listed a total of 493,242 deaths in England and Wales from ‘all causes’ in 2010. This number includes 224 babies who died ‘before, during or after birth.’ However, the 224 babies who died were not represented in the 189,574 human deaths from abortion in England and Wales in 2010. Adding the total number of pre-born babies who died as a result of abortion in 2010 to the total number of human deaths in England and Wales for that same year produces an overall total of 682,816 deaths. This leads to 27 percent or 189,574 of the 682,816 deaths being caused by abortion.

Pray: that as these staggering statistics become public that moves will be made by the authorities to change legislation to protect life. (Jn.17:15)

More: http://global.christianpost.com/news/abortion-is-27-percent-of-deaths-in-england-wales-189000-babies-terminated-in-2010-83726/

The Dail, (the Irish Parliament), is expected to conduct the first of a series of votes on the controversial issue of abortion in the coming days. If passed, the new legislation will allow abortion in Ireland in limited circumstances. Until now, abortion has been banned in the Republic, a traditionally Catholic country. But figures suggest at least 11 women leave every day for an abortion in Britain. BBC NI Dublin correspondent Shane Harrison reports on current Church-State relations in Ireland. There was a time when the Irish state and the Catholic Church had a very cosy relationship. But the revelations of child sex abuse by priests and its cover-up by bishops who were more worried about the Church's reputation than the plight of the victims, changed all that. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Enda Kenny told the House: ‘I am proud to stand here as a public representative, as a Taoiseach who happens to be a Catholic, but not a Catholic Taoiseach.’

Pray: for the Taoiseach as they vote on this issue that they will be guided to make the right decision. (Ps.48:14)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23061276

Perhaps the Queen had an inkling of how bad things were when she used her historic speech to Parliament last month to call on the nation to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee by being a good neighbour. It turns out 13 million of us (or 26 per cent) don’t know the name of the person who lives next door, 22 per cent don’t know what they do for a living, 7 per cent have absolutely no idea who they are and 3 per cent feel threatened by them, according to new research by FindaProperty.com. But the days of borrowing a cup of sugar might not be completely behind us, as the survey reveals that a fifth of us (or 19 per cent) say they would actually like to have a better relationship with their neighbours. Knowing the person next door can improve security and quality of life. We all want to feel safe and comfortable in our homes and the strength of our relationships with the people who live nearby affect this.

Pray: for neighbours to get to know each other and to be willing to reach out the hand of friendship. (Matt.7:12)

More: http://blog.zoopla.co.uk/2012/04/10/neighbour-dont-know-name/

The National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW) is encouraging Christians to pray for the world this Pentecost. NDOPW has written a special prayer that Christians can use: See: http://www.ndopw.com/content/pages/documents/1368179709.pdf Jonathan Oloyede, NDOPW convener, said: 'I believe strongly that this Pentecost Sunday must demonstrate even more than ever before the current move of God in our land. Let us celebrate the growing unity and increasing levels of prayer and collaboration amongst many groups and organisations. The NDOPW is encouraging Christians to pause at 12 noon each day o say the Lord's Prayer over the land. Christians are also being invited to share what God is saying to them via Twitter using the hashtag #pentecost13 It is our vision to see the British Isles and Ireland saturated with prayer so that God's Glory may fill the land. Join us in this quest to see the hand of God show up in these Isles as we unite in prayer.’

Pray: together with the many thousands of Christians across the world praying for the nations. (2Chr.7:14)

More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/a.prayer.for.pentecost/32478.htm#

The results of a Salvation Army survey suggest it may not be such a happy New Year for some Brits after all. A Populus survey of more than 2,000 adults for the charity found that 15% of people, particularly younger respondents and divorcees, feel less able to cope with problems over Christmas. Seventy-five per cent of respondents said they planned to spend Christmas with family, although nearly a third of 18 to 24-year-olds (30%) said they would like to spend Christmas with friends. The results of the survey suggest, however, that after the Christmas decorations have been packed away for another year, some people will struggle to find something to cheer about. A fifth of respondents said they were dreading the New Year. When asked why, 11% cited money worries, 7% loneliness, and 12% concerns about the future in general.

Pray: that those who struggle with worries, loneliness and concerns about the future will find their hope in Christ. (Ro.15:13)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/a.fifth.of.britons.dreading.the.new.year/29076.htm

The Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration held at York Minster last week was a special service to celebrate 200 years of Church schools led by the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu . The Christian Churches were the first to provide mass education in England and Wales, and the National Society was established to provide schools for poor children. These schools were to teach basic skills and also to provide for the moral and spiritual welfare of the children. There are now over 4,600 Church of England primary schools and more than 220 secondary schools in England and Wales educating approximately 1 million children. The Society also became the first organization to train teachers. The Revd Jan Ainsworth, General Secretary of the National Society said ‘Education for children in this country should also allow them to understand something of what the Christian faith offers and to use that as they find their own way through life.’

Pray: for Church schools, their staff and children; also for the National Society. (Ex.18:20)

More: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/articles.php/2080/a-celebration-at-the-minster-to-mark-200-years-of-church-schools

Andrew Johnston, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's advocacy director is cycling the length of Britain to raise money for Christians in Egypt. Andrew set off from John O' Groats on Sunday and will be working his way 888 miles south to Land's End where he hopes to arrive by August 31st. Funds raised will go towards the ‘No Way Out’ campaign supporting the church in Egypt. He will pass Manchester on Friday before stopping over at the Greenbelt Festival at the Cheltenham Racecourse this weekend. For decades Christians in Egypt have faced discrimination and violence, he hopes to raise £1,000 to support Egyptian Christians through prayer, solidarity and action. Over 15,000 people have already supported the campaign by signing a petition urging the UK and US Governments and the European Union to do what they can to bring an end to religiously-motivated violence. According to CSW there have been at least 20 attacks on religious minorities since the January revolution.

Pray: for Andrew's stamina and protection and for minorities to be treated equally in the new Egypt. (Pr.29:14)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/888mile.cycle.to.raise.money.for.egyptian.christians/28480.htm