Weekly Prayer Letter

Prayer Diary For Week Commencing

SUN 8th JUNE

​Please pray about the continuing problem with retail firms' IT systems being attacked.  Recently another 2 have reported attacks, these being North Face and the luxury jewellers Cartier.  These firms have said customers' details were stolen but not their financial details.  Pray for all the retailers affected that they will be able to get back into full operation as soon as possible.  Also pray for the authorities that are investigating these attacks that they will be able to find out who is doing it and stop further attacks.

 

Please pray for peace and calm in South Korea now a new president has taken up his post.  The election came about after riots and attempts to enforce martial law in the country.

 

Please pray about the water supply firms in this country, some of whom are struggling to survive and others failing to deal with things like sewage leakages.  Especially pray for Thames Water which could now slip into very messy administration under government control after an American equity firm has pulled out of a rescue deal.

 

Please pray about the village Blatten in Switzerland, part of which has been flattened by part of a glacier that has broken away.  The village was evacuated some days before but one person is still missing.  Please pray for everyone who has had their lives upset.

 

Please pray about the continuing problem with shortages of some vital drugs.  This is not just affecting our country but many other countries as well.  Pray that production will keep up with the need.

 

Please pray about a recent crush outside a cricket ground in India during a celebration of the local club winning the Indian Premier League.  About 10 people were killed and others injured.  Pray that the injured will make a complete recovery and for those that have lost loved ones in this tragic event.

 

Please pray for our preachers who are preaching next Sunday.

Pray for the preparation as well as the service.

Susan Chambers taking the early Communion service with us at Scartho and a Communion service

at Waltham, John Boardman taking a Communion service at Healing and Myra Wood with us at Scartho. 

 

Please pray for the church in Pakistan.  It is number 8 on the Open Doors at risk list.  Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws are often used to target minority groups, but Christians are disproportionately affected.  Indeed, roughly a quarter of all blasphemy accusations target Christians, who make up just 1.8 per cent of the population.  Blasphemy laws carry a death sentence.  While this is seldom carried out, people accused of blasphemy are vulnerable to attack or murder by mobs.  In June 2024, an elderly man was killed by mob violence after being accused of desecrating the Quran.  The 2023 attack on Christian homes and buildings in Jaranwala continues to contribute to a climate of fear.  Historical churches have relative freedom for worship and other activities.  However, they are heavily monitored and have been targeted for bomb attacks.

The number of Christian girls (and those from other minority religions) abducted, abused and forcefully converted to Islam (frequently backed by lower courts) is growing.  And churches that engage in outreach are particularly prone to opposition.  All Christians suffer institutionalised discrimination.  Occupations that are deemed low, dirty and degrading – such as cleaning sewers or working in brick kilns – are reserved for Christians by the authorities.  Many are referred to as 'chura', a derogatory term meaning 'filthy'.  Christians are also vulnerable to being trapped in bonded labour.

 

 

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