How to pray when the world is in crisis
July 2014Alexandra Lilley, a curate in East London, asks how do we pray in the face of continuous heart-rending news reports, like those coming from Gaza, Iraq and the Ukraine? How do you pray for Gaza? I usually rouse from sleep, in my rumpled sheets, with John Humphries or Evan Davies. Exactly what I promised as a child to my parents, […]
How to rescue the persecuted without putting others in more danger
July 2014Article 5 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement International pressure secured the safe release of Meriam Ibrahim when she faced the death penalty in Sudan for her faith. But mishandled public campaigns on behalf of persecuted Christians can cause more harm than good. A Middle East writer outlines the pitfalls to avoid. We all followed the distressing trial […]
Loving our neighbours in a Ramadan summer – July 2014
July 2014“Friska… friska…” That’s what you’ll inevitably hear on the shores of Alexandria. “Friska” is a popular wafer and honey treat commonly sold on Alexandria beaches. It’s summertime! Summer is family time for Egyptians. Extended family members usually enjoy travelling together to the various resorts throughout the country. From the North Coast Mediterranean Sea with its beautiful turquoise waters to a […]
Syrian Refugee Children Talk Miracles
June 2014“The soldiers stopped our school bus and ordered us all to get off,” said Babel, a girl from the dangerous region of northern Syria, as she shared her story on SAT-7 KIDS on 20 April. “We were all terrified, but I started praying and in a strange way felt totally at peace. I knew God was going to intervene and […]
Alarm as Militants Overrun Northern Iraq
June 2014SAT-7 viewers in Iraq are among those at risk as a result of the advance of militant groups in the north of the country. SAT-7 ARABIC is calling on viewers to pray for them (see pic: “We pray for the people of Iraq. Pray with us.”) In this report, SAT-7 founder Dr Terence Ascott and a Middle East analyst comment. […]
Testimonies that build the hearer but break the teller
June 2014Article 4 in our series: The Ethics of Global Engagement Asking a believer from a non-Christian background to share their experience of God brings a responsibility, says a Middle East writer: to let them tell their story honestly, and to support them in their ongoing discipleship. All too often that isn’t what happens… When I first became a Christian from […]
His Spirit is with us – June 2014
June 2014“When you strip it of everything else, Pentecost stands for power and life. That’s what came into the church when the Holy Spirit came down on the day of Pentecost.” – David Wilkerson, The Cross and the Switchblade Two events gave a fresh and powerful impetus to the disciples of Jesus after their Master had died on the cross. The […]
A president’s inauguration: joy and questions – June 2014
“Tahya Masr,” Arabic for “Long live Egypt” is the phrase I heard repeatedly as I stood in the long lines awaiting to cast my ballot for Egypt’s president. A statement fuelled by hope, driven by patriotism, and unashamedly declaring a clear intention to vote for El-Sisi, who chose “Tahya Masr” as a very clever campaign slogan. Three long election days […]