International news briefs: 9 February
International news briefs: 9 February
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham invites the international Salvation Army to pray for the movement’s leaders over the coming months.
Salvos invited to pray for leaders
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, World Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, has invited the international Salvation Army to pray over the coming months for world leaders guiding our movement.
“Family, I believe the Holy Spirit is prompting us to pray for international and territorial leaders – as they move towards participating in a High Council, but also as they lead in these days where significant global challenges are impacting the Church,” she says.
“Our leaders need the focused, intentional prayers of the Army world, and over the next few weeks (February to May), I am calling for us to unite in praying together for our leaders, each week focusing on a different aspect of leadership.
“Focusing on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 17, we pray for our leaders to maintain a right relationship with God, for it is in pursuing this that the Spirit comes with divine perspective, insight, direction and courage to serve well. Our Army will thrive, God’s Kingdom will be extended, and those who lead will be strengthened and blessed in knowing that they are held before the Father by their people.
“From Scripture, it is clear that we are to honour, show respect and love for our leaders and to never stop praying. I hope for your prayers to join with mine as we seek God’s best for those who are leaders in the Lord’s work. God bless you.”
For more information and resources in different languages, click here
Salvos urged to pray for Turkey and Syria
Territorial Leader for The Salvation Army in Australia, Commissioner Miriam Gluyas, has urged all Salvos around Australia to pray for those impacted by the catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
“We pray for people who have lost loved ones, who are suffering, who are separated from family and are facing overwhelming loss. We will continue to pray for the people of these nations as they recover and rebuild, and we also pray for all those responding to this tragedy.”
The Salvation Army World Service Office is helping support relief efforts after the devastating earthquakes in the region where thousands have been killed, injured and left homeless. Donations can be made here.
General backs women’s rights in Afghanistan
General Brian Peddle has joined other faith and global leaders in signing a letter to the UN and OIC regarding Afghan women’s rights.
General Brian Peddle, the spiritual leader of The Salvation Army, has signed an open letter to the United Nations (UN) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressing significant disquiet about Afghan women’s rights.
The letter, signed by faith leaders and other global leaders, highlights “deep concern” about the latest developments in Afghanistan, where the higher education ban for women was reaffirmed and announced on 20 December 2022. By 24 December, the ban on women working in non-governmental and international non-governmental organisations was also announced.
The letter asks António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, and other officials of the organisation to note this “calamitous regression in human rights”.
Among a range of issues, the letter asks that the following questions be addressed:
- What are your predictions for the financial impact of the ban on women working in Afghanistan, and how would this ban affect the households currently headed by women who are sole wage earners – including the impact on Afghan boys? How many boys and girls are in households that would then have no wage earner?
- What are your projections for the impact on the Afghan nation’s overall financial and economic health when women are no longer able to earn an income from their public service?
- Are you interacting with male community leaders in the country? Are they unanimously backing the Taliban in this decision?
Seeking answers from the OIC on equally demanding questions, the letter asks what is the OIC – with its 56 member states, all of whom are also members of the UN – doing about this situation.
General Peddle said, “The Salvation Army is an international Christian movement, and, as such, our International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) based in New York is represented at the UN. Our role is to advocate for human dignity and social justice for the world’s poor and oppressed. It is in this capacity that I have signed this letter. It is essential that international organisations use their positions to be a voice for the voiceless.”
The letter concludes by thanking the UN and the OIC in advance for their cooperation, which should then “help history to document how your esteemed organisations, representing all of our governments, continue to honour basic obligations towards human welfare in the most troubled times humanity faces.”
Eastern Europe Territory to hold day of prayer for Ukraine Territory
The Eastern Europe Territory (EET) is inviting the Army world to join them in prayer for the war-torn Ukraine Division on Sunday 26 February.
The posters for this event, available in English, contain the words:
“From the ruined cities and villages, covered with the fragments of a once peaceful life, prayers flew like alarmed birds, begging for protection for the children, elderly, relatives and friends ... Insightful and fervent prayers rush to heaven – ‘Lord, help!’
“Brave, persistent, desperate and incredibly strong; frozen with fear, vulnerable, those who do not stop believing and hoping, Ukrainians – our prayers for each of you! For the end of the war, for recovery, for your families and homes, for your land!
“God himself says: ‘There’s no need to fear for I’m your God’. He gives strength, hope and safety. His love embraces everyone.”
For more information and to download resources, scan the QR code below, or click here
Resources are also available in the languages of the nations making up the EET – Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania and Ukraine.
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