AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* QUEENSLAND’S $2.35 BILLION A YEAR BOOZE BILL

* VIOLENT COMPUTER GAMES MAY BE ALLOWED INTO AUSTRALIA

* ABBOTT URGES GIRLS TO VALUE THEIR VIRGINITY

* 40 DAYS OF PRAYER LEADING UP TO EASTER

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QUEENSLAND’S $2.35 BILLION A YEAR BOOZE BILL

(Editors note: Queensland has been singled out in this article only because the news story came from a source in that State. It is almost certain that figures for other States, if known, would show a similar increase in per capita level of alcohol consumption.)Queenslanders are spending more on booze than ever before. According to the latest figures available, Queenslanders spent a record $2.35 billion for alcohol in the year to the end of September 2009. Compared to the previous 12 months, spending on alcohol was up by about 8 per cent. The data has alarmed health campaigners, reigniting calls for hikes in alcohol taxes as part of proposed sweeping tax reforms and prompting a leading doctor to suggest Australia consider banning heavy drinkers, as well as smokers and obese patients, from free public health services.While the spike in spending on alcohol was partly explained by price increases, health policy researcher Dr Gwendolyn Gray also pointed to the tough economic times. “When people are more distressed, they go for more comforting kinds of behaviours,” she said. “Also people who have lost their jobs often don’t feel very good about themselves and often indulge in self-destructive behaviour.” Alcohol and Drug Foundation Queensland chief executive Mitchell Giles warned the continuing binge would leave society with a costly hangover without tough new measures.”It’s not just cirrhosis of the liver and frontal lobe impairment, but there are the motor vehicle accidents, domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, violent crime – a significant percentage of all of those are associated with intoxication,” Giles said. In October chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs John Herron wrote in The Courier-Mail: “The most recent annual cost to Australian society of alcohol-related health harm, lost productivity and crime is estimated to be more than $15 billion.”Dr Herron said more than 3400 Australians died each year because of their alcohol consumption and an average four Australians under the age of 25 died each week from alcohol-related injuries. One in four hospital admissions of people aged 15-24 was the result of alcohol and each week 70 under 25 would be admitted to hospital due to alcohol-caused assault, he said. The Australian Medical Association and other health campaigners have urged the Federal Government to increase taxes on alcohol to force up prices.But AMA Queensland president Mason Stevenson went further, saying access to the health system would have to be reconsidered unless people drastically cut their unhealthy addictions or governments significantly increased health spending. “All the recent data fuels the debate about the ability of governments to continue to provide free and unimpeded access to medical services for people who insist on their right to slow suicide at the expense of the nation,” Dr Stevenson said.”There needs to be health cost implications for patients who insist on smoking, drinking or eating to excess.” Last year, the Federal Government raised the excise on alcopops by 70 per cent. But a report in September from the Government’s preventative health taskforce called for further reform of alcohol taxes as well as a sharp hike in the cigarette excise. The Government has estimated that it will collect $5.5 billion in tobacco excises, $2 billion in beer excises, $710 million from the wine equalisation tax and $970 million from other beverages this financial year.

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

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VIOLENT COMPUTER GAMES MAY BE ALLOWED INTO AUSTRALIA

Computer games with extreme violence and sex are banned in Australia, however the Government is considering lifting this. The introduction of an R18+ rating for computer games would allow the sale of graphic violent and sexual content across Australia. Even though it would be illegal to sell R18+ games to minors, it would be naïve to think they would not end up in the hands of children. Research has proven that video games, which include things like suicide bombing, rape, graphic murder, prostitution and drug use are more dangerous than film and television.The games are highly interactive and in many cases the user takes on the role of the aggressor and is rewarded for immoral and violent behaviour. As a result, adolescent users become more aggressive in their attitudes and behaviours and become desensitized to violence. The Federal Attorney-General’s Department has released a public discussion paper which outlines arguments for and against lifting the ban on R18+ video games and is calling for submissions before 28th February.Those wishing to engage in this public discussion should go to http://www.makeastand.org.au “R18+ no game” to make a submission.

Source: Australian Christian Lobby

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ABBOTT URGES GIRLS TO VALUE THEIR VIRGINITY

Tony Abbott has waded into dangerous waters again, this time recommending that women stay virgins until marriage. In an interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly, the Opposition Leader says women should try to stick to ”the rules” when considering sex before marriage. When they could not abstain, they should use contraception, he says. The article traverses Mr Abbott’s views on sex, marriage and the advice he gives his three daughters, Louise, 21, Frances, 18, and Bridget, 16.But the comments could inflame women’s groups who have taken issue with Mr Abbott’s conservatism and obstruction of the abortion pill RU486 as health minister. In the interview, Mr Abbott says contraceptives have liberated men as much as they have women, and says unmarried women are being taken advantage of as a result. Asked what advice he gives his own daughters on sex, Mr Abbott says virginity should be treated as ”a gift”.

Source: Compiled by APN from media reports

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40 DAYS OF PRAYER LEADING UP TO EASTER

The Australian Prayer Network is joining with, Transforming Melbourne, Campus Crusade for Christ, Fusion, Partners in Prayer Australia, and Eternity Newspaper to invite you and your church to share with Christians and churches across Australia in a season of 40 days of united prayer concluding on Palm Sunday 28th March.The focus of the 40 Days is Abiding in Jesus for Fruit That Transforms Cities – prayer for the Fruit of God’s Spirit to transform us and His church – and through us – our local communities and cities across Australia.Each week we are providing the daily prayer points and bible readings to assist you with your commitment. We are releasing the daily content one week in advance to enable Churches to reprint the material in their weekly bulletins each Sunday during the season of prayer.Week 2 PRODUCING FRUIT THAT LASTS – SOW LOVE What would your world look like with God’s love flowing through it?

Sunday 21st February Jn 3:16-17, 1Jn 4:16-17 Reflect prayerfully on your belief, trust and reliance on God’s great love through Jesus. Monday 22nd February Ps 5:7, Heb 4:16 Fearlessly and boldly enter the consuming power of God’s oving and merciful presence. Tuesday 23rd February Jn14:15,23,31, 2 Jn 6 To love is to obey. Pray for revelation on ways you can abide deeply by doing only what the Father commands. Wednesday 24th February Jer 31:3, Mk 12:29-30 Pray by name for others in your sphere of influence to be drawn by their Father’s love. Thursday 25th February Matt 22:39, Matt 5:44 Pray with forgiveness and love for your ‘neighbours’ and ‘enemies.’ Friday 26th February Jn 13:34-35 Will local people know Jesus’ love through how they see you love other Christians in your region? Saturday 27th February Heb 12:14-15, Eph 4:15-16 Pray with repentance and humility for the Church to love as our Lord loves us.

Source: Australian Prayer

http://www.ausprayernet.org.au/

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• SUDAN & BURMA: CHRISTIAN REFUGEES IN PERIL
• Pray for the World 6 February 2012
• PRAYER OF A HUMBLE SERVANT
• Prayers for Help in Times of Trouble
• Pray for the World (January 31, 2012)

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