In the traditional church calendar, “All Saints Day” and “All Souls Day” stand out in the month of November, set apart to remember the saints of the church and the souls of those who departed this world. It is fitting, then, that the modern church has set apart the month of November to remember and pray for the persecuted Church, through the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP).

There are many countries in the world today where Christians are martyred for their faith. Believers in Afghanistan are facing death threats; Christians in Uzbekistan, Nigeria and many other countries all around the world face violence, imprisonment and even death. There are other places in the world such as North Korea where acts of persecution take place, but we don’t see or hear of it. Brother Andrew of Open Doors once said, “Our heroes are not with us simply because they are in prison.”

IDOP is a time set apart for us to remember thousands of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world who suffer persecution, simply because they confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Source: http://idop.org/

Please visit the IDOP website for links to International IDOP websites and resources

Today

Nationally, Australia Day celebrations are growing each year. In 1996, an estimated 6.5 million Australians participated in Australia Day activities and recent polls show an overwhelming proportion of Australians now view the celebration of our national day as a significant and important event. In 2002, 7 million people participated in Australia Day. Australia Day marks both the past and the future of Australia. Direct celebrations of the past have subsided. There are fewer re-enactments of Phillip's landing. In 2002, The Daily Telegraph stated, "Australia Day has evolved into a much more important day than it used to be.

Australia Day has become a community day. There are still formal ceremonies throughout the country - flag raising, citizenship ceremonies and the presentation of important community awards such as Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year, but 26 January has become much more for the average Australian. Celebrations now include a strong festive aspect with special events encouraging the participation of the entire family and all members of a community.

Australia Day Committees involve their ethnic and indigenous communities, service clubs, sporting and cultural organisations while local government has become increasingly supportive. Theatrical performances, music, sporting events, speech days, multicultural and indigenous performances are all a major part of Australia Day. It has been a great innovation that people and communities get together with government bodies to make it a specific celebration."

There is a greater awareness of the need to celebrate modern Australia - a land of diverse ethnic makeup, a country working towards reconciliation with its indigenous people and a nation gearing itself for the challenges of globalisation, the removal of previously safe assumptions regarding national identity, and the uncertainties of a new century.

Australia Day is the centre of an evolving nation

Source: http://www.australiaday.com.au/studentresources/history.aspx

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