Syria: Christians worldwide praying
Christians around the world are praying today for peace in Syria and the wellbeing of millions of refugees who have left their homes because of the fighting. Pope Francis appealed to the world's 1.2 billion Catholics to join him in a day of prayer and fasting for the country. In a letter to Pope Francis, the Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Badreddin Hassou, spiritual leader of Sunni Islam, welcomed the appeal and said he would be joining in praying and fasting for peace in his country. Orthodox leader the Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I and the head of the World Evangelical Alliance, Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe, have both backed the prayer call. The Bishop of Wakefield, the Right Reverend Stephen Platten, has also encouraged Church of England parishes to join with others this weekend in praying for peace in Syria. The Church of England has also published prayers for Syria. See: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/18960
Pray: for Syria, its people, its refugees, its leaders and for the international response to be one that will promote peace. (Mat.5:9)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christians.worldwide.praying.for.syria/33881.htm#!
Afghanistan: MP says ‘execute Afghan Christian converts’!
A member of Afghanistan's Parliament has suggested that all those who have converted from Islam to Christianity should be executed, according to Islamic Sharia Law, in order to stop the rapid growth of Christianity among Afghans within and outside the country, reports Mohabbat News. An Afghani news service, Ava, has published a report stating that the number of Christians is increasing in the country. The Afghan news service quoted Nazir Ahmad Hanafi, Afghani Parliament Member, as saying, ‘Afghani citizens continue to convert to Christianity in India. Numerous Afghanis have become Christians in India. This is an offence to Islamic Laws and according to the Quran they need to be executed’. Earlier, another member of Afghanistan's Parliament had acknowledged that an Afghani church had been built in India. He said, ‘A church has been built in India called Afghani's Church. Any Afghanis', citizen who travels to India would be officially invited to the church’.
Pray: for the protection of those who choose to follow Jesus. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue20961.html
Philippines: Fighting rages amid hostage crisis
Fresh fighting is reported as troops in the Philippines have surrounded six villages in the south of the country where hundreds of fighters linked to the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) are holding at least 170 hostages.Six military tanks went into the area. 'The standoff began a day earlier after MNLF fighters marched into Zamboanga city to raise their flag at a city hall', military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ramon Zagala said. At least six people, including a naval soldier, were killed when the Philippine Navy tried to block the rebels and about 220 civilians were initially taken hostage by the fighters, military officials said after the pre-dawn attack. Zagala said the hostages were being used as a ‘human shield’ by up to 300 MNLF fighters.
Pray: for a breakthrough that will bring a resolution to this conflict and peace to this land. (Ps.37:37)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacific/2013/09/20139106147258221.html
Zimbabwe: Millions at risk of chronic hunger
Zimbabwe is facing a ‘dire’ food situation after erratic rains and ‘unusual’ mid-season droughts triggered critical levels of crop failure, Christian Aid has warned. The World Food Programme estimates the number of people who will need food assistance in the coming months at two million. Christian Aid said the insufficient maize and cereal harvests, low grain stocks and inflated prices have forced the Zimbabwean government to make expensive food imports primarily from neighbouring Zambia and South Africa. Christian Aid's country programme manager for Zimbabwe, Miriam Machaya, said that Insiza district had been particularly hard hit, with partner organisation Zimpro reporting that only three out of the 23 wards recording surplus food. ‘The food security situation in Zimbabwe is dire, especially in the arid and marginalised Matabeleland provinces where Christian Aid and our local partner organisations work,’ she warns.
Pray: for the people of Zimbabwe and the critical drought situation. Pray that the world will have compassion on them and help to alleviate their needs. (Is.58:10-11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/millions.of.zimbabweans.at.risk.of.chronic.hunger/33900.htm
Laos: Christian villagers face deportation for faith
Some 50 Christians in central Laos faced imminent expulsion from their homes Friday, September 6, for refusing to recant their faith in Christ, representatives told BosNewsLife. The Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF) group said the chief of Nongdaeng village in Bolikhamsai province ‘summoned representatives’ of 11 Christian families to appear before an official meeting at local government headquarters where they were told to abandon Christianity or face deportation. ‘In the meeting, officials ordered all 11 families, consisting of 50 individuals, to recant of their Christian faith and return to their traditional animist religion,’ explained HRWLRF, which is in close contact with the believers. ‘They charged these Lao Christians with believing the religion of a foreign Western power which is considered destructive to the nation.’
Pray: for the believers in Laos that God will strengthen them and help them to stand firm. (Col.1:11)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/30247-laos-christian-villagers-face-deportation-for-faith
Syria: Terrorists overcome ancient Christian village
According to Breitbart.com and Daily Mail reports, Syrian rebels connected to al-Qaeda have taken over the mostly Christian village of Maaloula in Syria (near Damascus), and are terrorizing the Christians there; insisting they convert to Islam or die. One resident told the Daily Mail, ‘They shot and killed people. I heard gunshots and then I saw three bodies lying in the middle of a street in the old quarters of the village.’ Another added, ‘I saw the militants grabbing five villagers and threatening them and saying, either you convert to Islam, or you will be beheaded.’ There have been conflicting reports as to whether or not the al-Assad regime or the rebels are in control of the city. According to the Daily Mail, the village, built among the mountains, is on the UNESCO list of world heritage sites.
Pray: for believers and all those being terrorized by al-Qaeda linked rebels. (Ps.140:1)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html
Global Observance Sunday, September 22, 2013
There is nothing more important your church can do for teens now. Nothing. Pray with youth. Change your church’s future.
Unite generations. Transform lives.
Pray With Youth is the easiest, most essential campaign your congregation will ever accept with the greatest impact. Read and sign the declaration. Register your church. Download the free the free tools.
Get started today.
DECLARATION
• We believe youth are created for significance and service.
• We believe youth are under intense cultural pressures.
• We believe that youth are called to mission and ministry.
• We believe youth are absolutely vital to the life of the Church.
• We believe youth are central to on-going future of the Church.
Therefore, we accept the call to join the Body of Christ and pray for youth for:
• Their Call: Young people are ready to step-up and accept God’s call and plan for their life.
• Their Cause: Young people have a path that is theirs to follow and a place in the church to serve.
• Their Concerns: Young people have Godly hearts that beat for the needs of others in this world.
• Their Culture: Young people are on the front lines in their schools and in their communities.
Sign the declaration now!
"God delights to answer the prayers of youth and children, and He has used their prayers in wonderful ways both in Scripture and the history of the Church. Prayer is also the Lord's way for them to receive His unique calling and be equipped to carry it out. Pray with Youth is crucial for the current spread of God's Kingdom through the linking of generations and also for the raising up of future leaders to do exploits for Him in the coming generations."
John Robb, Chairman, International Prayer Council
21 days for Global Harvest. September 29-October 19, 2013
21 Days for Global Harvest. This is an annual worldwide prayer campaign for the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation. It is 21 consecutive days of passionate, heart-level prayer and intercession, seeking God to move significantly, so that His kingdom might come among the remaining unreached and unengaged people groups. Individuals, churches, para-church ministries, campus fellowships, mission organizations gather daily in small groups for 30 minutes to 1 hour to “stand in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30) for personal revival and spiritual awakening in the body of Christ that leads to a surrendered focus on the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Individual and groups sign up on the website and adopt (for the purpose of the 21 Days Prayer), an unreached and unengaged people group and then dedicate September 29-October 19th, 2013, to praying for the move of God among the people group.
For further details, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
You can also log on to www.21daysofprayer.net/
Daniel Bourdanne - IFES General Secretary - "What a tremendous privilege to pray together for God's power to transform many, many more lives around the world - in our universities, in our societies, among those people groups with the fewest followers of Christ."
Edmund Chan - Leadership Mentor, Covenant Evangelical Free Church, Singapore - "May a mighty harvest come forth from this God-inspired 21 Days For Global Harvest prayer campaign."
John Robb - International Prayer Council - "Throughout the history of mission, times of informed, heartfelt prayer have been used by God to launch whole new missionary enterprises."
Student Volunteer Movement 2 (SVM2) (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Northern Mexico continues to struggle with crime, violence and kidnappings, which is why Alicia Margarita Arellanes Cervantes, the mayor of Monterrey, Mexico, is giving the city over to God:
"I, Alicia Margarita Arellanes Cervantes, give Monterrey, Nuevo León, to our Lord Jesus Christ, so that his kingdom of peace and blessings may be established. I open the doors of this municipality to God as the ultimate authority. Lord Jesus Christ, welcome to Monterrey, the house that we have built. This is your home Lord Jesus, Lord of Monterrey."[1]
Arellanes isn't the only Mexican mayor to have dedicated her city to the Lord lately. According to The New York Times (NYT), "it turns out that the mayors of Guadalupe and Juárez, two towns close to Monterrey, and of Ensenada, in Baja California, (have) already done the same."[2]
Not surprisingly, Arellanes' speech has caused quite a stir to many in Mexico, both positive and negative responses from citizens, legislators, and the media. We at BridgeBuilders see this as a powerful answer to the intercession of thousands in Mexico and the USA who have united in prayer to invite God's transforming presence back to our two nations and to our border.
PRAY:
- Father God, thank you for the boldness of these mayors and may others in both Mexico and the USA follow their lead in claiming their cities for Christ. We ask You, God, to give holy boldness to others in influential positions in Mexico and the USA to make a public stand for You and Your righteous ways.
- Lord, raise up a shield of protection for those who are speaking out for You, both on a professional and personal level.
- We pray for a multiplication of the intercessors praying on both sides of the border--that a shift in the spiritual atmosphere will occur. We pray that our communities will be delivered from a culture of death and despair and instead will foster life and hope.
[1] "Mayor of Monterrey, Mexico Gives the City over to God." KPCC. N.p., 13 June 2013. Web. 26 June 2013.
[2] Steffan, Melissa. "Mayor 'Gives Away' Mexico's Wealthiest City to Jesus, Prompting Church-State Debate." N.p., 13 June 2013. Web. 26 June 2013.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Pastor Gloria Au Yeung, a prayer leader and colleague in Hong Kong reports: “The “New Wave China National Network” was launched in July, connecting and converging the Prayer Wall movement to the WPA as a mighty river with the nations.
After the kicking off of the New Waves China Network in July, which coincides on the same day of the official starting of operation of the New Silk Route High Speed Rail from China to Europe, across six major nations along Central Asia, Russia, Poland and Germany, great wonderful supernatural things are moving so swiftly everyday on a corporate level and in a very unique and divine way, like never before! All leaders in the mainland of this New Wave China Network have also been attending the WPA last year, they are so excited and eager to connect more with the nations to move forward.
Then on the following day of Aug 6, there was an amazing sign of open heaven seeing a huge sign of a cross over the sky in the western part of HK in Tuen Mun extending to the area in the Central of HK island. There is already mass level publicity on this in the media. The prophetic sign of redemption for our City is so clear and of high profile!
Amazingly yesterday, another rare sign also occurred. Almost all our City are able to witness a double rainbow beautifully appeared in the sky over central Kowloon across to the most eastern part of our City.
This lasted quite long and so many people were able to catch these marvelous vision! We rejoice and celebrate God's faithfulness and His great promised for our City!
What amazing double signs from our Father showing His delight, promises, redemption and deep revelation to our beloved City. The time has come!
Nothing out of coincidence, yesterday was also the day that we were able to wonderfully complete our 30 - days prayer to the Muslims during their Ramadan by His grace, and at the same time, two great launching out of two big cities were simultaneously being launched out on the same day!
From the West to the East, the heavens declares His glory! Psalms 19:1-7, Psalms 68:1-2 The time has come, it is NOW! HERE and NOW!
Let's rejoice, thankful and meditate on His loving kindness and faithfulness among the nations!
Gloria Au Yeung, Kingdom Harvest Ministries