Please remember Kenneth Bae (Bae Jun Ho) who is held captive in North Korea. He has been able to send letters home to his family and a video interview with him was released recently. His health (he is diabetic) has been deteriorating. His family is working hard to get the US government interested in freeing him but have been disappointed with the response so far…
The Kaesong Industrial zone is still closed down and talks about opening it have not been successful so far. There is growing concern that this landmark symbol of North and South Korean cooperation may fade away with the North Korean government taking possession of all the assets belonging to South Korean companies.
Internal discontent continues to grow inside North Korea over a number of things not least of which is growing corruption among officials. Things have also been aggravated by quick decisions made with seemingly little thought as to consequences. A couple of Kim Jong Un's recent efforts have back fire. Supposedly concerned about students, he shortened the school year only to anger people because of the shorter period to prepare for exams. His major publicity effort to create a modern ski resort is also causing a lot of grief and disillusionment (and attempts to stem the flow of bad news) as heavy rains caused major mud slides there.
The recent seizure of a North Korean ship transiting the Panama Canal from Cuba that contained MiG jets and obsolete missile parts supposedly bound for North Korea to be refurbished has raised again the specter of North Korean arms trade. At the same time, the North continues to try to bolster their image as a threatening nuclear power by featuring their backpack bomb unit (see picture here) at the recent parade to celebrate the "Great Fatherland Liberation War Victory Day" (July 27th, the 60th anniversary of the armistice ending active fighting in the Korean War in 1953). Experts are not much concerned, though. The North lacks the skill to truly miniaturize a nuclear device that would fit in a back-pack.
Ben Torrey <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Song about North Korea by Robert Park
Watch the music video for the song “Indifference”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILjAP5SmxTE&feature=youtu.be
The song “Indifference” deals with the ongoing North Korean humanitarian/human rights emergency, and the seemingly willful powerlessness of the international community to meaningfully address it. While much attention is paid to the DPRK’s nuclear and WMD development, virtually nothing is being done to prioritize the lives of starved, brutalized and enslaved masses, including numberless children. A decades-long compassionless and uncreative fear-based approach to North Korea has only exacerbated the crisis on every level, and at an incalculable human loss.
STOP NK GENOCIDE <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Pray for the release of Ken Bae and all held in prison camps who are suffering for their faith or for suspicion over their political persuasions. All three generations of the families of those accused of being Christians or being disloyal to the government are imprisoned to be worked to death. Pray for the closing down of such Nazi-like concentration camps and for either the reform or removal of the wicked regime of Kim Jung Un.
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/
Doesn’t it seem to you like North Africa is restless? In the last month, there has been continued civil unrest in Mali which threatens to spill over into Mauritania and Morocco. The Western Sahara issue continues to be unsettled. Government ministers in Morocco resigned from the Islamist party led coalition. Algeria fears for the health and life of its President and wonders what will happen when he dies one day. Tunisia has been rocked by assassinations, bombs and protests. Libya continues to suffer from lawlessness, protests and violence. Egypt is gripped by uncertainty over its leadership, stability and peace. North and South Sudan wrestle with conflict, violence and all it means to be new nations.
What is happening? It seems that this great restlessness is a sign of some deeper longings. People are unhappy with what has been happening in their nations. Are they looking for a saviour when they really need THE SAVIOUR? Let’s ask God this month for the restlessness in people’s hearts to cause many to stop and evaluate what they are actually longing for. May many recognize the emptiness in their hearts and souls and begin to look for the Truth that will fill it. Pray Jesus to reveal Himself as the God of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness and Self-Control. For those who already know Jesus, pray Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Ask God to keep holding back the darkness to allow more of His light to shine into North Africa.
Marriage not a priority for prospective parents
A new poll has found that most young people do not plan to get married before starting a family. Their thinking has been put down to uncertainty over the cost of living and the current job market and reflects a very different understanding of settling down to that of their parents. 54 per cent say they do not expect to be married before having their first child, according to the research by Santander Insurance. Only 45 per cent believe they will own their own home before having children and only four in ten expect to begin parenthood with a secure job or a regular income. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, commented: “The link in people’s minds between marriage and having children has been severed. This is not for the best. Research, such as that done by the Centre for Social Justice, has repeatedly shown that family breakdown is far less likely when parents are married.
Pray: for a wider understanding of the benefits of marriage particularly in family life. (Eph.5:33)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/family/marriage-not-a-priority-for-prospective-parents
Samaritans aim to cut suicides on railways in Wales
Volunteers from Samaritans are hoping to reduce the numbers of suicides on Welsh railways by visiting stations to raise awareness of help available. The charity says the number of suicides in general is rising, with anecdotal evidence that people are concerned about jobs and benefit changes. Leaflets will be given to passengers at south Wales stations to encourage them to call the charity if they need help. On average, one person a day tries to take their life on the UK's railways. The volunteers from Samaritans' Cardiff branch - which also covers the south Wales valleys - decided to "reach out to the community" because they said they were getting more calls for help. It is part of a wider national campaign being run by the charity and Network Rail, launched in 2010, to reduce suicide on the UK's railways by 20% in five years.
Pray: for the Samaritans, their work and the people they help. (Ps.51:12)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-23641945
Over 100 days of the Welsh Outpouring
Crowds continue to flock to Cwmbran, hungry to experience the manifest presence of God. What has been witnessed is amazing. Well over 900 people have come to Christ and hundreds have reported healings since April 10th! Last night was absolutely incredible! Many people came to Christ and we also heard from Rhianna, a young girl who had a life-threatening brain tumour. Her doctors are amazed and declared her free of cancer last week! Another woman who came to Cwmbran two weeks ago, was in touch today, to tell us that after receiving prayer for suicidal desires, she has been completely set free. Another woman has reported that her arthritis has been much improved and that she has no pain! We are continuing day by day to listen to God and obey His voice. Every day is different, but one thing never changes - Jesus. He is still the answer. (See Prayer Alerts 19-20-22-25&28)
Praise: God for His continued blessing and this outpouring. (Ps.85:6)
More: http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/100-days-of-the-welsh-outpouring
Over 100 days of the Welsh Outpouring
Crowds continue to flock to Cwmbran, hungry to experience the manifest presence of God. What has been witnessed is amazing. Well over 900 people have come to Christ and hundreds have reported healings since April 10th! Last night was absolutely incredible! Many people came to Christ and we also heard from Rhianna, a young girl who had a life-threatening brain tumour. Her doctors are amazed and declared her free of cancer last week! Another woman who came to Cwmbran two weeks ago, was in touch today, to tell us that after receiving prayer for suicidal desires, she has been completely set free. Another woman has reported that her arthritis has been much improved and that she has no pain! We are continuing day by day to listen to God and obey His voice. Every day is different, but one thing never changes - Jesus. He is still the answer. (See Prayer Alerts 19-20-22-25&28)
Praise: God for His continued blessing and this outpouring. (Ps.85:6)
More: http://www.victorychurch.co.uk/100-days-of-the-welsh-outpouring
School axes ‘explicit’ sex education DVD
A primary school in Sussex has scrapped a sex education DVD after parents complained about its explicit content. Governors at Turners Hill Primary School ruled that the video was not in keeping with their ethos following concerns about sexually graphic scenes. From September the video, which had been used for a year, will be replaced with a new discussion-based PowerPoint presentation. Parents will be invited to see the new material before the pupils see it and may withdraw their child from the lessons if they wish. Head teacher of the Church of England school, Oliver Burcombe, supports the governors’ decision. He said policies had been reviewed, and it was decided all materials ‘should be changed and based more around Christian principles’.
Praise: God that wise decisions have been made and pray for guidance to those who have the responsibility to teach our children. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/school-axes-explicit-sex-ed-dvd-after-parents-complaints/
School axes ‘explicit’ sex education DVD
A primary school in Sussex has scrapped a sex education DVD after parents complained about its explicit content. Governors at Turners Hill Primary School ruled that the video was not in keeping with their ethos following concerns about sexually graphic scenes. From September the video, which had been used for a year, will be replaced with a new discussion-based PowerPoint presentation. Parents will be invited to see the new material before the pupils see it and may withdraw their child from the lessons if they wish. Head teacher of the Church of England school, Oliver Burcombe, supports the governors’ decision. He said policies had been reviewed, and it was decided all materials ‘should be changed and based more around Christian principles’.
Praise: God that wise decisions have been made and pray for guidance to those who have the responsibility to teach our children. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/school-axes-explicit-sex-ed-dvd-after-parents-complaints/
Historic non-stop prayer sweeps Muslim Indonesia
A powerful prayer movement is rising in the world's largest Muslim nation. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, Indonesian Christians intercede for their country. It was a scene never witnessed before in Indonesia's history. ‘I don't know another nation on earth like Indonesia where the church has become so passionate and united in prayer,’ Tom Victor, with the American-based Great Commission Coalition, said. Last year, more than 9,000 Christians from around the world descended on the Indonesian archipelago for a massive prayer gathering led by scores of Indonesian churches united to see the name of Jesus Christ lifted. Dr. Bambang Widjaya was a key architect of the event. ‘We can see the zeal, not only among the evangelical or Pentecostals, but also in the mainline churches and Catholic that we need to spread the Good News of Christ all over the country,’ Widjaya said. (See Prayer Alert 20-2012 World Prayer Assembly)
Praise: God for His grace and favour. Long may it continue! (2Cor.4:15)
More: http://www.openheaven.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=43816&PN=1