Concern at Europe's 'energy dilemma'
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has voiced concern about Europe's ‘energy dilemma’. Opening the European business summit in Brussels on Wednesday, he said, ‘It's now becoming clear; eventually Europe may well be the only continent in the world to depend on imported energy. Already by 2035 our dependence on oil and gas imports will reach more than 80 per cent. This will have an impact on the competitiveness of our companies, and of our economy as a whole. He said he wanted the ‘energy dilemma’ to feature on the agenda at next week's Brussels summit of EU leaders and heads of state. In a keynote speech, Van Rompuy said that reviving job creation and growth was Europe's ‘foremost’ political priority. Other aims are fighting unemployment and supporting growth in the near term and strengthening the economic and monetary union.
Pray: for the Brussels summit as it gathers next week that wise decisions will be made by the delegates. (Pr.1:5)
NIGERIA: Christian leader killed as violence grows
Rev Faye Pama Musa, Secretary of the Borno state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria was shot dead at his home in Northern Nigeria on May 15th after being followed home by suspected Boko Haram militants after an evening Bible study. He had a wife and three children. Christians warn that they are the main target of on-going violence in Nigeria's restive northeast. Brigadier General Chris Olukolade said forces have successfully engaged a large number of heavily armed terrorists during the last few days as they attempt to curtail violence. By Tuesday 14th suspected Islamic extremists and three soldiers were reported dead. Twenty others have been arrested. Boko Haram extremists were reported ‘fleeing to Nigeria's borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger’, though that has not been confirmed. The president has called for the arrest of anyone suspected of working with the insurgents and ordered his forces to occupy any building housing extremists. See:http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/May/Christians-Remain-Targets-as-Violence-Grows-in-Nigeria/
Pray: against militant groups feeding off rampant poverty and corruption as they recruit the poorest people into violence. May the government officials and troops bring about good governance. (Ex.23:6-7)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/05/17/christian-leader-in-northern-nigeria-gunned-down-in-his-home/
USA: Governor calls for prayer for the miles of destruction
Residents of Moore are trying to recover and clean up as the Governor asked America to pray for Oklahoma. While people were at work and children in school a 20 mile long 1¼ miles wide tornado hit Moore on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. A resident said, ‘It's like a bomb dropped on Moore. I just praise God my daughter is safe.’ A fire fighter among the first responders to the crisis said that the devastation was unimaginable. ‘You could tell the people who lost everything. They have that look- like they aren't all there. They just walk around in a daze.’ Neighbourhoods are unrecognizable.’ Rescuers braved the danger of electrocution and fire from downed power lines and ruptured natural gas lines. President Obama has declared a major disaster. See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324787004578495501019509408.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_3 51people were killed, including 20 children. Some of the most heartbreaking stories have involved children, with the town's two schools taking a direct hit
Pray: for families of the deceased, and for the thousands who have been affected by homes, schools, businesses and medical centres being destroyed. (Ps.20:1a)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2013/May/At-Least-20-Children-among-Oklahomas-Dead/
Israel: Swastika flag flies over Palestinian village
On Monday Israel's Tazpit News Agency reported that hundreds of residents of the Gush Etzion area were ‘astounded’ to find a Nazi flag flying next to a mosque in the Palestinian town of Beit Ummar. The IDF were notified immediately. Local resident Uri Arnon said, ‘I felt we were going back 75 years, losing our hold on the land. The Arabs no longer feel the need to hide their murderous tendencies, announcing out loud that they wish to destroy us.’ Gush Etzion is a cluster of Israeli settlements of 70,000 people founded in the 1920’s south of Jerusalem. After the Six-Day War in 1967 many settlements, and a number of new ones, were rebuilt. There has been a history of Nazi sympathizers in the area among some Palestinians since the 1920’s when the Palestinian leader Haj Amin al Husseini (an outspoken Nazi collaborator) recruited Muslims to serve in the SS.
Pray: against violent sectarian incidences in the area. (Ps.46:9)
Iran: Riot police and threatened church closures in run up to June election
A former president supported by Iran’s moderates and considered a founding member of the Islamic republic was disqualified from being a candidate in Iran’s election, as was Ahmadinejad’s top aide Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei - their omission could cause a backlash from rivals of Iran’s conservative establishment. Large groups of riot police, similar to those on Tehran’s streets after the contested 2009 election results, patrolled on motorcycles throughout Tehran on Tuesday for the first time in more than a year. Many believe this was in anticipation of the candidate announcement. President Ahmadinejad cannot run for election again. He is limited to two terms. Under Iran's theocratic system Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wields supreme power making final decisions on nuclear and military questions. Meanwhile on Tuesday an AOG pastor in Tehran was detained as part of Iran's wider crackdown on evangelical believers. His church prepares for possible closure early June after pressure from the Intelligence Ministry. See: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12285
Pray: that the new president will embark on an international image makeover and open the door to less hostile relations with Christians, their Arab neighbours and the West. (Mic.4:3)
Central African Republic: Islamists terrorising Christians
Churches and mission stations are being looted, destroyed and pillaged by militia soldiers from the Central African Republic's new government. Sources in the country reported a number of Christians being killed or wounded in attacks by the Islamist rebel group Seleka which seized control of the country in March. Attacks include the pillaging of the Holy Ghost Fathers' motherhouse by armed gunmen, the abduction of Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bangui, and the Cathedral rector. Bishop Albert Vanbuel said the current situation is ‘a rebellion by religious extremists with evil intentions, characterised by a deliberate programme of desecration and destruction of religious buildings, especially Christian ones. They are targeting Catholic and Protestant churches. Throughout the country, the Catholic Church has paid dearly with many buildings damaged. The elements from Seleka continue to kill each day.’ Many Christians have fled their homes and taken refuge in the countryside, following militia attacks. There are many wounded and homeless needing essential blankets, food, and medicine.
Pray: against fear, hatred, violence and death, and for the Church powerfully to demonstrate peace and life throughout the region. (Is.3:10a &11a)
More: http://www.acnuk.org/news.php/428/central-african-republic-islamists-terrorising-christians
Egypt: Alexandria clashes
At least one Christian died and dozens were injured in clashes between Muslims and Christians in Egypt's Mediterranean port city of Alexandria on May 17th. Christian resident Sherif Sedky died of a heart attack during clashes, though some observers claimed he died of injuries. Fighting reportedly erupted late Friday when a Coptic man allegedly sexually harassed a Muslim woman. Soon after residents were firing birdshot and throwing Molotov cocktails at one another. There were also reports that more heavy machine guns were used, but those allegations could not be confirmed independently. Coptic Christians who comprise 10% of Egypt's mainly Muslim population and have complained attacks have increased over the past two years following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. The leader of Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church recently criticized the country's Islamist president over his handling of recent deadly sectarian violence, giving Islamist militants a free hand.
Pray: for the Egyptian Christians to be a witness to their neighbours. Pray also for missionaries facing the growing threat of persecution to stand strong in their faith
More: http://www.christianpersecution.info/index.php?view=12281bombings-1-2938703
Middle East: Tension between ethnic groups
Ten years after the Iraqi invasion toppled Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds have yet to find a stable power-sharing deal and there is escalating ethnic violence. Iraq’s Sunnis, who resent their treatment by Shiite Mr Maliki’s government, have staged mass protests since December. Sunni militants, some of them linked to al-Qaeda, have exploited the unrest urging Sunnis to take up arms. More than 700 people died violently in Iraq in April which according to the United Nations is the highest monthly figure in almost five years. The conflict in Syria where mostly Sunni rebels are fighting to topple president Bashar al-Assad is turning in part into a regional proxy war between Sunni and Shiite powers. Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Shiite Hezbollah group is now openly fighting alongside Mr al-Assad’s forces which are dominated by members of his minority Shiite-linked Alawite sect. The result of years of unrest in the region has produced millions of refugees, many of them Christian.
Pray: against religious and ethnic violence. Pray for better provision for orphans, widows and those suffering because of events outside their control. (Ja.1:26,27)
More: http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/politics/iraq-violence-grows-with-fresh-wave-of-car-
Get Ready for the Harvest
How to evangelize?
On this day, millions of Christians will share the Gospel, many of them for the first time. No matter how experienced you already are, everyone can still learn and improve. Start to prepare your church, home group and yourself for this special day of outreach. It's not difficult…Everyone can learn how to speak to people and lead them to Jesus.
Everyone can reach someone.
Everyone has something to give.
Everyone can learn how to do it.
Here you will find three practical and comprehensible teachings that will help you:
“Everyone can reach someone!” Training booklet with practical instructions how to talk to people and lead someone to Jesus Christ. Download pdf (many languages) http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
What is our message? You are the messenger! Do you know the message?
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
Principles of communication – You have the best message! Learn how people will listen to it!
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/resources
What are you doing on May 25th?
In the weeks before May 25th
- Pray for power and boldness to be a witness.
- Pray for open hearts and divine opportunities to talk to people about Jesus.
On May 25th: Reach out to at least one person with the Gospel.
There are unlimited possibilities for doing this.
One on One - Invite someone over for a cup of coffee and tell him about Jesus.
Two by Two – Meet in your church and split up into small teams. Then go two by two to reach the people where they are – on the streets, in the market places, in hospitals, etc.
Care and Share – Do something good for someone and then share the Good News with him.
You will find many more ideas about how to evangelize on a special page on our website.
http://www.globaloutreachday.com/getinvolved#node-232
Watch the video:
“Pakistan will hold parliamentary elections May 11 -- the first vote held after a democratically elected government completed its five-year constitutional term. This democratic consolidation comes as the country faces the worst crisis since the secession of East Pakistan in the form of a ferocious jihadist insurgency. The vote comes amid economic difficulties and a major wave of jihadist attacks designed to undermine the democratic process targeting both secular and Islamist politicians campaigning for office. It is also the first election in which the emergence of a third national force, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, is seen as highly likely…
To the extent that opinion polls can be relied upon, the election will produce a much more fragmented legislature than the outgoing one, but conservative right-wing nationalist forces will dominate the new legislature. Regardless of its composition, the next coalition government will be tackling two core issues: security and the economy. Its policies will be greatly influenced by the regional security environment being shaped by the drawdown of NATO troops from neighboring Afghanistan…
The 2013 parliamentary elections thus represent the first time that the country will undergo a democratic transition of power. This consolidation comes amid Pakistan's largest crisis in decades. In the nearly 12 years since the United States invaded neighboring Afghanistan in response to the 9/11 attacks, Islamabad has seen its writ being eroded by an insurgency waged by Pakistani Taliban rebels who, unlike their Afghan counterparts, subscribe to the transnational jihadism of al Qaeda.”
Please pray for this important nation of South Asia to be delivered from radical Islamists and for good and honest people to be elected into office and to govern with integrity and care.
