NIGERIA: Prayer is the answer
Since Nigeria's government has proved itself incapable of protecting the country's Christians, the militant Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta has pledged to protect them by targeting Islamic institutions with retaliatory violence. Last year, almost 70% of all Christians killed worldwide were murderd in Nigeria according to International Christian Concern. If sectarian warfare breaks out, Nigeria may become the deadliest place on earth to be a Christian. See: http://www.worthynews.com/12256-is-sectarian-war-stewing-in-nigeria Renowned cleric, Prophet Kayode Abiara has stated that the situation in the country requires urgent prayer and not revolution. He urged Nigerians to pray ceaselessly for the nation, saying it was prayers that had kept the country together- if not for prayers of both Christians and Muslims the country would have collapsed by now. We must thank God for the churches and the mosques. The call by some people for revolution is misplaced. Instead of shedding blood through revolution, Nigerians should pray. God answers prayers.
Pray: for those in positions of authority to have God’s blessing s of wisdom and insight in every situation and may the Church experience God's protection as they stand united. (Ps.133)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2013/04/30/prayer-will-save-nigeria-not-revolution/
Malaysia: May 5th elections violence
More than 2,000 cases of arson, fighting and other election-related crimes have been recorded by police since Malaysia’s parliament was dissolved for polls. The violence is much more than previous elections. The increased tension is being driven by the fear of racial riots and broader implementation of Islamic law. Numerology, superstition and astrology permeate Southeast Asian politics. May 5 is designated as a ‘war day,’ based on a geomancy astronomical calculation known as ‘shi.’ The Christian Federation of Malaysia request our prayers for:- the powers of darkness to be bound and have no freedom to advance the cause of evil, injustice and extremisms of various forms during the election. Pray that Malaysia will be a nation that follows God and is a blessing to the nations of the earth. Ask God to overrule and stop any attempt at stirring up violence and rioting before, during and after the elections, and that peace and harmony will prevail for the well-being of all communities and for the nation.
Pray: for God's plans and purposes for Malaysia to be established during this election season. (Ps.94:17-19)
Pakistan: May 11th elections violence
There have been many who have tried to disrupt the free elections and cause confusion in the run up to Pakistan’s elections on May 11th. A Christian living in the country has a sked us to ‘Pray that men and women of peace will be placed in office and those who are elected will be respected by the people, even if they disagree with their politics.’ From 1st January to 21st April this year 1,536 individuals have been killed and 1,263 sustained injuries as the result of terrorism in Pakistan. In the last eight days 55 individuals were killed and over 120 injured in bombings of election meetings, candidates offices and targeted killing of candidates. The visible election campaign can only be seen in Punjab and all these blasts are part of the agenda of weakening democracy and depriving representatives from coming into power.
Pray: for better security during the upcoming elections through wisdom and watchfulness of political leadership, security agencies and police. (Ps.34:14)
More: http://asiantribune.com/node/62418
Syria: May 11th Day of Prayer for Syria
In an extraordinary show of unity of Christian denominations - Churches in Syria will unite in prayer on Saturday 11th May and are asking their brothers and sisters around the world to pray and fast with them. ‘As Christians in Syria continue to suffer from the devastating effects of the two-year-old civil war including killings, kidnappings, homelessness, lack of food and shelter and closing of schools; they are also seeing that God's hand is at work as all denominations are joining in passionate prayer.’ said Open Doors representative Steve Ridgway. ‘Christians in Syria know only Jesus can bring redemption and true peace. I urge you to take time on May 11 to pray with Syrian believers for their country. Please pray for:- The release of two Orthodox bishops, kidnapped in April, and other Christians who are missing; counselling for children who have been traumatized by violence; return of peace'.
Pray: for God to watch over the third of the population who are either refugees outside the country or homeless inside Syria. (Zec.9:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/syrias.churches.to.unite.in.prayer/32277.htm
Iraq: Child victims of war
In the 1970s, Iraq was one of the best countries in the Middle East and North Africa to be a child, but after decades of war and neglect it is one of the worst. According to the Iraqi government almost 1 in 3 children have lost one or both parents and approximately 600,000 children are living on the streets. Child labour has increased (15% of children under 14 now working). By 2008 over 2 million children had been displaced since 2003. Internally displaced children are often victims of crime, exploitation and abduction. Each year around 35,000 infants die before their first birthday, Over 1.5 million children under the age of five are undernourished; around 700,000 children are not enrolled in primary school. Thousands of children have been maimed by the war and subsequent violence. Many have lost limbs but their families are unable to afford the most basic aids such as crutches or wheelchairs let alone prosthesis. The rights of many Iraqi children to be with family and community, in good health and in appropriate education have been violated by war.
Pray: for governments to provide support for those who have been exploited, maimed and or phaned by war. (Ps.72:4)
Morocco: Fatwa demands death sentence for Christian converts
On April 25th Morocco’s highest Islamic institute issued a fatwa demanding the death penalty for Muslims who renounce their religion. The Supreme Ulema Council of Morocco (CSO) a body of Islamic scholars headed by King Mohammed VI said that Muslims who reject their faith ‘should be condemned to death.’ CSO is the only instit ution entitled to issue 'fatwas' (religious decrees) in Morocco. The ministry of Islamic affairs declined to comment on the issue and a senior human rights official in the Moroccan government denied reports that the government received a fatwa on ‘apostasy.’ The different statements could not be immediately reconciled but local Christians expressed concern about the situation saying it could lead to a new crackdown on the country's tiny Christian communi ty of 22,000 people in a nation of 32 million. ‘There's a lot of confusion and discussion in Morocco right no w about the fatwa,’ said a Marrakech pastor.
Pray: that the fatwa will not be approved and for Christians to be protected from harassm ent and arrest. (Ps.90:17)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/28041-morocco-fatwa-demands-death-sentence-for-christian-converts
North Korea: UK churches praying
God loves North Korea yet few there know of his character. The Church in North Korea exists within a climate of fear and oppression whilst its political leaders teach a religion of self-reliance and isolation from the nations called Juche. Christians in the UK are signing up to pray for North Korea over the next two years with Project Cyrus, an initiative of BMS World Mission. North Korean Christians face imprisonment and torture if their faith is discovered by the authorities. BMS are looking for individuals to intercede for a new freedom in North Korea that allows believers to share the good news of Jesus without persecution. Individuals and churches that sign up will receive free monthly updates, a bookmark and prayer wristband. There are also regular PowerPointsfor church services and prayer meetings.
Pray: that many across the UK will catch God’s compassion and vision for North Korea as they commit to pray regularly for change. (1Tim. 2:1-2)
More: http://www.bmsworldmission.org/support-us/pray-with-us/project-cyrus/sign-a-church
More Momentum than Ever to End One-Child Policy at China’s National People’s Congress
Chinese state media recently reported that the government is looking to consolidate several ministries in order to streamline processes and reduce bureaucracy. One proposal that appears to be on the table is the potential folding of the Family Planning Commission, which enforces the One-Child Policy, into the Ministry of Health.
The potential outcome of such a merger is unclear, but there are two possible scenarios: (1) the One-Child Policy will be enforced with greater brutality as the Family Planning Commission gains access to hospitals and clinics; or (2) the merger will effectively eliminate the Family Planning Commission and strip all of its workers of their authority to carry out forced and coerced abortions.
All Girls Allowed is urging churches around the world to join in unity with the Chinese church to pray that the Lord would effectively eliminate the Family Planning Commission through this merger, thus beginning the process of ending the One-Child Policy. Should such a historic move occur, it would follow several reports that the Chinese government is contemplating moving to a Two-Child Policy in March, 2013. It would also fulfill what began last summer when provinces representing 87% of China declared bans on late-term forced abortions.
China’s government has come under greater international pressure to end the One-Child Policy following the gruesome image of Feng Jianmei’s forcibly aborted baby that surfaced last June. The pressure continues as Feng recently revealed in a television interview that she has yet to receive the compensation and justice that was promised to her by the government. Another recent tragedy in which an over-quota child was run over and killed by Family Planning Officials has brought further embarrassment to the Chinese government around the One-Child Policy.
Chai Ling, Founder of All Girls Allowed, says: “Come, join us as we take a front-row seat to view God’s deliverance of his people in China! We prayed before the blind attorney Chen Guangcheng escaped, and the Lord delivered him. We prayed for policy change, and the vast majority of Chinese provinces banned late-term forced abortion. Our Lord Jesus clearly hears us, and he so desires for us to come before him in thanksgiving and intercession, that he might send his redemption on China.”
“Our God is an awesome God. Let us ask him to give courage to China’s leaders to do what is right and just. May he continue to part the Red Sea and release his people from the yoke of slavery!”
All Girls Allowed (http://www.allgirlsallowed.org) was founded by Chai Ling in 2010 with a mission to display the love of Jesus by restoring life, value and dignity to girls and mothers in China and revealing the injustice of the One-Child Policy.
“In Jesus’ Name, Simply Love Her.”
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UK Peace Index highlights rate of fall in violent crime
Rates of murder and violent crime have fallen more rapidly in the UK in the past decade than anywhere else in Western Europe, researchers say. The UK Peace Index, from the Institute for Economics and Peace, found UK homicides per 100,000 people had fallen from 1.99 in 2003, to one in 2012. The UK was more peaceful overall, it said, with the reasons for it varied. The research by the international non-profit research organisation comes as a separate study by Cardiff University suggests the number of people treated in hospital in England and Wales after violent incidents fell by 14% in 2012. Violent crime rate in the UK was down by about one quarter - from 1,255 per 100,000 people in 2003, to 933 in 2012. These reductions came despite a 6% drop in the number of police officers per 100,000 people, it said.
Praise: God for the reduction in violent crime across the UK. (Pr.10:11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22275280
UK Peace Index highlights rate of fall in violent crime
Rates of murder and violent crime have fallen more rapidly in the UK in the past decade than anywhere else in Western Europe, researchers say. The UK Peace Index, from the Institute for Economics and Peace, found UK homicides per 100,000 people had fallen from 1.99 in 2003, to one in 2012. The UK was more peaceful overall, it said, with the reasons for it varied. The research by the international non-profit research organisation comes as a separate study by Cardiff University suggests the number of people treated in hospital in England and Wales after violent incidents fell by 14% in 2012. Violent crime rate in the UK was down by about one quarter - from 1,255 per 100,000 people in 2003, to 933 in 2012. These reductions came despite a 6% drop in the number of police officers per 100,000 people, it said.
Praise: God for the reduction in violent crime across the UK. (Pr.10:11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22275280