Syria: A report from Aleppo
A Christian living in Syria writes, ‘The situation here in Aleppo is getting progressively worse. Yesterday, as all churches decided to have a united prayer day, the rebels sent three rockets - mortars. These exploded just a couple of hours before the gathering a few metres from the main gate of the church. No injuries; just a few damages here and there with some affected cars. But with all this, just to let you know that in spite all the rockets and explosions, more than 300 members and worshipers attended the prayer service meeting on that Friday. PTL. ‘
Pray: for that the Lord’s protection to be over those still trying to serve His purposes in Syria. May He be in control of everyday situations and may they know his presence continually. (Ps.109:21)
Sri Lanka: Recent anti-Christian incidents
A sudden increase in violence against the Christian community by Buddhists in Sri Lanka has been reported. Barnabas Fund received news last week of ten anti-Christian incidents in different parts of the country during March. The most violent of them was an attack on Pastor Pradeep Kumara’s house that was used for worship meetings. A mob forced open the gate, broke into the premises and damaged the property while the family were out. Police were called but they could not control the mob. The attack went on for three and a half hours; the assailants desisted once they had forced Pradeep's wife to promise there would be no more worship meetings at the house. The pastor has faced intense opposition to his ministry.
Pray: that the threats and violent acts against Christians would not stop God’s purposes for the region. May the church grow in unity, faith and perseverance. (Pr.2:12)
More: http://barnabasfund.org/Ten-anti-Christian-incidents-in-Sri-Lanka-in-March.html
China: Armed raid on Christians
Christians in remote Xinjiang province are suspected of being a cult after a violent armed raid with guns and electric batons on their house church. One Christian named as Sister Xu remains in detention. Another house church leader Brother Shen, was summoned for interrogation separately, which caused an 'episode' relating to his heart condition. Christian leader, Sister Cao, fled the area fearing she would be detained. All are members of the same house church. In March officials visited Sister Xu's home while she was hosting a prayer meeting. The 14 assembled Christians did not answer the door and officials left. Later that evening armed police arrived to confiscate property, take fingerprints and blood samples from Xu, her son and husband before taking them to the police station for written statements. It was there that Xu's husband saw information on a computer alleging links between the house church and a Chinese religious cult.
Pray: for God to strengthen Sister Xu, protect Sister Cao and fill all members of this house church afresh with His Holy Spirit. Ask God to touch the hearts of officials investigating the church. (Is.40:31)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/posts/china-armed-raid-on-xinjiang-christians-1098.php
Thank you for our children!
Now that spring is here, thousands of children across Russia and her neighbouring countries are eagerly anticipating the summer that follows, and with it - more than 300 Christian summer camps that Slavic Gospel Association partners help make possible each year. Next to Christmas, summer camp season is perhaps the most important time of the year for reaching needy children with the Gospel. Children from believing families invite their unbelieving friends to camp, churches invite unbelieving families in their neighbourhoods to allow their children to attend, and children who attended the previous year are eager to spread the word. Only eternity will reveal how many boys and girls first encountered the living Saviour at a summer camp in Russia.
Praise: God in advance for the 2013 camp season; as it nears ask God to provide the resources needed to reach as many children as possible. (Ps.136:1)
More: http://www.sga.org/2013/04/thank-you-for-our-children/
Thank you for our children!
Now that spring is here, thousands of children across Russia and her neighbouring countries are eagerly anticipating the summer that follows, and with it - more than 300 Christian summer camps that Slavic Gospel Association partners help make possible each year. Next to Christmas, summer camp season is perhaps the most important time of the year for reaching needy children with the Gospel. Children from believing families invite their unbelieving friends to camp, churches invite unbelieving families in their neighbourhoods to allow their children to attend, and children who attended the previous year are eager to spread the word. Only eternity will reveal how many boys and girls first encountered the living Saviour at a summer camp in Russia.
Praise: God in advance for the 2013 camp season; as it nears ask God to provide the resources needed to reach as many children as possible. (Ps.136:1)
More: http://www.sga.org/2013/04/thank-you-for-our-children/
Vicar raises £10,000 by giving £550
Church of England vicar who handed out £10 notes to his West Yorkshire congregation and asked them to invest it to help raise cash, has had his prayers answered. The Rev Richard Steel distributed £550 last November in the hope of raising money for repairs at St John's Church in Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield. Members of the church had used the cash to raise about £10,000, meaning the work could now go ahead, said Mr Steel. ‘It's inspired people. It's just taken off fantastically,’ he said. While almost £500,000 has already been raised over the past seven years towards repairs at St John's, Mr Steel said he decided to give his congregation a new challenge to find the remaining cash. Inspiration came from the parable of the talents, in which Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts money to his servants, he said.
Praise: God for the response to this challenge and for the result. (Mt.25:14-30)
More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=9154&this=Vicar_raises_10,000_by_giving_550_pounds
Vicar raises £10,000 by giving £550
Church of England vicar who handed out £10 notes to his West Yorkshire congregation and asked them to invest it to help raise cash, has had his prayers answered. The Rev Richard Steel distributed £550 last November in the hope of raising money for repairs at St John's Church in Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield. Members of the church had used the cash to raise about £10,000, meaning the work could now go ahead, said Mr Steel. ‘It's inspired people. It's just taken off fantastically,’ he said. While almost £500,000 has already been raised over the past seven years towards repairs at St John's, Mr Steel said he decided to give his congregation a new challenge to find the remaining cash. Inspiration came from the parable of the talents, in which Jesus tells the story of a man who entrusts money to his servants, he said.
Praise: God for the response to this challenge and for the result. (Mt.25:14-30)
More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=9154&this=Vicar_raises_10,000_by_giving_550_pounds
Iraq: 10 years of rebuilding
Ten years after the start of the Iraq war the International Medical Corps is proud to have been one of the few humanitarian organisations able to deliver assistance to the Iraqi people non-stop throughout the decade. Before the conflict started they provided primary health care services and training to Iraqi medical professionals. Within days of the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime their emergency response teams were working closely with the Ministry of Health to maintain vital services to some of the most vulnerable Iraqis. The story of International Medical Corps in Iraq has been one of hope and determination by the Iraqi people to secure a safer, healthier, self-reliant future. They provide primary and secondary health care, mental health & psychosocial support and economic livelihood training to some of the 1.5 million Iraqis displaced inside the country.
Pray: for this and similar work to continue renovating hospitals, training medical practitioners and assisting the returning refugees and displaced Iraqi people.
More: http://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/iraq/
Pakistan: Election prayer campaign
Pakistan is waging a continued war against terrorism, Talibanisation, extremism and radicalization as they go to the polls in May. They genuinely expect democracy to bring good governance that will deliver them from the quagmire of problems. Election-2013 will be of significant importance and have long term consequences for democratic consolidation in Pakistan. The National Prayer Network of Pakistan in partnership with local churches initiated a prayer campaign in December 2012 focusing on the 2013 General Election. The campaign aims to motivate Christians across Pakistan to pray for the upcoming election, believing persistent prayer will impact the election process. The campaign is also focusing on a spiritual and moral awakening of the Church and for the healing of the nation. We are being asked to pray for the Church’s Spiritual Awakening to the power of prayer to change things. See: http://www.prayerconnect.net/news/prayer-connect-news/taliban-prayer-focus
Pray: God will lead the Pakistani Church into a revival through the life-changing power of Jesus Christ in her midst, and a true cultural transformation. (Pr.11:14)
More: http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Network-Pakistan/251652868252?sk=photos_stream
North Korea: Sabre rattling
South Korea suspects North Korea to be behind cyber-attacks on computer networks at two major banks and three top TV broadcasters which went into shutdown on Wednesday. Also this week North Korea produced another video showing the United States under attack. The White House and Washington featured in a four-minute video titled ‘Firestorms will rain on the Headquarters of War’ posted on the YouTube channel of North Korea's official website from the state media. The video portrays the United States as a bullying nuclear power intent on bending Pyongyang to its will. ‘Second by second, the fuse of a nuclear war is burning,’ a female narrator warned. ‘There is no limit to the range of our strategic rockets,’ the narrator said. Meanwhile crimes against humanity are committed daily. 200,000 men, women and children are held in prison camps. Religious persecution is boundless. Christianity is ‘public enemy number one’.
Pray: for an end to violent religious oppression, threats of pre-emptive nuclear strikes and continued tensions on the Korean peninsula. (Job20:4-6 &1Ch.17:9)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/