Siberian shaman finds Jesus
Alexander’s first experience with a shaman, a Siberian witch doctor, left him wanting to go deeper into this realm. ‘I saved money to become a shaman and eventually became powerful in the community,’ he recalls. Then he received an unexpected invitation. ‘Some Christians invited me to church and I went so I could spy on their God.’ He entered the church, believing the gods he served were much more powerful than the Christian God. But as Alexander sat back in the wooden pew, something unusual happened. ‘When I closed my eyes I felt God’s presence,’ he says. ‘It was so strong; I was overwhelmed by its greatness.’ Unable to resist the majesty and power of the one true living God, Alexander surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was born again. ‘I have now begun to work with missionaries here in Russia,’ Alexander says. ‘I help others learn what Jesus did for me.’
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Alexander. (Lk.12:12)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/04/shaman-in-eastern-russia-found-jesus/
Siberian shaman finds Jesus
Alexander’s first experience with a shaman, a Siberian witch doctor, left him wanting to go deeper into this realm. ‘I saved money to become a shaman and eventually became powerful in the community,’ he recalls. Then he received an unexpected invitation. ‘Some Christians invited me to church and I went so I could spy on their God.’ He entered the church, believing the gods he served were much more powerful than the Christian God. But as Alexander sat back in the wooden pew, something unusual happened. ‘When I closed my eyes I felt God’s presence,’ he says. ‘It was so strong; I was overwhelmed by its greatness.’ Unable to resist the majesty and power of the one true living God, Alexander surrendered his life to Jesus Christ and was born again. ‘I have now begun to work with missionaries here in Russia,’ Alexander says. ‘I help others learn what Jesus did for me.’
Praise: God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Alexander. (Lk.12:12)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/04/shaman-in-eastern-russia-found-jesus/
NIGERIA: Easter attacks - 80 Christians killed
Easter violence left 80 dead and 4,500 displaced. On Easter Sunday Muslim cattle herders attacked three Christian communities of the Ataka group in a remote area of Kaduna State. Authorities said fighting between Muslim cattle herders and Christian villages killed nearly 60 people in recent days. Following Sunday's violence thousands of villagers fled to the nearby hills. Local government estimated 4,500 people were displaced and two camps have been has set up to house them. Some who returned to assess the damage were also murdered according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide. Assailants razed several homes. Many displaced are staying in the local Primary School and in nearby villages. The latest violence came after 36+ people died and dozens of houses were burned in neighbouring Plateau State when ethnic Fulani Muslims raided Christian villages in Holy Week. The systematic manner in which these attacks now occur indicates a greater degree of organization than has previously been the case.
Pray: for the families of those who lost their lives and pray that the state governments will provide urgent assistance to the injured and displaced. (Ps.140:6-8)
Israel: Arabs joining Syrian rebels pose a threat
Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) recently arrested 19 year old Nasser Masarwa, an Israeli Arab on suspicion of fighting with rebels in Syria. They believe he originally joined global jihadi elements in Syria to try to locate his brother who is fighting with the Syrian rebels. Nasser underwent military training with rebel forces, - including weapons training and was offered the possibility of carrying out a suicide bombing against the army of the Assad regime. Nasser said he refused this. Security forces said, ‘Arab Israelis who travel to Syria are exposed to radical ideology and could be exploited for a terror attack in Israel due to their knowledge of targets in the country.’- adding that this represented a serious national security issue. On Wednesday Nasser was charged with ‘contact with a foreign agent, illegal military training, and travelling to an enemy state.’
Pray: for the peace of Jerusalem. (Ps.122:6)
More: http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Shin-Bet-arrests-Israeli-Arab-who-joined-Syrian-rebels-309319
Iran: Nuclear talks and Earthquake
On Tuesday a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck close to Iran's nuclear power station, killing at least 37 people and injuring 850 more. The distance between the earthquake focal point and the nuclear power plant was 80km. The quake was felt across the Gulf in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where workers were evacuated from high-rise buildings as a precaution. Meanwhile on the same day EU Nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers in Kazakhstan revealed that 'the two sides remain far apart on substance.' At a P5+1 international meeting Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman urged the world powers to recognize the Islamic Republic’s nuclear rights and take confidence-building measures with Tehran. He reiterated that the Islamic Republic will use its nuclear capabilities for peaceful purposes and the development of the country. Israel and other allies fear Iran is pursuing non-civilian objectives in its nuclear energy programme. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4364580,00.html
Pray: that God would speak and achieve His purposes through the international community regarding Iran’s intentions. (Ps.33:10-11)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/04/201349122759954931.html
North Korea: Legacy of war
North Korea warned foreigners to leave South Korea because ‘the two countries are on the brink of war’. Observers say this is mostly bluster to bolster Kim Jong Un’s image. However America's allies are taking precautions. Japan has deployed two interceptor missiles capable of engaging a North Korean rocket. North Korea founds its historical legitimacy on its ferocious animosity against U.S. imperialism and is what makes the current moment so dangerous. - SPIRITUAL INSIGHTS reveal that North Korea has deep political roots going back much further than 1945. Wedged awkwardly between China, Russia and Japan, the Korean Peninsula has long been a bloody battleground for greater powers. Korean rulers only managed to survive by playing one foreign power off against the other and by offering subservience, mainly to Chinese emperors, in exchange for protection. This legacy has nurtured a passionate fear and loathing of dependency on stronger countries.
Pray: that North Korea will turn from the state religion of Juche (Ps.4:2-3) Pray also against an all-out holy war on the west. (Ps.4:8)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/April/N-Korea-Warns-Tourists-to-Evacuate-South-Korea/
Azerbaijan: Baptist leaders fined for worshipping
The leaders of two small Baptist churches in north-west Azerbaijan have been given heavy fines for holding worship services – and threatened with even tougher penalties unless they stop. At a hearing on Good Friday, judges fined pastors Zaur Balayev and Hamid Shabanov 1,500 AZN (£1,270) each. The average wage in Azerbaijan is £200 a month. The two pastors have suffered persecution for more than 15 years, according to Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia. They have also been warned that if they do not comply with the decision of the court they will be either fined for a bigger amount or arrested. Archbishop Malkhaz said restrictions on religious liberty could get 'out of control' unless the court decision was challenged by international organisations. Pastor Hamid was briefly detained in November when police raided a church meeting at his house (Prayer Alert, November 9). The two pastors plan to appeal against the court decision.
Pray: that God will strengthen the persecuted church (Ps.23:4) May He unite church leaders and international organisations to bring about religious freedom in Azerbaijan. (Ps.23:3)
Afghanistan: Evangelism, crime and refugees
Evangelism: The local church continues to grow as believers are added one by one in small groups. We are asked to pray that new believers will find others they can trust to share in worship, prayer and teaching. Crime: Authorities plan to destroy 15,000 hectares of poppy fields this year in an effort to limit the heroin trade that fuels violence and corruption. Criminal elements and the Taliban profit from the heroin trade. Pray that farmers will find other crops to provide income and food for their families. Refugees: Nearly half a million people displaced by war and violence are living in primitive camps in makeshift tents around major cities. They suffer from shortages of food, clothing and fuel. The government and humanitarian agencies are struggling to meet the needs of so many. Pray that more resources can be made available to help the people living in these camps and that the resources will be used effectively.
Pray: for protection for the emerging church, peace in the land and for many refugees to return to their homes. May God meet all their needs. (Ps.9:3-4)
More: http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/afghanistan-to-destroy-poppy-fields-1.1493945#.UWU4eldKI78
Central African Republic: Coup affects Christian enterprises
In a coup which began at the end of March, and which African heads of state refused to recognize as legitimate, nearly $300,000 of equipment was looted from a Christian radio station. The coup began when about 5,000 Seleka rebel fighters poured into the capital city of Bangui and ousted President Francois Bozizé to set up their own self-proclaimed president. Looting and vandalism at a Christian radio station were extensive with equipment destroyed or stolen by looters valued at nearly $300,000. The radio station is off the air indefinitely. The son of one station employee died from wounds during the disorder near the base camp of ICDI, the Global partner that operates the station. The ministry's total losses included well-drilling equipment, broadcast equipment, six vehicles and other property stolen from ransacked ICDI facilities. The homes of four staff families were also looted. A staff member's son abducted by rebels on Easter Sunday escaped and is now safely home.
Pray: God’s comfort for all who lost loved ones and for Christian initiatives to be quickly restored. (Jude1:17-21)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13040021.htm
The Bible TV series to screen on Channel 5
Richard Desmond's channel buys rights to series watched by more than 13 million viewers on History Channel. It is better known for Celebrity Big Brother and documentaries featuring very long trucks, but Channel 5 will also be home this autumn to a sweeping 10-hour epic, The Bible. A big-budget glossy epic, The Bible was a surprise ratings hit in the US this Easter with more than 13 million viewers on The History Channel, one of its biggest-ever shows. Producers claimed during the making of the show that it had been struck by mysterious omens which indicated the ‘hand of God’, including a sudden swarm of snakes. It remains to be seen whether it works any ratings miracles for Channel 5. The Bible, devotes five hours to the Old Testament and five hours to the New, with a mix of live action and computer generated imagery. It is billed as a production that ‘tries to stay true to the spirit of the book’. (See also Prayer Alert 13-2013)
Praise: God and pray that the response to this series will have the same result when it is shown on our TV. (Ro.8:31)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/08/channel-5-the-bible