Mission from everywhere to everywhere
Mr Kafwanka,Director of Mission for the Anglican Communion, speaking in Glasgow last Sunday said The 'mission trip' has often meant "going to help some poor African souls who cannot help themselves but this is not the only story of mission today", “It is tempting to think of mission in terms of one party providing support and another receiving. But such a relationship will come to be characterised by "paternalism on one side and dependence on the other" he says, “instead of both sides seeing mission as "an opportunity to serve together". "There is small but growing confidence among Christians in the majority world and a determination to forge partnerships characterised by sharing and transparency, In that sense, mission today is less about 'what we do 'out there' and more about churches being in a relationship of 'sharing'. While he commended the UK church's heart for world mission, he said that British Christians going to do mission were not being properly prepared to learn.
Pray: for a new response to mission that is mutually inclusive and transparent. (Jn.13:34)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/mission.from.everywhere.to.everywhere/32123.htm
Christian sacked after Islamist harassment seeks hearing in Europe
A Christian worker who was dismissed from her job at Heathrow Airport has been granted permission to challenge a ruling by an employment tribunal which left her without any rights under employment law. Last year, an Employment Tribunal found that Nohad Halawi was not technically employed, so she had no protection under employment law, despite the fact she had worked at Heathrow for 13 years. But the Employment Appeal Tribunal in London has allowed this decision to be appealed. Mrs Halawi worked at a duty free shop at Heathrow Terminal 3. But management took away her ‘airside pass’ – meaning she was unable to continue working at the airport – after Muslim colleagues made unsubstantiated complaints about her conduct. Mrs Halawi had stood up for a Christian colleague who was being harassed by Islamist staff and complained to management over personal abuse and harassment from Islamist staff members over her Christian faith.
Pray: for Mrs. Halawi and that at her next hearing the Employment Appeal Tribunal will agree that she was employed and deserves the protection of the law. . (Ps.145:18)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/employment/christian-woman-sacked-after-islamist-harassment-granted-application-to-appe
Background
Jordan Strategic Intercession was accomplished on February 5-7, 2013. God’s leading was very clear in every aspect. There will be many other prayer initiatives need to be done to combat the spiritual darkness in the region. As we continued to seek the Lord after the Journey, the Lord gave us insight that there should be a prayer journey for the Arab Women with similar focus. Why Arab Women? Because they are an integral part in His Kingdom, yet they have been in bondage and cursed since ancient times. Praise God for the spiritual awakening among the Arab Women! God has also raised up intercessors among them.
Focus
The Arab Women Intercessors will be standing in the gap. We will be praying on sites with identificational repentance as well as proclaiming the new day for Arab Women., specifically breaking through the dark power of bondage and curse placed on the them so that many Arab Women will be released to come to Jesus Christ and to fulfill their divine destiny. In general, they will also represent the body of Christ, that the deception and wrong mind-set in churches about women will be destroyed.
Prayer Points:
• Double protection for all who will go on the journey, as well as their families
• Strength, endurance, good health for all: before, during and after the journey
• Wisdom, vision and revelation, to specifically identify the hidden agenda of the enemy
• Protection for the vehicles and the drivers, smooth trips to each site
• Good weather condition before, during and after the journey
We do not rejoice in the death of anyone, even Taliban leaders that have been involved in the murder of many civilians, police and military as well as government officials; however we need to pray that they will either repent or be stopped by force and leave the “how” in God’s wise and loving hands.
1. Continued prayer request: Pray the Taliban be caught and their networks be destroyed. Pray the leaders be captured if they don't want to repent. Pray their unity be broken and their supply lines be cut off. Pray there will be no Spring offensive as has been announced.
2. Continued prayer request: Pray more tribal areas where the Taliban came from would stand up against them and not allow these terrorists to go through and/or use their lands.
3. Continued prayer request: Pray for the president of Afghanistan to change and stop making offensive/damaging remarks that cause distrust among the ethnic groups and with NATO.
4. Continued prayer request: Pray the country stays together in unity.
5. Continued prayer request: Pray for the elections for Afghanistan's president (a year from now). It is time to pray for the right candidate to come forward!
6. Continued prayer request: Pray for a good relationship between the Afghan government and NATO forces.
7. Continued prayer request: Pray for the expats and local believers to be given courage and strength to stand and pray as they are key to pray inside the country.
8. Pray for the teams that are in-country for His protection and that God will give clear direction how to pray. The Lord has revealed certain roots that need to be uprooted (the way Islam came into the country, demonic powers that are worshiped, etc.). Jer. 1:10 "See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Pray that the Lord will expose the roots and use our prayers to pull them up.
9. Please pray for the expats and local believers in the country that they will not come under fear but share the Good News with others. May the Lord grant them dreams and visions of Jesus, especially to people with influence, leaders and even Taliban!
10. All the like-minded organisations in these countries need more workers. Pray that He might sent the right people into the harvest Mat 9,36-38
11. Continued prayer request: In the authority of the Lord, bind and nullify with us aggressively the evil covenants of Afghan and Pakistani political leaders and Taliban / Al Qaida / Haqqani / Gulbadin terrorists with demonic powers / rulers through blood sacrifices, witchcraft & rituals. Bind and break the covenant of death and destruction! (See Matt.12, 28 - 29; 2 Cor.10, 3-5).
12. These are provincial areas from which the Taliban need to be uprooted and driven out. Pray that Afghan forces, supported by local villagers and NATO will be effective in defeating and dislodging them:
Laghman - a Taliban stronghold close to Kabul, the capital. The provincial capital, Mehtar Lam, is especially insecure. Was handed over by NATO to Afghan forces in 2010
Nangarhar - many of its districts are often attacked by insurgents - Chaprihar district lies 15km from the capital Jalalabad but is a no-go area for government employee
Zabul - this strategically important province, providing access to Ghazni, Uruzgan and Kandahar, now has virtually no NATO presence. The Taliban have filled the vacuum
Ghazni - like Zabul has almost no NATO presence, allowing the Taliban and al-Qaeda to assume control
Helmand - Kabul's writ has never run strong in the remote southern plains
Kandahar - spiritual home of the Taliban, who retain a presence in rural areas
Kunar-a Taliban stronghold in the East bordering with Pakistan and a not under the control of the Afgh government. From there the Taliban control Nuristan. Gov and NATO had many casualties there and much fighting going on.
Actually there is still a lot of fighting going on in the country and nearly daily of Afghan policemen and soldiers are being killed. The Taliban are still inflicting heavy casualties to the Afghan forces in some areas. Pray that the Afghan and NATO forces will prevail and root out and defeat the Taliban wherever they are.
Pakistan
Blasphemy law Strikes: 175 Christian homes burnt by militants
www.persecutioninpakitan.com
Almost 175 houses were burnt in a mob attack on a Christian community at the Badami Bagh area in Lahore on March 9. One Christian youth has been falsely accused and out in jail under the Blasphemy law. The militant mob comprising of almost 10 to 12 thousand attacked the Joseph colony The attack was led by Muslim Ahmed against the Christians.
Almost 150 Christian families were forced to flee the area. Another militant cleric Saifullah said that they must cut the Christians into pieces.
Fox News on April 8:
“At least 30 Pakistani soldiers and nearly 100 militants have been killed in fierce fighting in a remote, northwest valley over the past four days following a ground offensive launched by the army, military officials said Monday…The Taliban have remained a serious threat and continue to launch attacks throughout the northwest and other parts of the country with frightening regularity. There is concern that the militants could step up the pace of attacks even more in coming weeks in an attempt to derail parliamentary elections scheduled for May 11.”
1) Pray for the Pakistani army to have good success in rooting out the Taliban and defeating them in this area and across the country and that the Taliban will not be able to disrupt the national parliamentary elections in this first democratic transition of government.
2) Pray for a fair, uncorrupted election campaign and for honest, good leaders to be put into power and that the wicked will be brought down or kept from getting into power.
The USA continues to re-establish its spiritual foundations of righteousness and political influence over the nations! Canada has been for two years named as being the country with the most integrity and most prosperous in the world. All this as a result of increased national prayer and focus.
The Nations are shaking with economic fear, political unrest and confusion and rumours of war on many fronts. There is little doubt that spiritual influence through prayer has been a driving force in these dimension and will continue to be the fuel that energizes and guides not only North America but indeed all the nations of the earth!
This note is a “cameo” on the next North America Prayer Summit (NAPS), currently scheduled for Oct 15-18, 2013. Most of you receiving this note will recall at the 2011 Summit a decision was made to continue the Summits with Canada being the host for 2012. As time has evolved it became clear that a 2012 Summit was not possible due to personal leadership scheduling conflicts and world events such as the USA 2012 election. The facilitation leadership group has now determined the timing and location for the next Summit as follows:
Location Ottawa Ontario Canada
Date Oct 15-18, 2013.
Host National House of Prayer Ottawa Ontario.
More specific details are coming as they are solidified. We are looking at very inexpensive accommodations at our Ottawa National House of Prayer and also affordable hotel accommodations. You should plan your arrival for Tuesday Oct 15 by 3 PM to allow for an evening start. We plan to finish by Friday noon Oct 18 so you can feel free to book return flights later in the day on Friday or Saturday. Some may wish to stay longer and enjoy the city! Lots to see and do!
We will be focusing on the three nations for update and prayer and worship as in previous Summits; will be meeting Canadian politicians; will be involved in a session of Parliament with accompanying prayer; touring the legislature; involving youth and children; and praying for global events as they relate to North America and as the Holy Spirit directs. Again you will receive more information on this as it unfolds.
SO……. What should you do now? Book this Summit on your schedule as the Lord directs your path. Send this invitation to other prayer leaders you feel should be involved.
SEND YOUR CONFIRMATION OF ATTENDANCE TO Murray Dodds at:
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cell 403-605-9094
Blessings on behalf of the facilitation team,
A recent article on the CNN Belief Blog highlighted the trend of Evangelical colleges inching toward culturally acceptable views of homosexuality. The article highlighted Wheaton College, which in February established an official group for “students to explore questions of gender identity and sexual orientation.” Although Wheaton College receives the most attention because of its prominence, other Evangelical schools are making similar moves…
Christian institutions will have to clearly address homosexuality as the culture increasingly affirms it and more people within the Church openly struggle with same-sex attraction. It is understandable that administrators at these schools recognize the challenges Christian students experiencing same-sex attraction face and want to help and disciple them. At the same time, historically faithful Christian academic institutions should recognize that the ultimate goal of establishing groups expressly for students who identify as LGBT is to legitimize the idea that one’s “sexual orientation” is an inherent and defining characteristic of his personhood.
Christian colleges are communities of young people who are figuring out who they are and what direction their lives will take. They are made up of broken, human people struggling with innumerable sins, all needing discipleship, mentorship, and guidance. Homosexuality is one among many issues students face, and should be addressed with genuine Christian love. Our culture is confused about what it means to be human, and uniquely a man or woman and the Church ought to be a light of clarity amid the chaos. Although a campus is not a church, these institutions play a key role in shaping their students’ lives and they are responsible to clearly teach and equip Christian students to follow God’s design for their lives, including their sexuality.
Please pray that Christian colleges and their administrations will be strong in not compromising biblical values in the face of such pressures from the homosexual community and a culture that is disintegrating morally.
Margaret Thatcher, politician and Christian
Baroness Margaret Thatcher, who died on Monday aged 87, was a leader of conviction and much of that conviction rooted in her Christian faith. Daughter of a Methodist lay preacher, her political views were shaped by her religious beliefs. How these two fused together in her mind was outlined in a memorable 1988 speech to the Church of Scotland, a speech with which she explained the Christian basis for her political convictions. She began the speech by telling her audience that she was speaking ‘personally as a Christian, as well as a politician.’ Her speech not only reaffirmed the Christian inspiration for her political views, it also illuminated her conviction that Britain's Christian heritage was worthy of preserving. One of her most memorable quotes for many Christians comes from the words she spoke from the steps of 10 Downing Street after coming to power in 1979. Based on the Prayer of Saint Franc is, she said: ‘Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.’ Click the ‘More’ link and read tributes from many Christian leaders.
Pray: that Margaret Thatcher’s spiritual example and legacy will be adhered to by her successors. (1Pet.2:21)
More: http://www.christianto day.com/article/margaret.thatcher.the. politician.and.christian/32082.htm
Church Army launches ‘Inside Out Mission in Community’
UK-based Christian organisation Church Army, has launched its newest campaign, ‘Inside Out Mission in Community’, featuring projects where their evangelists are seeing lives transformed. In a Church Army press release the charity said that in the coming months various projects will be highlighted: Where our evangelists are transforming whole neighbourhoods by living and working in communities. As it says in John 1:14: ‘The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.’ Church Army, which has been going since 1882 aims to be a leading organisation in the training, equipping and deploying of evangelists, to develop appropriate and relevant forms of Christian community for pioneering situations. Wilson Carlile founded Church Army and believed the Christian message had to be shared through words and action and he encouraged all manner of people to witness to their faith.
Pray:
that this new campaign will reach the very heart of the communities with the gospel. (Jn.1:14)
More:
http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13040022.htm
Is modern life making us lonely?
It can be hard to admit to feelings of loneliness, but one in 10 Britons is lonely. It's not just an issue for the elderly - loneliness is rising among the young. So are we all destined to be lonely? ‘No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,’ wrote the poet John Donne in the 17th century. Some people seek isolation, but few choose to be lonely. Loneliness not only makes us unhappy, but it is bad for us. It can lead to a lack of confidence and mental health problems like depression, stress and anxiety. Studies have consistently shown that one in 10 of us is lonely, but a report by the Mental Health Foundation suggests loneliness among young people is increasing.
Pray: for all those who find themselves lonely and in need of relief from the symptoms of loneliness. (Ps.25:4-5:16)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22012957
Hungary: Constitutional changes threaten its religious freedom
The Hungarian government has been criticized for changes to the country’s constitution that threaten religious freedoms and other rights. Constitutional amendments adopted by the government in March were the latest in a series of changes described by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as ‘problematic’. For example, a new law granted state recognition to only 14 religious groups while refusing to recognize the rest, resulting in the loss of official status for more than 300 Protestant groupings and minor Catholic religious orders. Although the Hungarian Constitutional Court struck down some of the laws introduced by the government, the latest amendments reintroduced the same laws by changing the constitution and cancelling the Constitutional Court’s power to overrule those changes. HRW has called for the EU to consider suspending Hungary’s voting rights and a spokesman for the European Commission said it won't rule out sanctions to ensure that Hungary complies with EU law.
Pray: that the government will reconsider its constitutional amendments which are threatening religious rights. (Pr.31:9)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/12198-hungarian-constitutional-changes-threaten-s-religious-freedom