Colombia: Former world murder capital sees youth revival
Who would've thought that the very city identified as the ‘former murder capital of the world’ by Ambassador Charles S. Shapiro would be the place where 2,500 youth leaders would be inspired to touch the world for Christ? In Medellin, Colombia, Global Advance partnered with Youth Solutions to bring their Youth Leaders Missions Conference to over 2,500 youth plus 3,500 viewers online. The conference was held in early June and included several inspiring speakers, worship sessions, and a time of response from the attendees. These youth attending the conference face many challenges within their own country. It's not only identified as being the ‘former murder capital of the world,’ but according to the CIA, Colombia is also the world's largest producer of cocaine and a major producer of other illicit drugs. Also, nearly half of Colombia's population is below the poverty line.
Praise: God for the move of His Spirit among the youth leaders and pray that their influence will bring much fruit. (Jn.15:16)
More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13162.html
Southern Sudan: Independence and beyond
South Sudan will come into existence on Saturday. An ongoing conflict with the North combined with numerous warlords pursuing their own agendas bring challenges. The country's problems of rampant corruption and a low productivity remain unresolved. The ministries are predominantly led by men who have much more experience cleaning weapons than heading efficient administrations. There is a shortage of teachers and schools, doctors and hospitals, bridges and roads. The United Nations is expected to help the country get established, but its soldiers and vehicles are routinely blocked from entering contested regions. The head of the UN peacekeeping mission is an American, who has been there since 2004 based in a mobile office unit at the airport. Six warlords, veterans of the liberation war, are stirring up fresh conflicts. The government in Khartoum is doing nothing that might contribute to stabilizing the South.
Pray: for God to fulfil the dreams of the South Sudanese Christians as they begin to develop their country. (Pr.16:3)
More: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,772691,00.html
Pakistan: Tribal leaders oppose military operations against Taliban
A tribal assembly in Pakistan this week has opposed ongoing military operation by Pakistan against the Taliban and are urging the government to hold talks with the militants to resolve the issues. The security forces have recently launched a major operation against the Taliban in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). A 'jirga' (tribal assembly) was organised by a conglomeration of different political parties in Peshawar and they supported talks with the Taliban militants. The parties included Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Awami National Party, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and both factions of the Pakistan Muslim League. The 'jirga' rejected the newly-introduced regulations and demanded that the government carry out political and administrative reforms in the region. In a joint declaration it urged the government to bring insurgents to the negotiating table.
Pray: for restrained Taliban members to move responsibly towards peaceful negotiations in the region. (Pr.1:10)
Afghanistan: Karzai raises concerns with Pakistan over attacks
Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed ‘deep concerns’ to his Pakistani counterpart about deadly rocket attacks launched across the Taliban-troubled border. Also, 200 Afghans protested in the capital on Saturday against these attacks which have fanned tensions between the neighbours. Speaking at a press conference in Kabul alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron, the Afghan leader said he had raised the sensitive issue with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at a recent meeting. Karzai said, ‘He had ‘deep concerns' and asked for an immediate stop to the shelling from Pakistani territory. The Pakistan army admits only that security forces may have fired a few accidental rounds into Afghanistan while pursuing militants across the border. Mr Cameron told reporters, ‘Now is the time for Pakistan and Afghanistan to sit and meet and talk on how we are to ensure what we need to do.’
Pray: for International ambassadors to advise, support and establish improvements in Afghanistan-Pakistan relations. (Pr.24:5-6)
More: http://www.dawn.com/2011/07/05/karzai-raises-concerns-with-pakistan-over-attacks.html
Israel: Christian couple harassed
A Jewish ultra-Orthodox group singling out Messianic Jews for abuse is harassing a couple they claim are manipulating minors into becoming Christians. The group, Yad L’Achim, placed leaflets around the home of Serge and Naama Kogen, in a suburban community West of Jerusalem, and took out a full-page ad in a local newspaper giving the couple’s address and telling residents they were part of a missionary group ‘targeting’ the community. The Kogens are native Israelis and hence not part of any missionary group. About 20 of the group’s supporters demonstrated outside the couple’s home denouncing them over megaphones for 90 minutes. The protests came after Yad L’Achim lost a court case against the Kogens and their congregational leader accusing them of ‘proselytizing’ minors. During the protest, a distraught 16-year-old girl, the alleged target of the couple’s ‘missionary’ efforts, said all of Yad L’Achim’s claims were false.
Pray: for the harassment of this couple to end and for courage for their congregation as they live out their faith. (Ps.133:1)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/israel/article_114414.html
Israel: A ministry of reconciliation
The division between Arab and Jewish citizens is reflected in institutions, culture and national identities. Palestinian-Israelis reject Zionism as colonialist and racist. The Jews see themselves as the genuine proprietors of the Land of Israel. Both sides reject the most cherished values of the other. However some are working towards coexistence and reconciliation through ‘Musalah’ a ministry with a vision to see reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians first among Christian believers and then to those of interfaith communities. Please click the more button below to discover how they are improving Arab-Jewish coexistence through Summer Camps for the Israeli and Palestinian youth. Please pray for Hebron Camp that that started July 2nd with 120+ children registered and the July 18-23 camp in Petah Tikvah, Israel, giving Israeli and Palestinian children the opportunity to build friendships at a young age and see those from the other side as their brothers and sisters in the Messiah.
Pray: for the follow up for youth who attended these and similar camps of reconciliation amongst the youth, that they will continue to pray and listen to one another. (Ps.138:7-8)
More: http://www.musalaha.org/
Iran: Death sentence possibly overturned
Following a huge prayer campaign for Youcef Nadarkhani, a Christian pastor accused of apostasy by converting from Islam; (See Prayer Alert 4710) the Supreme Court has annulled the death sentence, however they sent the case back to the court in his hometown demanding that Youcef repent. For the past ten years Nadarkhani has been a pastor in a network of house churches. Millions of Christians from around the world have been praying for the death sentence to be overturned, at the moment it is just been negated on some technicalities. A Truth Ministries report (http://www.presenttruthmn.com) states it is not all good for the pastor. There are some mixed messages on the verdict. Typically the Supreme Court either upholds or annuls a sentence. His attorney said, ‘We need to continue the pressure through the power of the prayers of the saints. God is moving in hearts, let's continue to earnestly pray.’
Pray: that Yousef experiences the presence and peace of Jesus daily and for Iranian Christians not to be intimidated by events. (Pr.28:10)
East Africa: Food crisis needs a long-term strategy
As emergency appeals get underway for people in the East and Horn of Africa, development workers plead for a more permanent solution. A ’toxic mix’ of drought, failed harvests and rising food prices have brought severe food shortages to the East and the Horn of Africa and the UN office for the co-ordination of humanitarian affairs predicts that 10 million people in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti will face chronic shortages and be in need of humanitarian assistance. However short-term emergency relief work has to be backed up with long-term strategies to enable people in these regions to cope when disasters such as drought and failed harvests occur, says Nigel Harris, CEO of the NGO Farm-Africa.
Pray: for God to break this drought crisis with rain, and for NGOs to develop longer-term partnerships and strategies as well as short -term solutions to climate anomalies. (Dt.11:14-15 & Job 5:10)
August 1-30, 2011, will be the dates of the international prayer focus for the Muslim World. With humble beginnings, a small group of Christian leaders met for prayer for the Islamic world during a meeting in the Middle East in April, 1992. Millions of Christians worldwide have since joined the prayer effort. The 52-page prayer guide found at www.30-days.net is produced in 42 languages each Ramadan and sent to more than 32 regional offices not to be comprehensive but to motivate and inspire the reader to prayer. It contains information, statistics, stories, and photos. This August, the prayer event will coincide with the month of Ramadan in part to remind us to pray when we hear about this in the media. As Muslims fast and pray, Christians do the same. Christians are encouraged to befriend their Muslim neighbors. The purposes of the 30 Days of prayer for the Muslim world specifically are:
• For greater breakthrough for the Gospel among Muslims
• An increased commitment to prayer by Christians
• And for more missionaries to be released to work among Muslims
There are many testimonies of Muslims coming to faith with some seeing Jesus in visions. Som Muslims have come to respect the 30 Days of Prayer network’s motto “Loving Muslims Through Prayer” while others have threatened their efforts. Please join in prayer during this time.
A number of events, mandalas and initiations all based on the Kalachakra Tantra (Time God) Intended to alter the age of the world. (out of the Christian age into Aquarius and the rule of the Chakravartin)
Agree with those on site in the USA who are mobilizing prayer and also involved in covering prayer for this event which involves welcoming occult spiritual forces into the American capital. One prayer team will be on site in Washington DC from July 1-9 and another team on two weekends: Jul 8-9, and 15-16. A core team plans to meet for prayer every Monday till the 4th of July.
One of them writes: “I am asking for His covering because the forces that are involved in this event are very powerful. I know the Lord has equipped us, but I need to know that we are safe in Jesus. We aren't trying to take on mighty powers here, we are beseeching the Lord, like Hezekiah did in Isaiah 37:14- 20, to not leave our land unguarded. It is God who is sending us to our capital for His purposes there. We go to seek Him, to listen to Him, to love and glorify Him.”
Thanks for your intercession!
VFA