Ivory Coast: Brothers crucified by Ouattara forces
Two peasant brothers were brutally crucified on ‘the example of Christ’ as forces loyal to Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara continue to target perceived supporters of his ousted Christian predecessor, Laurent Gbagbo. Raphael Aka Kouame died of his injuries; incredibly his younger brother, Kouassi Privat Kacou, survived the ordeal. The pair were badly beaten and tortured before being crudely nailed to cross-shaped planks by their hands and feet with steel spikes on 29 May. The brothers were falsely accused of hiding weapons in their home village of Binkro, which has been targeted by Ouattara supporters as the birthplace of a key enemy. The brothers repeatedly denied any involvement in a weapons cache, but their pleas were ignored. This is just one of the many atrocities that have been committed as fighting between Ouattara and Gbagbo supporters has continued in the wake of the disputed presidential election last November. Pray: for the protection of the believers against such atrocities. (Ps.5:1) More: http://www.barnabasfund.org/Brothers-crucified-by-Ouattara-forces-in-Ivory-Coast.html
China: Riots and persecution
Pictures have been slow to emerge from the southern Chinese city of Xintang, where rioting factory workers enraged by the reported beating of a street vendor attacked police stations and torched vehicles over the weekend. Security forces are a constant presence on city streets, and residents have been told not to go out at night or transmit photos of the unrest online. However, a number of photographs taken by stringers working for Reuters and AFP have been made available over the past 24 hours. For images of this un-reported uprising click the more button, and pray as you view. Also according to ChinaAid sources two women ministers were beaten and detained for 24 hours last weekend after an outdoor praise and worship service attended by 100 house church Christians in Korla. See:
Pray: that all hidden violence and injustice be exposed and eradicated. (Ps.7:6)
Afghanistan: ‘Spring Fighting Season’
A Christian living in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the spring fighting season is underway please remember that often what we see in the physical reflects the hidden spiritual battles that are raging. In the natural, we see sharp increases in casualties among international forces fighting for peace. We also see significant increases in civilian casualties as insurgents target banks, markets, university libraries, and security checkpoints manned by army and police. Recent suicide attacks have been staged in such a way that multiple sites are attacked simultaneously, and then rescue workers are attacked as they move in to care for the wounded. We can take courage from the knowledge that if our spiritual enemy is fighting this fiercely, it is because he knows his time is short and our prayers are making a difference. We must not lose heart, but encourage one another to redouble our efforts in prayer!’ Pray: for evil to be exposed, for righteous judgments to prevail and for national and international believers to use their most potent weapon – praise and worship! (Ps.8:1-2)
Syria: Envoy expected in Turkey for crisis talks
A Syrian envoy arrived in Turkey on Wednesday for crisis talks with Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, days after the Turkish leader described the Syrian government's repression of protests as ‘savagery.’ The once-close relationship between the neighbours appears close to breaking point as thousands of Syrians have fled to Turkey to escape a fierce crackdown by President Bashar Assad's security forces.
Pray: for Jesus Christ to be in the midst of these talks and for every strategy to be inspired by God's wisdom. (Ps.17:13)
More: http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=225080
Pakistan: Police torture sister of Christian who eloped
Sheikhupura police this month tortured a young Christian woman into revealing the whereabouts of the legal team helping her family after an influential Muslim family kidnapped her and her sister. Police also helped the Muslim family beat relatives of the Christian woman on court premises and attacked the offices of the organization trying to help her family. The Community Development Initiative (CDI) is an affiliate of the European Centre for Law and Justice. They helped the family negotiate the release of the two Christian sisters and also made efforts for the return of the runaway couple in order to avert religious conflict in the Punjab Province when it was feared inter-religious tensions would put the lives of some 70 Christian families of the area in jeopardy. Pray: for God's protection over the vulnerable and for spiritually inspired hope where there is despair. (Ps,10:17,18) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/article_113622.html
INSIGHT: Doctors tell stories of miracles
Following last weeks Prayer Alert item highlighting a conference for Christian doctors on June 11-12, this Praise INSIGHT provides some of the stories of miracles that Christian doctors have seen over recent years. Many of the medics pray for their patients as well as giving medical treatments and some related stories of seeing Christian prayer heal their patients. A Philippines-born doctor spoke of a Korean Christian called Deacon Han diagnosed with gastric cancer following an endoscopic study. He was told that he should undergo an operation for gastric cancer, but he didn’t because he had a belief in God. Han then travelled to the Manmin Central Church in Seoul where he received prayer for his sickness. From that moment, he gained weight and was healed. For more encouraging stories of miraculous healings click the info button and see:
Praise: God for miracles beyond normal medical expectations.
Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/praisestories1.pdf
INSIGHT: Doctors tell stories of miracles
Following last weeks Prayer Alert item highlighting a conference for Christian doctors on June 11-12, this Praise INSIGHT provides some of the stories of miracles that Christian doctors have seen over recent years. Many of the medics pray for their patients as well as giving medical treatments and some related stories of seeing Christian prayer heal their patients. A Philippines-born doctor spoke of a Korean Christian called Deacon Han diagnosed with gastric cancer following an endoscopic study. He was told that he should undergo an operation for gastric cancer, but he didn’t because he had a belief in God. Han then travelled to the Manmin Central Church in Seoul where he received prayer for his sickness. From that moment, he gained weight and was healed. For more encouraging stories of miraculous healings click the info button and see:
Praise: God for miracles beyond normal medical expectations.
Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/praisestories1.pdf
Denmark: Helle is learning to do miracles
Torgen Sondergaard is a young evangelist from Denmark. He believes that when people start following Jesus, it's important to teach them right away to live the commands of Jesus. Take Helle, a young Danish woman who came to Christ three weeks ago and was baptized immediately. Torben invited her to come to the city and pray for people who are sick. ‘Jesus told us to make disciples of all people,’ Torben explains. ‘Baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded us to do. And one of these commands is to preach that the Kingdom of God is near and heal the sick.’ What happens next is quite surprising. Helle, who has almost no Bible knowledge, prays a simple prayer: ‘Father, I thank you for healing and for removing all pain right now, in Jesus' name. Amen.’ To her own amazement and to the surprise of the people she prayed for, they get healed. Praise: God for the way he used Helle and pray that her testimony would encourage others to step out in faith. (Heb.11:1)
Denmark: Helle is learning to do miracles
Torgen Sondergaard is a young evangelist from Denmark. He believes that when people start following Jesus, it's important to teach them right away to live the commands of Jesus. Take Helle, a young Danish woman who came to Christ three weeks ago and was baptized immediately. Torben invited her to come to the city and pray for people who are sick. ‘Jesus told us to make disciples of all people,’ Torben explains. ‘Baptizing them, and teaching them to obey all that Jesus has commanded us to do. And one of these commands is to preach that the Kingdom of God is near and heal the sick.’ What happens next is quite surprising. Helle, who has almost no Bible knowledge, prays a simple prayer: ‘Father, I thank you for healing and for removing all pain right now, in Jesus' name. Amen.’ To her own amazement and to the surprise of the people she prayed for, they get healed. Praise: God for the way he used Helle and pray that her testimony would encourage others to step out in faith. (Heb.11:1)
Pentecost Festival embraces London
This year’s Pentecost Festival looks set to be the biggest yet. Organisers are anticipating that as many as 30,000 will be reached in the 10-day Central London event which started last Friday. Now in its fourth year, this is the first time the finale, hosted by Holy Trinity Brompton, Hillsong and Jesus House, will take place at the 17,000 capacity O2 arena. The festival sees more than 100 arts-based events with performances from X-Factor finalist Beverley Trotman and US group Spoken Groove, comedy from Andy Kind, John Maloney and Paul Tonkinson, and theatre which addresses issues of injustice. There will be science debates, seminars on faith and fashion and a political evening looking at the impact of the message of Pentecost hosted by Baptist minister the Revd Steve Chalke. Andy Frost, festival director, said 'Once again it will show people that the church is not just about Sunday mornings. 'It's engaging with what's happening culturally. It's representing God's heartbeat.'
Pray: for those leading this event and for its success in reaching out to those who have not received the Gospel message. (Ps.107:22)
More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news3.htm