Ivory Coast: Refugees trapped in church compound
30,000 people are trapped in a church compound in Ivory Coast as fighting worsens. A priest who did not want to be named said many who had sought refuge at the mission were migrants from West African countries who had been working in the cocoa plantations. Many arrived with gunshot wounds. Forces loyal to UN-backed President-elect Alassane Ouattara are on the offensive on several fronts against the army loyal to ‘President’ Laurent Gbagbo who refuses to stand down despite losing November's election. The UN has accused pro-Gbagbo forces of shooting civilians and killing at least 10 on Monday. A group of Gbagbo supporters burnt another man alive. One million people have fled the violence. The priest appealed for his mission to be treated as a safe haven by all the fighting forces and says there is not enough food or sanitation for those inside. Pray: for the Christians within the compound to be strengthened as they attempt to comfort, calm and minister to the terrified hiding in the compound. (Ps.119:122-123) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12890555
Saudi Arabia: Two Christians in prison
Friends and family of Indian Christians Yohan Nese, 31 and Vasantha Sekhar Vara, have tried in vain to secure their release from prison. They are accused of converting Muslims to Christianity, though the government has not produced formal charges. Sources report, ‘Religious police interrogated, cursed and beat them, tore up and trampled on Bibles and Christian material they had confiscated, asking them how many Christian groups and pastors there are in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh. The religious police also put pressure on the two to convert to Islam. They have been in prison since 21st January with no official charges but know that the charges are religious in nature. Vara’s pastor said that in his sole conversation with him a week after his detention, Vara requested prayers for his release. Pray: for their immediate release and for Christians to be honourably treated in Muslim countries. (Ps.7:6) More: http://www.christianpost.com/news/two-indian-christians-languish-in-saudi-prison-49623/
China: 'Jasmine' blogger arrested
A Christian activist in Sichuan who is a friend of the arrested man said that ‘Ran Yunfei is a writer and literature magazine editor from Sichuan who was detained without charge for over a month as unrest rippled across the Middle East. Later he was formally charged for inciting subversion of state power. Ran is a prominent writer and his arrest for challenging the Communist Party is the latest in a string of crackdowns on dissent. The 46-yearold was detained as many online calls for similar ‘Jasmine Revolution’ protests in mainland China spread. His arrest was described by friends as ‘the crime of expressing your opinions, and in this case the prosecutors will probably use essays that Ran has published on the Internet.’ The charge against Ran of inciting subversion was also used to jail Liu Xiaobo, the dissident who won the Nobel Peace Prize. Pray: for God's peace and comfort to the dozens of lawyers, bloggers and ‘dissidents’ in Beijing's harsh prisons. (Ps.140:4) More: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=3&art_id=109582&sid=31823447&con_type=1&d_str=20110329&fc=1
Israel: Prepare for War?
In the wake of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem last Wednesday, Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into southern Israel. Israel launched new airstrikes in Gaza. Islamic Jihad, a Middle Eastern terrorist group, claimed responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire. However, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the nation holds Hamas responsible. Hamas said it wants to ‘restore calm’ and would not attack. Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the nation will not be passive about terrorism. See: Yesterday CNN reported Israeli aircraft hitting a terrorist squad in the Southern Gaza Strip which had launched rockets towards Israeli communities. A Palestinian citizen was killed. A Hamas statement said Israel shelled a tunnel on the Palestinian-Egyptian border with no injures reported. There has been a week of heightened violence between the two sides. Pray: against an escalation of violence. (Pr.3:31) More: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/30/israel.airstrike/
Middle East: Update
Syria’s government resigned and appointed caretaker premier Naji al-Otari. The government has little power in Syria, where control is in the hand of President Assad, his family and the security apparatus. Otari has been prime minister since 2003. See: Saudi Arabian women are demanding equality in a country where women can’t drive or vote and need male approval to work and travel. They are attempting to force change with online organizing that helped topple Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak. See: l Bahrain detaines bloggers and supporters of Shiite-led pro-reform protests. Hundreds of opposition activists and leaders have been detained since martial-type laws were introduced two weeks ago. See: Egypt's Zahi Hawass the minister of state under ousted President Mubarak was re elected to a government post. His appointment will anger pro-democracy activists calling for all old regime elements to be eliminated. Pray: for a mighty recognition of God's purposes and plans by all to whom He gives His authority and for courage for them to do whatever He tells them. (Jn.2:3) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2JVifEYiqojJkfmiwSLj22tg7uQ?docId=CNG.bfb8229dcf908f07a113483065bb30aa.281
Iran: Iranian video says Mahdi is near
CBN News Terrorism Analyst reported the Iranian government believes the Islamic messiah (Mahdi) is about to appear. An Iranian regime-produced video called, ‘The Coming is Near’ describes current events in the Middle East as a prelude to the arrival of the mythical twelfth Imam or Mahdi. - a messiah figure who Islamic scriptures say will lead the armies of Islam to victory over all non-Muslims in the last days. According to an insider to the Iranian regime, ‘Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office screened this movie recently with much excitement for the clerics.’ The target audience is Muslims in the Middle East and around the world. The video claims Iran is destined to rise as a great power in the last days to defeat America and Israel and usher in the return of the Mahdi; it makes clear the Iranians believe that time is fast approaching. Pray: for Jesus Christ to reveal himself in power to President Ahmadinejad (Is.2:2) and for Iranian Christians to have many safe opportunities for evangelism at this time. (Col.4:3)
Teachers to ask 11-year-olds if they are gay
A report commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) recommends that children should be asked if they are homosexual from the age of 11 and that records should be kept of those unsure about or ‘questioning’ their sexuality. The report was conducted in an effort to encourage teachers, nurses and youth workers to start monitoring the development of young people’s sexual identity. The aim of the monitoring would be to ‘shed light on the complexities of young people’s developing sexual orientation and how this may disadvantage them.’ The report suggested that it is both ‘practically and ethically’ possible to interview children as young as 11 about their sexual orientation, if necessary without parental consent. The report has prompted concern in some quarters. Pray: for the authorities and there seeming obsession with sexuality especially with the young. (1Cor.6:12&6:18) More:http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/equality-commission-wants-teachers-to-ask-children-if-they-are-homos
‘Pop porn’ is harming young children
Sexually charged pop lyrics and videos are damaging young children but the industry does not care as long as it makes money, a national newspaper columnist has said. Sandra Parsons highlighted popstar Rihanna’s song S&M which includes sexually explicit lyrics, as well as a music video by rapper Skepta and a song by the artist Jessie J. The columnist is worried about the effect on children, but was sceptical about whether the industry would care ‘about the emotional stability of the children who make them ever richer. What children see, hear and do before adulthood can have far-reaching consequences’ she writes. ‘Can we honestly say that the boys listening to all these mainstream songs that glorify aggressive sex will not be remotely affected later on? Teenagers are an easy target for a cynical music industry that continues to pump out ever more pornographic images and lyrics to sell records.’ Pray: for public and political opinion to censure the music industry and force them to curtail their unchecked push of pornographic material. (Eze.16:58) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pop-porn-is-harming-young-children-columnist-warns/
Training in community outreach ahead of 2012 Games
Churches are to be trained in running community festivals as part of their outreach during the 2012 London Olympic Games. Thirteen training events are to take place over the coming months to show churches how they can put on simple events that build community spirit and demonstrate the Gospel. Organisers are hoping churches will work together to run a festival in their community in the run-up to or during the Games. The training events are being coordinated by More than Gold, the charity overseeing church outreach during the 2012 Olympic Games, and being run by Fusion and Share Jesus International, which offer two alternative models of festival. Venues include London, Newcastle, Oxford, Reading, Preston, Croydon, Liverpool and Aylesbury. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, said: ‘it is time for churches to be making their own plans. This tour gives them the help they need.’
Pray: for a huge response by church and other Christian groups to support the outreach during the Olympics. (Mk.16:15)
Britain is no longer a free society
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has warned that Britain is no longer a free society where conscience is respected. Speaking at the Christian Broadcasting Council’s annual conference, the bishop warned that ‘encroaching totalitarianism’ was threatening respect for conscience. ‘What we are facing is not a free society, but an ideology that is seeking to impose its views on us,’ he said. The bishop said that the secular worldview was undermining absolute respect for human life and amounted to an attack on the unborn child, the ill, the disabled, the elderly and the family. He said that respect for the unborn child had been eroded by the ‘demands of science’ and ‘huge commercial interests’, as well as a ‘relativistic’ worldview that cannot explain the dignity of the human person. ‘If you can dispense with a person at the earliest stage of life why not do it at the later stages. Or in between?’ he said. Pray: that the secular worldview and its ideology would not be imposed upon our society. (Job.27:6) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/britain.is.no.longer.a.free.society.says.bishop.nazirali/27732.htm