Russia: ‘Gigantic statue’ of Jesus unveiled
It appears easier to erect religious statues in the former USSR than other countries in the West. A Russian publication, Russia Information Center, reports that a ‘gigantic statue’ of Jesus Christ will be unveiled in Prokopievsk, in the region of Kemerovo. The unveiling is part of ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the city. According to the report, the monument, measuring 11 metres high, will sit atop the highest point in the town. Beams of light will reportedly illuminate it from below and the pedestal it sits upon bears inscriptions of the Ten Commandments. Several other monuments gracing the town by sculptor Konstantin Zinich include one of Adam and Eve. Praise: God that Jesus and His Word are central to the celebrations of Prokopievsk. More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8732
Burma: 'Prayer is the air we breathe'
While global attention remains focused on uprisings in the Middle East, Christians around the world on Sunday, March 13, will be praying for the country of Burma, also known as Myanmar. Burma's military regime has committed just about every human rights atrocity imaginable against ethnic minorities and Christians. Government attacks during the past 18 months have caused more than 100,000 ethnic Chin Christians to flee to neighbouring India. Overall, an estimated 200,000 ethnic Burmese are living in refugee camps. More than one million are internally displaced. Missionary David Eubank met pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi in 1996. Her request? She asked him to pray for Burma. In response, Eubank started an annual global day of prayer for the nation the following year, and founded a humanitarian relief group called the Free Burma Rangers. 'Most of our people are believers and our job is to give immediate help' he said. Pray: for the people of Burma that God would intervene and bring freedom for all people. (Is.59:1) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/March/Free-Burma-Prayer-is-the-Air-We-Breathe/
Pakistan: Muslims threaten to burn Christian village
Following on the heels of the shocking case of Asia Bibi, the 45-year-old Pakistani Christian woman and mother of five who has been sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy, and in whose defence Punjab Governor Salman Taseer lost his life, comes the case of another Christian woman who has been charged with blasphemy under the country’s law that has been condemned around the world. Hardline Muslim clerics and landlords of the village Rana near Wandu, threatened to torch the homes of every Christian in the community and abduct Christian girls over the love affair of a Christian boy and Muslim girl. The situation became horrible for local Christians in Rana village and Wandu village as Muslim clerics and local Muslim landlords started to threaten Christian villagers. They also threatened dire consequences including forcibly evicting the local Christians from the villages; and most terrorizing of all the threats was to abduct Christian girls and rape them. Pray: against the persecution of believers in this community and throughout Pakistan. (Ac.4:29) More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11030036.htm
Ethiopia: Mobs destroy Church buildings
At least one Christian was killed and others injured when thousands of Islamic extremists set fire to 59 churches and at least 28 homes in western Ethiopia in the past five days, Christian leaders said. More than 4,000 Christians in and around Asendabo, Jimma Zone have been displaced as a result of attacks that began on Wednesday (March 2) after Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating the Quran by tearing up a copy, sources said. ‘The atrocity is still going on, and more people are suffering,’ said a source in Addis Ababa who is in close contact with area church leaders. The Christian killed, believed to have been a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, has not yet been identified. A pastor based in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa noted that evangelical church leaders have reported the attacks to authorities and asked officials for help, but no action had been taken at press time. Pray: for the protection of the Ethiopian Church from these attacks. (Ps.59:4) More: http://www.opendoorsusa.org/persecuted-christians/persecuted-christians-news/2011/March/One-Dead-as-Islamist-Mobs-in-
Ivory Coast: Church aiding refugees
Christian aid workers are providing medical assistance to thousands of people fleeing unrest in Ivory Coast. The country has been hit by months of unrest as incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo refuses to hand over power to his rival Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognised winner of last November’s presidential election. The instability has turned to violent conflict in recent weeks as rival forces clash in the Ivory Coast’s commercial capital Abidjan. The violence has triggered an exodus of more than 70,000 people, around half of whom have crossed the border into Liberia. Most of the refugees in Liberia are concentrated in the border village of Butuo, where ACT Alliance member Finn Church Aid has been supplying the clinics with medicine and other medical supplies since December. Pray: that the aid workers in the Ivory Coast will receive all that is necessary to meet the needs of the refugees. (Ps.132:15) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.aiding.refugees.as.insecurity.worsens.in.ivory.coast/27620.htm
Egypt: Muslims torch church and Christian homes
A mob of nearly four thousand Muslims has attacked Coptic homes in Soul, Atfif in Helwan Governorate, and torched the Church of St Mina and St George. According to a story by Mary Abdelmassih for the Assyrian International News Agency (AINA), there are conflicting reports about the whereabouts of the church pastor, Father Yosha, and three deacons who were at church. Some say they died in the fire and others believe they are being held captive by the Muslims inside the church. AINA said witnesses report that the mob prevented the fire department from entering the village. The army, which has been stationed seven kilometres away, initially refused to go into Soul. When the army finally sent three tanks to the village, Muslim elders sent them away, saying that everything was ‘in order now’. According to AINA, a curfew has been imposed on the 12,000 Christians in the village. Pray: for the Church as it faces this specific persecution following the recent troubles in Egypt. (Ps.5:11) More: http://www.aina.org/news/20110304222016.htm
Sudan: Tens of thousands flee fighting
Tens of thousands of people have fled clashes in the oil-rich Abyei region on the border between north and south Sudan, leaving the town of Abyei almost empty, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Friday. Fighting broke out on Tuesday between fighters from the Misseriya tribe, which supports the government in Khartoum in the north, and the Ngok Dinka people who back the south which has voted to secede. At least 70 people were killed and two villages razed in two days of clashes north of Abyei, a spokesman for the army in the south said last week. ‘Since yesterday, tens of thousands of people have fled the town, leaving it mostly empty,’ MSF said Friday. On Thursday the United Nations ordered extra peacekeepers to the region. Abyei did not take part in a referendum in January in which southern Sudan voted to secede from the north. Pray: for peace and reconciliation between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka people. (Ps.37:37) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hFn4kCI9kgrcOmdlb1-s8G-EzEZQ?docId=CNG.0f69b85278e292f4cec1b79291e88739.651
Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, Nuclear Emergency
Japanese geologists calculated that Friday 11th March’s earthquake shifted the Earth’s axis by 10cm. an American source quoted in Reuters said it threw the earth off its axis point by at least 8 centimeters.
The power of the earthquake caused the shape of the country's coastline to change and the landmass we know as Japan moved by between 2.5 and 3 meters sideways in the ocean. The 24 hour day of the 11th March was increased by minutes.
Sources: BBC Radio 4 and BBC Website
A prophecy given at a Swanwick Prayer Conference on Wednesday 9th March - three days before the earthquake.
'As God revealed His Name in the Old Testament, He is revealing Himself today.
God will quickly change the character in a nation.
As in the days of Noah, I can change landscapes quickly.
“Prayer changes us. Prayer changes our world. How will you pray this lent?” Sign up today for a 5-minute prayer slot and watch daily a 5-minute video podcast Monday Friday during the season of lent to encourage us to pray through the life of Jesus. It is in English. http://www.24-7prayer.com/podcasts.
Cuts spell end for Cardiff Street Pastors
A successful Street Pastors team in one of the UK's busiest cities is set to fold at the end of the month through lack of funding. The scheme costs approximately £25,000 to run and is largely supported by the Home Office, although it raises some of its own funding. The Street Pastors are accountable to the police and local authority as well as the Welsh Assembly Government. 'Like everyone, we're feeling the economic pinch,' explained Gary Smith, who runs Cardiff Street Pastors. 'It really is a huge shame because we believe we've done a significant work to help reduce crime on our city centre streets to its lowest figure for 25 years.' They have full support from the police, who have been actively, but as yet unsuccessfully, seeking new areas of funding', said Mr Smith. Inspector Tony Bishop, who is responsible for policing Cardiff city centre, described the Street Pastors' presence as 'invaluable'.' Pray: for new funding and reorganisation that will allow the Street Pastors to continue their important work in some form. (Pr.12:14)