Egypt: The effect on neighbours
Thousands are demonstrating across the region demanding political and social reform since Egypt promised to make constitutional amendments and have democratic elections. Tens of thousands in Algeria, Jordan and Yemen are demonstrating for complete political and social overhaul. Although their leaders promise changes protesters say it is not enough. See: Early Wednesday morning Libyan protesters threw petrol bombs and stones at government supporters and police who in turn violently dispersed the crowd with tear gas, batons and hot water. A Libyan 'Day of rage' has been called for Thursday by local residents with a history of distrust of Gaddafi. In Bahrain the King announced a probe into the deaths of two protesters killed in clashes with security forces, when thousands of protesters gathered in Manama's main square. In Bahrain the Shia majority has been ruled by a Sunni Muslim royal family since the 18th Century. See: Pray: for a spiritual overhaul of the whole region. (Is.23:17,18)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/20112167051422444.html
Middle East: Church of the Nativity
Palestinian Christians have submitted an application to the UNESCO heritage committee asking that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem be granted World Heritage status. Palestinian Authority Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Khouloud Daibes, said ‘This step is part of our plan to end the Israeli occupation and build the institutions of the state of Palestine.’ The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem has enjoyed UNESCO World Heritage Status for 30 years but the Church of the Nativity remains off the list because Palestine is not a recognised state. Both churches are visited by millions of pilgrims each year with the Church of the Nativity expected to welcome two million visitors through its doors in 2011.
Pray: that the place of worship for Jesus birth will not be caught up in the struggle of people groups. (Mt.1:23)
Sudan: God bless the newest country
A South Sudanese resident said, ‘The results of the referendum mean I am free today. Now I am a first class citizen in my own country.’ President Obama said, ‘I am pleased to announce the intention of the United States to formally recognize Southern Sudan as a sovereign independent state in July 2011.’ The brothers and sisters in Christ of the mainly Christians in the former South Sudan can pray, that God will sustain and provide for the people of the world's newest country facing challenges such as a new currency being established, diplomatic missions needing to be opened, and even choosing the new country’s name. Also critical negotiations are due with the north to decide on citizenship rights, oil rights and even the final border demarcation. But for the many Christians these are small problems to deal with after the mass killings and cruelty that so many of them have endured.
Pray: for God’s guidance and protection through the coming months of decisions, negotiations and avenues of change. (Pr.2:10-12)
More: http://ww .breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8646
Iraq: More car bombs
Three car bombs exploded in quick succession killing at least six people and wounded 75 in Iraq’s oil-rich northern city of Kirkuk on Wednesday. Explosions were aimed at police and Kurdish security forces in the latest of a series of attacks by insurgents as U.S. troops prepare to withdraw by the end of this year. The area is on high alert. Kirkuk is a disputed city even though Iraq’s violence has declined since 2006-07. Kirkuk sits on rich oil reserves and is one of the disputed territories at the centre of tensions between the Kurdistan Regional Government and Iraq’s central government; bombings still occur daily by Sunni insurgents and Shiite militia. Iraq has been experiencing an exodus of Christians following attacks. A Kirkuk resident said, ‘How long will this unstable situation last. We call on the state to take tough security measures against such incidents happening again.The victims are poor people.’
Pray: for God’s protection over His people, and for wisdom, and perseverance for the security forces supporting US troop’s withdrawal. (Ps.9:16)
More: http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2011/02/09/17206356.html
Eritrea: Church raids
Two Christians are reported to have died in separate Eritrean prisons after being refused medical treatment amid a renewed crackdown by the authorities against unregistered churches. One of the martyrs was a 27-year-old woman arrested for reading a Bible in her bedroom. A new wave of raids has seen over 100 Christians detained. Forty one people from Asmara were jailed and are said to have endured beatings. The following day, 27 believers from various underground churches near Asmara were rounded up by the security forces. In January thirty five Christians including fifteen women and two elderly men in poor health were seized from a house church gathering in Nakfa. This onslaught on Eritrean Christians began around the time of the Tunisian uprising. Observers believe current disorder in North Africa and the Middle East may prompt President Isaias to tighten his grip on power leading to an even more severe persecution of unregistered Protestant Christian groups
Pray: the thousands imprisoned without trial would know Gods presence, and the Northern unrest would not exacerbate Eritrean Christian’s conditions. (Ps.20:1)
India: Christians killed for reading Bible
A local missionary reported, ‘Suspected Islamic militants killed two Christian teenagers on January 31st because they were reading the Bible in the disputed Kashmir valley. The area lies between India and Muslim Pakistan.’ It is believed the girls were shot by three fighters of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan based Islamic militant ‘terrorist’ group. Their Bible reading was part of an underground house church ministry, one of many projects of mission group Salem Voice Ministries (SVM), which supports evangelism and aid among Muslims and Hindus in India, including underground house churches in Muslim-majority Kashmir. Lashkar-e-Taiba, or the 'Army of the Righteous' seeks to introduce an Islamic state in South Asia and to ‘liberate’ Muslims in Indian-controlled Kashmir. India identified the group as masterminds behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack that killed 166 people. Since the killings local believers are in total fear but they will continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray: for a powerful anointing of all that is needed to fulfil Gods purposes for their work in the area. (Dt.31:12)
Indonesia: Angry Muslims attack churches
More than 1,000 Muslim protesters have stormed a courthouse and burned two churches in central Java after a Christian man was sentenced to five years in jail for distributing leaflets deemed insulting to Islam. Indonesian police said the crowd considered the sentence too lenient and were demanding the death penalty.The violence spread to surrounding neighbourhoods where two churches were set on fire and a third was damaged. A body which advises the US government on religious freedom has said Indonesia must act against ‘extremist’ attacks, and should be more intolerant of extremist groups. Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population but it is currently a secular nation. International observers say more hard-line fringe groups have been harassing religious minorities in recent years.The Indonesian president has been criticised for not doing enough to protect the rights of all citizens.
Pray: for God to lead the Indonesian government into actions that would end hate crimes and revoke a 2008 decree that encourages vicious attacks. (Ps.109:30-31)
Egypt: Christians under attack
Persecution.org report, ‘On 29th January a Coptic Church was attacked in Rafah, close to the border with the Gaza Strip. The two-storey building contained two worship halls, used by different denominations. Attackers ransacked the interior and attempted to remove the cross from the top of the building but were unable to do so. They then set the contents on fire causing extensive damage. The absence of police recently led to numerous incidents of looting and other disorderly conduct with reports that Christians from two families were killed in one incident although the casualty figures remain unclear with no indication of motives. There are many reports of Christians assisting neighbours, and Christian prayers were conducted in Tahrir Square - public practice of Christianity outside predominantly Christian districts is very unusual in Egypt. However In some areas Christians have been forced to gather in their homes for prayer, fearing for their safety if they meet at church.
Pray: the congregations affected will know God’s protection as they continue to meet, and for no sectarian clashes in Egypt at this time. (Ps.55:22)
More: http://www.persecution.org/2011/02/09/egypt-prayer-update-church-attacked/
MP: Do not pray in the House of Commons
A Conservative MP has said the House of Commons should stop saying prayers at the start of its proceedings. The contentious proposal could, Jo Johnson MP said, ‘save three or four minutes every day’ and would better reflect the UK. Another Tory MP, Peter Bone, challenged this claim, saying a recent poll showed ‘75 per cent of British people thought that they were Christians’. Jo Johnson, the MP for Orpington, said ‘I am not against going to church, which is something that people should feel free to do, but it is something that MPs should be encouraged to do in their own time’. The MP is the brother of Boris, the Mayor of London. Last year the Mayor backed prayers in Parliament, saying it was helpful for both believers and non-believers. Pray: that our MPs would reject this move to restrict prayer and give God at least three or four minutes every day. (Mk.12:17)
Christians to 'light up' for poverty
Christians are being invited to ‘light up' beacons of hope for the world's impoverished communities through a week of prayer. Tearfund is asking Christians to take part in One Voice 2011, a worldwide week of prayer focused on social justice issues and ending global poverty. The aid agency is urging Christians to pray for people still suffering in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, as well as thousands of refugees displaced by post-electoral violence in the Ivory Coast, and those affected by the floods in Pakistan. Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost said: ‘One Voice 2011 hopes to make an incredible difference to the world’s poorest people, those suffering social injustice and the effects of natural disasters. As Christians, when we engage with God in prayer, we re-focus our hearts on the mission Christ calls us into - to love our neighbours, to reach out to people living in poverty and care for those in need.’ Pray: for One Voice 2011 and for all those that Tearfund wish to support. (1Sa.2:8) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/christians.to.light.up.for.poverty/27511.htm