Father Anton Cruz shares that on Saturdays from 8 p.m. to midnight, the Royal Kids will be praying for CIP and WPA. To join them in real time, visit www.royalkids.org.
    
Please pray:
1.    For the prayer ministry of the Royal Kids to be funded, guided, and nurtured well.
2.    For blessings to abound for the children who dedicate themselves to the work of prayer.
3.    For the Christians around the world to understand, embrace, and emulate the model of what the Royal Kids do with their prayer ministry.

Compass Direct News (www.compassdirect.org) announced that 11 Christians (including 2 children) were arrested at gunpoint while sharing an evening meal and being charged for conducting a “secret meeting” in a pastor’s home. Three church leaders were included and still remain in custody after the release of the other 8: PastorWanna from Nakoon village church, Chanlai from Tonglar village church, and Kan from nearby Nahin village church—all in Hinboun district, Khammouan Province. Despite government-approved Christmas celebrations between December 5th and January 15th and the fact that Pastor Wanna informed the government of a church gathering in his home January 5th, the arrests on January 4th occurred.

Following street protests in December 2010 going into January 2011 over a repressive government, seemingly lavish government spending, levels of corruption, economic hits, and dismal employment prospects for even the educated, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi was brought into power to replace Mr. Ben Ali. Prime Minister Ghannouchi has set up an interim government until elections can be held mid-year. Many political prisoners have been freed. Demonstrators are still angered that the new cabinet is dominated by the former president Ben Ali’s party. Some protestors feel that long-barred groups such as the Islamist groups or the Tunisian Communists should be able to participate in the government. On January 26th, the interim government issued an international arrest for Mr. Ben Ali and has dismissed cabinet ministers.

Please pray:

1.    That peace and stability will come over Tunisia and that God’s people in Tunisia will be an instrument of peace.
2.    For an end to violence and looting—many of whom are from higher-educated backgrounds.
3.    For a new government with a heart for justice and the righteousness of God and that God would perhaps raise His children to the ranks of governing and to ranks of influence to council and govern in His ways.
4.    Repentance in the Church and restoration to the Land.
5.    Protection of Christians from persecution as well as material needs. Food and petrol are becoming more of an issue.
6.    For the interim government to act with accountability, honesty, and wisdom until the mid-year elections and that the elections be free from corruption.
7.    That the Gospel of Christ Jesus advance.
8.    For Tunisian Christians to use this time to share their faith and that God would grant to them deeper faith.

One of our colleagues in Mexico reports some answers to prayers for Mexico. In the last months, these events have occurred:

1.    The leader of Familia Michoacana, one who has threatened us of kidnapping, fell down in a special operation by the military in Michoacan. He regarded himself as the apostle of the cartel and had 12 “disciples” under him.
2.    The leader of the “Santa Muerte” cult was captured because he was laundering funds from kidnappers.
3.    The son of a pastor was released within 10 hours after the military conducted a huge operation never seen before in the area where the young man had been kidnapped.
4.    A pastor from Chiapas and who defends native people being rejected by their communities for professing Christ as their Lord, had been threatened by local authorities. He and others met with the Governor and close staff in the capital city of Chiapas. The Governor committed to resolving each issue presented, meeting the first Friday of each month to review progress, and to establish preventative measures against religious discrimination.
5.    A meeting occurred with the Apostolic Council in Guatemala and a Mexican team to explain what has happened with the November national prayer initiative. Some 80% of Christian evangelical churches were represented. A Forgiveness and Reconciliation Act for violence Mexicans had done against Guatemalan and Central America immigrants trying to get to the USA was conducted and accepted by the Guatemalans.
6.    A meeting of some 250 brothers in a metropolitan area occurred. A woman pastor from Jalisco state gave testimony that in the last night of meetings in November that the Lord healed her foot which was in a cast. She felt strength return, took her cast off, and walked immediately. It was supposed to be on for 3 months. The devil was notified that his power over Mexico had come to an end and that he could not touch the lives of the pastors and leaders of the National Prayer Network.
7.    One of the kidnappers of another pastor’s son was captured.

All praises to God!

Also, Bridge Builders, Inc., (http://bridgebuilders.org) reports:
1.    Flavio Mendez Santiago, a founding member of the Zetas drug cartel, was captured in mid January. He controlled the main overland drug smuggling routes from Central America. Nancy Davis, an American missionary working in Mexico, was shot and in January, 2010, more than likely for the pick-up truck she drove rather than the fact that she was a missionary. The Los Zetas cartel is suspected to be the attackers. Pray for Sam, her husband.
2.    Joaquin “El Chappo” Guzman, listed by Forbes to be one of the world’s most powerful people, worth over $1 billion, and considered the most power drug trafficker in the world, has escaped a Mexican high security federal prison. Beheadings with handwritten notes are signed “El Chappo People”. He has not been found in 10 years.

Please pray:

1.    Giving thanks for His moving in Mexico to expose darkness (crime, evil plans) and bring justice and for sparing the life of pastors’ sons who were kidnapped.
2.    For the relationship between pastoral leaders and the Chiapas government to continue to be positive, and that the Governor will keep his word and work for religious freedom and protection. Pray that God would work through the Governor and in him to bring about inward change as well.
3.    For God’s Spirit to bring about personal change, growth, and revelation of what He is doing or about to do in Mexico during this 40 days of fasting and prayer and for renewed vision for Christian Mexicans in faithful prayer support and outreach to their country.
4.    For other drug cartel leaders to be captured and brought to justice and for confusion and dissolution of the networking and drug trafficking efforts. That they and others in crime would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Pray that all their evil plans be foiled and people’s lives spared.