Sudan: Alarm over demolition of church
The World Council of Churches (WCC) and All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) have condemned the destruction of a church in Sudan. The Episcopal Parish Church of Saint John, Haj Yousif, in Khartoum was reportedly demolished on 18 June on the orders of Sudanese government officials. The WCC and AACC have denounced the action as the latest in a series of ‘calculated attacks’ on minority communities and Christians in particular. On 21 April, the Sudan Evangelical Church Bible School in Khartoum was destroyed and books including the Bible set on fire in full view of the police. Two days later, security forces occupied the premises of the Sudan Council of Churches and Sudan Aid in Nyala, Darfur, and confiscated property. The WCC and AACC warned that Christians of Muslim background were being targeted and dispossessed of their property and their spouses.
Pray: for God’s people in Sudan that they will be covered by the armour of God. (Eph.6:10-20)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/alarm.over.demolition.of.church.in.sudan/30144.htm
Sudan: A call to prayer
June 21st the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kadugli called Sunday June 26th a day of prayer and fasting ‘To end the Nuba Genocide and for the Peace of all Sudan’ as Sudan faces the nightmare of genocide in what the Bishop called, a final attempt to erase our culture and society from the face of the earth. It is not a war between armies that is being fought in our land, but the utter destruction of our way of life.’ See Meanwhile President Bashir threatened to shut pipelines carrying South Sudan's oil. Oil accounts for 98% of the south's income. Most pipelines, refineries and the main port is in the north. Talks between North and South continue regarding oil, citizenship and disputed borders while horrendous fighting persists between Christians and Muslims. See last weeks Prayer Alert and INSIGHT article.
Pray: for God in His mercy to place His hand over this situation and bring order out of chaos. (2Ch.14:11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13870929
Sudan: 165 killed in clashes
A clash between South Sudan's army and rebel militias resulted in 165 deaths on April 25th. The wave of violence sweeping the new nation is threatening to destabilize it before it can achieve formal independence in July. Violence has been reported in nine of South Sudan's 10 states in 2011, reportedly killing close to 1000 people and displacing 100,000. ‘The closer southern Sudan gets to independence, the more unstable the region appears,’ notes one journalist. As we watch we can pray for the Lord to arise and do battle for this fledgling nation - praying for Him to accomplish His will and purpose for South Sudan. (Ps.68:1; Jer.29:11) Pray: for the spirits of violence, mayhem and terror to be bound asking the Holy Spirit to move throughout Sudan giving peace and hope to the people. (Mat.16:19) More: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/26/3200157.htm
Sudan/South Sudan: Buffer zone
Last week Sudan and South Sudan signed nine agreements settling some disputed issues and established security cooperation between the two governments to stop rebel attacks from both sides through a number of measures including a 14 mile buffer zone of pasture land on the common border. Some Dinka think they have been abandoned by their government, believing this agreement gives another opportunity for the marauding Murahaleen to resume their rustling; while others view it as a trading off of their land for a region that initially in terms of law and administration chose not to be part of South Sudan. Meanwhile, although they welcomed these agreements, the rebel alliance Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) said they are determined to bring down Khartoum's regime. An SRF spokesperson said they doubt Khartoum's regime will implement what is agreed in Addis Ababa. See also: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210030016.html
Pray: for peace between the two Sudans and for speedy implementation of all the agreed provisions. (Lk.6:37)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201210020985.html
STOP PRESS: Yemen: US embassy stormed in capital Sanaa
Angry protesters stormed the US embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday as regional discontent over an amateur US film mocking Islam spread throughout the region. Police used water cannons and fired warnings shots to drive the protesters out of the building, according to an AFP correspondent at the scene. There were unconfirmed reports of casualties on both sides. The protests in Sanaa come two days after a similar attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi resulted in the deaths of four US citizens, including the US ambassador in Libya, Christopher Stevens. There were also reports of fresh scuffles outside the US embassy in Cairo on Thursday, a day after protesters scaled the embassy walls, ripped down the US flag and replaced it with the black Islamic flag.
Pray: against further unrest in the region see above..
STOP PRESS: Pope Francis is an 'inspired choice'
Catholic leaders in the UK have spoken of their delight over the election of Pope Francis. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor praised the selection of a ‘humble, very simple and very intelligent man,’ and said the Church was ‘very blessed. Above all, I think he is a holy man, a spiritual man and I think he will bring a new kind of style to the Catholic Church,’ the Cardinal told the BBC. He noted the significance of the Pope's choice of the name Francis, known as a man of the poor. Cardinal Murphy-O'Connor said ‘the simplicity of Pope Francis’ life would be a great example to people. For many people, this may be a surprise selection. For me, it was an inspired choice and I am very, very happy not only for the Catholic Church but for the world,’ he said.
Pray: that Pope Francis will be inspired by the Holy Spirit as he takes on the role as leaderof the world-wide catholic Church.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.francis.is.an.inspired.choice/31830.htm