Africa: One in four Christians has superstitious beliefs
Roughly one in four Christians in sub-Sahara Africa believes sacrifices to spirits or ancestors can protect them from bad things happening, according to a recent 19-country survey on religious attitudes in Africa. Sizable percentages of both Christians and Muslims - a quarter or more in many countries - say they believe in the protective power of juju (charms or amulets). In Tanzania and South Africa more than half the people surveyed said they believed that sacrifices to ancestors or spirits could protect them from harm. Many people also say they consult traditional religious healers when someone in their household is sick, and sizable minorities in several countries keep sacred objects such as animal skins and skulls in their homes and participate in ceremonies to honour their ancestors.
Pray: for the Holy Spirit to invade the mindset of all who are deceived and for all who call on the name of Jesus Christ to be correctly birthed into God’s family. (Ps.96:5 & Jn.3:3)
Africa: Clergy told re-evangelise church
In an address to 400 Anglican bishops in Entebbe, Uganda Henry Orombi the Archbishop of Uganda said it was time for Africans to ‘rise up and bring fresh life in the ailing global Anglicanism’. He called African bishops to shake off their fears, shame and superficial dependency and re-evangelise the ailing churches of the west. On the same day as his address to the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa the US Episcopalians published a liturgical resource and guide for clergy and same-sex couples. Orombi told those attending the conference, including the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, that the African Church must go to Europe and the US to revive the ‘Mother Church desperate for the Gospel’. Press reports, ‘African church leaders will use the meeting to reiterate their concerns about homosexuality and criticise the Archbishop for failing to punish communities that welcome gays and lesbians into the pews and priesthood.’ Pray: for the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with God's people as they use His Word as their plumb line in all discussions (Rev.19:7) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/25/uganda-archbishop-orombi-ailing-anglican-church
Africa: Anglicans appeal to Muslims for joint stand against violence
Anglican leaders from across the continent of Africa have made an emotional appeal to Muslim faith leaders to stand with them in opposition to ‘tragic violence that is destroying our communities’. The appeal was issued at the end of a three-day meeting of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa in Burundi where conflict between the two faiths was high on the agenda. Celebrating the initiative by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to make peace by creating ‘Bayt al-'ila’ or a ‘Family home’ from Muslim and Christian leaders to deal with the sectarian strife in Egypt, CAPA also urged governments of affected countries to grant Christians and other religious groups equal rights and freedom to enjoy the benefits of full citizenship. ‘We also call on our respective governments to introduce appropriate measures to guarantee freedom of citizens to live and practice their religions by providing security to their lives and property.’
Pray: for faith leaders and governments to work together to bring these terrible conflicts to a speedy end. (3Jn:8)
More: http://www.cms-uk.org/tabid/151/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3954/Default.aspx
Africa/Asia/Europe: Floods and mudslides on three continents
Sometimes areas hit by one extreme soon receive another blow. In Niger five thousand people lost their homes and crops when the River Niger burst its banks last weekend. They are already suffering from severe food shortages caused by recent drought. UN officials have warned 20,000 people are at risk of displacement in the event of further heavy rains. See In China rescuers are pulling bodies out of mudslides which has so far killed more than 1,100 people and that number is increasing daily as more bodies are carried out on stretchers. People have been assigned to disinfect the areas where human corpses, and dead animals are a concern. See: Southern Poland suffered its worst flooding in decades when heavy rains engorged rivers sending torrents of water through Bogatynia in south-west Poland and Görlitz in eastern Germany in May. Pray: for God to look down from heaven and see and hear: and send labourers to minister to physical and spiritual needs so that many are found by the Lord. (Ps.80:19) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/09/floods-mudslides-drought-extreme-weather
Africa America Asia:Drought
Christian agencies warn that millions face famine in the Horn of Africa and surrounding areas experiencing their worst drought in sixty years. Methodist minister Paul D. Critchley called on Christians everywhere to respond to the worsening situation in East Africa through prayer, action and giving. Meanwhile in Kabul a Christian outreach project had its working water well go dry because the water table has dropped. Since the floods in both Afghanistan and Pakistan there has been no hint of rain. In fact, Christian workers said, ‘it is comparable to previous seasons associated with ‘five to six year droughts’. Also fourteen US states, stretching across an area from North Carolina to Arizona to Texas, are currently in the midst of devastating droughts where conditions are crushing records set in 1917. Many Americans are seeking emergency disaster aid. See
Pray: for God in His mercy to bring about all that is needed in our ecosystems to sustain life. (Job.38:34-35)
Afghanistan: ‘Spring Fighting Season’
A Christian living in Afghanistan writes, ‘As the spring fighting season is underway please remember that often what we see in the physical reflects the hidden spiritual battles that are raging. In the natural, we see sharp increases in casualties among international forces fighting for peace. We also see significant increases in civilian casualties as insurgents target banks, markets, university libraries, and security checkpoints manned by army and police. Recent suicide attacks have been staged in such a way that multiple sites are attacked simultaneously, and then rescue workers are attacked as they move in to care for the wounded. We can take courage from the knowledge that if our spiritual enemy is fighting this fiercely, it is because he knows his time is short and our prayers are making a difference. We must not lose heart, but encourage one another to redouble our efforts in prayer!’ Pray: for evil to be exposed, for righteous judgments to prevail and for national and international believers to use their most potent weapon – praise and worship! (Ps.8:1-2)