USA: Will aid Israel defence systems despite cuts
New US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel met with Ehud Barak for two hours on Tuesday, expressing strong support for Israeli missile and rocket defence systems despite fiscal uncertainty caused by across-the-board spending cuts. ‘Secretary Hagel is committed to working with members of Congress to ensure that there is no interruption of funding for Iron Dome, Arrow, and David's Sling rocket and missile defence systems,’ a US defence official said. During the talks, Barak stressed the importance of continuing to develop the special relations between the Israeli defence community and the Pentagon.
Pray: that God will bless security issues facing the Middle East today, foremost among them, Iran. (2Sa.22:4)
More: http://www.worthynews.com/top/jpost-com-LandedPages-PrintArticle-aspx-id-305409/
Pakistan: Elections
Will Pakistan return to a moderate government or become a fanatical terrorist country? The election process starts March 15th but much campaigning is going on now. An interim government will be in place for one month before May elections. Pray a religious ‘pir’ will not be Prime Minister during this period (Jer.1:8-10). Pakistan’s home minister Rahman Malik confirmed the Taliban was behind last Sunday’s car bomb in Karachi killing 50+ people and injuring 140+. Many believe political parties have gone soft on terrorist organisations because terrorists help them win elections (forcing candidates to withdraw their candidature and providing security to their political masters.) A worrying aspect is that the banned Sipah-eSahaba (Taliban affiliated party) entered into a poll alliance with PML-N, whose leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is known to be close to the Taliban (they named him as a guarantor in recent negotiations).
Pray: the run up to Pakistan’s elections will be peaceful. Pray deliverance for the innocent lives being destroyed and the failing economy. (2Ch.32:7)
Eritrea: Christians jailed for ‘illegal’ worship
There was uncertainty on Tuesday, March 5, about the situation of 125 Eritrean Christians who were ‘beaten and detained’ in western Eritrea as part of a new government campaign against Christians worshipping outside the state-backed churches. At least 85 were arrested in the last week, among them are 45 who were arrested February 27 for worshipping ‘outside the Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran Churches'. An estimated 1,500 – 2,000 Christians remain detained for some years in prison facilities ranging from airless, hot, windowless metal shipping containers, to military prison camps. Christians are known to have died during their imprisonment. The crackdown began in 2002 when all churches except those belonging to the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations were effectively banned. Independent evangelical and charismatic churches are particularly singled out. Government policies are aimed at religious groups who are ‘duped by foreigners’ seeking to distract from and to distort the true meaning of religion.
Pray: against the harassment and detention in harsh conditions of thousands of members of registered and unregistered Christian groups. (Ps.18:16-19)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/26883-eritrea-jails-125-christians-in-campaign-against-illegal-worship
Egypt: Unrest
On Wednesday President Mohammed Morsi was reportedly considering handing over security in Port Said to the military as clashes between protesters and police escalated for a third consecitive day. Lawlessness and violence have wracked the city since January. Photos posted on social networking sites on Tuesday showed smoke rising from locations where protesters threw molotov cocktails on security buildings. The government's inability to regain control is a sign of how deeply divided Egypt has become in the two years since Hosni Mubarak’s regime was toppled. Mr Morsi's deliberations over declaring martial law in Port Said had echoes of Mubarak's decision during the 18-day uprising to order the military into the streets to restore security. The tenuous security situation has raised questions about Mr Morsi’s ability to forge ahead with new parliamentary elections scheduled to begin at the end of April.
Pray: for Egypt’s political environment to be fair and inclusive. (Is.32:16)
More: http://www.thenational.ae/topic/subjects/egypt-unrest
The prayer momentum continues
Praise God for prayer initiatives emerging in 2013. Prayer walking your city. United we Are is generating a continuous year of prayer during 2013 by young people facilitated through 24-7 Prayer, Hope Revolution, Urban Saints and Global Day of Prayer London. This was launched by a ‘Gideon’ style army of 300 young people at Wembley stadium wearing red hoodies during a reading of Ezekiel 37. Details on www.thefatherslove.co.uk. Light the Land is a prayer and intercession tour lighting the beacons of revival across the nation from east to west and from north to south. For details of all venues – next one 3rd March in Manchester go to: http://robparkerchristchurch.com Also, Walking Into The Future, ‘As I started off my first prayer walk around ‘my’ City of Salford, little did I know what lay ahead’. Find out more from Dave King and all that they have learned about God’s faithfulness by clicking the More button.
Praise: God for the way He makes our feet like the feet of deer, and sets us on high places. May He continue to teach us and train us for war as He enables us to bend bows of bronze. (Ps.18:33-34)
More: http://www.wegather.co.uk/stories/Walking-Into-the-Future.cfm
The prayer momentum continues
Praise God for prayer initiatives emerging in 2013. Prayer walking your city. United we Are is generating a continuous year of prayer during 2013 by young people facilitated through 24-7 Prayer, Hope Revolution, Urban Saints and Global Day of Prayer London. This was launched by a ‘Gideon’ style army of 300 young people at Wembley stadium wearing red hoodies during a reading of Ezekiel 37. Details on www.thefatherslove.co.uk. Light the Land is a prayer and intercession tour lighting the beacons of revival across the nation from east to west and from north to south. For details of all venues – next one 3rd March in Manchester go to: http://robparkerchristchurch.com Also, Walking Into The Future, ‘As I started off my first prayer walk around ‘my’ City of Salford, little did I know what lay ahead’. Find out more from Dave King and all that they have learned about God’s faithfulness by clicking the More button.
Praise: God for the way He makes our feet like the feet of deer, and sets us on high places. May He continue to teach us and train us for war as He enables us to bend bows of bronze. (Ps.18:33-34)
More: http://www.wegather.co.uk/stories/Walking-Into-the-Future.cfm
Death row murderer’s conversion
After killing a man Edward Salazar Mauricio faced the electric chair. By God’s grace he received a life sentence. Mauricio had a Roman Catholic upbringing but it made no difference in his life. ‘I confessed my sins before a priest, said a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers and continued my life without any change whatsoever.’ During his frequent trips to solitary confinement guards left a Bible in his cell. ‘I started reading the Bible to pass the time,’ God slowly planted His Word in Mauricio’s heart. He attended a prison evangelistic meeting where Saul of Tarsus's conversion was preached and, ‘That word went straight into my heart. After leaving the meeting I went to my prison cell, got on my knees, and said ‘God, I know I am a sinner and that I have destroyed my life through sin, but if you can use my life in anyway I surrender my life to You right now.’ You can read all of his story by clicking the More button.
Praise: God for the power of His word that penetrated Edward’s heart to bring changes he could never have imagined. (Ps.119:11)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/02/the-death-row-murderer-who-became-a-missionary/
Death row murderer’s conversion
After killing a man Edward Salazar Mauricio faced the electric chair. By God’s grace he received a life sentence. Mauricio had a Roman Catholic upbringing but it made no difference in his life. ‘I confessed my sins before a priest, said a few Hail Marys and Our Fathers and continued my life without any change whatsoever.’ During his frequent trips to solitary confinement guards left a Bible in his cell. ‘I started reading the Bible to pass the time,’ God slowly planted His Word in Mauricio’s heart. He attended a prison evangelistic meeting where Saul of Tarsus's conversion was preached and, ‘That word went straight into my heart. After leaving the meeting I went to my prison cell, got on my knees, and said ‘God, I know I am a sinner and that I have destroyed my life through sin, but if you can use my life in anyway I surrender my life to You right now.’ You can read all of his story by clicking the More button.
Praise: God for the power of His word that penetrated Edward’s heart to bring changes he could never have imagined. (Ps.119:11)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/02/the-death-row-murderer-who-became-a-missionary/
NIGERIA: Appeal for prayers
Christians are being asked to pray for Nigeria after a weekend of deadly attacks. Six people died when gunmen attacked the predominantly Christian village of Aduwan Gida in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern Kaduna on 23 February. The victims were villagers who had gathered to mourn the death of an elderly member of the community. The gunmen attacked the group at around 10pm. Victims reportedly included a mother and her six-month-old baby. The injured are being treated in hospitals in Kaduna and Plateau States Christian Solidarity Worldwide-Nigeria, said the attack resembled those by Boko Haram in recent years. ‘It is unfortunate that after the announcement of a ceasefire by elements of Boko Haram, we are still experiencing attacks resembling their style of operations,’ he said. 'We ask for continuing prayers for Nigeria and urge churches to be vigilant with regard to security, particularly as the Easter period approaches.’
Pray: for the relatives of all families murdered by ‘unknown attackers’ across Nigeria, may they know God’s peace and comfort. Pray also for security forces to give adequate protection. (Ps.23:4)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/appeal.for.prayers.for.nigeria.after.deadly.attacks/31718.htm
Tanzania: Plot to destroy peace?
Three violent incidents against Christian ministers have left believers concerned over the future of religious freedom. On Feb 17 gunmen waited for Father Evaristus Mushi as he parked his car outside his church, they surrounded the car and killed him. He was an advocate of interfaith dialogue. Also two days later a church was burned down. On Feb 2 Pastor Mathayo Kachili was hacked to death when he intervened in an altercation over the slaughter of an animal. A group of Muslims had demanded immediate closure of butcheries owned by Christians. On Boxing Day Father Ambrose Mkenda was shot as he left his car, the gunmen then ransacked the rectory. The Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference said the situation signalled a plot to destroy peace in the country. The situations on Zanzibar remain tense. Islamic extremism is the main persecution dynamic for the country.
Pray: for peace to prevail in the communities affected by the violence, may the government take decisive action in resolving issues pertinent to the incidents. (Ps.7:8-9)