Compass Direct News (www.compassdirect.org) reports that in December and January, Iranian authorities reportedly released 62 of the 120 Christians arrested for their faith as well as one held in prison since June of 2010. Iranian religious and political figures acknowledged the existence of home fellowships and called them a threat to the state. Some were released on bail that range between a few thousand dollars to the deed on a house. Elam Ministries (www.elam.com) reported that some Christians reported solitary confinement and harsh interrogation. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (www.csw.org.uk) reported that 45 Christians were detained for one night in several towns and cities as part of a policy of harassing non-Muslims. “Silence is the worst thing about the situation of Christians in Iran. The Christians in Iran suffer from the silence of the international community.” Many are put to death secretly, but if news is made about a situation, there is reluctance.
The BBC reported that recent Tehran street protests were broken up by riot police and militia on motorcycles. Protests came a day after websites closed to opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, and both are said to have been jailed.
Please pray: for the safety and release of Christians persecuted and imprisoned in Iran; for the increased faith and courage of all believers; for the government to be reformed so that political and religious freedoms are upheld for all.
Libya: Refugees need help
Tripoli Bishop Giovanni Martinelli needs help for refugees sheltering in his church. ‘We are worried for hundreds of Eritreans stranded here - no one cares for their evacuation. Italy is trying to take fifty four, such a small number. Conflict is keeping people away from Church services but the building is filled with Eritreans wanting to leave the country. Last week Martinelli entered into contact with the Red Crescent and other Muslim organizations appealing for protection of the churches, convents and sisters working in the hospitals. Thousands of refugees on Libya’s borders need tents food water and emergency supplies to avoid a humanitarian disaster. France sent heavy-lifting planes and a ship to create a land and sea bridge to ferry 5,000 Egyptian refugees home from the Tunisian border and is also seeking ways to send tents and emergency supplies to vulnerable people who have not yet left Libya. Pray: that the 80,000 Christians in Libya will be Gods hands, feet and voice in every situation, and equipped by Gods spirit in all they do. (Hab.1:5)
Libya: INSIGHTS
Unrest spreading across North Africa has hit a mighty resistance in Libya. An Open Doors’ contact in Libya reports, ‘It is much worse than the news items. There are no police in the streets, no safety or protection.’ See:http://www.opendoorsusa.org/pray/weekly-prayer-alert/2011/February/Revolution-in-the-Middle-East-Libya While president Muammar Gaddafi threatens major violence against protestors and anyone who demands he step down and hundreds already killed in attempts to silence protestors. Mission workers are saying, ‘Time is now for the Arab world to hear the Gospel’ and ‘usually we say hardship is difficult and we are scared of it, but hardship has brought blessing it has made us stronger in our faith, hopefully it will make the church bold enough to share the Gospel with the majority people.’ see For insights to aid prayer into the roots of Libya’s identity click the ‘More’ button. Pray for an end to bloodshed and that the unrest in Libya would pave the way for a Christian and democratic revival. (Hab.3:13) More: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/libyablue.pdf
Iran: Four prayer needs
1) Iranian naval vessels sailed the Suez Canal on Tuesday en route to Syria, the first time in three decades that Tehran has been allowed to send military ships through this strategic waterway. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu viewed the move 'with gravity.' The ships paid about $300,000 in fees for the passage, according to a Maritime agent. See: 2) After two days of violent street protests in one week, Iran's opposition Green Movement said it was pondering its next move and considering a continuation of street protests, according to opposition websites. Websites have since been shut down. 3) Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karoubi have been under house arrest for over a week with little communication with the outside world. See: 4) Many Christians imprisoned for their faith need our prayers for Gods provision, and house churches in Iran need much wisdom at this time. See: Pray: for God’s power and authority to overrule all of Tehran's widening strategic horizons. (Pr.10:29-30) More: http://www.unitedagainstnucleariran.com/node?sid=21191
Afghanistan: Taliban and Christians
A more liberal Taliban group in Wardak province has stopped arresting women without burkas and is allowing some music ‘representing a new generation of militants’ locals say. Although the situation varies across Afghanistan, Wardak highlights how the Taliban's newest recruits have recently shown greater flexibility over social issues. We can pray that this will prelude even more openness and the removal of spiritual blindness amongst the ethnic Pashtuns. Meanwhile Joel News reports a Christian Afghani Red Cross employee who was arrested on false allegations, beaten, sleep deprived, and sexually abused in jail who then wrote from his cell that he rejoices in the Lord because Jesus appeared to him in a vision. Five days later he was able to pray for a fellow prisoner, a Pashtun Taliban member, who also met with Jesus and is now a believer. Pray: for physical freedom for Christians imprisoned for their faith and for spiritual freedom for the Taliban. (Ps.119:17-18) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5idVJ5tf1_Qhtrpfi2AUwnFIrFeYg?docId=CNG.d9ba7
Israel: West Bank - are they next?
At this time of internet and cell phone assisted revolution, Arab bloggers, academics of Islamic studies and observers are saying in the media and in private, ‘If Binyamin Netanyahu's government and its lobby in Washington were rational they would be rushing to plan Israel's evacuation from the occupied territories and encouraging the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. That is because they would understand that the Arab revolution will not stop at the gates of the West Bank, especially when it is the occupation that unites virtually all Arabs and Muslims in common fury.’ Pray: for a negotiated solution for the West Bank before the regional violence erupts there. (Ps.118:17-18) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/opinion/2011/02/2011222211617377989.html
Israel: Two days in West Bank
Before dawn on Monday 50 Bedouin residents were made homeless. A Christian Peacemaker Team observer reported, ‘Israeli demolition crews took down tents, filled the well and water cistern with earth, uprooted and buried olive trees. All that was left was a small stone bread oven and the cave where residents took shelter during the demolition.’ Residents say they have ownership papers for the land they are driven from. Israeli officials say they are living on state land and must evacuate. UN Humanitarian Coordinator said, ‘If the authorities responsible for demolitions could see the devastating impact on vulnerable Palestinian communities, they might reflect upon the inhumanity of their actions. See: On Tuesday Benjamin Netanyahu refused to negotiate for a peaceful settlement after Palestinian requests for Israel’s settlement activities to halt were vetoed by America. Hamas called for an end to all Palestinian-Israeli contacts. – See item 5 below. Pray: for Christians, Israelis and Bedouins living on the land to know true peace and reconciliation in their homes and communities. (Ps.133:1) More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-turn/2011/02/traveling_in_the_west_bank_par_1.html
Bahrain: Begins freeing political prisoners
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa released 25 political ‘prisoners of conscience’ then left the country for Saudi Arabia for consultations after a week of anti-regime protests. Those released included a human rights activist who runs bahrainonline.org; a member of the Committee for the Victims of Torture; and a worker with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights. Several prominent Shia clerics, including a spokesman of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, were also released. Bahrain is a predominantly Shia nation run by a Sunni elite. There have been roughly 100 political detainees released but approximately 400 people are still detained on politically-inspired charges. Bahrain is experiencing deaths and increased tension. Anti-government protesters are pressing for a host of demands including political reforms and better human rights in the kingdom. They are refusing to disperse, despite a rare apology from the king. We can increase informed prayers for this land from information found at: Pray: that people will work through differences in a peaceful manner and as they search in their hearts for peace they will hear the God of Peace speak. (Ps.72:9)
Libya: Half an hour of tweets
8:32am - 3,000 Turkish citizens boarded two ferries at Benghazi early on Wednesday, The Orhan Gazi ferry left at 3:30 am with fifteen hundred and the Osman Gazi left an hour and a half later with another fifteen hundred. 20,000 Turks remain in Libya. 8:38am Libyan internet is blocked but a UAE-based columnist and prolific Twitter user has tweeted images grabbed from Al Jazeera Arabic showing images of street battles between security forces - he calls them ‘mercenaries’ - and civilians to be spread by Libyan cell phone. 8:41am Video emerged of regime backers rampaging through a Libyan city on YouTube by Muttardi, who describes them as, ‘mercenaries’ attacking. The screams of terrified onlookers are chilling. 9:09am Australia's ABC Radio phoned a man named Abdul in Tripoli this morning describing, ‘Black Africans’ in army clothes driving around in jeeps; jets and helicopters circling the city. Regime backers were distributing guns to anyone who said they supported Gaddafi. Pray: in this fast unravelling of events that God’s Kingdom will break through in power to those who call out. (Ps.116:4 & 8) More: http://blogs.aljazeera.net/africa/2011/02/22/live-blog-libya-feb-23
New Zealand: Hopes fade for quake missing
Hopes are fading of finding survivors beneath collapsed buildings in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in the New Zealand city of Christchurch Ninety-eight bodies have now been recovered and taken to a temporary mortuary. Prime Minister John Key said that number could rise substantially. Police have said 226 people are missing - up to 120 of them at one site alone. Superintendent Dave Cliff said 16 to 22 people were presumed to have died in the cathedral, which was devastated in the quake. The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 5km (3.1 miles) early in the afternoon on Tuesday, when the South Island city was at its busiest. It was Christchurch's second major tremor in five months, and New Zealand's deadliest natural disaster for 80 years Pray:for God's voice to speak through His people at this time giving hope and comfort and demonstrating Christ’s compassion in thoughts, words and deeds. (Ps.116:8)