Middle East: Peace talks begin in Washington
The Israeli and Palestinian leaders, Binyamin Netanyahu and Mahmoud Abbas, began direct talks in Washington Thursday as Hamas pledged to scupper attempts to bring about peace after its second attack on Israelis in two days. Barack Obama described it as a ‘moment of opportunity that may not soon come again’.Netanyahu said the killing of four Israelis settlers by Hamas on Tuesday reinforced Israel's determination to ensure its security is at the forefront of the negotiations. Abbas said, ‘We want peace, we want normal life. We want to live as partners and neighbours.’ Obama said ‘terrorists who want to undermine the push for peace would not be allowed to weaken negotiations and harboured no illusions as to the challenges for a lasting settlement. Each side has legitimate and enduring interests. Years of mistrust will not disappear overnight. Politicians need to focus on the human face of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict not their own political agendas. Pray: God will release a spirit of optimism and trust to permeate all communications and for this to be a ‘partnership that produces peace’ (Ja.3:18) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/sep/02/middle-east-peace-talks-begin
Pakistan: Taliban kills three foreign Christian aid workers
After the Taliban warned they would attack foreign aid workers and Christian organizations security has been increased, but on Wednesday authorities recovered the bodies of three Christian relief workers who had been kidnapped and killed by members of the Pakistani Taliban in the flood-ravaged country. Their names have been withheld and the agency remains unnamed for security reasons. Military sources withheld news of the deaths from electronic and print media to avoid panicking other relief workers but they granted permission to Compass to publish it in limited form. Pointing to alleged discrimination against minorities in distribution of humanitarian aid a source added that Christians in severely flood-damaged areas in Punjab Province have been neglected. (See Prayer Alert 3210) The majority of the affected Christians in Punjab are in Narowal, Shakargarh, Muzzafargarh, Rahim Yar Khan and Layyah. Pray: for God’s protection and provision for Christians, and that greed would be replaced by Christian ethics. (Lev. 25:35) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/pakistan/24862/
Mexico: Catholic Church fans flames of gay rights row
A row between Catholic Church leaders and Mexico City's mayor over gay rights has embroiled the Supreme Court. ‘Would any of you want to be adopted by a couple of lesbians or queers?’ said the Archbishop of Guadalajara at a recent news conference where he reacted to Supreme Court ruling granting equal rights to same-sex couples, including the right to adopt, was constitutional. The Cardinal’s next comments fanned the flames of the quarrel further when he alleged that Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard had bribed the Supreme Court judges to hand down a ruling that supported gay rights. Mr Ebrard is now sueing Cardinal Sandoval Iniguez for defamation. A Church spokesman urged Mexican voters to punish the mayor's party at the next election. The dispute has taken further twists and turns, drawn in other players and is closely followed by the Mexican media. At its heart is tension between the Roman Catholic Church and the secular state. Pray: that God’s truth will rid Mexico of its endemic corruption through the church’s grace filled message of truth, love and peace. (Ps.45:2) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11119011
Malawi: Church warns of 'dictatorship'
‘Malawi is sliding into dictatorship where it is a crime to hold dissenting views to government policy.’ warned leaders of the Church of Central Africa. The charges came after the arrest and subsequent release of the synod's general secretary the Rev. Levi Nyondo. ‘We are shocked and surprised that government could stoop so low to arrest a general secretary of a reputable church,’ synod moderator the Rev. Mezuwa Banda said. Nyondo was arrested after speaking at the funeral of former Cabinet minister Moses Chirambo who died just days after being dismissed from the government. Nyondo was charged with sedition for uttering words that could incite public anger and has since been granted bail by the Mzuzu Magistrate Court. Synod moderator Joyce Banda said the arrest of Nyondo would not intimidate the church into submission, but rather invigorate it to preach the truth. Joyce Banda is sitting vice president and may run for the presidency in 2014 elections. Pray: for the church to deliver God's prophetic message and continue to stand against wrongdoing. (Ps.18:33-34)
India: Recent persecutions
Chhattisgarh - Police arrested three Christians for ‘luring people to convert to Christianity’ by offering them money and ‘false hope’ when Hindu extremists filed a complaint against them. Karnataka – Hindu extremists disrupted the worship meeting of Ebenezer Assembly of God Church and beat Pastor Ravi George and a church member identified only as Ramu. Both received hospital treatment for serious head and hand injuries. Karnataka - Christians face a social boycott of business and grocery shops, students are prevented from attending Christian schools and the Rev. Philip Rock of St. Sebastian Church was charged with ‘causing disharmony’ after Christians refused to follow Hindu rituals. New Delhi - Hindu extremists attacked Pastor Isaac Laal returning from a Sunday church service. The Evangelical Fellowship of India reported that armed extremists took him to a Municipal Corporation hall, accused him of forceful conversion and severely beat him. Pray: for these and the hundreds of other Christians persecuted for their faith in India. (Ps.18:6) More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/india/24929/
Seoul: Lay Catholics likened to a ‘sleeping giant’
Lay Catholics are held back by commitments within the clerical structures. It is now time to awaken them to their specific mission living in the world like a leaven, transforming it, showing the diversity of their life of faith so as to arouse admiration and questions in those who are non-believers. This is a summary of the contents of discussions and conversations at the Congress of Asian Catholic laity in Seoul which sees the present as a time of transition for the church. A professor at the Seminary from Vietnam emphasized that any commitment of the Church that does not include the mission to non-Christians is not a true ecclesial commitment. An Asian layman member of the Philippine government spoke of how important it is to maintain good relations with the media and fill it with Christian values. Pray: for God to wake up the sleeping Catholic Church in Seoul and globally. (Eph.5:14) More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Lay-Catholics-in-Asia:-a-sleeping-giant-that-is-waking-up-19350.html
North Korea: American Christian freed
An American Christian imprisoned in North Korea has been released following a humanitarian effort by former US president Jimmy Carter. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said in a news release it welcomes the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, but strongly urges the international community to intensify pressure on North Korea for the release of thousands of prisoners still languishing in the nation. CSW said Gomes was detained in North Korea since entering the country on Jan. 25 by crossing the border from China. He was arrested by the North Korean authorities and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp. And ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 for illegal entry and unspecified ‘hostile acts.’ He was the fourth US citizen to be detained by the North Korean government since Jan. 2009, following Robert Park (See Prayer Alert 0210) and the journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, all of whom were released after several months in custody. Praise: God for the release of these international believers but pray for the many nationals still being held. (Ps.146:7)
North Korea: American Christian freed
An American Christian imprisoned in North Korea has been released following a humanitarian effort by former US president Jimmy Carter. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said in a news release it welcomes the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, but strongly urges the international community to intensify pressure on North Korea for the release of thousands of prisoners still languishing in the nation. CSW said Gomes was detained in North Korea since entering the country on Jan. 25 by crossing the border from China. He was arrested by the North Korean authorities and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp. And ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 for illegal entry and unspecified ‘hostile acts.’ He was the fourth US citizen to be detained by the North Korean government since Jan. 2009, following Robert Park (See Prayer Alert 0210) and the journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, all of whom were released after several months in custody. Praise: God for the release of these international believers but pray for the many nationals still being held. (Ps.146:7)
Sudan: Kidnapped Christian worker freed
An aid worker for Christian relief organisation Samaritan's Purse (SP) was released on 30 August after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan. 35 year-old Flavia Wagner is exhausted but in good health and is currently in Khartoum. In May, Wagner and a Sudanese driver were abducted after their two-vehicle convoy was stopped by eight armed men 15 miles southwest of Nyala in Sudan's Darfur region. Seven days after the kidnapping, the two Sudanese men were released unharmed and without explanation in Thur, Darfur. Wagner remained in captivity but was allowed to contact her family and SP staff. ‘We thank God that Flavia is safe and free’ commented Franklin Graham, SP president, ‘and appreciate the help of the governments of the Sudan and the United States. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.’ Praise: God for answering the prayers seeking Flavia’s release (Lk. 4:18) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kidnapped.christian.relief.worker.freed.in.sudan.after.105.days/26605.htm
Sudan: Kidnapped Christian worker freed
An aid worker for Christian relief organisation Samaritan's Purse (SP) was released on 30 August after being held hostage for 105 days in Sudan. 35 year-old Flavia Wagner is exhausted but in good health and is currently in Khartoum. In May, Wagner and a Sudanese driver were abducted after their two-vehicle convoy was stopped by eight armed men 15 miles southwest of Nyala in Sudan's Darfur region. Seven days after the kidnapping, the two Sudanese men were released unharmed and without explanation in Thur, Darfur. Wagner remained in captivity but was allowed to contact her family and SP staff. ‘We thank God that Flavia is safe and free’ commented Franklin Graham, SP president, ‘and appreciate the help of the governments of the Sudan and the United States. People around the world have been praying for her safety and her release. Today, those prayers have been answered.’ Praise: God for answering the prayers seeking Flavia’s release (Lk. 4:18) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/kidnapped.christian.relief.worker.freed.in.sudan.after.105.days/26605.htm