Global: Persecution increases during Ramadan
For some Christians around the world, Ramadan represents an opportunity to talk about Christ while Muslims are seeking truth, but for believers in mostly Muslim nations, this Islamic holy month is a time to lay low. Open Doors reported there was an upsurge against Christians in the Muslim world during Ramadan last year. Egypt being one of the worst with a church burned to the ground and at least 155 Egyptian Christians arrested for not participating in Ramadan. This year tension rises after Muslims attacked Christians in Afghanistan, Somalia, Pakistan and other nations just before Ramadan. The potential for a increase in persecution in the next 28 days is high. For Muslim-background believers who have come to Christ from their Islam background, there's extra pressure on them to return to Islam. These new converts have tremendous pressure from their families, including death threats and many have to leave their homes and families. Pray: for believers protection and ability to recognise opportunities to share Christ - particularly when Muslims have dreams or visions of Jesus. (Joel 2:28)
Pakistan: Humanitarian crisis
Tens of thousands of villages are still underwater with 17 million acres of desperately needed crops wiped out. This will mean food shortages in the near future for a country so poor that it is dependent on foreign aid to get by even in the good years. Eight million of the 20 million affected have yet to see any aid, and angry citizens complain their government is failing them by not getting them food or transportation. Private boat owners are taking people through the floodwaters, but charging so much that few Pakistanis can pay. Pray: that neither greed nor compromise thrives in Pakistan, but rather a spirit of humble service would be birthed and permeate throughout disaster relief. (Mt.5:7) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/August/Food-Shortages-Next-for-Pakistan-Flood-Victims/
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Kenya: Referendum repercussions
Further to last week's INSIGHT ARTICLE we give thanks to God that apart from a few incidents in the Rift Valley the Referendum vote last week was peaceful with no inter-tribal violence. Although 70% of those who voted were in favour of the Constitution only about 30% of the total electorate voted ‘yes’. It is probable that many didn’t read the document and voted as their leaders told them to. The National Council of Churches of Kenya said the ‘yes’ vote did not nullify their concerns and Canon Peter Karanja, doubted the integrity of the vote saying, ‘We are saddened by the fact that the pre-referendum process was marked by malpractices and irregularities which continued right into balloting and tallying phases. This calls into question the validity of the process and its outcome.’ A summary of Kenyan Christians' prayer requests for their country are in this weeks Insight Article click the info button. Pray: that Kenya would be a symbol of hope in Africa and post-colonial violence will not become a stronghold over the nation. (Ps.22:28-31) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/HowtoprayforKenya2.pdf
Israel: Children’s rehabilitation Centre destroyed
Almost 400 rocket attacks were launched from Gaza to Israel since the 2009 cease-fire; the most recent one completely destroyed a rehabilitation centre for children with special needs in Sderot last Saturday. On any other day the unit would have been packed with children and therapists, resulting in devastating losses. The centre provides therapy and workshops for special needs children living in the entire country. Because there were no casualties the assault received little media cover and vulnerable children with special needs have lost facilities providing appropriate care. This attack followed an Iranian Grad missile hitting the city of Ashkelon Friday morning. Hamas-controlled Gaza has targeted Ashkelon (population of 125,000) since March 2008. Israeli Intelligence confirm Hamas has now assembled over 5,000 missiles with a range of 40-25 miles. Pray: for the families struggling to cope with unimaginable fear and hopelessness in this volatile neighbourhood to see peace overtake war, and provision for the weak and vulnerable. (Is.2:3-5) More: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/138879
Pakistan: Provisions, politics and protection
Over a million refugees fled east with very little and now that region is flooded and they are further displaced, have lost what little they had. Pray for those in mourning; families who lost homes, livestock, crops, and livelihood. Corruption in the government continues as neighbouring countries attempt to influence the government and insurgents try to destabilize the government through violence. In addition, there is talk underground of negotiations between Government/insurgents towards insurgents taking government roles. (Minority ethnic groups are afraid this could lead to a return to their oppression.) Pray for western powers and neighbouring countries to use great wisdom in dealing with the government. Finally, the insurgents use suicide bombers and roadside bombs to defeat the coalition and destabilize the government This violence brings death, destruction and fear to the people. The link below takes you to a report telling how floods give insurgents time to regroup. Pray: that God would hear the great cry of agony going up from Pakistan and reveal His son, and His way forward with supernatural interventions as well as international aid relief. (Hab.3:14)
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
North Korea: Underground church leaders executed
Three leaders of an underground house church in North Korea were executed and 20 Christian associates jailed after police raided a house and arrested all 23 believers gathered for a 'religious function'. Three 'ringleaders' were tried, sentenced to death and executed soon afterwards. The other 20 were reportedly sent to prison camp No.15 in Yodok. The arrests and executions happened in May but news has only just emerged. The events were confirmed by North Korea Intellectual Solidarity, a group of North Korean defectors based in Seoul committed to raising awareness of injustice and promoting reform in their homeland. The 23 Christians had come to faith after a few travelled to mainland China on business and came into contact with Christians. Pray: that Christians in North Korea would powerfully experience God’s protective provision as they secretly worship and live in fear of their lives. (Ps.9:12-13)
Nairobi: Aid blocked
Al Shabaab, an Islamic militant group alleged three agencies were propagating Christianity and halted their work. ‘Now that they have suspended their work, it is the local people who will suffer,’ said the Pastor now in exile, of a small Christian community in Somalia. On 8 August, the Islamic group demanded that World Vision, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and Diakonia, a Swedish agency, immediately cease operations in Somalia. Pray: for God to protect and keep in His perfect peace the groups in Nairobi and elsewhere who bring emotional, physical, and spiritual sustenance where militant Islam threatens. (Ps.26:1, 12) More: http://www.eni.ch/
Dubai: Saudi al-Qaida leader urges killing of Christians
In an audio message released on Wednesday, a Saudi leader of al-Qaida has urged sympathizers in the Saudi security forces to kill Christians living in the kingdom. The audiotape posted on a website used by Islamists also repeated an often-made call to overthrow the Saudi government. ‘Those of you who work in guarding the tyrants of princes or ministers, or the compounds inhabited by Christians, or can reach them, should seek God's help and kill them,’ said Said al-Shihri. Shihri a former inmate of Guantanamo Bay who claimed his organisation has received correspondence from members of Saudi armed forces asking for ‘guidance'. During Ramadan pray for the Saudi Muslims (mainly Sunni) living in Dharan, Ras Ta-nura, Jubail, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Hofuf, Abqaiq, Udhailiya and Shayba. (Please know that you are among only a small group worldwide who has ever prayed for these cities by name) Pray: for the thousands of Saudis involved in the oil industry to come to the knowledge of Christ (2Cor.4:6) More: http://www.canada.com/news/Saudi+Qaida+leader+urges+killing+Christians/3385069/story.html
Philippines: Faith group wants to help government fight graft
Buoyed by a new president who has been exposing corruption, religious leaders in northern Philippines want to battle sleaze at the local level. ‘President Benigno Aquino III has shown he meant business in fighting graft, which inspires us as church leaders to do our part in helping to bring about righteous governance,’ said the Rev Dr Simplicio Dang-awan Jr of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Dang-awan was on 10 August addressing his partners in the Baguio-Benguet Ecumenical Group, an organization that brings together Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders, and a Muslim imam. (Graft- the misuse of public money for private gain poses a very grave challenge to national development in the Philippines, and the magnitude of the problem is staggering.) See Prayer Alert 3010 Praise: God that people in authority, used by God to bring about His purposes, and continue to pray for leaders wherever they are. (1Tim.2:1-4)