Dominican Republic: Largest ever Christian outreach
Nearly 70,000 people in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico placed their faith in Jesus through the ’My Hope’ Billy Graham TV project. After months of preparation, Christians across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico`, equipped with evangelism training and filed with a passion for the Gospel, opened their homes for meetings and witnessed; culminating in over 59,000 home events, TV sermons from Billy or Franklin Graham and a personal testimony from the host. In the Dominican Republic, 55,391 people made commitments to Christ, with 13,797 doing so in Puerto Rico. Altogether more than 5,500 churches from across the evangelical spectrum were involved in the projects. Since My Hope began in 2002, such projects have been implemented in 50 countries. Praise: God for the members of the body of Christ who are stepping out in evangelism. (1T.2:3-5)
US Congressmen defend National Day of Prayer
CNS News reports that 63 members of the House and four senators (both Republican and Democrat), members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, have filed an amicus brief to defend the National Day of Prayer. Jordan Sekulow, attorney at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which is representing the congressmen, was quoted as saying the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment protects the National Day of Prayer because it is not the call of, or for, a specific religion, it is not mandated, and there are no punishments for not participating. ‘That goes back to, what I think the First Amendment is about, which is an establishment of a religion in the United States. That means you don't say that it is, for instance, the Baptist Day of Prayer, just the National Day of Prayer,’ Sekulow said. Praise: God for this move to establish prayer to be central to the US government. (Heb.13.7) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8040
US Congressmen defend National Day of Prayer
CNS News reports that 63 members of the House and four senators (both Republican and Democrat), members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus, have filed an amicus brief to defend the National Day of Prayer. Jordan Sekulow, attorney at the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) which is representing the congressmen, was quoted as saying the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment protects the National Day of Prayer because it is not the call of, or for, a specific religion, it is not mandated, and there are no punishments for not participating. ‘That goes back to, what I think the First Amendment is about, which is an establishment of a religion in the United States. That means you don't say that it is, for instance, the Baptist Day of Prayer, just the National Day of Prayer,’ Sekulow said. Praise: God for this move to establish prayer to be central to the US government. (Heb.13.7) More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8040
INSIGHT ARTICLE: Ramadan1431 – Muslim month of fasting
There are at least 200 Muslim people groups of over 100,000 individualsThere are at least 200 Muslim people groups of over 100,000 individuals who do not receive any Christian witness. During the 30 days of Ramadan, August 11 to September 9, many Muslims will sincerely seek God through prayer, fasting, repenting of past sins, and attempting to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. In closed countries where Christians are forbidden to openly share their faith we hear testimonies from Muslims to whom Jesus has directly revealed Himself through dreams and visions during Ramadan. We may not be able to reach them ourselves, but we can and ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on the spiritually dry and thirsty in the three weeks leading up to and through this ‘Holy Month’. For inspirations to help your prayers for Muslims click link. (see also item 3) Pray: .for many Christian prayers to be released, preparing the way for revelations of God's Kingdom. (1Jn.4:18)
Iran: Pastor facing execution plus fears for Christian in solitary confinement
A well-known Iranian pastor detained in June faces execution after two judges agreed to make him ‘liable to capital punishment,’ in a crackdown on growing Protestant churches. A senior pastor of the Church of Iran movement, comprising house churches across Iran, said judges had already signed an Islamic death sentence order, pending further investigations. see Also Ali Golchin has been in Evin Prison’s solitary confinement since April 29, and is believed to have been ill-treated. After weeks of petitioning authorities his father was allowed a ten minute visit and found his son 'crying uncontrollably' and in obvious pain. Ali, a chemical analyst, had twice been sent to the prison health centre due to 'weakness and severe stomach aches'. Farsi Christian News Network’s sources believe Ali has been ill-treated during interrogation sessions. But praise God for the release of two Church of Iran Christians and the expected release on bail of two other Christians identified as ‘brothers Mehdi and Afshin'. Pray: for Ali's spiritual and physical strengthening, and for God to touch the hearts of Iranian officials charged with detaining Christian prisoners of faith. (2Ch.11:17)
Palestinians want mediator for peace talks with Israel
Israeli bulldozers destroyed six buildings in East Jerusalem on Tuesday, resuming the demolition of Palestinian property after a halt aimed at encouraging peace talks. House demolitions are a volatile issue because Israel sees East Jerusalem as part of its capital city, while Palestinians want it for their future capital. No houses had been razed in the eastern sector since last October, and the demolitions indicate a shift from the unofficial freeze Israel imposed after criticism from USA see Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki comments on the peace talks with Israel saying, ‘Palestinians and Israelis have been trying to resolve their conflict via direct talks since 1991 but have produced absolutely nothing,before we re-engage again, we have to draw lessons. We, the Palestinians need a third party presence, not only to watch us but to intervene in order to bridge the gaps, build proposals and help the two sides to move in the right direction.’ Pray: for a return to direct peace negotiations. (1Sa.7:14 & Ps.122:6) More: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=117054#axzz0tkGRSMcE
North Korea: Jailed Christian attempts suicide
Aijalon Mahli Gomes, a 30-year-old American sentenced to eight years in a labour camp for illegally entering North Korea, was hospitalised after a suicide attempt. Officials claim he was motivated to kill himself out of ‘his strong guilty conscience’ and ‘his frustration’ with the US government’s effort to set him free. Gomes, a devout Christian, was captured after crossing into reclusive North Korea from China on Jan. 25th and sentenced in April to eight years hard labour and fined about $700,000, for ‘hostile acts’ against the country. In June, North Korea threatened to impose harsher punishment (wartime law) in retaliation to America’s ‘campaign’ of international pressure following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. Prior to entering North Korea, Gomes was an English teacher in South Korea, and protested for the release of another Christian who illegally entered North Korea to urge leader Kim Jong-il to repent. After more than six months, it is still unclear what Gomes’ motivation is for entering North Korea. Pray: for the Lord to strengthen Aijalon as only He can and for many advocates to obtain his speedy release. (Lk.21:19) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/us.christian.attempts.suicide.in.north.korean.jail/26267.htm
Uganda: Missionaries injured in bomb blast
Please pray for six injured missionaries from Pennsylvania and the families of the 74 people killed in a bomb blast last Sunday as they watched the World Cup at a restaurant in Kampala. Five of the missionaries required surgery, before their expected return to USA this weekend. Kampala Police Chief said he believed that Somalia's most feared militia - al-Shabab, which has pledged loyalty to al-Qaida - could be behind the attacks. Pray: for God to keep all those caught up in the blast specially close to Him at this time. (Ps.91:1-2)
Haiti: Slow return to normality after earthquake
Some Haitians feel as if it happened just days ago, the Rev. Kerwin Delicat, a priest based in the city of Léogâne, said as people prepared to mark six months since the January earthquake. Some progress is discernible and eventually there will be a return to normal life, but it's like something that just happened. Many residents still mourn loved ones. For some, trauma is less palpable than immediately after the quake, but others are still struggling to resume their lives. Christian Aid staff had to relocate after their offices were destroyed and they are impatient at the slow pace of some recovery efforts, saying they want the Haitian government to be more forthright in finding better and ultimately permanent, housing for the tens of thousands still in displacement camps and living in tents. It will take a long time for many families to restart a normal life because the consequences have been so huge. Pray: for the mercy of God to flow, for the kingdom of God to advance, and the powers of witchcraft and voodoo to be broken over the nation, so a new day for the Haitian people will arise. (Ps.28:2)
Prayers raise man from the dead
An audience of 120 doctors from 50 countries sat in stunned silence as a renowned heart doctor produced evidence of how, after he had prayed for a patient who had died and was being prepared for the morgue, was brought back to life after prayer. Dr. Chauncey W. Crandall, who serves at the Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic, Florida, made his dramatic presentation which stunned his audience of fellow medical professionals. In his powerful testimony he produced dramatic evidence that was shown on the screen and since made publicly available. ‘We had a fifty-three year old man who came to the emergency room with a massive heart attack and his heart had stopped,’ he said. ‘The medical people had worked on him for over forty minutes in the emergency room and then declared him dead’. Dr Crandall was called to evaluate the patient. The Holy Spirit told him to ‘turn around and pray for that man.' When the Holy Spirit talks to you, you have to respond. Praise: God for this demonstration of the Spirit’s power. (1Cor.2:4) More: http://www.prayerforum.org/news/global/man-raised-from-dead/