AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* BLASPHEMY TRIAL POTENTIAL TURNING POINT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN ALGERIA

* FORMER MUSLIM WARNS POPE THAT ISLAM IS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD

* U.S. ELECTION MAY SPARK NEW CONVERSATION ON ABORTION

* VILLAGERS SUFFER AS RATS DESTROY CROPS

* BILLY GRAHAM TURNS 90

* RAPE VICTIM, 13, STONED TO DEATH IN STADIUM

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BLASPHEMY TRIAL POTENTIAL TURNING POINT FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN ALGERIA

Prayer is needed for 9 pending court trials, one of which has already begun, that will set precedence for the future of religious freedom in Algeria. Here is a brief background on the case. The 1992 civil war between the State of Algeria and Islamists claimed over 150,000 lives according to many published estimates. Since then, religious freedom has been relatively accessible and Algeria has been a peaceful and tolerant democracy. In 2006, however, an ordinance was issued in Algeria that anyone who would try to “shake the faith of a Muslim” could be prosecuted, potentially jailed, and fined. This resulted from pressure of Islamist groups in the area pushing for anti-conversion laws. The effects of this ordinance have not manifested until arrests late last year. In February 2008, 3 Protestant leaders were given a 3 year suspended sentence and $4,600 fine for “attacking religion and the person of the Prophet.” By March 28, 2008, 19 Protestant Churches had been closed. In May, a girl named Habiba was arrested for carrying 20 copies of the gospel of Luke. Her trial remains pending, and she is constantly harassed by the police. Pastor Youssef Ourahmane and his wife who have founded several programs providing sustainability, have with their three daughters dedicated their lives to benefit others. Youssef has a court trial date of October 21 where he and 2 other Christian men are facing blasphemy charges. He and his wife report that finding a lawyer to defend Christian cases is “nearly impossible” and that they pay six times more than usual. The situation in Algeria has improved since July 2008 when governments around the world began to put pressure on the Algerian government concerning the deteriorating state of religious freedom. All of the church leaders have stayed strong and will not waver in their commitment to serve the local community. The 9 pending cases will determine whether the situation really has improved, or if more pressure on the Algerian government will be needed. Please pray for these men and women of faith to be acquitted and for Algeria to remain a tolerant place for Christians.

Source: Jubilee Campaign USA

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FORMER MUSLIM WARNS POPE THAT ISLAM IS NOT INTRINSICALLY GOOD

As the Vatican was preparing to host the first meeting of the Catholic-Muslim Forum November 4th – 6th, Magdi Allam, a longtime critic of the Muslim faith of his parents, issued an open letter to Pope Benedict that included criticism of Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. In the letter, posted on his Web site October 20th, Allam said he wanted to tell the Pope of his concern for “the serious religious and ethical straying that has infiltrated and spread within the heart of the church.” He told the Pope that it “is vital for the good of the Catholic Church, the general interest of Christianity and of Western civilization itself” that the Pope make a pronouncement in “a clear and binding way” on the question of whether Islam is a valid religion. The Catholic Church’s dialogue with Islam is based on a Second Vatican Council Declaration which urged esteem for Muslims because “they adore the one God,” strive to follow his will, recognize Jesus as a prophet, honour his mother, Mary, “value the moral life and worship God especially through prayer, almsgiving and fasting.” The council called on Catholics and Muslims “to work sincerely for mutual understanding” and for social justice, moral values, peace and freedom. In his letter Allam specifically objected to Cardinal Tauran saying Islam itself promotes peace but that “‘some believers’ have ‘betrayed their faith,'” using it as a pretext for violence. “I tell you with all sincerity that the reality is exactly the opposite of what Cardinal Tauran imagines,” Allam told the Pope. “Islamic extremism and terrorism are the mature fruit” of following “the sayings of the Quran and the thought and action of Mohammed.” Allam said he was writing with the “deference of a sincere believer” in Christianity and as a “strenuous protagonist, witness and builder of Christian civilization.” Allam regularly uses his newspaper column and interviews to condemn Islam. The Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, said that when the Catholic Church welcomes a new member it does not mean it accepts his opinions on every subject. Of course, believers are free to maintain their own ideas on a vast range of questions and problems on which legitimate pluralism exists among Christians,” he said.

Source: Catholic News ———————————————–

U.S. ELECTION MAY SPARK NEW CONVERSATION ON ABORTION

Abortion has been a bitterly divisive topic in US politics, particularly at election time. Republicans have traditionally pushed for legal restrictions on abortion whilst Democrats have advocated its availability. For many years, the debate stalled at this point, making little impact on the number of abortions. Statements made by Obama however have raised hope that there may be some areas of agreement which could be built on. During the presidential debates Obama opened up the possibility of finding some new common ground in reducing abortions. There is also now some movement in the Congress with pro-life and pro-choice members looking for common ground solutions for reducing the number of abortions that are proven to work. New and compelling studies make the clear connection between abortion and poverty, with fully three-quarters of the women who have abortions saying that they just couldn’t afford to have the child. During one debate Barrack Obama stated that, “there surely is some common ground between those who believe in choice and those who are opposed to abortion can come together and say, “Let us try to prevent unintended pregnancies by providing appropriate education to our youth, communicating that sexuality is sacred and should not be engaged in, in a cavalier manner, and providing options for adoption, and helping single mothers if they want to choose to keep the baby.”

“Those are all things that we put in the Democratic platform for the first time this year, and I think that’s where we can find some common ground. It will be a great day when both poverty reduction and abortion reduction become non-partisan issues and bipartisan causes,” Obama said. I think it’s always a tragic situation. We should try to reduce these circumstances.” Please pray that with Obama winning the election, there can be bi-partisan agreement and action on measures to reduce the abortion rate.

Source: Sojourners

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VILLAGERS SUFFER AS RATS DESTROY CROPS

An estimated 200 villages in the Chin state of Myanmar (Burma) are suffering severe food shortages as a result of a massive infestation of rats which is destroying their corn and rice crops. While their fellow citizens in the hardest-hit region of the Irrawaddy Delta still suffer the effects of Cyclone Nargis, these villagers face an explosion of the rat population that accompanies the blooming of the region’s bamboo flowers. Previous bloomings occurred in 1862, 1911 and 1958, and each was followed by a severe famine. The people in the villages are discouraged and concerned for their survival. They are having to venture into the forests to scavenge for wild fruit to feed their families. Most of the villagers engage in spirit worship, appealing to spirits they believe can offer them protection. Traditionally, the people have had a hatred for Christians and normally would not allow anyone to share Christ or distribute Gospel literature. But the people’s struggles have made them a little more open to the Gospel-and they are being comforted as they hear of the hope of Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them. Sadly, overall church attendance is suffering greatly as people are having to work extra hard just to find enough food to eat every day.

Please pray for the God’s abundant provision to meet people’s spiritual and physical needs in this village in Myanmar. Pray also for the rat infestation to be brought under control.

Source: Gospel for Asia

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BILLY GRAHAM TURNS 90

Billy Graham celebrated his 90th birthday on November 7th, marking the milestone with a private family dinner. Tens of thousands of messages have been pouring in, and were collected together and shared with him as part of the birthday celebration. “I never expected to live this long, and it is hard to believe I have reached the age of 90,” Mr. Graham said. “I have discovered that just because we grow weaker physically as we age, it doesn’t mean that we must grow weaker spiritually. In fact, we ought to be growing stronger spiritually, because our eyes ought to be on eternity.” Mr. Graham is finishing a new book based on his personal experience with ageing and how to be prepared for what he says can be the most fulfilling years of life. Despite the death last year of Ruth, his marriage and ministry partner of more than 63 years, Mr. Graham is buoyed by his family and the hope of the Gospel message he has preached for more than six decades. “I look forward even more to the time when I will be reunited with my wife in heaven, and neither of us will ever experience again the physical aches and pains brought about by age and illness,” Mr. Graham added. Mr. Graham stays informed about the ongoing ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) under the leadership of his son, Franklin. Mr. Graham has also paid close attention to the political cycle and the race for the White House, in light of a difficult economy and the ongoing war on terror. “President Elect Barack Obama faces many challenges, and I urge everyone to join me in pledging our support and prayers as he begins the difficult task ahead.”

Source: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

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RAPE VICTIM, 13, STONED TO DEATH IN STADIUM

An Islamist administration in Somalia ordered that a girl, 13, be stoned to death for adultery after the child’s father reported that she was raped by three men. The al-Shabab militia, which controls the city of Kismayo, arranged for 50 men to stone the girl in front of about 1000 spectators. A truck laden with stones was brought to the stadium for the killing. The girl struggled with her captors and had to be forcibly carried into the stadium. Inside the stadium, militia members opened fire, killing one boy, when some of the witnesses to the killing attempted to save her life. The girl’s father told Amnesty that when he tried to report her rape to the militia the child was accused by the administration of adultery and detained. None of the men accused of the rape was arrested.

Source: Amnesty International

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