AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

* SUU KYI’S RELEASE STIRS GUARDED HOPE AMONG BURMA’S
CHRISTIANS

* FIRST WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASPHEMY IN PAKISTAN

* THE MORAL AND POLITICAL TIDE BEGINS TO TURN IN AMERICA

* DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE SUDAN – SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER 2010

* GERMAN DOCTOR-NUN BRINGS RELIEF AND HOPE TO PAKISTANI FLOOD
VICTIMS

* TRADITIONAL FAMILIES ON THE
REBOUND

———————————————–

SUU KYI’S RELEASE
STIRS GUARDED HOPE AMONG BURMA’S CHRISTIANS

The release of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in
Burma has sparked cautious optimism among Christians and the
country ¢â‚¬â„¢s ethnic minorities. The military regime freed her six days
after the elections. Ethnic minorities are  ¢â‚¬Å“very happy ¢â‚¬  and  ¢â‚¬Å“enthused
with hope and anticipation, ¢â‚¬  said Plato Van Rung Mang, who heads the
India chapter of Chin Human Rights Organization. Suu Kyi is the only
leader from the predominantly Burmese Buddhist community who is
trusted by the ethnic minorities, said Mang.
 ¢â‚¬Å“We have faith in Suu Kyi ¢â‚¬â„¢s honesty and leadership. ¢â‚¬  he added. The
Christian minorities, as well as some Buddhist and Muslim groups have
been fighting for self-determination in their respective states and
opposing the military junta ¢â‚¬â„¢s policy of centralized control and
Burmese dominion. Suu Kyi has the ability to work together with the
minorities to build a better, peaceful Burma where all citizens are
respected and protected, ¢â‚¬  said Garrett Kostin, a U.S. citizen who
runs the Best Friend Library in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
In the wake of the November 7 election, clashes between armed ethnic
groups and the Burmese army erupted in three of the seven ethnic
states mainly along Thailand and China border. The violence has
resulted in an influx of over 20,000 people into Thailand  ¢â‚¬“ the
largest flow in the last five years. The Thai government forced many
of the asylum seekers back. Rights advocates, however, are still
heartened by Suu Kyi ¢â‚¬â„¢s release. It ¢â‚¬â„¢s  ¢â‚¬Å“a wonderful opportunity for the
ethnic minorities to unify in support of each other ¢â‚¬â„¢s rights, ¢â‚¬  said
Kostin.
Suu Kyi will continue to enjoy the trust of ethnic minorities because
 ¢â‚¬Å“she has been working so hard since the beginning of her political
career to speak out about the plight of ethnic people” said Soe Aung,
deputy secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Forum for Democracy in
Burma. Christian relief group Free Burma Rangers (FBR) recalled that
Suu Kyi, the general secretary of the National League for Democracy,
along with allies won more than 80 percent of the seats in parliament
 ¢â‚¬Å“in Burma ¢â‚¬â„¢s only truly democratic election ¢â‚¬  in 1990.
 ¢â‚¬Å“The military regime, however, did not recognize the results and
continued to hold power, ¢â‚¬  it said in a statement. Last week ¢â‚¬â„¢s
election was  ¢â‚¬Å“neither free nor fair, ¢â‚¬  FBR said, adding that  ¢â‚¬Å“an
estimated 2,200 political prisoners are still in jail, ethnic
minorities are attacked on a regular basis, and the people of Burma
remain under oppression.  ¢â‚¬Å“Still, we are grateful for the release of
Aung San Suu Kyi as she is a leader who gives real hope to the people
of Burma. ¢â‚¬ 
An FBR team leader who spoke on condition of anonymity recalled Suu
Kyi requesting his prayers when he met with her during a brief period
when she was not under house arrest in 1996.  ¢â‚¬Å“The Global Day of
Prayer for Burma and the ethnic unity efforts we are involved in are
a direct result of that meeting, ¢â‚¬  the leader said.  ¢â‚¬Å“As she told me
then, one of her favourite quotes is,  ¢â‚¬ËœYou will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free. ¢â‚¬â„¢ ¢â‚¬ Some Christians, however, remained
cautious. ¢â‚¬Å“
Although San Suu Kyi wants Burma to be a true federal country, there
is no certainty in the hearts of the Karen people because they have
suffered for so long, and the Burmese have turned their backs on them
several times, ¢â‚¬  said a Karen Christian from Chiang Mai who identified
himself only as Pastor Joseph.La Rip, a Burmese activist in China,
also said that while Suu Kyi deserved to enjoy freedom, she and her
party  ¢â‚¬Å“do not seem to have a clear idea on how to solve the
long-standing issues ¢â‚¬  related to ethnic minorities.
For her part, Suu Kyi spelled out a plan to hold a nationwide,
multi-ethnic conference soon after she was freed. Her father held a
similar meeting, known as the Panglong Conference, in 1947. Aung San,
then representing the Burmese government, reached an agreement with
leaders from the Shan, Kachin and Chin states to accept full autonomy
in internal administration for the ethnic controlled frontier areas
after independence from Britain.
Suu Kyi ¢â‚¬â„¢s planned conference is seen as the second Panglong
Conference, but it remains uncertain if the new Burmese regime, which
is likely to be as opposed to ethnic minorities as the junta, will
allow her plan to succeed. It is also feared that Suu Kyi, who was
under house arrest for nearly 15 years since 1990 until her release
last weekend, could face assassination attempts or fresh charges
followed by another term under arrest. Burma has an estimated 2.1
million Christians amongst its population of around 50 million.

Source: Compass Direct
News
———————————————–
FIRST WOMAN
SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BLASPHEMY IN PAKISTAN
Christian mother-of-two Asia Bibi has been sentenced to death for
blasphemy  ¢â‚¬“ the first woman ever to receive this sentence for
blasphemy in Pakistan. A sessions court judge gave Asia the maximum
sentence at the end of a trial lasting more than 16 months. Asia, a
farm labourer in her late-30s from Ittanwali, Punjab, was also fined
more than  £700  ¢â‚¬“ the equivalent of two-and-a-half years ¢â‚¬â„¢ salary for
the average worker. Asia and her family are shocked by this
outcome.
No one sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan has ever been
executed  ¢â‚¬“ but Asia could spend years in appalling conditions on
death row. If she appeals to the High Court, it may take years for
her case to be heard. Police first filed a case against Asia in June
2009 after local Muslims accused her of making derogatory comments
against Mohammed. She had been discussing matters of faith with
fellow labourers in the fields. She had reportedly been under
pressure from her fellow workers to convert to Islam.
Asia has a strong faith  ¢â‚¬“ but said that this decision would be a
crushing blow to her and her family.  ¢â‚¬ËœShe was longing to go back home
to her children, but her dreams of release have vanished now, ¢â‚¬â„¢ a
friend said.  ¢â‚¬ËœShe desperately needs peace in her heart, the peace
that comes from God. ¢â‚¬â„¢ Asia ¢â‚¬â„¢s conviction could set a dangerous
precedent. Martha Bibi is currently on trial for blasphemy in Lahore.
She was charged in 2007, after a dispute with builders who allegedly
refused to return equipment belonging to her.
Please pray:
* God ¢â‚¬â„¢s perfect peace that passes all human understanding over Asia
Bibi and her family.
* Asking God to intervene to secure her earliest release. Ask God to
grant wisdom and strength to those who are supporting her family.

* for the immediate acquittal of Martha Bibi in Lahore.
Source: Intercessors
Network
———————————————–
THE MORAL AND
POLITICAL TIDE BEGINS TO TURN IN AMERICA
There has been some startling good news from the recent US
elections. Last year in the state of Iowa, three judges voted to
allow homosexual  ¢â‚¬Å“marriage ¢â‚¬   ¢â‚¬“ overruling a law passed ten years
earlier stating that marriage is a union of a man and a woman.
In the recent elections all three judges were voted out  ¢â‚¬“ the first
time since 1962 that any Iowan judge has been rebuffed. There is now
a real chance that Iowan marriage will return to its age-old,
God-given meaning.
In California, there was more good news. A referendum to
decriminalise cannabis (marijuana)  ¢â‚¬“ heavily promoted in a
multi-million dollar campaign part-funded by billionaire George Soros
 ¢â‚¬“ was defeated. This came as a shock to libertarian journalists,
because opinion polls some months ago had suggested it would easily
pass. And all over the US, pro-lifers are rejoicing that more
pro-life congressmen have been elected to the US Senate and House of
Representatives.
We praise God for these developments, which show that when Christians
get involved in civic ministry  ¢â‚¬“ as US Christians have increasingly
done over recent months  ¢â‚¬“ they can make a difference. Meanwhile the
UK High Court is hearing an appeal by a Christian couple who have
successfully fostered 20 children in the past  ¢â‚¬“ but who have now been
rejected as foster parents because they are unwilling to tell
children that the homosexual lifestyle is healthy and good. Please
pray for this case!
Source: Family Voice
Australia
———————————————–
DAY OF PRAYER FOR
THE SUDAN – SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER 2010
At this historic juncture for the people of Sudan, the World
Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is asking Christians to observe a global
day of prayer on December 5th, 2010. The people of Sudan have
experienced terrible loss of life and suffering in the last half
century as a result of prolonged civil war and unrest. The
Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended that war but now peace is
threatened again as the North and South prepare to vote in a decisive
referendum on January 9th, 2011.
Whether the people decide to separate or remain united, the nation
will be changed forever. WEA Secretary General Dr Geoff Tunnicliffe
has been in conversation with senior church leaders in Sudan. They
said the number one thing the global church could do to help was:
 ¢â‚¬Å“pray, pray, pray ¢â‚¬ . In response to this request from the Church of
Sudan, the WEA is asking all churches and Christians to join hands
with brothers and sisters in Sudan through corporate and individual
prayers.
We are asking people to pray:
.For peaceful and fair referendum on January 9th
.That the results of the vote will be accepted by the Sudanese
government and the international community
 · That the religious liberty of all people will be respected and
safeguarded
 · The rebuilding of infrastructure and social services post
referendum.
Source: World Evangelical
Alliance
———————————————–
GERMAN DOCTOR-NUN
BRINGS RELIEF AND HOPE TO PAKISTANI FLOOD VICTIMS
Most people have heard of Mother Theresa, but the name of Dr Ruth
Pfau, an 81-year-old German nun, may not be so commonly known.
However, the mission and the hard work on behalf of the poorest of
the poor, and forgotten people, is very similar. Dr Pfau has been
providing hope and practical help to Pakistan’s destitute and
leprosy-ridden population for some 50 years. Her selfless approach
has even brought the Pakistani government on board as an “essential
partner.”
Most recently, Dr Pfau has been helping Pakistan’s displaced flood
victims who have not received any aid or shelter, but have been
seemingly forgotten after their homes were washed away. Dr Pfau has
supplied them with “tents, food, water, medicine and a school. We
only go into these camps where, for some reason or other, nobody has
been willing or able, or ever thought of helping them,” Dr Pfau
explained. She is reportedly one of the “few” who is reaching out to
the flood-ravaged Hindu minority.
Source: Intercessors
Network
———————————————–
TRADITIONAL
FAMILIES ON THE REBOUND
The perceived decline of the American family is vanishing…”The U.S.
Census Bureau has released statistics that make pro-family advocates
very happy. According to a Census Bureau’s nearly 62 percent of the
nation’s 73 million children live with both biological parents,
within a larger figure of 70 percent overall living with two parents
and two-thirds living with two married parents. Bill Banuchi of
Marriage and Family Savers Institute is quoted as saying that a
biologically intact family is still the true desire of most children.

“We have found that children still have a desire for a stable family
and marriage is still very much desired by young people,” the Bureau
report states: The number of married couples with
children, stabilised in the 1990s and the growth of single-parent
families, slowed. The decline of the traditional American family has
been arrested” said Ken Bryson,co-author of the report. “The
percentage of married couples with children fell from 50 to 37
percent of all families between 1970 and 1990. It only dropped 1
further point (to 36 percent) since then.”
Source: OneNewsNow

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