AUSTRALIAN   PRAYER   NETWORK   NEWSLETTER

* NORTH AFRICAN / MIDDLE EAST UPDATE

* SUSPECTED ISLAMISTS KILL PAKISTAN’S CHRISTIAN CABINET
MEMBER

* LAOS CHRISTIANS DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES FACE STARVATION

* LIBYA IN CRISIS

* NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY ON WORLD FOOD PRICES

* IRANIAN CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW UNDER THREAT
OF DEATH

———————————————–

NORTH AFRICAN /
MIDDLE EAST UPDATE

The significance of the events now unfolding in the Arab World
is  greater than anyone can fathom or describe.  The cries from the
hearts of the North African people are the cries of people made in
God ¢â‚¬â„¢s image, longing and thirsting for justice, freedom, equality and
dignity. Their cries are echoed across the Arab World. These people
want justice in the place of corruption, they want  dignity as human
beings in the place of fear, they want truth in the place of lies,
they want their freedom to express their personal opinions without
being beaten or imprisoned.
They want to choose their leaders, replacing those who are corrupt or
ineffective in providing employment, social services and good
leadership; rather than being forced to watch their leaders become
rich through corruption and injustice. In this  Prayer Update we focus
on those nations currently facing  upheaval and urge our readers to
continue to pray for them. Other nations are also
experiencing  demonstrations but in this newsletter we are able to
cover only the worst affected.   Thank you  for your prayers for all
these requests.   Your intercession is vital to so many lives.
LIBYA (See separate article below on this nation)
EGYPT
After Hosni Mubarak stepped down, Coptic and Evangelical
Christians conducted mass and worshipped together openly for the
first time in a long period. The Christian community, however, is
still divided. Some are happy with revolution, and some are afraid of
it. The Muslim Brotherhood and their political party are presenting
themselves as the leaders of the revolution. Other fundamentalist
groups are hoping to get a piece of this freedom.   Despite division
and poverty, doors are now open for true reform to take place at the
highest levels of government.
BAHRAIN
Bahrain ¢â‚¬â„¢s ruling family has listened to protesters and
started a dialogue between the two groups. They are also respecting
their right to protest.  This could lead to a peaceful transition for
the country.   The internet is a great way for Bahrainis to find
information on the gospel and Christ. There are forums where they can
go and chat with believers from around the world, and hear the gospel
being explained. They can easily download the Bible in Arabic.It is
not always easy however for Christians to put their trust in Him
daily and draw upon His strength.
TUNISIA
The Muslim Brotherhood in Tunisia is back after being
banished as a political movement for more than 23 years. They want to
turn the Jasmine revolution into a religious one. The capital has
seen many protests calling for the separation of state and religion.
Some Christians are scared, while some are braver. May God give His
church peace about this current state of turmoil and unrest. Pray for
Tunisian Christians as they face persecution and increased death
threats. Ask God to strengthen them and pray they will help turn the
hearts of those around them.
YEMEN
Most Yemenis are disgusted with the negative international
picture that is portrayed by most media channels. They love their
country, and would love to see its reputation restored. The country
is ruled by a tribal system.   Groups exist in the north and in the
south who want to secede from the country. This division has led to
violent uprisings. Most of the main cities see daily demonstrations.
The recent events in Egypt have strengthened the resolve of the
secessionists and opposition parties.
ALGERIA
The Algerian people hunger for freedoms many consider basic.
Most of their protests are political in nature, but such massive
change can also produce a spiritual hunger for truth and God. In
Algeria the youth have played a key role in the protests. They have
organized many of the demonstrations, and want to bring immediate
change to ensure themselves a better future. The government seems
willing to accommodate these desires. It is unclear, however, if this
is being done to placate the protesters or from a sincere desire to
make things better for their people.
How do we pray for all these lands and others like them?
* That the civil unrest spreading throughout North Africa and the
Middle East will be an open door for the Gospel to reach many
Muslims.  That the Lord will continue shaking this region, toppling
spiritual strongholds and setting the captives free.  That Christians
will seize this opportunity to share the love of God with their
Muslim neighbours, friends and co-workers. Pray for them to be bold,
strong and courageous.
*  That the Holy Spirit will build the Church and give Christians
wisdom in how to pray and what to do during this time of
turmoil.  That protesters will realize Jesus Christ is the answer to
their discontent. Pray for them to put their faith in Him as Saviour
and Lord.  That the leaders in all of the nations where demonstrations
are taking place will be saved.
* That a great harvest of souls will result from these events. That
the Kingdom of God will come to North Africa, the Middle East, and
the entire Arab world with power, signs and wonders.
Source: Global Prayer Ministries and
YWAM
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SUSPECTED ISLAMISTS
KILL PAKISTAN’S CHRISTIAN CABINET MEMBER
Tributes have flooded in following the assassination  of
Pakistan’s  Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. Bhatti was
the only Christian in Pakistan’s cabinet and was an outspoken critic
of the country ¢â‚¬â„¢s  “blasphemy ¢â‚¬  laws. The suspected  Taliban and al Qaeda
gunmen  left a letter at the scene saying they would kill anyone  who
tried to change the blasphemy laws. Bhatti was shot leaving
his  mother ¢â‚¬â„¢s home to attend a meeting of the cabinet. The federal
government had provided bodyguards for Bhatti, but they were not
present at the time of the attack.
Bhatti was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. Bhatti had defied
death threats after the Jan. 4 assassination of the Punjab Governor,
conceding  at the time that he was  ¢â‚¬Å“the highest target right now ¢â‚¬  but
vowing to continue his work and trusting his life to God.  In an
interview with the Pakistan Christian Post, Bhatti said,  ¢â‚¬Å“I received
a call from the Taliban commander and he said,  ¢â‚¬ËœIf you bring any
changes in the blasphemy law and speak on this issue, then you will
be killed, ¢â‚¬â„¢ I don ¢â‚¬â„¢t believe that bodyguards can save me. I believe in
the protection from heaven. ¢â‚¬ 
In an  earlier interview  with the BBC, Bhatti had said he was  ¢â‚¬Å“ready
to die for a cause ¢â‚¬  as a Christian.  ¢â‚¬Å“I am living for my community and
suffering people, and I will die to defend their rights, ¢â‚¬  he said.
Bhatti was born on Sept. 9, 1968 in Lahore. He joined the Pakistan
People ¢â‚¬â„¢s Party in 2002 and was elected as a Member of the National
Assembly. He was made Federal Minister for Minorities in 2008 making
him the first Christian to take charge of the ministry.Bhatti also
received the International Religious Freedom Award for rendering
services to the Christian community.
Since Asia Noreen, a mother of two and step-mother to three others,
was convicted and sentenced to death last year for blaspheming
against the prophet Muhammad,  politicians and radical clerics in
Pakistan have been at loggerheads over whether Noreen should be
pardoned. But following Taseer ¢â‚¬â„¢s death, the government made it clear
it does not support reform of the blasphemy law. Amir Rana, director
at the Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies, said the attack
was  expected after the government ¢â‚¬â„¢s weak response to Governor
Taseer ¢â‚¬â„¢s assassination., ¢â‚¬ 
Napoleon Qayyum, a leader  within the ruling Pakistan People ¢â‚¬â„¢s Party
(PPP), appealed to President Asif Zardari, to fulfil his promise of
giving  minorities  protection from extremist elements. Asif Aqeel,
executive director of the European Centre for Law and Justice, said
Bhatti was a hero for the Pakistani Christian community.  ¢â‚¬Å“We salute
his valour and courage for standing against extremism and
terrorism.”    The Vatican joined the Archbishop of Canterbury  and the
Anglican Archbishop of York John Sentamu in condemning the incident.

Source: Compass Direct
News
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LAOS CHRISTIANS
DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES FACE STARVATION
Some 65 Christians who were driven from their village at gunpoint for
refusing to give up their faith are facing starvation as local
authorities in Laos destroy crops and prevent food from reaching
them.  Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)  claim  the 18 families have
been living in a temporary camp outside the village since they were
marched from their village at gunpoint in  2010 for refusing to give
up their Christian faith. Village officials are refusing to allow the
Christians back into the village to farm their land.
Village officials have instructed their people not to  provide food
for the group, who lack adequate food, water, sanitation facilities,
and medical treatment.  Despite international advocacy on the case,
the dire situation has not improved. One man from the group has died
during this time.  The district head  Mr Bounma, has met with the group
and urged them to reconsider their decision to follow the Christian
faith, encouraging them to renounce their Christian beliefs.
The group refused, and on hearing this Mr Bounma reportedly stated
that while the Lao Constitution provided protection for freedom of
religion and belief, he did not allow Christianity in his district.
He threatened the group with expulsion from the district if they
refused to renounce their faith. CSW stated the Laos Constitution
provides protection for its people to practice a religion of their
choice without discrimination. However, legislative protection is
weak and implementation at a local level can be arbitrary.
CSW’s National Director Stuart Windsor said, “CSW calls upon the Lao
government to adhere to the constitutional protection afforded to all
its citizens by allowing the Katin villagers to return to their
homes. CSW calls upon the international community to hold the Lao
authorities accountable for the ongoing violations of the rights of
the villagers to freedom of religion and belief and afford them their
economic and social rights to live in their village, sustain
themselves by farming and have access to medical treatment.”

Source: Intercessors
Network
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LIBYA IN
CRISIS
The United Nations estimates that more than 100,000 people have
crossed into the neighbouring nations of Tunisia and Egypt in an
attempt to flee the oppressive crackdown by dictator, Muammar
al-Qadhafi. Although the government has killed untold numbers of
demonstrators, the opposition to al-Qadhafi continues to grow.
Several in the international community have called for al-Qadhafi to
step down. “It is clear that this is an illegitimate regime that has
lost the consent of the people,” one leader said. “My message to Col.
Gadhafi is simple: Go now.”
Gadhafi has scoffed at those who suggest he should leave office. He
says he feels the international community has betrayed him and claims
“all my people love me.” He has also accused protesters of being drug
users and terrorists. International forces have  set up a “no-fly”
zone to keep Libyan warplanes from bombing protesters. A Libyan
professor claims “To escape Gadhafi’s wrath and avoid being
threatened you have to wave the green flag and praise the great
leader publicly. Either you are with him or against him, and against
him, you know your fate.”
Please pray for:
* an end to the bloodshed in Libya. Pray for the Lord to touch the
hearts of the military forces and for them to refuse to murder fellow
citizens. Pray for the salvation of Muammar al-Qadhafi. Ask the Lord
to direct this man’s heart and lead him to do the right thing in
Libya.
* the Lord to raise up leadership in Libya that will bring Him glory.
Pray for Him to protect Libya and keep it from being ruled by wicked
men and women.  Pray for Muslims in Libya to be set free from the lies
and bondage of Islam. Pray for the Lord to pour out His Holy Spirit
on this nation and its people.
* the power of God to be evidenced in this conflict. Pray for God’s
people around the world to cry out to Him on behalf of Libya. Pray
for a great harvest of souls from this crisis. Invite the Kingdom of
God to come to Libya, as it is in heaven.
Source: Windows International
Network
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NO ROOM FOR
COMPLACENCY ON WORLD FOOD PRICES
When world food prices peaked in January, the UN food agency
predicted that the trend was unlikely to let up before summer.
Experts now report that prices are at dangerous levels and will
continue to rise, causing turmoil in hard-hit countries. Food prices
have increased substantially in Central Asia, and unrest in the
Middle East is already aggravated in part by rising costs, says World
Bank President Robert Zoellick. He says there is no room for
complacency, and challenges international leaders to beware of
policies that could exacerbate the problem.
Experts cite financial speculation, bad weather, increased oil
prices, export restrictions, unrest, and a growing demand for
biofuels as the reasons for soaring prices. Global aid agency Oxfam
reports that in developing countries 50 to 80% of a person ¢â‚¬â„¢s income
is spent on food, so higher prices  cause serious risk for poor
communities. Oxfam is challenging governments in at-risk areas to
start programs to support and invest in small-scale agriculture.
Zoellick predicts that  ¢â‚¬Å“given the poverty levels  ¢â‚¬ ¦ there is a real
stress point that could have social and political implications. ¢â‚¬ 

Source: Intercessors for
America
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IRANIAN CHRISTIAN
COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO GROW UNDER THREAT OF DEATH
Iranians are taking great risks to become Christians.  The mother of
one family who were drawn to a satellite Christian TV program called
the program’s hotline number, and prayed with a counsellor from Iran
for Christ Ministries on the phone, making a personal commitment to
Christ. The counsellor then put the woman in touch with local Iranian
believers who could give her a copy of the Bible. The Christian
satellite station headquartered in Cyprus, began broadcasting in
Farsi to Iran in the fall of 2002, under the name of Iranian
Christian Broadcasting.
In late 2006, it launched the 24-hour Farsi-language satellite
television channel SAT-7 PARS. It  receives hundreds of letters and
E-mails every week from Iranian viewers expressing interest in
Christianity. Recently the dangers of converting to Christianity in
Iran have increased as President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has introduced
legislation mandating the death penalty for apostates from
Islam.  Life for so-called apostates in Iran has never been easy.
Anyone who dares question the regime’s religious ideology, could face
death as a punishment.
Source: United States News and World
Report

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