AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER
* UPDATE ON TROUBLE SPOTS IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE
EAST

* IRANIAN VIDEO PREDICTS COMING OF THE MAHOI (ISLAMIC MESSIAH)
IS NEAR

* REACTION TO BIN LADEN’S DEATH

* RADICAL ISLAM ON RISE IN EGYPT

* ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS ATTACK CHURCHES IN EGYPT

* RADICAL FEMINISM HAS LEFT MANY WOMEN
BEREFT

———————————————–

UPDATE ON TROUBLE
SPOTS IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST
JORDAN

Jordan is a small island of stability in the midst of a world
of turmoil. Due to its political and economic stability, it has been
a refuge for many Palestinian and Iraqi refugees. It is an economic
hub for many international companies. God has, through its strong
leadership, opened doors for many there to hear the Truth and
respond. Despite the country being 95% Sunni Muslims, the Christian
Church remains a protected minority and enjoys relative freedom of
worship. Jordan ¢â‚¬â„¢s leader, King Abdullah, is one of the main voices of
the Reform Movement within Islam today.
SYRIA
Syria’s government is a confusing balance of secular ideals
and practices. It combines a limited support for Hezbollah with a
strong anti-western stance. There is a very limited freedom of
expression and a great fear of the secret police. Christians do have
a level of freedom. The Church can operate openly, but most are
infiltrated by government informers. Recent crackdowns on evangelical
churches have struck fear into some hearts, but the same events have
emboldened others. The gospel is going forward and small groups of
new believers are growing.
MOROCCO
Moroccan Christians are at the point of choosing to either
deny their Lord or suffer for him. One hundred and fifty westerners
and NGO workers were forced to leave in 2010 for alleged proselytism.
The widespread persecutionof Moroccan believers throughout 2010 has
shaken their peaceful coexistence. Since Morocco limits freedom of
expression, the government has been able to contain protests.
Despite increased economic opportunities and liberalization, poverty
is still widespread and unemployment remains high.
IRAQ
Recent years have not been easy, but many Iraqis have shown
incredible patience and forgiveness putting aside long held
grievances working together for the good of the country. A smaller
group, however, is actively working to stir up violence. The future
of Iraq rests on the outcome of this struggle. Iraq’s Christians have
suffered many attacks in recent years. Many are fearful and are
looking for ways to leave the country. Others have staked their
future to the future of Iraq and are staying. The gospel is finding
open hearts, and many Muslim Iraqis are finding Christ.
SAUDI ARABIA
In Saudi Arabia, women aren’t allowed to drive or travel without a
male relative, and some girls are forced to marry before their 13th
birthdays. At the same time, Saudis are wealthy, travel overseas, and
more and more people are asking,  ¢â‚¬Å“Why can the rest of the world live
in freedom, and we need to live like we do? ¢â‚¬  The cultural strain is
intense and change is seen by most as inevitable. The spiritual
atmosphere in Saudi Arabia has softened in the past few years. Raids
on underground churches have stopped almost completely. This is a
powerful answer to prayer.
WEST BANK AND GAZA
The vast majority of Palestinians want peace and stability, however
groups of extremists do exist. These groups are angered by
injustices and their frustration has boiled over into violence. 98%
of Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip are Sunni
Muslims. As a result of the violence many Christians have emigrated
to the West to find a better future. Contrary to media reports, the
Muslim and Christian communities have enjoyed peaceful relations over
the centuries. Evangelical churches are small but strong in faith and
stand as a faithful witness in this troubled land.
Source: Windows International
Network
———————————————–
IRANIAN VIDEO
PREDICTS COMING OF THE MAHOI (ISLAMIC MESSIAH) IS NEAR
A video produced by the Iranian regime says all the signs are moving
into place, and that Iran will soon help usher in the end times.
While revolutionary movements gripping the Middle East have created
uncertainty throughout the region, the video shows that the Iranian
regime believes the chaos is divine proof that their ultimate victory
is at hand. The video “The Coming is Near” has reportedly been
approved at the highest levels of the Iranian government. The
video describes current events in the Middle East as a prelude to the
arrival of the twelfth Imam or Mahdi.
The Mahdi is the messiah figure who Islamic scriptures say will lead
Islam to victory over all non-Muslims in the last days. The video has
been produced in collaboration with the Iranian president’s
office. Reports say Armadenijad’s office recently screened the movie
amidst much excitement on the part of clerics watching. The target
audience is Muslims worldwide. The video claims that Iran is destined
to rise as a great power in the last days to help defeat America and
Israel and usher in the return of the Mahdi And makes clear that Iran
believes that time is near.
“The Hadith have clearly described the events and the various
transformations of countries in the Middle East and Iran in the age
of the coming,” said a narrator, who went on to say that America’s
invasion of Iraq was foretold by Islamic scripture, and that the
Mahdi will soon rule the world from Iraq. The ongoing upheavals in
Middle Eastern countries like Yemen and Egypt, including the rise of
the Muslim Brotherhood, are also said to be prophetic signs that the
Mahdi is near. So is the current poor health of the king of Saudi
Arabia, an Iranian rival.
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Hassan Nasrallah,
leader of Iran’s terrorist proxy Hezbollah, are hailed as pivotal end
times players, whose rise was predicted in Islamic scriptures. The
same goes for Iran’s President Ahmadenijad, who the video says will
conquer Jerusalem prior to the Mahdi’s coming. “I think it’s a very
grave development,” Mideast expert Joel Rosenberg said. “It gives you
a window into the thinking of the Iranian leadership: that they
believe the time for war with Israel may be even sooner than others
had imagined.”
“The Coming is Near” will soon be distributed throughout the Middle
East. The goal is to instigate further uprisings in Arab countries.
In Sunni and Shia eschatology, the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer
of Islam who will stay on Earth for seven, nine or nineteen years
(according to various interpretations) before the Day of Judgment,
and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and
tyranny. In Shia Islam, the belief in the Mahdi is a “powerful and
central religious idea”. In Sunni traditions, there are several
Hadiths referring to the Mahdi.
Source: Assist
Ministries
———————————————–
REACTION TO BIN
LADEN’S DEATH
After it was announced that al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was
killed by special forces, a western government issued a global travel
warning. Demonstrations, mass gatherings and violence are
expected. President Abdullah Gul of Turkey stated, “The most
dangerous and sophisticated terrorist organization leader in the
world being caught in this way should be a lesson to everyone.” Yet
demonstrations have already been reported in Pakistan, with followers
of bin Laden burning American flags and as we go to print undertaking
reprisal attacks killing scores of people Muslim hate preachers,
such as Anjem Choudary have called for attacks in response to bin
Laden’s death. International leaders are warning that extremist
Muslims may protest and could respond to bin Laden’s death with
violence. As one source notes, al-Qaeda will undoubtedly attempt to
carry out “badala” (revenge killings) against Westerners, Pakistani
Christians and Christians in general.
Christian Missionary agencies are reminding Believers that there is a
great need for prayer for safety and evangelism following Bin Laden’s
death. A spokesperson, who asked to remain anonymous, called on
Christians everywhere to pray for an opportunity to share the
Gospel. Often a death can open doors of communication as people seek
comfort and answers, and that can also mean an open door for
evangelism. At the same time, the risk of danger for Christian
missionaries in Muslim nations was increased, and the Church is asked
to pray for their protection.
Please pray for:
* peace in Pakistan and other Muslim-majority nations. Pray for the
Prince of Peace to move in power in these regions. Pray for the
protection of Christians from backlash and retaliation as radical
Muslims react to bin Laden’s death.
* the inciting words of imams and hate preachers to be of no effect.
Pray for the salvation of those stirring up trouble and for the
salvation of key members of terrorists groups like al-Qaeda. Pray for
terrorist groups to be exposed, taken into custody and brought to
justice. Pray for their funding to be cut off and for recruiting
efforts to fail.
* the Lord to give world leaders wisdom in dealing with this event
and the threat of violence. Pray for a hedge of protection around
Western nations and especially members of government. Pray for the
Lord to station His warring angels around President Obama and his
family. Pray for the current volatility and instability to be used as
an opportunity to share the Truth of Jesus Christ. Pray for a great
harvest of souls among the followers of Islam.
Source: Windows International
Network
———————————————–
RADICAL ISLAM ON
RISE IN EGYPT
There are growing concerns that The Muslim Brotherhood is gaining
influence in Egypt. Secular faces seen during the protests that are
reshaping Egypt’s politics are being replaced by Islamists. A month
ago, Mohammed Elbaradei was one of the heroes of the revolution. But
on Referendum Day, a mob threw stones and cursed him, keeping him
from casting his ballot. He opposed the referendum because he
believes new political parties need time to organize and gain
support. Holding elections in September he says only helps
established groups like the Muslim Brotherhood.
Many Christians in Egypt agree with him. Ramez Attalah director of
the Egyptian Bible Society says, “We expect radical Islam will win a
democratic election in Egypt.” Islamic leaders pushed hard to pass
the referendum, telling Muslims they had a ‘spiritual obligation” to
vote ‘yes.’ Others took a more worldly approach. One video shows a
man filling in dozens of ‘yes’ ballots. Opponents say thousands of
ballots may have been faked. Islamic clerics have made it clear they
would not tolerate changes to the constitution which confirms Islam
as Egypt’s official religion.
Christians, constantly attacked by radical Muslims during Mubarak’s
presidency, believe that under the Muslim Brotherhood the situation
will only get worse. Attalah said. “History indicates that what we’re
seeing now is not what we will see in the future.” Attalah says the
new reality in Egypt doesn’t necessarily mean more freedom for
Christians. But it could lead to a stronger church. “I believe when
Christians are under duress their faith flourishes and it is better
for the gospel. If we get the freedom we’re yearning for, the gospel
as a message and a lifestyle will weaken,” he said.
Source:
CBNnews.com
———————————————–
ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS
ATTACK CHURCHES IN EGYPT
At least 12 people were killed and more than 200 wounded when members
of a conservative Muslim movement attacked 2 churches and surrounding
Christian-owned homes and businesses in Cairo on Saturday May 7.
Salifis, a hard-line Islamic movement with extremist tendencies, set
fire to one of the two churches leaving most of it gutted. The arson
attack on the Virgin Mary Church in Imbaba was one of many recent
assaults on Coptic Christians by members of the Salafist movement,
and the second time in two months that a church building has been set
ablaze.
The first attack started early Saturday evening May 7 at St. Mina
Church in Imbaba after a rumour spread that a Coptic woman who
allegedly converted to Islam was being held in the church against her
will. Clergy at St. Mina allowed a group of imams into the church
building to search for the woman, and the imams declared to the
gathering Muslims that the woman wasn ¢â‚¬â„¢t in the building, according to
witnesses. Reports of who struck the first blows were contradictory,
but the Salafist crowd was not dissuaded by the imams ¢â‚¬â„¢ report, and by
8:30 p.m. the fight had started.
Ramses Roushdy was injured in the attack. A piece of glass went into
his eye from an exploding Molotov cocktail while he was defending the
church. After unsuccessfully trying to push through the barricades,
the mob went to the Virgin Mary Church, 10-minute walk away. A few
men were in the building when it was attacked. All escaped
except Salah Aziz, the church attendant. His body was discovered in a
side room of the sanctuary that was used as a baptismal, said the
Rev. Mittias Ilias, head priest of the Virgin Mary Church.
Source: Compass Direct
News
———————————————–
RADICAL FEMINISM
HAS LEFT MANY WOMEN BEREFT
In an interview published in Britain the daughter of a world renowned
feminist leader has publicly disowned radical feminism. In the
interview Rebecca Walker says, “For feminists to say that abortion
carries no consequences is simply wrong. Feminism has undoubtedly
given women opportunities in places like schools, universities and in
the workplace. But what about the problems it’s caused?” Rebecca said
that contrary to her mother’s contention that motherhood was the
worst thing that could happen to a woman she was proud to be a Mum..

Rebecca recounts her life growing up with her famous African-American
mother and her Jewish father, a lawyer and son of Holocaust
survivors. “My mum taught me that children enslave women” said
Rebecca. “I grew up believing that children are millstones around
your neck, and the idea that motherhood can make you blissfully
happy was a complete fairytale. As a little girl, I wasn’t even
allowed to play with dolls or stuffed toys in case they brought out a
maternal instinct. It was drummed into me that being a mother,
raising children and running a home were a form of slavery.

Rebecca said that she had an abortion at the age of 14. “The
aftermath haunted me for decades,” she says. “Until I had my son
Tenzin, I was terrified that I’d never be able to have a baby because
of what I had done to the child I had destroyed. For feminists to say
that abortion carries no consequences is simply wrong.” In 2004 a
thrilled Rebecca called to tell her mother she was pregnant. Sadly,
from that point on her mother disowned her One day I hope that my
mother and I will be reconciled. Tenzin deserves to have a
grandmother.”
Source: Intercessors
Network

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