AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER
JAPAN REMEMBERS ONE YEAR AFTER THE TSUNAMI
Joseph W. Handley, Jr. President of Asian Access shares his thoughts and experiences one year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan in March 2011.
The last few months I’ve been listening carefully to pastors from Japan share their reflections post 11/3/11. Their learning is profound because their reflections are deep. As we all know, Japan was hit by a triple disaster on March 11, 2011 with three distinct waves:
1.The 9.0 earthquake which did relatively little damage given the size and scope of the quake and following aftershocks.
2.The tsunami which brought the most devastation, wiping out over 86 entire communities and destroying homes, businesses, churches and families.
3.And finally, the meltdown of the Fukushima nuclear facility. As many have reflected on the spiritual condition of the country following the disaster, the following themes are surfacing. There are three distinct walls that have fallen:
1.The separation between church and community: Churches across North-eastern Japan have been the centre of providing shelter, relief, and supplies. Most notable are the voices of children heard in various regions saying: “Grandma, Jesus is coming. Mr. Christ is holding a BBQ. Jesus brought us food. Jesus brought us clothing!” Prior to this disaster the church was a fairly mysterious entity in the region but now it is known as the place where help is coming from.
2.The walls between churches: Now denominations have banded together to work for the common good of the people and to share the hope that lies within. One church whose attendance has sky-rocketed cannot afford to purchase the land they lease so three different denominations have banded together to raise the funds and purchase the property. Praise God for this Brethren Church and the Evangelical Free and Presbyterian Church of Japan for rallying together to help one another. The common pledge across the denominational spectrum is ‘we commit to work together and not build walls between us’.
3.The wall between Japan and the world: The global church has rallied to Japan’s side following this horrific disaster and the community and bonds that have been established will continue for many years. Of particular note was the work of the Haitian Church. In the midst of their own pain and loss, they raised about $3,000 to help the people of Japan – one lady even went so far as to sell her wedding ring to stand by her sisters and brothers in Japan. What a powerful story of the community of Christ rallying behind one another. Rich and Poor alike, saying we are committed to helping one another through crises.
As one looks at the pain Jesus bore on Calvary, in human terms one cannot imagine something good resulting. The cross represents pain, torture, agony and ultimately death. The same with the tragedy that hit Japan. However, there is an unseen story behind both the cross and the triple disaster in Japan. Hope rises from the ashes as Jesus brought life from his death on the cross. Today millions have been helped and influenced by the model of Jesus and countless souls saved because of His great love for us. Japan’s triple disaster is now showing signs of hope and life following the devastation. Churches across Japan have rallied and brought new life from mounds of destruction.
Please pray for Japan that:
* God will display His awesome power with signs and miracles to woo and win the hearts of the Japanese. Pray He will reveal Himself supernaturally so that their eyes will be opened to His glory.
* the aftermath of the natural disasters will be a time of awakening for the Japanese people.
* the Holy Spirit will move powerfully throughout this nation, softening hearts and opening minds to the Gospel. Pray that multitudes of Japanese will put their faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Source: Asian Access
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CRY HOLLYWOOD – A WATERSHED PRAYER EVENT
Thousands of Christians converged on Universal City’s Gibson Amphitheatre in Hollywood last Thursday for what some have called “a watershed prayer gathering.” “In the wake of the recent passing of vocal icon Whitney Houston it was a reverent honour to come to the heart of Hollywood and lift up the people of this industry in prayer at this difficult time,” said event director Faytene Grasseschi. Grasseschi explained, “Our heart was to bless and pray for this industry, and the people in it, who are affecting the world so profoundly. We believed for God’s love to move in a way that deeply touched lives.”
Grasseschi went on to explain, “We believed for the most anointed and God glorifying films, music and programs that the earth has ever seen to come out of Hollywood in this upcoming season. There is so much potential for good right now. We believe our job is to bless the potential and pray.” Current studies show, the average North American today spends less than 28 hours a year in church but 6 hours a day saturated in media. Most people spend more than half their day saturated in media. A recent Nelson study determined there are more televisions in America than human beings. Furthermore, the average child will have watched 4,000 hours of TV before Kindergarten.
Jonathan Ngai oversees a 24-7 House of Prayer in the heart of Hollywood. Ngai says, “The importance of Hollywood in this generation cannot be overstated. Its influence is clear, but its true redemptive calling – yet to be realized….All of this can change as leaders from the city and around the world come together regularly as we have done to cry out for Hollywood to pray for the city to come into its full calling. Ted Baehr from Movie Guide said, “There are some great things going on in Hollywood, but we need much more of it. And the way we get it is through prayer. The potential is endless.” Many well-known industry professionals and leaders from the global Body of Christ attended TheCRY.
Source: The CRY Hollywood
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THE QUEEN DEFENDS THE CHURCH AT JUBILEE EVENT
As Britain’s Queen Elizabeth began celebrations to mark her 60-year reign, she publicly declared her support for the Church of England, which she said was “commonly under-appreciated” despite being “woven into the fabric of this country.” According to Christian Concern, the Queen delivered a speech at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, commenting that faith provided “critical guidance” in life and played a key role in “creating and sustaining communities” throughout the UK. The Queen said:”The concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under-appreciated.
“Faith plays a key role in the identity of many millions of people, providing not only a system of belief but also a sense of belonging” the Queen said. She went on to say the church had “created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely.” The Christian Concern website said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, commented that faith was “at the heart” of the Queen’s understanding of her role, which he believed was a calling from God. “The personal faith to which you have so regularly alluded entails the conviction of a calling from God to do what you do and to be what you are,” he said.
The Archbishop also commented that the Queen clearly demonstrated that “being religious is not eccentric or abnormal.” The website said the Queen’s comments will be welcomed by many Christians at a time when secularists are challenging the place of Christianity in the nation. The High Court passed a ruling last month that it was “unlawful” for local town councils to begin their formal meetings with prayer, breaking from hundreds of years of tradition. Also recently, Baroness Warsi, chairman of the Conservative Party, said that British society was under threat from a rising tide of “militant secularization” reminiscent of “totalitarian regimes.”
Source: Assist News
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PRAYER FOR BURMA
Over fifty years of civil war have left Burma one of the poorest countries in the world. The military dictatorship attacks its own people, killing thousands, and leaving millions displaced. Many in opposition are either imprisoned or killed. In most of the country there is a false peace due to the dictators’ ability to control dissent; however in some ethnic areas the Regime’s army is still attacking the people. There are over 1 million internally displaced people, and over 1 million refugees who have fled the country. There is continual environmental destruction, an HIV/AIDS epidemic, the ongoing laying of landmines, human trafficking and religious persecution.
Because of the Regime’s mismanagement and corruption, it’s the world’s second largest opium producer and the main producer of methamphetamines in SE Asia. Each year Christians Concerned for Burma, an organization whose mission is to “encourage people to pray and act for Burma, to share the good news of Jesus Christ, and to help those in need” calls for Christians worldwide to pray for Burma. We invite our members to support that call by praying for the people and leaders of Burma (Myanmar).
Please pray:
* for Burma’s peace and for the country to turn to God, especially Myanmar’s leaders
* for the military regime which actively promotes Buddhism and discriminates against Christians. Pray for God’s protection and favour to be upon the Christians of Burma.
* for the Church in Burma which continues to grow in the midst of the persecution. Pray that Christians would be able to stay faithful to God as they are persecuted and have courage to share their love of God with others.
Source: Christians concerned for Burma
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SYRIAN CHRISTIANS ASK FOR PRAYER
In the wake of a year of protests and violence, the situation in Syria has brought great suffering to the entire population. Open Doors, an international ministry supporting persecuted Christians around the world, says the greatest need of Syrian Christians right now is prayer. The danger has prompted many churches across the country to meet only in daytime, many only on Sundays. On Fridays, the weekly Islamic day of assembly, many Christian schools now close. Because of rampant killing, theft and kidnapping of children, some parents have stopped sending their children to school. Syria also suffers a lack of fuel and electricity, an economy in shambles and few jobs.
“The plight of Christians varies by place,” said Dr.Carl Moeller, CEO of Open Doors USA. “Damascus Christians have the fewest difficulties; in contrast, many Homs Believers have fled what has become a war zone.” Some Christians want to stay; others desperately seek to emigrate, said Moeller. Many say they simply cannot flee. “Many Believers tell us that Syria is where they belong and will remain, even if that means dying there,” he said. More than 80% of Christians have fled Homs, where the fighting is worst. Looters have invaded the homes of those who have fled. At least one evangelical church has been attacked. There is limited means of safe transportation. Few attend church services.
“Homs is a ghost town, and the situation unstable,” another source said.”Everyone fears for their safety and people don’t have resources or supplies. The situation is desperate.” In some areas, the situation is relatively safe. “We worship together, and people have strong faith,” one Syrian pastor said. “Christians are not under direct attack but we don’t know if things change how they will treat us.” There is fear that if President Assad is overthrown, the plight of Christians will worsen. Moeller said “Please join Syrian Christians in prayer. Only God knows what lies ahead, but Scripture assures us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Source: Open Doors USA
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NO COMEBACK FOR RELIGION IN EUROPE
A survey commissioned by the BAT Foundation for Future Development Analysis in Hamburg reveals that religion does not play a major part in the life of most Europeans. Citizens in nine countries were asked whether they regard religion as important for their happiness and contentment. Even in Italy with the highest regard for religious faith, only 48 per cent agreed that religion is essential. Finland came in second place with 32 per cent, followed by Russia and the U.K. with 31 per cent each. Hungary is in fifth place (28), followed by Belgium (27), France (26), Switzerland (25) and Germany (24). Asked about what they regard as sacred, 71 per cent of Germans answered “the family”.
Faith in God, and religious practice are least important to them. Professor Opaschowski, scientific director of the Foundation, comments: “We are seeing a renaissance of the family. Those who believe in God, pray regularly, belong to a church and regard themselves as religious also show high regard for the sanctity of human life and dignity. Those living without faith attach less importance to human dignity, reliability, tolerance, and the preservation of nature. These values are however, as Opaschowski points out, the glue that binds society together. Therefore, he argues, political leaders should have a fundamental interest in the preservation of traditional religion.”
Source: Intercessors Network
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ALBINO GIRL MURDERED FOR BODY PARTS
Attackers have murdered a Tanzanian albino girl who became the latest victim of gangs who sell body parts as lucky charms to sorcerers. The 10-year-old was killed in her local village, in western Tanzania. She died just hours after the Tanzanian President called for an intensified crackdown saying the killing of albinos has “stained the country’s good image. It is utterly stupid for some people to believe that albinos have magic powers and their parts can make them rich,” he told a rally organised by the Tanzania Albino Society (TAS). “People should be taught to understand that only through hardwork can they prosper in life and not through selling albinos ‘body parts.”
Police have arrested 47 people suspected of involvement in the killings of Albinos this year. Addressing the rally, TAS chairman Ernest Kimaya scolded authorities over the pace with which murders were resolved. “We are yet to witness any convictions and incidents of murder of albinos are on the rise, “Kimaya said. “I know of one albino woman who has been hiding for more than 3 months after her sister was killed.” Parliamentarian Al Shaymaa Kwegyr, asked the public to volunteer information “to spare albino communities the endless fear of being attacked by these heartless elements. The criminals involved in these superstitious networks should know that their days are numbered.”
Source: Intercessors Network
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