AUSTRALIAN   PRAYER   NETWORK   NEWSLETTER

• CHILD MARRIAGE FLOURISHES IN INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA
• ‘BABY BOXES’ IN EUROPE SETTING AN ALARMING TREND
• GROWING NUMBER OF U.S. CITIES MAKE IT HARD TO BE HOMELESS AS ECONOMIC CRISIS BITES
• EMIR REJECTS DEATH PENALTY FOR BLASPHEMY IN KUWAIT
• FAMILY NET WORTH DROPS 39% IN U.S.
• SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BLOCKED IN WASHINGTON STATE

CHILD MARRIAGE FLOURISHES IN INDIA AND SAUDI ARABIA

Every year, millions of Indian girls are married as children. In some instances the brides are no more than 4 or 5 years old.   Child marriages are illegal in India, but the practice is flourishing. Rajasthan is the epicentre of India’s child marriage. More than half of girls born in the area become child brides before the age of 15. “The life of a child bride is very sad,” said Prem Dabi, who’s studying the impact of child marriage on Indian society. “The moment she gets married, her life becomes very challenging in every respect” Dabi added. Most of India’s rural poor live on less than a dollar a day. Marrying off a daughter means one less mouth to feed. To evade the law, families often perform marriages in secret, usually late at night.

Dinesh Shur is a village pastor. “Girls are seen as a liability and burden,” Shur explained. “The girl’s family is responsible for the paying of the dowry, so the longer they wait to get the girl married off, the more they’ll have to pay the future-in-laws.”   Thousands of ceremonies are held every year, the majority of them between minors. “Every year you’ll see the images of parents holding their children, sometimes as young as 4 or 5 years old, in their lap as they get married,” Dabi said. India first introduced laws against child marriage in 1929. Back then the legal age for marriage was set at 12. It was eventually increased to 18 years old in 1978. Outsiders are rarely allowed to attend these ceremonies, let alone film them.

Rajma Patel’s parents made an exception, giving CBN News permission to film their son the night before his wedding. “I am becoming a man tomorrow,” Patel laughed on camera. His parents insist that he’s 21. But his friends told CBN News off camera that he’s only 10. His young face covered in traditional makeup, he wears a special suit with flashing coloured lights. The entire village spends the night before the wedding drinking and dancing. “Under the influence of alcohol, these dance rituals become sexually charged and often you’ll see young boys and girls joining in. It becomes a place to find potential child suitors,” Pastor Shur said.

CBN News was however allowed to film a wedding of a young girl named Veena. Veena’s father Kehra said. “I’ve invited the entire village to come for this happy occasion.” Veena tried to look her best as she prepared to teeter down the aisle of her house. But she was anything but happy. In between combing her hair and putting on jewellery, she sobbed uncontrollably. The family tried to console her. When asked her why she’s crying, she refused to talk.”She has no idea what it means to be a wife, how to take care of a family. But because this has been forced upon her, she has to go along with it. Ithink she’s a little scared,” Veena’s aunt Jeetha said.   Veena’s family insisted she’s 18 but she looks 7 or 8. “I also got married when I was very young. She will adjust,” Jeetha said.

In the village, Veena’s soon-to-be husband, Darji arrived in a bus with his family. His family also insisted he’s old enough to legally marry. “I am ready to be a husband,” Darji said. Weak and exhausted from her emotional preparation, Venna had to be carried down the aisle by her father. She sobbed through the two-hour ceremony “The girl is married then moves in with her husband’s family,” Dabi explained. “She’s not allowed to go to school to get an education. As soon as she reaches puberty she’s expected to have children.” The effects of these young marriages are devastating. Research shows that girl brides are more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth, lose her child before it’s born, be infected with HIV, have three or more births, and undergo multiple abortions.

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti has been quoted as saying it is permissible for 10-year-old girls to marry and those who think they’re tooyoung are doing the girls an injustice. His comments come at a time when Saudi human rights groups have been pushing the government to put an end to marriages involving the very young and to define a minimum age for marriage. In the past few months, Saudi newspapers have highlighted several cases in which young girls were married off to much older men or very young boys. The government-run Human Rights Commission condemned marriages of minor girls, saying such marriages are an “inhumane violation” and rob children of their rights.

The commission’s statement followed a ruling by a court in Saudi Arabia that dismissed a divorce petition by the mother of an eight-year-old girl whose father married her off to a man in his 50s. Reports said the court argued that the mother did not have the right to file such a case on behalf of her daughter and said that the petition should be filed by the girl when she reaches puberty. Responding to a question about parents who force their underage daughters to marry, the mufti said a good upbringing will make a girl capable of carrying out her duties as a wife.” Our mothers and before them our grandmothers married when they were barely 12,” he said. There are no statistics to show how many marriages involving children are performed in Saudi Arabia every year.

Source: CBNnews.com

‘BABY BOXES’ IN EUROPE SETTING AN ALARMING TREND

World leaders are concerned at the spread in Europe of “baby boxes” where infants can be secretly abandoned by parents. They warn that the practice “contravenes the right of the child to be known and cared for by its natural parents”.   The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is alarmed at the prevalence of the “boxes” – usually outside a hospital – which allow unwanted newborns to be left in them with an alarm or bell to summon a child caretaker. The committee, a group of 18 international human rights experts based in Geneva, says that while baby boxes had disappeared from Europe in the last century, almost 200 have been installed across the continent in the past decade in nations as diverse as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Czech Republic and Latvia.

Since 2000, more than 400 children have been abandoned in the boxes, with faith groups and right-wing politicians spearheading the revival in the controversial practice. Proponents claim the baby boxes “protect a child’s right to life” and have saved “hundreds of newborns”. There are differing opinions on the issue across Europe. In France and Holland women have the right to remain anonymous to their babies after giving birth, while in the UK it remains a crime to secretly abandon a child. However UN officials argue that baby boxes violate key parts of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which says children must be able to identify their parents, even if separated from them. The state has a “duty to respect the child’s right to maintain personal relations with his or her parent”.

In an interview, Maria Herczog, a member of the UNCRC committee, said that the arguments from critics were a throwback to the past. “Just like medieval times in many countries we see people claiming that baby boxes prevent infanticide … there is no evidence for this.” She likened the pro-baby box movements in Europe to the religious right in the U.S. “Very similar to the United States where we have the spread of the Safe Haven program with baby boxes in 50 states since 1999.”The committee wrote last year to the government in the Czech Republic, which has seen 44 baby boxes set up since 2005, asking it “undertake all measures necessary to end the program as soon as possible.”  

Please pray:

* for Godly wisdom for leaders who are bound by an obligation to righteously administer help to the poor and needy.

* that all children will receive the love and nurture that God has naturallyimparted to parents and adults to give their children or any child.

* that there will be no need for this system due to the loving care of natural parents assuming their rightful place in nuturing their own children.

Source: The Guardian Newspaper

GROWING NUMBER OF U.S. CITIES MAKE IT HARD TO BE HOMELESS AS ECONOMIC CRISIS BITES

  A growing number of cities across the United States are making it harder to be homeless. “The Coalition for the Homeless reports that more than 43,000 homeless individuals – Including 17,000 children, another all-time monthly high – stayed in shelters each night in April.” Ralph Nunez reported that New York City’s homeless problem was exploding, he wasn’t kidding. Even as the city’s economy improved over the past two years, the number of homeless children grew by 17% from 14,500 to 17,000 and the number of homeless individuals grew by 21% from 35,500 to 43,000. This is a problem that is not going away and shows signs of growing dramatically worse.

Philadelphia has banned outdoor feeding of people in city parks. Denver is enforcing a ban on eating and sleeping in parks without permission. In Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angeles, Miami, Oklahoma City and more than 50 other cities city officials have adopted some kind of anti-camping or anti-food-sharing laws, according to the National Centre for Homelessness & Poverty. The ordinances are pitting city officials against homeless advocates. City leaders say they want to improve the lives of homeless people and ensure public safety, while supporters of the homeless argue that such regulations criminalize homelessness and make it harder to live on the nation’s streets.

“We’re seeing these types of laws being proposed and passed all over the country,” said Heather Johnson, a civil rights attorney at the homeless and poverty law centre, which opposes many of the measures. “We think that criminalization measures such as these are counter productive. Rather than address the root cause of homelessness, they perpetuate homelessness.”

Please pray:

*   that those who find themselves in a position of not being able to have homes will be given help by merciful advocates in all of our major cities.

*   for restoration of families and for adequate affordable housing.

*   for an increase in available jobs for those struggling with finding adequate employment. Pray for wisdom for those in the position of overseeing the homeless that are in need of housing and employment.

Source: Intercessors for America

EMIR REJECTS DEATH PENALTY FOR BLASPHEMY IN KUWAIT

The Emir (Supreme Ruler) of Kuwait has rejected changes that sought the death penalty for those who blaspheme. Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs said “It seems that the legislation is going to die. It’s not going to come before the entire parliament for a vote, which is obviously good news for Christians.” Even though the law had been approved by lawmakers and state ministers in two rounds of voting, the Emir still has the power to block parliament. The biggest question mark in deciding blasphemy cases is what really defines blasphemy? “If you’re a Christian in Kuwait, you wonder’where is the line of blasphemy? If I’m witnessing to a Muslim, if I’m explaining to them why I think Jesus Christ is superior to the Prophet Mohammed, is that blasphemy?'”

For example, in Pakistan, the law is used to settle feuds and other personal scores, nearly always in favour of the Muslim. Nettleton says similar legal questions are being debated in Kuwait. “It’s hard to know how it would be enforced or how it would be put into practice. What happened in Pakistan is that the blasphemy law sort of becomes a big club to beat Christians over the head with.” Although Kuwait’s constitution technically protects freedom of belief, Islam is the state religion and Islamic law (Sharia) is an important source of legislation. The situation has deepened the rift between the Shia and Sunni majority Muslims and could worsen with the proposed changes.

Christians, however, have not had an easy time in Kuwait. There are only a few hundred Kuwaiti believers; most Christians are foreign workers. “Pray for the Church in Kuwait. There is a Church there. There are believers there. We can pray that they will be encouraged, that they will be a bold witnesses for Christ.” There is no word on the next step parliament will take next on the penal code changes in the blasphemy law. That’s a window of opportunity. Nettleton says, “We can pray for the government. We can pray against laws that would take away religious freedom that would take away the right of Christians to be a witness, to worship together, anything that would hinder their living out their faith.”

Source: Mission Network News

FAMILY NET WORTH DROPS 39% IN U.S.

The recent recession has wiped out nearly two decades of Americans’ wealth, according to recently released government data with  ¬ middle-class families bearing the brunt of the decline. The Federal Reserve said the median net worth of families plunged by 39% in just three years, from $126,400 in 2007 to $77,300 in 2010. That puts Americans roughly on par with where they were in 1992. As the U.S. economy roiled for three tumultuous years, families saw corresponding drops in their income and net wealth, according to the Fed’s Survey of Consumer Finances, a detailed snapshot of household finances conducted every three years. Median net worth of families was the largest drop since the current survey began in 1989, Federal economists said.

Much of the drop was driven by the housing market’s collapse. Families whose assets were tied up more in housing saw their net worth decline by more. Among families that owned homes, their median home equity declined to $75,000 in 2010, down from $110,000 three years earlier. Between 2007 and 2010, incomes also dropped sharply. In 2010, median family income fell to $45,800 from $49,600 in 2007, a drop of 7.7%. That was a departure from earlier in the decade. During the preceding three years, median income had been constant. Family incomes also dropped the most in regions of the country hardest hit by the housing market tumble. Median family income in the West and South decreased substantially, while those in the Northeast and Midwest saw little change.

Incomes dropped the most among middle-class families. The wealthiest 10%, by net worth, saw their median income fall 1.4% over the three years, while families in the second and third quartiles experienced a drop of 12.1% and 7.7%, respectively. The lowest quartile’s median income fell by 3.7%. Please pray that through the economic troubles, Americans will turn to the Lord for their help in time of need. Pray that the national leaders will turn to the Lord as they seek wisdom to solve the nation’s major income problems.

Source: Intercessors for America

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BLOCKED IN WASHINGTON STATE

Although the gay agenda has made undeniable headway in recent months, complete with President Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, the citizens of Washington state aren’t putting up with it. Gay marriage opponents in Washington have successfully blocked a law that would have legalized same-sex marriage this week by submitting a petition for a ballot measure to repeal the statute that Democrat Gov. Chris Gregoire signed into law in February. Washington United for Marriage and Preserve Marriage Washington both launched petitions. Washington United for Marriage collected more than 241,000 signatures – twice as many as necessary to get on the November ballot. Preserve Marriage Washington also collected more than 240,000 signatures.

According to Joseph Blackholm, chairman of Preserve Marriage Washington, the petition drive was “incredible throughout every corner of the state. Support for Referendum 74 was strong from the beginning, and has grown as the signature drive has advanced.”   Gregoire isn’t ready to give up on her work to make Washington the seventh state, along with the District of Columbia, to legalize same-sex marriage. She said, “The state should not be in the business of discriminating against those who request a marriage license, and I believe a majority of Washington voters agree.”

Source: Charisma News

Have you visited our Web site?  Australian Prayer Network

Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 165 | Wed 27 Jun 2012

By Elizabeth Kendal

WELCOME to the intercessors who have joined the list this month.

‘My hand will sustain them; surely my arm will strengthen them.’
Psalm 89:21 (NIV)

JUNE 2012 UPDATE – During June we prayed concerning . . .

SUDAN (RLPB 162); EGYPT (RLPB 163); BURMA & SUDAN (RLPB 164)
and NIGERIA (in all those RLPBs).

UPDATES –

* BURMA: EYEING US-MYANMAR MILITARY TIES   On 2 June US Secretary of Defense
Leon Panetta intimated that political reforms underway in Burma
(Myanmar) could pave the way for ‘US-Myanmar’ military ties. This fits
in perfectly with the new US strategy of developing stronger ties with
Asia Pacific militaries. Timothy Heinemann, a retired US Special Forces
Colonel who works with war-affected ethnic minority communities in
Burma, argues that US-Myanmar military ties would be ‘wrong’, both
‘morally and practically’, particularly while the Burmese Army ‘is
attacking Kachin villagers’. He argues that Kachin civilians would face
increased aggression if the US were to empower the Burmese Army. ‘Siege
of Kachin State: 2012’ (16mins) is an excellent short film by Scott
Johnson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srg50Uo6p88  ).   Pray for the
Christian Kachin.

[NOTE – What Heinemann describes above is exactly what US-Indonesian
military ties have done to the Papuans: military violence escalates but
is covered up for economic and geo-strategic gain. (See RLPB 119, and
Religious Liberty Monitoring: label Papua.)]

* EGYPT: ISLAMIST MORSI ELECTED PRESIDENT   On Sunday 24 June Egypt’s
electoral council declared Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood the
President of Egypt, elected with 51.7 percent of the vote (in a turnout
of only about 50 percent). Egypt is now profoundly divided. Most
Christians fear that an Islamist president will further Islamise Egypt,
causing persecution to escalate. According to Isobel Coleman of the
Council on Foreign Relations, Morsi ‘represents the older, more
conservative wing of the Brotherhood and openly endorses a strict
Islamic vision’. According to Eric Trager of the Washington Institute
for Near East Policy, Morsi has been ‘an icon of the extremists in the
Muslim Brotherhood’, pushing for an ‘extreme agenda’. Morsi’s power to
implement his Islamist vision will, however, be severely curtailed due
to the military’s ‘soft coup’. (See Religious Liberty Monitoring for
details.) How the Islamists cope with that remains to be seen. Pray for
the Church in Egypt.

* NIGERIA: CHURCH BOMBINGS AVERTED   After three consecutive weeks of Boko
Haram terror, Sunday 24 June passed without a church bombing. Police
uncovered a plot to bomb churches in Jos, the capital of the Middle
Belt state of Plateau.   While police intensified security, most
churches in Plateau urged their members not to attend their worship
services.   In Kaduna State, an alleged attempt to bomb a church in the
Sabon Gari area of Zaria, was foiled. Boko Haram did, however,
successfully attack Yobe prison on Sunday, shooting police and freeing
40 inmates.

* NIGERIA, JOS: CHRISTIAN FAMILY MURDERED   On Saturday 23 June some 30
ethnic Fulani Muslim herdsmen stormed into Tidiu Village in Mangu Local
Government Area of Plateau State around 3.30am, armed with guns and
machetes. They slaughtered six members of the Dakibang family in their
sleep, while two other family members were wounded as they fled and
four villagers were wounded as the killers made their get-away. The
victims, aged between   six months and 70 years, had reportedly been
living peaceably amongst their Fulani neighbours. One local resident
commented that ‘the killing was professionally carried out with
military precision’. Pray for the Church in Nigeria.

* SUDAN: PROTESTS ROCK KHARTOUM   Since South Sudan seceded in July 2011
Sudan has been blighted with soaring food inflation and a weakening
currency.   Now students from the University of Khartoum are hoping to
trigger an ‘Arab Spring’. Protests commenced on 16 June and escalated
after President Bashir’s 18 June announcement of tough austerity
measures. The protests have spread beyond the capital, causing
considerable disruption but not as yet close to overthrowing the
regime. However, as Sudan expert Eric Reeves notes, with a
disillusioned and angry civilian population reeling from price hikes,
and a dispirited military reeling from heavy losses being inflicted by
rebel forces in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, the threat to the regime
is very real.   But this is a brutal regime and the crackdown has begun.
The situation increases the risk for Southerners who will doubtless be
blamed for the economic crisis when, in reality, the responsibility
lies with the corrupt, incompetent, belligerent, racist, Islamist
regime in Khartoum. Aljazeera reports: ‘There have been calls on social
networks for a mass nationwide protest on [Friday] June 29’. Pray for
the Church in Sudan (using Psalm 10).

JUNE 2012 ROUND-UP – also this month . . .

* INDIA: LIVING ‘IN A CLIMATE OF TERROR’

Christians account for only 3 percent of the population of India’s north-
eastern state of Assam; about one third of them are indigenous tribals.
According to the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians
(GCIC), Sajan George, the situation for tribal Christians in Assam is
‘intolerable’, for they are living ‘in a climate of terror’. On Friday 8
June a group of Hindus met Bhageswar Rabha, a Christian from the village
of Deuphaniin, Assam, and forced him to convert to Hinduism. Then around
midnight a mob of about 40 militant Hindu nationalists burst into the home
of another Christian, Manesor Rabha, and dragged him outside with his wife
Mala and two other believers, Michael and Prashanto Rabha. Though they
were threatened, intimidated, beaten and ordered to convert to Hinduism,
the believers stood firm and refused to renounce their Lord. On the Sunday
morning Mala, Michael and Prashanto were taken to Satribari Christian
Hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. Two other Christian
families subsequently fled the village. Such violent persecution is
commonplace across India. It is a very serious situation, inspired by
unchallenged Hindu nationalism and fuelled by impunity. Pray for the
Church in India.

* IRAN: AUTHORITIES CLOSE TEHRAN CHURCH

In line with its policy of eliminating the Farsi-speaking church of ethnic
Persian converts, the regime has closed down another Farsi-speaking
congregation. On 5 June the Intelligence branch of Iran’s Revolutionary
Guard, a military force tasked with defending the Islamic Revolution,
issued orders to close down the 70-strong Assemblies of God (AOG) Church
in Tehran’s north-western district of Janat-Abad. According to Compass
Direct News, only three churches in Tehran continue to offer Farsi-
language services: the AOG Central Church of Tehran, Emmanuel Protestant
Church and St Peter’s Evangelical Church. More than 20 believers are in
prison for their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, including death-row
prisoner Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani whose health is reportedly
deteriorating. Please pray.

* LAOS: STILL WORKING AT ELIMINATING CHRISTIANITY

On 6 June Laotian police arrested Asa, a 57-year-old Lao pastor, at his
home in Peeyeur village, Luang Namtha Province, on charges of leading
people to Christ. He was immediately transferred to the provincial prison,
some 50km away from his family. On 16 June Lao officials arrested two Lao
and two Thai Christians in Luang Namtha, charging them similarly with
‘spreading the Christian faith without official approval’. (The communist
regime is unashamedly committed to eliminating Christianity and therefore
never gives approval for Christian witness!) A local resident had called
the police when he saw the two Thai Christians – brothers Jonasa and
Phanthakorn Wiwatdamrong – explaining Bible passages to enquirers in a
private home. The two Lao and two Thai Christians arrested were taken
directly to the Luang Namtha provincial prison. Torture, including the use
of stocks, is routine in Lao prisons which are amongst the worst in the
world. Pray for these prisoners, and for the Church in Laos.

To view this RLPB with hyperlinks, go to Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin
blog  http://rlprayerbulletin.blogspot.com

UPTICK IN CHURCH CLOSURES AND ATTACKS IN INDONESIA

The number of recorded violations of Christians ¢â‚¬â„¢ religious rights in Indonesia reached 40 in the first five months of the year, nearly two-thirds the number in all of last year, according to the Jakarta Christian Communication Forum. Christians in Indonesia faced 64 cases of violations of religious freedom last year, up from 47 in 2010, said Theophilus Bela, president of the group. Bela said he was worried about the growing incidence of violence and church closures, as his group recorded just 10 anti-Christian incidents in 2009. There were 40 such incidents in 2008, he said. At least 22 churches have been forced to close this year, including 18 in the Singkil regency of Aceh Province that were sealed last month as local authorities either sided with or came under pressure from extremist Islamist groups.

The closures in Aceh followed last month ¢â‚¬â„¢s election of a hard-line Islamic governor. Violence against Christians has also increased, with most incidents taking place in areas surrounding Jakarta and Singkil, said Bela, who is also secretary general of the Indonesian Committee on Religion and Peace, a group that promotes inter-religious dialogue. Local Christians complain that the impractical requirements of a 2006 decree, the Revised Joint Ministerial Decree on the Construction of Houses of Worship, provide the pretext for Islamic extremists and officials to close churches, revoke permissions and delay building permits. It mandates religious groups obtain the signatures of at least 90 members and 60 area residents, as well as approval from the local religious affairs office.

Over the wailing of church members, the government of Bekasi sealed 3 churches because they had not fulfilled the requirements of the Joint Ministerial Decree. At a tense meeting with Bekasi officials the Rev. Hotman Sitorus of the GKRI church begged to be given two more days beyond the planned closure date, so the   church could hold a special service for the confirmation of 24 people and the baptism of one.  ¢â‚¬Å“However, the government did not grant it to us, ¢â‚¬  Sitorus said. Sitorus said his 150-member GKRI church has since secured 90 signatures of members and 60 signatures of area residents and submitted paperwork only to have Bekasi officials return the application, saying it needed to be verified by local block captains. The building permit has still not yet been granted.

The problems can be traced to the election of a new block captain, who belongs to a hard-line Islamic group. The general secretary of the Indonesian Fellowship of Churches, Pastor Gomar Gultom, said the church should continue worshipping even though the local government has sealed their building.  ¢â‚¬Å“According to Article 9 of the Indonesian Constitution, the government guarantees the right to persons of all religions and faiths, ¢â‚¬  Gultom said.  ¢â‚¬Å“Because of this, no person can deny another the right to worship. ¢â‚¬    Gultom encouraged congregations to worship each week without fear.  ¢â‚¬Å“It is true that when Christians are restricted, they spread, ¢â‚¬  he said.

Source: Compass Direct News

CONTINUING PRESSURE ON CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN LEADERS IN IRAN

Iranian Christians have requested renewed prayer as the Government’s campaign of intimidation against Christians and Churches continues. This campaign is targeted both at the small remaining number of officially recognised Protestant churches, and also against the house church movement. In early May leaders of the Assemblies of God church in Tehran were ordered by the Ministry of Intelligence to submit the names and ID numbers of all members. The church has long been under close surveillance; the latest order makes it even more difficult for those from Muslim backgrounds to attend the church. More than 20 believers remain detained across Iran, because of their Christian faith or activities.

Those arrested in raids since early February 2012 include five who remain detained in Tehran, five in Shiraz, three in Kermanshah and at least two in Isfahan. Five others in Isfahan were confirmed released in early May, including Hekmat Salimi, the lay leader of St Luke’s Anglican Church. Believers who have been held for more than a year include Noorallah and Farshid who were both arrested in December 2010, and Yousef who has been detained since October 2009 and remains under a death sentence. Behnam, serving a sentence in Karaj since May 2011, continues to suffer ill health. Iranian Christians supporting these believers thank us for our prayers. They request our continued intercession asking that:

*     all Christians in Iran will know the protection of the Father, comfort of the Son and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and that Church and fellowship group leaders would know the Spirit’s discernment and wisdom

*     all those still detained for their faith will be released soon and, together with their families, will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus

*     All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.

Source: Windows International Network

EIGHT AFRICAN NATIONS ON THE BRINK OF STARVATION

The United Nations is asking the world to help millions of West Africans who are facing a crisis of epic proportions. The people in eight nations are on the brink of starvation. At least three million of them are children. A tiny village in Niger is the starkest example of the hunger that grips eight African countries bordering the Sahara Desert. Families in this area depend on farming, but severe drought has resulted in crop failure. Huts normally used to store grain are empty, leaving mothers like Mariama struggling to feed their families. “I don’t think any of us can accept that this mother had to go and pick wild food for her children to eat,” Denise Brown, with the World Food Program, said. “If she doesn’t go and do it every day, then they don’t have anything to eat.”

Aid agencies are doing what they can to deliver food to the region, but so far they have not been able to raise even half the money needed to help the millions in need. Even more people could run out of food before the next fall harvest. A little girl named Nafissa is being treated at a health clinic where doctors weigh, measure, and monitor the nutritional survival of the children. She’s a year old, but she weighs just eight pounds – about the size of a newborn baby in the West. Three million children are already on the brink of starvation, and 18 million people are in danger. Brown urged the people of the world to get involved, saying, “These people, these women, these children, they deserve our attention, they deserve our time.”

Source: CBNnews.com

AVOWED ATHEIST RETHINKS HIS BELIEFS AFTER VISITING CHRISTIAN MINISTRY IN AFRICA

In an article written by Michael Perrett, he explains why the reality of Christian mission work in Africa defied his atheist beliefs. After visiting a poor village in Africa where a Christian charity had provided a water pump, Perrett begins: “It inspired me, renewing my flagging faith in development charities… It confounds my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my worldview, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there is no God. Now a confirmed atheist, I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts.

It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good. He also confronts the illogical Western practice of cherishing other cultures  ¢â‚¬” despite of, and regardless of, their moral and ethical short-comings ¢â‚¬” to the point of elevating them above our own. Concludes Perrett, “Christianity… with its teaching of a direct, personal, two-way link between the individual and God… offers something to hold on to for those anxious to cast off a crushing tribal group think. That is why and how it liberates. A whole belief system must first be supplanted. And I’m afraid it has to be supplanted by another. Removing Christian evangelism from the African equation may leave the continent at the mercy of a malign fusion of Nike, the witchdoctor, the mobile phone and the machete.”

Source: Intercessors Network

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