CIRCULATION CODE 3. OPEN. May be circulated to general mailing lists, outside organizations, and quoted from freely in reports citing “Middle East Concern” as the source of the information.
Dear friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace
Iranian Christians request further prayer for pastor Yousef Nadarkhani and his family.
Earlier this month Yousef returned to Iran after several weeks of travel outside the country. Shortly before his return, a summons was taken to his home by police officers, and soon after returning Yousef was ordered to report to Lakan prison. The director of the prison claimed that Yousef should have served some additional days prior to his release from the prison in September, and that he must now return to prison to serve those additional days.
Last week he reported to the prison. He was initially permitted to report on a daily basis, but when he reported on Christmas Day he was detained and remains in custody.
According to other leaders in his church network, Yousef has not faced any new legal proceedings, and a judge has confirmed that no new charges have been brought against him. Although leaders in his network tried to avoid publicity concerning the latest pressures, news of his detention on Christmas Day was publicised on several Iranian news sites. His network believes that the detention and associated publicity is intended by the Iranian authorities to intimidate other Christians in Iran.
Recall that pastor Yousef was freed from Lakan prison on 8th September 2012. He had been arrested in October 2009 and found guilty of apostasy and sentenced to death in September 2010. At the court hearing on 8th September, his conviction for apostasy was withdrawn, and he was convicted for evangelistic activities for which he received a three-year sentence. Because he had already served two years and 11 months, he was released upon a small bail payment.
Iranian Christians supporting Yousef and his family request our continued prayers that:
a. Yousef will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus each day and will be released soon
b. Likewise, that his wife Fatemeh and their sons Daniel and Joel, will know the peace, presence and protection of Jesus each day
c. They, together with those close to them, will know the Spirit’s guiding wisdom
d. All officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him.
- SUDAN: WHO CARES ABOUT GENOCIDE?
- GERMANY AND U.S. ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF BESTIALITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS
- ZIMBABWE: LET JUSTICE ROLL ON
- CHURCH OF ENGLAND SAYS NO TO WOMEN AS BISHOPS
- DYING MAN FINDS LIFE IN DYING CHURCH
- CHRISTIAN PRISONERS & REFUGEES SUFFERING UNIMAGINABLY IN ERITREA
- CAMBODIA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF SEX TRAFFICKING
SUDAN: WHO CARES ABOUT GENOCIDE?
Sudan has been torn apart by systematic racial hatred and religious intolerance. The Islamist, Arab-supremacist regime of President Omar el-Bashir has little concern for ‘infidels’ and ‘blacks’, especially those who resist Islamisation and Arabisation. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended Sudan’s civil war mandated that the three disputed border regions of Abyei, South Kordofan and Blue Nile would each have the right to a referendum to determine whether they would be part of Sudan or South Sudan. Though geographically linked into the north they are culturally and politically aligned with the South because they are predominantly non-Arab and non-Muslim.
The regime in Khartoum desperately wants the oil reserves in Abyei and South Kordofan and the water of Blue Nile. What it does not want is the oppositional ‘infidels’ and ‘blacks’ who live there to exercise their right to self-determination. Bashir launched his jihad before the secession even took place. Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) ethnically cleansed and occupied Abyei in May 2011. For this crime, Bashir was rewarded with impunity. Emboldened, Bashir expanded his jihad into South Kordofan. In early June 2011 SAF-allied Arab militias invaded Kadugli, the capital, having been instructed to ‘sweep away the rubbish’ (i.e. the Nuba, the ‘blacks’).
After weeks of terror in which tens of thousands were killed, the aerial bombardment began. Hundreds of thousands of predominantly Christian Africans were displaced as homes and farms were bombed. Again, Bashir was rewarded with impunity. Further emboldened, he expanded his jihad into Blue Nile. By means of massive population displacement along with systematic destruction of crops and denial of humanitarian aid, the regime is effecting a final solution: the elimination of opposition ‘infidels’ and ‘blacks’ from the resource-rich ‘new south’. [When the genocide is complete, Bashir will doubtless organise referendums to be lauded by the West as evidence of his transition to democracy!]
According to Enough Project, 81.5% of families in the Nuba Mountains survive on one meal a day and 3% are classed as having Severe Acute Malnutrition, meaning in the absence of medical intervention they will soon die. Local church groups are struggling just to keep the population alive. Agreements concerning humanitarian aid have been signed but never implemented. Furthermore, refugee camps just over the border in South Sudan, are struggling greatly to host more than 200,000 refugees. Driven by starvation in the displacement camps, some Dinka Ngok have recently returned to Abyei only to find that everything has been destroyed, even their boreholes.
As reported by Christian media agency Morning Star News (MSN), aerial bombardment of Christian towns across South Kordofan has increased considerably over the past month. MSN cites Nuba Reports, a network of local citizen journalists committed to providing credible coverage of the atrocities being committed against the Nuba in South Kordofan. It was established by an American aid worker who remained when his Christian aid organisation was forced to evacuate. The reports are shocking and include lists of towns bombed in recent weeks, along with names and ages of victims. Due to the absence of medical aid, many of the injured will ultimately die from infection.
Why is the International Community so indifferent to this genocide? Is it because the victims are predominantly Christians and Christian deaths are less significant? Why is the media not interested? Is it because the media is only interested in those conflicts from which they can get sensational ratings-boosting live coverage? Is a double-barrelled racism in play: the victims are black and the perpetrators are Arab-Muslims. But the West, if it is to claim any morality, must care about African genocides and demand more from Arab Muslims. If the West keeps treating Sudan’s threatened non-Muslims and non-Arabs as if they do not exist, then it will not be long before they actually do not exist!
PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL:
* arise and lift up His hand and intervene for His threatened people, bringing the wicked el-Bashir and his evil regime to account so that the righteous might be spared.
* fan into flame the faith of his people, so that they will look to the LORD for all things, trusting in him and witnessing his provision and deliverance.
* stir up moral indignation and courage so that the West will act against this evil regime according to the will and directions of the Lord of Hosts. Pray that God will fire up brotherly love and spiritual fervour in the Church, so that Christians will not rest from intercession until God intervenes and brings peace.
Source: by Elizabeth Kendal, Religious Liberty Monitoring
GERMANY AND U.S. ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF BESTIALITY IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Germany is poised to reinstate an old law banning sex with animals after a sharp rise in incidents of bestiality ¢â‚¬” and even the pimping of farm animals. The country’s parliament is due to debate changes to the national Animal Protection Code soon with the agricultural committee of the Bundestag pledging fines of £20,000 for a first offence. Bestiality dropped off the statute books as a crime in 1969 but in recent years incidents of it have mushroomed along with websites promoting it. There are even “erotic zoos” for perverts to visit and abuse animals ranging from llamas to goats.
Meanwhile in America the final Defence authorization bill is being hammered out in conference committee, with one surprising issue riling both social conservatives and animal rights activists: the repeal of a ban on sodomy and bestiality. The Senate bill, which was passed recently, removed an article from the Uniform Code of Military Justice stating ¢â‚¬Å“unnatural carnal copulation with another person of the same or opposite sex or with an animal is guilty of sodomy. ¢â‚¬ But the article is still included in the House bill, and House Republicans want it to remain in the final bill.
News of the bestiality repeal has sparked conservative groups like the Family Research Council to warn of a ¢â‚¬Å“campaign to radicalize the country from the Pentagon out, ¢â‚¬ even if the intent to repeal bestiality wasn ¢â‚¬â„¢t there. The group likened the repeal to last year’s end of the military’s “Don’t ask, don’t tell” rule on homosexuals serving openly in the military. ¢â‚¬Å“In its rush to accommodate the Left, Congress may have inadvertently opened the door to even more perversion, ¢â‚¬ Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said in a statement. ¢â‚¬Å“In its haste to make homosexual sex an official part of military life, the Left could be unintentionally repealing the ban on bestiality too. ¢â‚¬
The Pentagon, however, says that even if the article in the military code was repealed, having sex with animals would still be covered under different statutes. “It is difficult to envision a situation where a service member engages in sexual conduct with an animal that would not be conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline or service-discrediting,” said Defence spokesman Lt. Col. Todd Breasseale. House and Senate negotiators are in the midst of hammering out a host of contentious issues on the Defence bill, including the detention of terror suspects, sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran and chaplains performing same-sex marriages.
The issue of bestiality doesn ¢â‚¬â„¢t appear to have taken up too much of the White House ¢â‚¬â„¢s time. After a journalist asked about the issue at a White House briefing, press secretary Jay Carney responded: ¢â‚¬Å“Let ¢â‚¬â„¢s get to something more serious. ¢â‚¬ His response drew a rebuke from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. ¢â‚¬Å“We were upset that you flippantly addressed the recently approved repeal of the military ban on bestiality, ¢â‚¬ the group wrote in a letter to Carney. ¢â‚¬Å“This is no minor matter. Our office has been flooded with calls from Americans upset that this ban has been repealed. ¢â‚¬ A source close to the conference committee negotiations said the repeal is unlikely to survive, and the provision would remain.
Source: The Hill
ZIMBABWE: LET JUSTICE ROLL ON
After excommunicated bishop, Nolbert Kunonga broke away from the Anglican Church in 2007, he seized control of a vast array of church properties, including the cathedral in Harare, numerous churches, vicarages, schools, clinics, orphanages, offices, vehicles and bank accounts. Kunonga, who has been linked to violence against Anglicans, including the murder of 10 clergy, has long been backed by pro-Mugabe police and ZANU-PF thugs. In August 2011, Zimbabwe’s Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku released an interim order confirming Bishop Chad Gandiya as the Bishop of Harare, but upholding the 2009 High Court ruling granting the Kunonga, control over all Anglican Church assets in Harare.
On Monday 19 November 2012, the Supreme Court upheld the appeal put forward by the Church of the Province of Central Africa (CPCA) and led by Bishop Chad Gandiya. It also set aside, condemning as “wrong”, two judgments that had been granted in favour of the Nolbert Kunonga-led “Diocesan Trustees for the Diocese of Harare” entitling them to control of Anglican church properties. ZLHR is advocating immediate action be taken “to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the violations visited upon Anglican parishioners including the children at CPCA-run orphanages around the country. Such action,” it said, “will have the effect of helping to restore public confidence in the justice delivery system.”
Supreme Court Judge Yunus Omerjee, said: “When one leaves a club one does not take its property with him or her. It has long been established as a principle of law in the area of property ownership that when one or more people secede from an existing church, they have no right to claim church property even if those who remain members of the congregation are in the minority.” After the ruling, Bishop Gandiya and his followers broke into wild celebrations outside the Supreme Court with some singing hymns and dancing.” Dr Kunonga has been ordered to return all Anglican properties illegally seized from the Church of the Province of Central Africa.
Speaking after the Supreme Court judgment Zimbabwe’s Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, himself an Anglican, said: “Our prayers have been answered for the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe. I now look forward to working with them to restore sanity in their schools which have suffered so much during this period of insanity. ¢â‚¬ “We prayed, we waited and we have been vindicated,” said Bishop Chad Gandiya. Bishop Gandiya described the ruling as a “pleasant surprise” and appealed to all Anglicans to be “gracious in winning”. Of course it might be too much to expect that Kunonga will be gracious in losing. Implementing the order might not be as straight forward as issuing it.
Source: by Elizabeth Kendal, Religious Liberty Monitoring
CHURCH OF ENGLAND SAYS NO TO WOMEN AS BISHOPS
The Church of England has rejected legislation that would have enabled women to become bishops. The legislation required a two-thirds majority in all three houses of laity, clergy and bishops at General Synod. The measure passed the houses of bishops and clergy, but failed in the House of Laity by 6 votes. The laity voted 132 in favour, 74 against, with 0 abstentions; clergy 148 in favour, 45 against, with 0 abstentions; and bishops 44 in favour, 3 against, with 2 abstentions. Archbishop of York John Sentamu said the measure would not proceed any further and cannot be considered again until a new synod is elected in 2015, unless a convincing case is presented by the leadership of synod and supported by its members.
Speaking after the vote the Rt Rev Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said: “A clear majority of the General Synod voted in favour of the legislation to consecrate women as Bishops. But the bar of approval is set very high in this Synod. Two-thirds of each house has to approve the legislation for it to pass. This ensures the majority is overwhelming. The majority in the house of laity was not quite enough. This leaves us with a problem. 42 out of 44 dioceses approved the legislation and more than three quarters of members of diocesan synods voted in favour. There is now an urgent task to find a fresh way forward to which so many of those who were opposed have pledged themselves. ¢â‚¬
Source: Episcopal News Service
DYING MAN FINDS LIFE IN DYING CHURCH
When Greg Thomas was diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 cancer, his doctor told his family to start planning his funeral. That was three years ago. What happened? During the “dark nights of the soul” that Thomas experienced after his diagnosis, he began taking long walks in the country. One day, a sort of spiritual serendipity led him to a little church which had been built in 1868 by Czech settlers, but abandoned for the last 100 years. The foundation of the church was crumbling, the paint peeling, but it was there on the church steps, a man crumbling himself came to pray.
Subsequently, Thomas contacted the foundation responsible for the upkeep of the church cemetery and told them he wanted to repair the church. The foundation called Thomas’ offer “a godsend.” Today, as Thomas works, he also prays inside the church. “There’s been a lot of tears shed on these church steps, and they’ve been tears of joy, tears of pain, but tears of blessings too” Thomas said. Miraculously, as the tiny church’s exterior was restored, it seemed Greg’s body was being restored as well. The old church is newly clothed in white and Greg’s cancer is now in remission.” “It’s what He’s done for me,” Greg explains, referring to the Lord Jesus, “and this is my way of saying thank you.”
Source: Kare 11 News
CHRISTIAN PRISONERS & REFUGEES SUFFERING UNIMAGINABLY IN ERITREA
Eritrea has one of the most brutal dictatorships worldwide and the repression has created a refugee crisis. Since May 2002 Christians have been severely persecuted and an estimated 1500 are suffering torture and appalling prison conditions today, simply for their faith. With no independent media, news is extremely difficult to obtain. Open Doors reports that on 30th October a Christian Muslim convert, Adris Ali Mohammed (31), died in custody after two years of systematic torture aimed at forcing him to renounce his faith. Christians in refugee camps are no safer as the Eritrean military runs a lucrative operation on behalf of the government, trafficking them to Bedouin gangs in the Sinai.
Please pray for Eritrean Christians, and that God will effect deep and radical change in Eritrea.
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL —
* interpose himself in Eritrea to bring deep and radical change; may he bring judgment on all who trade in suffering and terror and bring an end to belligerence and repression. May he open the door to a new era of justice, liberty and peace, to his glory.
* have mercy on his sorely persecuted Church. Ask God to comfort and protect them, sustaining them in body and soul, especially prisoners and refugees. Pray that God will provide all their needs, fanning their faith into flame so they may not lose hope.
* redeem this era of intensive persecution by refining and unifying the Eritrean Church and use their stories of faithfulness to soften the hearts and open the eyes of multitudes.
Source: Religious Liberty Monitoring
CAMBODIA HAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF SEX TRAFFICKING
Today, there are more than 24 million people who are being trafficked worldwide as labour and sex slaves. ¢â‚¬ Yemi Oshodi of World Hope International says it ¢â‚¬â„¢s hard to be sure of numbers since the trafficking world is so covert. World Hope International is working in seven different countries to free those who are enslaved. Their work includes provision of direct care for victims and training law enforcement officers, teachers, psychologists and everyday citizens how to identify and report trafficking incidents. The ministry is particularly concerned with its work in Cambodia. ¢â‚¬Å“Cambodia has one of the highest rates of sex trafficking in the world. It ¢â‚¬â„¢s a huge problem in the country, ¢â‚¬ says Oshodi.
¢â‚¬Å“We started our program in Cambodia when we recognized that there was a huge need for a centre that was different than just a shelter. ¢â‚¬ The centre provides care for women who have been exploited in the sex trade, many of whom have barely survived. They are given a clean and safe place to stay that is more like a home than a temporary shelter, and where the love of Christ is evident. When the girls are ready to be placed back into society, the ministry does so with utmost care and caution. The ministry does all this in the name of Jesus and the justice He desires. ¢â‚¬Å“The Bible tells us that God hates injustice, and He blesses those who maintain justice and the dignity of human life, ¢â‚¬ Oshodi said.
Source: Intercessors Network
Have you visited our Web site? Australian Prayer Network
~~
10 December 2012
- SOUTH SUDAN BORDER DISPUTE MAKES THOUSANDS DESTITUTE
- UGANDAN PRESIDENT REPENTS FOR THE SINS OF HIS NATION
- BILLY GRAHAM CALLS UNITED STATES TO REPENTANCE
- GENDERCIDE CONFRONTED AT PACKED OUT EUROPEAN UNION ASSEMBLY
- EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS CALL FOR PRAYER AS OPPOSITION INCREASES
- FRENCH RALLY AGAINST PROPOSED ANTI-FAMILY LEGISLATION
- HOMOSEXUAL POLITICIANS GAIN INFLUENCE AFTER RECENT U.S.A. ELECTIONS
SOUTH SUDAN BORDER DISPUTE MAKES THOUSANDS DESTITUTE
As politicians wrangle over the disputed status of the oil-rich region of Abyei, straddling the border of Sudan (Muslim) and South Sudan (Christian), local church leaders appeal for help in the face of a potential humanitarian crisis. Both governments have been asked to approve an African Union proposal to resolve the status of the Abyei region, however Sudan is stalling. While arguments drag on, thousands of people face near-starvation in villages devastated by the conflict. Some 90% of Abyei town has been destroyed by northern militias and Sudanese Army troops. Even water holes have been badly damaged by the Sudanese government troops.
Displacement camps are hugely over-stretched, and unable to feed the people. Many are left to dig for roots and forage for edible leaves. Abyei is still a ¢â‚¬Å“no-go ¢â‚¬ area for most aid agencies, due to security concerns. Church leaders estimate that up to 20,000 people have arrived back in the Abyei area already. One of the most appalling situations is to be found in Agok, 60 km from Abyei, the biggest centre for internally displaced people (IDPs) in the area where the infrastructure is completely destroyed. There, church leaders have formed an Inter-Church Committee (ICC), representing Roman Catholic, Episcopal Church of Sudan and Pentecostal congregations, to co-ordinate relief.
The ICC is providing food, water, shelter and education, as well as peace-building initiatives and trauma-healing. Church leaders say the few aid agencies still working in Agok are only able to feed half of the IDPs. People in the camps have only emergency plastic sheeting and grass mats ¢â‚¬“ and now it ¢â‚¬â„¢s the rainy season, which brings rampant malaria and other diseases with it. The ICC says local churches have been one of the few organisations to offer consistent support to IDPs, opening up their homes, buildings and compounds. ICC Chairman Father Biyong says: ¢â‚¬Å“Due to the nature of the conflict, they were targeted because of their ethnic identity and religious affiliation and have lost all their worldly belongings. ¢â‚¬
When INGOs failed to get assistance to Agok, the Church was the vehicle which replenished supplies for the most vulnerable as they were running out. ¢â‚¬ There ¢â‚¬â„¢s been widespread praise for the Ethiopian peacekeeping troops with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), tasked with verifying the demilitarisation of Abyei, protecting the oil infrastructure and facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid for six months from June. Yet, even UNISFA ¢â‚¬â„¢s presence has not prevented Sudanese pro-government militias in Abyei from intimidating returnees. The churches are keen to preserve a strong Christian witness in an area so close to Sudan, where President al-Bashir has promised to extend Sharia law.
For now, the church ¢â‚¬â„¢s efforts are focused on meeting urgent humanitarian needs but its witness is strong. Pastor Santino of the Episcopal Church of Sudan reports: ¢â‚¬Å“The church has grown in Agok, with more coming to faith as they realise God is the only one they can rely on. ¢â‚¬ Abyei is a strategic location and mineral deposits make it important to both sides. On September 27, both sides ratified agreements on trade, oil and security, facilitated by the African Union (AU). Yet, there is still no agreement on Abyei and five other disputed border areas. South Sudan has agreed to an African Union proposal by chief mediator Thabo Mbeki to resolve the Abyei question. Sudan, however, has so far rejected it.
The AUHIP has given both sides six weeks to reach consensus on the status of Abyei. If they do not, the AU will endorse the proposal as ¢â‚¬Å“final and binding ¢â‚¬ and will seek endorsement by the UN Security Council. ICC also has made an urgent appeal to the worldwide church for prayer. ¢â‚¬Å“Pray for the security situation, for peace and stability. Pray that those who make decisions will make them in favour of the people of the land, that those who sit there will remember we are a people as they are. ¢â‚¬
Source: Open Doors News
UGANDAN PRESIDENT REPENTS FOR THE SINS OF HIS NATION
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has repented of his personal sins and the sins of Uganda as a nation in a move aimed at establishing Uganda as a God-fearing nation. The President made this historic move at Mandela National stadium during national prayers for dedicating Uganda to God. ¢â‚¬Å“I denounce witchcraft and satanic practices. I repent on behalf of Uganda. We confess our sins. We repent of the sins of shedding innocent blood, corruption, bribery, sexual immorality, drunkenness, rebellion, insubordination, tribalism and sectarianism, ¢â‚¬ Museveni said. The president dedicated Uganda to God to be His nation anchored on His principles and values.
The President, indicating that the next 50 years belong to the young generation, advised the young people to be God-fearing referring to the Biblical verse in Proverbs 9:10 which says, ¢â‚¬Å“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. ¢â‚¬ For the young people who are still in school, he used Ecclesiastes 3:1 which says there is a time for everything, advising them to concentrate on their books and abstain from sex. For those who have completed studies, he advised them to look for more skills, jobs, and start families established on God ¢â‚¬â„¢s principles. He advised the youth to keep fit through physical exercises and sports activities and to help their parents.
The prayers were organized by Uganda Jubilee Network, an association of Anglican, Evangelical and Pentecostal churches. The network has been urging Christians to fast and pray for Uganda to be a God fearing nation in the next 50 years. They claim the jubilee season provides an opportune time to seek and return to the Lord. A time for liberty, amnesty, family reunion, justice, debt release, economic emancipation, restoration and a chance to reset the clock and start over again. The President ¢â‚¬â„¢s seeds of wisdom to the young people fell on the fertile soil which had been already cultivated by the church leaders.
Earlier, the Anglican church of Uganda Archbishop-elect, Stanley Ntagali, called upon the religious and political leaders to repent and put right what had gone wrong arguing that jubilee is about restitution and attaining God ¢â‚¬â„¢s eternal life after forgiveness. Drawing from Exodus 4:22 where God said Israel is his first born son, Born Again Faith leader, Dr. Joseph Serwadda, prayed to God to make Uganda his second born son established on his values and principles of love, righteousness and justice. Apostle Alex Mitala, who became the most captivating preacher, preached a radical message lambasting the young people over indecent dressing like miniskirts which expose their wickedness.
At the end of his speech, hundreds of youths came out and repented of indecent dressing which does not glorify God and recommitted their lives to God. Rev. Simon Peter Emiau said no matter how many times Ugandans pray, God will not intervene in the affairs of our country without fulfilling the conditions in 2 Chronicles 7:14 of repenting and turning away from wicked ways. Calling upon church leaders and Christians to repent, Apostle Charles Tumwine attributed the current high level of immorality in the country to the wickedness/darkness in the church arguing that what happens in a nation is usually a reflection of the state of the church.
Source: Ugandan Daily Mirror
BILLY GRAHAM CALLS UNITED STATES TO REPENTANCE
Editors note: The following is a call issued by Billy Graham to all Americans following the recent Presidential election. It is a message that is also pertinent to us here in Australia as we face our Federal elections next year.
Americans care greatly about their country. The intensity of opinions and feelings during the long political campaign leading up to the recent elections showed the depth of that concern. It is important after any election to remember that irrespective of the outcome, God wants us to pray for those chosen to be our leaders ¢â‚¬”at the national, state and local levels. The Bible urges us to do so with respect and thanksgiving (see 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Tim. 2:1 ¢â‚¬“3). We must also remember that no elected leader or Government can ever solve the world ¢â‚¬â„¢s problems. That is because the trouble, at its root, is in the human heart, and the only path to true restoration ¢â‚¬”for a person or for a nation ¢â‚¬”is through repentance.
The Bible says, ¢â‚¬Å“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord ¢â‚¬ (Acts 3:19 ¢â‚¬“20, ESV). Only the gospel, God ¢â‚¬â„¢s Good News, has the power to change lives, heal hearts and restore a nation. I want that to happen in America, and I know you want that as well. I turned 94 on the day after the election. Although my age and health have limited me physically in recent years, I plan to spend the next 12 months, if God permits, doing all that I am able to do in helping to carry out a fresh vision God has given us ¢â‚¬”a vision to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to every possible place in America by the time of my 95th birthday.
In the days of the Prophet Jeremiah, God commanded His people to ¢â‚¬Å“seek the peace and prosperity ¢â‚¬ of the land where He had placed them and to ¢â‚¬Å“pray to the Lord for it ¢â‚¬ (Jer. 29:7, NIV). I ask you to join me in committing the next 52 weeks to faithful, fervent, prayer America. You can start by making a list of people you know personally who need Jesus Christ and then begin praying regularly for them, individually by name. Pray also for your neighbourhood and your city, asking God to bring men, women, teens and children ¢â‚¬”people from your own community ¢â‚¬”to Himself during the next 12 months. And pray along with me for the nation, asking God for mercy on America and for a great spiritual awakening.
My son Franklin is spearheading this vision and outreach, working in partnership with thousands of churches across every state in the country. At the climax of My Hope one year from now, if God enables me, I want to call the entire nation to repentance and lasting hope in Jesus Christ. The message I give will be presented in a fresh format, different from preaching at a crusade, but the same gospel. I believe we will see God work in a mighty way. It is my passionate, heartfelt desire to see God change hearts and lives in every community in America, and I pray He will stir the same desire in you.
Source: Charisma News
GENDERCIDE CONFRONTED AT PACKED OUT EUROPEAN UNION ASSEMBLY
Women’s Rights Without Frontiers (WRWF) President Reggie Littlejohn recently co-presented the feature-length documentary, “It’s a Girl,” at the European Parliament, together with the film’s director, Evan Grae-Davis. Littlejohn is featured as an expert on China’s One Child Policy in this powerful new documentary exposing gendercide and forced abortion. The event packed the auditorium. According to one UN expert, up to 200 million women are missing in the world today due to the sex-selective abortion of baby girls. In China, moreover, the government forcibly aborts women who become pregnant in violation of the One Child Policy, up to the ninth month of pregnancy.
In response to a question about what the European Parliament can do to address this violence against women, Littlejohn raised the issue of the funding of pro-abortion organisations. Littlejohn praised the European Parliament for recently passing a resolution that “strongly condemns . . . the practice of forced abortions and sterilizations globally, especially in the context of the one-child policy.” The resolution further states that “the European Union has provided, and still provides, funds for organizations involved in family planning policies in China,” and “urges the Commission to ensure that its funding of projects does not breach” the European Parliament’s commitment against coercive population control.
Littlejohn stated, “It is significant that the European Parliament has urged the Commission to ensure that this funding is not associated with coercion. For decades, the United Nations Family Planning Association and the International Planned Parenthood Federation have worked hand in hand with the Chinese population control machine which uses coercion. They are funded by many nations, not only in Europe but the world over, including the United States. I have no doubt that any unbiased investigation by the European Parliament will reveal that these organizations are complicit with coercive family planning in China.
Source: Women’s Rights Without Frontiers
EGYPTIAN CHRISTIANS CALL FOR PRAYER AS OPPOSITION INCREASES
A spate of attacks and threats targeted at Christians has prompted the church in Egypt to call on believers worldwide to pray for peace in the country. Several attacks have been documented in a number of provinces recently, against a backdrop of increasing insecurity. Christians say that state officials are not doing enough to protect believers, leaving them increasingly vulnerable to extremists. Recently a group of hard-line Islamic Salafis occupied church-owned land in the Shubra district of Cairo where Christians have begun constructing a community centre. Local Salafis insisted that they want to build a mosque there ¢â‚¬“ and only left the site when government officials intervened at the church’s request.
A spokesperson for the church said that its opponents had threatened to burn Christian homes in the neighbourhood. Also recently a veiled woman sheared off a Christian girl’s hair in Cairo. Salafis also stopped a Christian concert in Minya province, claiming it was an evangelistic event, despite church leaders’ protests to the contrary. Sources say anti-Christian violence ¢â‚¬“ and crime in general ¢â‚¬“ has risen since Hosni Mubarak was forced from power. Christians are keen to stress that the motivations behind some incidents ¢â‚¬“ such as the recent kidnapping of a high-profile Christian banker ¢â‚¬“ are mixed.
Nonetheless, the church is calling for prayers for the rule of law to be re-established through tighter security and for justice to be applied equitably for all Egyptian citizens. Many Egyptian Christians are said to be trying to leave the country. Pray that Egyptian Christians will draw on God’s strength and look to Him for guidance. Pray that Christians will not be tempted to retaliate in spite of the pressure being applied against them. Pray too for wisdom for President Mursi and his Government; and that they will uphold the rule of law and the religious rights of all citizens.
Source: Release International
FRENCH RALLY AGAINST PROPOSED ANTI-FAMILY LEGISLATION
When Francois Hollande and France’s socialist parties swept into power this year, the passage of homosexual “marriage” and other anti-life and anti-family measures appeared to be inevitable. However, only months later Hollande and his allies are on the defensive against a surprisingly broad groundswell of opposition to his plans, led by Andr ƒ © Vingt-Trois, the Cardinal Archbishop of Paris. Vingt-Trois, as well as Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim leaders, have vociferously expressed their opposition to the proposed measure, and have been joined by conservative politicians and pro-life activists, who staged an attention-grabbing protest recently. The result has been a dramatic shift in public opinion.
A poll commissioned by Le Figaro magazine, revealed opposition to homosexual adoption has increased by 10% in just one month, resulting in a majority of 52% opposed. In apparent response to the outcry, the socialists have delayed a debate on the bill until next year. Cardinal Vingt-Trois is urging people to make known their opposition to what the socialists have dubbed “marriage for all.” “A vision of humanity that doesn’t recognize sexual differences would be a deception that would shake one of the foundations of our society and establish a form of discrimination against children,” Vingt-Trois said recently. He added “This wouldn’t be ‘marriage for all,’ it would be marriage imposed on all by a few.”
Source: LifeSite News
HOMOSEXUAL POLITICIANS GAIN INFLUENCE AFTER RECENT U.S.A. ELECTIONS
An Oregon woman will be the first openly lesbian lawmaker to lead a state legislative chamber in the U.S. Democrats in the state House have chosen Rep.Tina Kotek of Portland to be the next speaker in the Oregon parliament. At the recent elections voters also elected the first openly homosexual U.S. senator and the first bisexual member of Congress. Homosexuals will also control the House or Senate in four other states: Washington, California, Colorado and Rhode Island. The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund says that’s more than ever before and up from only two States before the election.
Source: Charisma News
Have you visited our Web site? Australian Prayer Network
~~
Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 188 | Wed 05 Dec 2012
—————————-
NIGERIA: THE TERROR OF JIHAD
—————————-
by Elizabeth Kendal
As was reported in RLPB 187 (28 Nov), up to 20 Christians were killed and
dozens wounded on Sunday 25 November in a twin suicide bombing at St
Andrew’s Protestant Church inside the Jaji military barracks in Kaduna.
Investigations indicate that the bombers may have been residents of the
barracks and might have built the bomb on site, which would explain why
they were granted access to the church without being searched. This raises
fears that other military establishments could be similarly targeted. That
same week Boko Haram gunmen attacked the headquarters of the Police
Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Abuja, freeing 30 detainees and killing two
policemen. Guards were under strict orders not to shoot. But Nigeria is at
war! In Boko Haram’s own words on 29 November, ‘Jihad [holy war] started
now, jihad started now, O enemies of Allah.’
On Saturday night 1 December a band of jihadists attacked Kupwal, a remote
village in Chibok Local Government Area (LGA). (That is about 160km south
of the Boko Haram stronghold of Maiduguri in Borno, Nigeria’s most north-
eastern state.) They invaded the Christian district and according to
survivors entered ‘carefully selected’ homes, slitting the throats of the
occupants. They then set fire to homes and sacked the whole neighbourhood
to chants of ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the greatest). [See
http://quran.com/7/4 .] At least 10 people were killed whilst dozens
escaped with serious and life-threatening injuries. Observers believe Boko
Haram was either responsible or at least complicit.
On Sunday morning 2 December, some 50 Islamic gunmen in cars and on
motorbikes attacked a police station, immigration and customs offices and
three churches in Gamboru Ngala, Ngala LGA. (That is 140km north of
Maiduguri, Borno State, near the border with Cameroon.) Before launching
their attack, the jihadists destroyed the mobile phone masts to prevent
communication and so compound the crisis. With shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’
they opened fire on police, killing five. The churches were torched and
Christians living and doing business in the border town were targeted.
About two weeks earlier, leaflets had been distributed in which the
Islamists declared their intention to impose Taliban-style rule, e.g.,
women were told to wear the veil and cigarettes were banned. A tailor was
subsequently shot for continuing to make clothing the Islamists deemed un-
Islamic.
In a 30 November column, author and analyst Raymond Ibrahim explained why persecution such as that described above is ‘Islam’s Achilles’ heel’.
Persecution committed by dominant Muslims in Muslim communities – i.e.
Muslims who cannot claim to be ‘oppressed’ or ‘aggrieved’ – against
vulnerable minority Christians is simply impossible to justify. Such
persecution exposes Islam as supremacist, totalitarian, intolerant and
imperialistic; as a movement that will not rest until the ‘other’ is
totally subjugated. ‘And to Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens
and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in
the mornings and the afternoons.’ ( http://quran.com/13/15 )
PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY THAT GOD WILL –
* rise up on behalf of his traumatised and terrorised people and
intervene to rout the enemy and deliver his Church.
‘And he [King David] said, “The LORD has burst through my enemies [the
Philistines] before me like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that
place is called Baal-perazim [the Lord who bursts through]’ (2 Samuel
5:20b ESV).
* bring healing and comfort to his bleeding, broken and grieving people;
may he provide all their needs and make his loving presence felt so as
to sustain their sorely-tested faith, that they might be ‘more than
conquerors through him who loved us’ (from Romans 8:31-39 ESV).
* give the Nigerian authorities divine wisdom and insight, strength and
commitment that they might excel in their battle against the enemies of
the state and the enemies of the LORD.
* re-assure the church in northern Nigeria of his protection who is their
‘strong city’ (Isaiah 26:1). May the church in the south, and indeed
the rest of the world, join this battle by praying for the north
(Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11).
* bless every Nigerian missionary and every witnessing Nigerian with
divine courage and power from the Holy Spirit, for this is first and
foremost a spiritual struggle (Ephesians 6:12).
~~~~
SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE
——————————
THE TERROR OF JIHAD IN NIGERIA
A full-blown Islamic jihad is raging in Nigeria and it is terrifying for
the Christians of the north on the front-line. On Saturday evening 1
December jihadists attacked the Christian district of a remote village in
Borno State. Entering ‘carefully selected’ homes, they murdered the
occupants before sacking and burning the entire neighbourhood to shouts of
‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the greatest). Ten were killed whilst dozens fled
with serious and life-threatening injuries. On Sunday morning 2 December
jihadists attacked another village in Borno close to the Cameroon border.
With shouts of ‘Allahu Akbar’ they opened fire on police, killing five,
before torching numerous government facilities and three churches. Only
weeks earlier, Christians were threatened with violence if they did not
leave the area. Please pray for Nigeria.
——————–
To view this RLPB with hyperlinks, visit the Religious Liberty Prayer
Bulletin blog at http://rlprayerbulletin.
For Critical Prayer Requests (CPR) for the nations, see
http://criticalprayerrequests.
——————–
We suggest that churches and fellowships using the above Summary might
also provide a copy of the listed prayer points to be used in their
worship by people who are leading in prayer.
For more information, updates and helpful links see Elizabeth Kendal’s
blog ‘Religious Liberty Monitoring’ <http://elizabethkendal.
Previous RLPBs may be viewed at <http://rlprayerbulletin.
This RLPB was written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious
Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international
religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.
Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre for the Study of Islam
and Other Faiths at the Melbourne School of Theology.
If this bulletin was forwarded to you, you may receive future weekly
issues direct by sending a blank email to <[email protected]>.
Discussion
No comments for “Pray for the World – December 2012”