The Archbishop of Cape Town said he is glad people are offering heartfelt prayers for the recovery of Nelson Mandela but he also welcomes the growing acceptance that the former South African President, aged 94, in hospital with a lung infection and in a critical condition, cannot go on forever. Writing in a Sunday newspaper Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said it was time for South Africans to break the taboo of death and learn to deal with mortality. It troubled him that people had become so poor at addressing this fundamental part of what it means to be truly human. ‘I was glad to see that alongside our heartfelt prayers for his recovery, there is also growing acceptance that he cannot go on for ever - we must learn to let him go. This is both good and necessary for Madiba's sake and for ours. In fact a more honest attitude to our own mortality helps us all in the daily business of life.’

Pray: for our brothers and sisters in South Africa as they pray for Nelson Mandela; may he have peaceful days and a good end. (Mt.6:10)

More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/2013/06/24/archbishop-south-africa-must-learn-to-let-mandela-go/

Besides being a sporting Olympic celebrity, Oscar Pistorius is said to be a devoutly religious man, whose faith was illustrated by a tattoo on his back, quoting Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians 9:26-27, ‘I do not run aimlessly but I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.’ He would pray before every race, often with a competitor. So not surprisingly many are stunned by the killing of Reeva Steenkamp. Rumours and allegations abound but what does seem clear is that Pistorius lived with acute fears about his safety. For South Africans this is not untypical. Sadly the new South Africa is a nation beset by fear which is a constant topic of conversation with many. Even churches have prominent signs, warning of ‘Armed Response’ in the event of their security alarm being triggered. Amid the media frenzy, we need to pray that truth will be established.

Pray: that justice can be done despite the frenzied world interest and media hype. Pray also for the relatives of both families to know God’s peace. (Phil. 4:7)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/guns.and.blades.oscar.pistorius.and.the.south.african.tragedy/31677.htm

The Family Policy Institute (FPI) stated, ‘Research shows the wide availability of pornography in society is destructive and harmful especially to women and children. This is evidenced by the fact that South Africa is currently regarded as the rape capital of the world. More than 64 000 women are raped annually in SA. In addition, reports indicate that more than 25,000 children are sexually abused every year in SA.’ The FPI called on the Government to take urgent action to stop the free flow and distribution of pornography following the arrest this week of a school principal, teachers, a doctor, an attorney and a businessman for the manufacture and dissemination of child pornography. The FPI statement continues, ‘Children as young as 10 are downloading sexually explicit images to their cell phones. Some are also producing pornographic videos of themselves and sharing it with friends.’

Pray: for an end to the Government’s liberal attitude to the unrestricted availability of pornography. (Lk.18:16 & Ps.12:5)

More: http://gatewaynews.co.za/family-policy-institute-calls-for-adult-porn-clampdown/

South African Council of Churches has warned their state leaders that all efforts must be made to save democracy lest they walk the path of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. ‘It is becoming apparent that in areas where local leaders fail to provide leadership and offer basic social services to the communities, people have now resorted to displaying their agitation and anger in a violent way. We wish political parties could respect the desires of communities and allow internal democracy to lead their choice of candidates,’ the South African Council of Churches said. ‘The violent developments associated with poor delivery of social services west of Johannesburg, and some other parts of the country is a rude re-awakening call to the authorities and an indication of just how destructive things can turn.’

Pray: for credible elections on 18th May and against excessive force by the police at times of demonstration and canvassing. (Pr.8:15)

More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue12653.html

Bishop Jo Seoka, the president of the South African Council of Churches brokered a meeting between Lonmin executives and striking miners following the death of 34 miners when police opened fire on them at a protest meeting for better pay and conditions. The Bishop also sent an open letter to President Jacob Zuma demanding an inquiry into the killing of the miners. Bishop Seoka chairs a Foundation that monitors corporate social responsibility which said ‘the way in which mines in the North West presented themselves often differed from the way communities see them. Communities in the area say that mines' corporate social responsibility programmes are 'lies' that make promises when they enter a community but often do not deliver,’ Seoka added, ‘The majority of the projects are done to satisfy their public image and they rarely consult with workers on what they actually need.’ The foundation warned that lack of education, training and employment opportunities in the province could trigger further unrest.

Pray: the investigation into the shootings would impartially establish responsibilities for the incident within the police force, government and Lonmin. Pray also for justice and fair working conditions for the miners and their families. (Pr.12:6-7 & 11-12)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.brokers.south.africa.mine.meeting/30519.htm

Up to 750,000 people could die as Somalia's drought worsens in the coming months, the UN has warned, declaring a famine in a new area. The UN says tens of thousands of people have died after what is said to be East Africa's worst drought for 60 years. Bay region becomes the sixth area to be officially declared a famine zone - mostly in parts of southern Somalia controlled by the Islamist al-Shabab. Some 12 million people across the region need food aid, the UN says. A sixth region of Somalia has been declared a famine area by the UN, which warns the situation will only worsen in the coming months. In total, 4 million people are in crisis in Somalia, with 750,000 people at risk of death in the coming four months in the absence of adequate response. Half of those who have already died are children.

Pray: for God’s mercy to rest upon the people and famine aid to reach the most needy. (Ps.108:6)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14785304

A suicide bomber killed at least five people on Wednesday when he detonated explosives outside a government military base. This is the latest in a series of attacks in violence-ridden Mogadishu. The attacker detonated his explosives after being approached by security forces. The city is regularly targeted by the Somali insurgent group al-Shabab. On Monday, a series of blasts killed at least six people including two people at a hospital for women and children. In recent months, Somali forces backed by African Union troops forced al-Shabab from Mogadishu, but the insurgents have continued to wage guerrilla-style warfare in the capital. The US State Department says it is 'extreamly concned' about al-Shabab's announcmen ot ban 16 international aid organizations' accusing them of promoting secularism, immorality and what it describes as ‘the degrading values of democracy in an Islamic country.’ The UN agencies have been removed from regions where nearly 250,000 people are at risk of starvation and need emergency assistance.

Pray: for life saving aid groups to return and for Kenyan troops and Somalia’s transitional government to win the battle against al-Shabab. (Ps.17:8-9)

More: http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2011/11/30/five-dead-in-suicide-bombing-in-mogadishu/

Somali cities are chaotic yet functional. There’s a working public transport, brisk market business, electricity and running water - but people get shot as a normal part of daily life. No one takes notice anymore. They simply wait for the bodies to be cleared then quickly resume business. Armed violence is common; it’s used to deal with disagreements and generally ends in death. Many more deaths follow when the deceased’s fellow gang members retaliate. The hardest part to understand is the fact that ‘human life has lost its value’. It is astounding that there is a Church in Somalia - when believers embrace Christ they embrace martyrdom - prepared to pay the price for their faith. It is too dangerous for believers to meet openly in this strictly Islamic state. Al-Shabaab target converts to Christianity and eliminate them. Aid workers, Christian or otherwise, require tight security due to the risk of abduction.

tPray: hat al-Shabab’s influence will diminish, for Christian radio programmes to bring hope to isolated believers and for more tolerance towards Christians. (Ps.32:7)

More: http://www.worldwatchlist.us/world-watch-list-countries/somalia/

UN special envoy to Somalia appealed for more peacekeepers in Mogadishu. The Somali government is offering amnesty to fighters from the militant al-Shabab group who control south and central Somalia, including the areas worst affected by famine. On Saturday it surprised many analysts by announcing a withdrawal of its forces from Mogadishu. However some believe al-Shabab has made a tactical retreat, and think they are likely to wage guerrilla warfare in Mogadishu including carrying out more suicide bombings. Al-Shabab is affiliated to al-Qaeda and was formed to overthrow the government to establish Islamic rule in Somalia. The first UN aid for Mogadishu in five years arrived on Monday with famine relief for the 100,000 refugees in search of food. Insecurity makes it difficult for aid agencies to distribute materials.

Pray: for militant leaders to lay down weapons and return to society and for safe distribution aid. (1Tim.2:2)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14460625