Please keep praying for the WPA! Your prayer support will be all-important to the planning of this event which is intended to be a “new paradigm” for an international congress—carried out Acts 13-style—incorporating listening to God, united prayer, and strategic implementation of world-impacting action that proceeds out of that encounter with the Lord and one another.
“Al-Qaeda has successfully evolved into a franchise organization under the leadership of Ayman al-Zawahiri, making the terrorist organization even more dangerous and more difficult to track. Since the killing of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011, al-Qaeda has decentralized and improved financing methods, attack approaches and communication techniques to counter new intelligence efforts. The group is responsible for four times as many terrorist attacks today as it was before the Sept.11, 2001, attacks. Al-Qaeda is still aiming to establish an Islamic caliphate, and is establishing training camps around the world toward that end.”
LIGNET (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Please continue to pray for the frustration, dissolution and overthrow of Al-Qaeda. Pray that its members will come to know Jesus Christ through dreams, visions and His Word and that they will become missionaries for His cause!
Approximately 250 local ministry leaders supported by 70 international intercessors met not far from the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) separating North and South Korea. Some North Korean defectors were present and shared about the awful conditions and suffering of the Christians in the prison camps of the North There was a powerful and moving time of repentance between participants from the two divided nations, different denominations in the South and for the bloodshed of millions through the history of the Korean peninsula. Praise God for the sense that history was being made during this strategic initiative! We believe that His breakthrough and deliverance for the North is coming soon. Please continue to pray for this with us.
Robert Park, the missionary activist who walked into North Korea two years ago and was severely abused during his imprisonment there, spoke passionately during the PINK gathering, calling for mass demonstrations as well as prayer for those suffering in the North. He has since written about “reports of mass starvation and widespread death in North Korea not only from defectors (refugees) he knows personally but also in the media.” See the pictures from recent report by MSNBC and share with others: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44808274/ns/world_news-asia_pacific/
He goes on to say: “North Korea is the most militarized nation on earth, and spends more money according to gross domestic product on its weapons program than any country in the world. It would be simple for them to feed these children and prevent their deaths - but the children are being sacrificed in the most wicked and abominable manner to meet the political ends of the regime.”
One way to help practically, he affirms, is to “raise financial support for the North Korean refugees so they may send remittances into these areas of North Korea and save lives that otherwise will die. That this is a confirmed route to affect the starvation-stricken areas has been confirmed in government and academic circles, see for example: http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/04/21/remittances-from-north-korean-defectors/”
Please also see article Park wrote for the Washington Post in April for specific recommendations he has for the international grassroots community to solve this catastrophe: "The forgotten genocide in North Korea"(April 20th, 2011): http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/when-will
An International Appeal for Prayer, Fasting and Protest on behalf of North Korea
“We hope to partner with you for an international call to prayer and fasting for North Korea on December 9th, 2011, coinciding with the 63rd anniversary of the Genocide Convention which North Korea is violating through its severe and systematic persecution of Christians and their entire families. Accordingly there will be an international protest on this day, with gatherings in front of DPRK/PRC/UN offices worldwide (Please
see - http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=223456731047882).
Specifically, we request your help in the following ways:
1) Please consider calling your network of intercessors to fasting and prayer for the North Korean people on this date.
2) For those who can be involved in the protest, we ask that they hold their fasting and prayer gatherings in a public venue outdoors.
3) For those who do or do not participate in the protest, but are able to fast and pray - we all will be giving the savings of that day to North Korean Christians and Defector Activists. Though individually the money will add up to nothing, collectively it can result in saved lives.”
Freedom and Life for All North Koreans
www.stopnkgenocide.com
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Coalition Coordinates Global Day of Action
On 6 October, CSW joined Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the International Federation of Human Rights and other members of the International Coalition to Stop Crimes against Humanity in North Korea (ICNK) in a Global Day of Action.
A letter to Kim Jong-Il, signed by over forty members of the ICNK was delivered to North Korea’s embassies and diplomatic missions in London, Paris, Geneva, New York, Bangkok and Hong Kong, and at the unofficial North Korean embassy, the Chosen Soren, in Tokyo. In addition to the demonstration in London, a protest was staged in Seoul to the south of the Korean Peninsula.
Coalition Urges End to Torture, Execution and Forced Labour
The ICNK’s letter calls on North Korea’s regime to end the widespread violation of human rights, appealing to them to “end all executions, stop the deliberate and systematic use of torture, close the kwan-li-so, and immediately end the practice of forced labour in penal institutions”.
Furthermore, the ICNK urges North Korea to grant access to the country for the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and in particular to open up its prison camps for international inspection. In addition, the ICNK calls on North Korea to adhere to the principles of international human rights instruments to which it is obligated, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It urges North Korea to join the International Labour Organisation and to provide international humanitarian organisations unrestricted access to evaluate reported chronic food shortages, monitor food distribution and address the country’s growing humanitarian crisis.
“The time to end the culture of impunity is now”
CSW’s East Asia Team Leader, who helped establish the ICNK, Benedict Rogers, commented that, “the global day of action, in which this letter was delivered across numerous cities across several continents, in English, French, Spanish, Korean and Chinese languages, is a significant statement of our deep and profound concern about the suffering of the people of North Korea.”
He continued, “the time to end the crimes against humanity in North Korea is long overdue. The time to end the culture of impunity in North Korea is now. More than forty human rights organisations from across Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America, joined by survivors of North Korea’s prison camps, are speaking with one voice and calling on Kim Jong-Il to stop the torture, stop the executions, open up the prison camps to international inspection, and end the barbaric and inhumane system of terror he has inflicted on his people for too long.”
Christian Solidarity Worldwide www.csw.uk.org
Friends in Egypt have written..."Due to the very tragic events which happened on Sunday night, 9th of October, in Cairo (24 Christians have been killed and over 200 people injured during demonstrations which started peacefully), the Pope Shenouda made a call of prayer to all Coptic Christians around the world starting from Tuesday, the 11th of October.
His call is to encourage anyone to pray and fast during 3 days for our country
....we would like to kindly ask you to join us, according to your possibilities and capacities, during the 3 days of fasting and prayers for our land which needs so much of your intercession. Let's stand with our brothers and sisters who are passing by a terrible tragedy, sorrow, fear and incredible challenges we have not seen or heard of since the revolution. Together, let's cry to our heavenly Father so that the situation in our area may change and that the leadership may recognize the existence of the Christians in Egypt.
In the media, in the social aspect, there is a total ignorance of the Christians and their rights...thousands of people were at the funerals which took place in the large cathedral in El Embassyia, Cairo. A great sadness and sorrow was on the entire attendance.
As we are writing, the army is threatening the Christians who are demonstrating downtown. Hundreds are already in prison. Thank you for your precious intercession and receive our sincere blessings."
Please pray and fast along with our Egyptian brothers and sisters for peace and religious freedom. Pray for their safety, for lines of good communication, for changed hearts of their persecutors, and for the grieving families and friends who have lost their loved ones. May Jesus be glorified in Egypt.
We have received this urgent prayer concern:
“Please pray for Joshua. He is in his late 20’s, married for 4 months, and has now been in prison in Kabul for three weeks. He is charged with not paying a sub-contractor, false accusations as far as I know. He and his wife are from the US. She is a teacher here. Very tough situation for both of them.”
Let’s pray that he will be exonerated and released as soon as possible.
Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for your prayers for the Silk Road region! They are vital to see God’s purposes established in these strategic nations in this important time in history!
Read below for up-to-date information on how to pray for each nation:
Afghanistan
Recently in Kabul, terrorists have attacked the most secure and heavily guarded places--the Intercontinental Hotel, the American Embassy, the NATO Headquarters, and government officials in their homes. Also a former president and well respected statesman of Afghanistan was killed by a suicide bomber at his residence.
PRAY FOR AFGHANISTAN! Pray for peace and for believers in this country to stand strong in their faith! Pray for a great harvest of souls despite the great cost that must be counted in order to become a believer in Jesus in this land.
Azerbaijan
Prayer for registration of churches continues to be on the top of the list for prayer for this country. Pray for meeting places for churches to gather and for churches who have been refused or not yet granted registration to be able to continue to meet in safety. Pray as well
for God to continue to move and draw people to Himself and that His Church would be established in this land with or without official government registration or recognition.
Pray as well for two Azeri Christians who were arrested for their faith in Tabriz, Iran in August. http://www.assistnews.net/stories/2011/s11080038.htm
Kazakhstan
Two new laws seriously restricting freedom of religion were passed by Kazakhstan's Senate, the upper house of Parliament, on Sept. 29th. Both laws now only need President Nazarbaev's signature to become law…Both the current laws have been in preparation for many months, have been rushed through Parliament with great speed, and are now with the President for signature. If passed, all churches in Kazakhstan would be forced to re-register and many smaller churches would not be granted registration, which would mean they would have to go underground. There are also many other restrictions including permission from both parents for children to attend church. For more information on these new laws go to: http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1619
These laws are not yet officially passed and yet many local authorities are taking the law into their own hands, raiding church services, arresting pastors, forcing weekly reports from churches to the KNB and restricting rental on buildings…
Pray for the church in Kazakhstan at this time where the situation for religious freedom is deteriorating. Pray for strength and boldness and for justice to prevail. PRAY THAT THE PRESIDENT WILL NOT SIGN THESE NEW LAWS.
Kyrgyzstan
Pray for Presidential elections to be held in Kyrgyzstan Oct 30th. Pray for a true democratic election and for peace to prevail in this country that has been torn by revolutions in recent years as well as ethnic violence and killing in the southern city of Osh in June 2010. For more information go to:
http://www.ifes.org/Content/Publications/Opinions/2011/Sept/Kyrgyzstans-upcoming-elections-Litmus-test-for-democracy.aspx
Pray against new regulations that Islam and the Orthodox church are attempting to enforce on all literature and media in the country. These regulations would control all books, literature, audio and video recordings coming into the country and distributed within Kyrgyzstan. Pray for continued freedom for literature and media in this country.
Believers in Kyrgyzstan are also asking for prayer for the very serious situation of Christian burials. Especially in rural areas, if a Christian dies, it is very difficult (sometimes almost impossible) for their relatives to obtain a burial plot for their deceased loved one. There are stories of relatives traveling from town to town with the body searching for a place for burial and being denied everywhere. Christians are appealing to the government for help with this situation. Pray that their appeals will be heard and burial plots will be granted to them.
Tajikistan
Although the highly controversial Law on Parental Responsibility for Education and Upbringing of Children has been passed, state Religious Affairs officials have failed to explain to religious communities how its near-complete ban on children's participation in religious activity will be enforced… Pray that even though this law prohibiting participation of children under 18 in any religious meeting has been passed, that it will not be enforced. Pray for churches to have the freedom to continue to hold Sunday school and children’s classes. Pray for God to move in a new and fresh way amongst the children and youth of Tajikistan!
Turkmenistan
Recent reports from pastors in Turkmenistan indicate that pressure from the government and persecution has eased off slightly. One church reports actually being granted registration after a long battle. However, now that they are able to meet publicly, it is no longer legal for them to meet in home groups! Please continue to pray for the church in Turkmenistan to grow and flourish even under difficult circumstances. Pray for villages and remote areas where there are no churches or even believers. Pray for the Gospel to spread across the entire nation!
Uzbekistan
Praise God for unity amongst pastors and churches and for unified fasting and prayer with many churches cooperating in the nation! God is hearing and answering prayer! Continue to pray for the church to stand strong in the face of hardship and persecution.
Karakalpakstan
Pastor in Karakalpakstan says, "Thank you for prayers and keep them coming!" This year not nearly as many believers have been charged in court cases as last year. Some who left the church when the waves of persecution began in 2006 are coming back. However, prayer is still needed for the believers not to live in fear.
Turkey
Turkey has recently taken a strong stand against Israel and is forming stronger alliances with it’s Muslim neighbors. Pray for wisdom for Turkey’s Prime Minister and other government leaders and for wisdom and for God to ultimately fulfill His purposes in Turkey and the Middle East at this strategic time in history…Another serious prayer concern for Turkey at this time is the issue of women’s rights--domestic violence is on the increase in Turkey. Several deaths of women have been reported recently as a result of domestic violence and honor killings. Also, prostitution and human trafficking are serious issues in Turkey. Many Russian speaking women from The Ukraine, Russia and Central Asian republics are unwilling victims of this serious abuse. Read the following for more information:
http://www.todayszaman.com/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?load=detay&newsId=248743&link=248743
Pray for the women of Turkey. Pray for ministries reaching out to women who have been hurt and abused. Pray for many to be rescued from slavery either at the hands of pimps and madams or their own husbands and families. Pray as well for the government of Turkey to acknowledge these serious problems and take steps to prevent the abuse of women in these ways.
Xinjiang, China (The Uighurs)
Continue to pray for the Uighurs of China to come to know Jesus! Pray for Christian radio broadcasts and other media that is going out across Xinjiang province. Pray for open hearts to receive the Word of God. Pray for believers to boldly share with relatives, neighbors and friends and for house churches to multiply in cities and the country areas. Pray for “workers” to have the freedom to live in this sensitive area of China and have opportunity to share their faith with many.
Continue to pray for Alimjan who has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his faith that justice be done and freedom so that he can be reunited with his family. That God will strengthen him as he faces harsh prison conditions daily.
Iran
URGENT prayer is needed for Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani sentenced to death and awaiting execution in Iran. For more details on how to pray and get involved go to:
http://www.csw.org.uk/nadarkhani.htm
Standing together in prayer for the nations along the Silk Road!
For regular up-to-date information, become a friend on Facebook (Silkroad Prayer) or follow on Twitter (SRPN4nations)
Many countries across Asia are encountering severe flooding and loss of lives. In Thailand, the situation is getting worse in many provinces (at least 25 provinces of the 77 provinces).
“It just gets worse” (that is the headline of the Bangkok Post online edition yesterday: www.bangkokpost.com). To date, according to the Bangkok Post report, 212 people died, and the situation probably will get worse as most of the mountainous areas are fully saturated and just getting ready to cause major mudslides. At least 3-4 more storms will be heading towards Thailand.
ALL the dams in Thailand are beyond capacities. Even though most of them are still able to take in more but not for long. It is just like a big catastrophe in waiting to happen anytime all across the countries where these dams are located. They must release the water but at the expense of inundating thousands of villagers. The worst thing is that the sea level will be at its highest in the middle of October.
Thank you again for your contributions and prayer.
Wonderful progress has been made in engaging the remaining unreached people groups of our world. For more information, please check out this website:
http://www.finishingthetask.com/videos.html#Table71
Pray for these unreached people groups and that Christian workers will hear His call to go to them and be effective in sharing Christ’s Good News in a culturally appropriate and spiritually powerful way.