Based on the call to ‘equip the saints” in Ephesians 4, we are excited to introduce the new Pray for America website (www.commit2pray.com). Filled with relevant tools, resources, and encouragement, we will challenge God’s people to engage, be equipped, and encourage others to take the challenge to Pray for America – and encounter the power of God through prayer! Are you in? Commit to pray today!
Join the movement at www.commit2pray.com
Encouraging Development for the Two Sudans: Bashir and Kiir Hold Face-to-Face Meeting in Addis Ababa
Independence day ceremony: Sudan's president Omar Al-Bashir and South Sudan's president Salva Kiir met in Ethiopia for the first since the two countries went to battle over the Heglig oil field in April. Presidents Omer al-Bashir and Salva Kiir met in the Ethiopian capital to discuss unresolved issues between the two countries for the first time since the clashes over Heglig in April last year.
The meeting sends encouraging and positive signals to the people of the two countries who suffer from a severe economic crisis and to the international community expressing their serious commitment to reach a deal before the deadline of 2 August. "The two presidents have agreed and instructed their negotiating teams to expedite negotiations and develop bold decisions in key areas as well as to reach agreements in all issues," South Sudan chief negotiator Pagan Amum told reporters after the private encounter. "It was a good meeting," he further told reporters who gathered outside the meeting room where they met at the Sheraton on Saturday evening…
Bashir underscored the security concern and the need to speed up the operationalization of the buffer zone saying there was no reason to contest Sudan's current border because it served to give South Sudan its independence.
Kiir on the other side focused on the issue of oil transportation saying Juba wants clear commitment to not divert South Sudan production, and asked for international guarantees. He also stressed on the need to reach a quick solution over Abyei issue.
The delegation of the two countries have already agreed earlier this month to hold talks on all the outstanding issues as Juba reassured Khartoum on the implementation of the demilitarized zone and the presence of Darfur rebels in South Sudan. The Sudanese delegation also agreed with the mediation on the resumption of talks with the SPLM-North rebels over South Kordofan and Blue Nile…
The chief negotiator also pointed out that the two parties have an opportunity to conclude a "fair deal" and to end hostilities.
"We are ready to resume oil production if there is a fair deal, and there is a guarantee that there will be no diversion (of the oil)," he further pointed out.
After a session of talks in presence of their close aides and ministers, Bashir and Kiir held a one-on-one meeting.
The two men were seen in good mood smiling and shaking hand after the private meeting as Bashir accompanied Kiir outside the room where they held their talks.
On 7 July Sudan and South Sudan announced they reached a Comprehensive Strategic Approach providing to enhance confidence, good faith and transparency to resolve the pending issues between the two countries.
They also committed themselves to resort to peaceful means to resolve their disputes and to not interfere in the internal affairs of each other.
Yesterday Pagan Amum, who is also the secretary general of the ruling party in Juba, in statements to Sudan Tribune praised the new spirit of the talks stressing that he believes the two sides will "get out with something positive".
"Peace is in the interest of our people. They need peace to prevail so that we can live side by side as friendly neighbours," he said.
The delegation of the two countries will hold non-stop meetings during the upcoming two weeks in order to finalize a deal over the outstanding matters before 2 August.
Please thank the Lord for this positive development which must be seen as answered prayer! Pray for the full cessation of hostilities between the two Sudans and for successful, continued peace talks to resolve their differences.
It is very interesting to see how the ranking of Sudan on the world list of persecuted countries changed through the 14 years of involvement with the country. Every year Open Doors bring out a list of top 50 countries in the world persecuted for their faith.
14 years ago, Sudan was number 5 on the world list. As people prayed for the country, God changed the nation. Gradually the situation changed in the country until it reached number 38 on that list in the beginning of 2011. It was the open question what spot Sudan would be placed at after the independence of South Sudan on 9 July 2011.
For a downloadable prayer map with lots of information on the topic, please go to: http://www.opendoors.org.za/downloads/pray_pdfs/our_father_wwl_2012.pdf
Currently Sudan is at number 16 of persecuted countries in the world. Important to note that there are four different categories of persecution on the list. The top category, with one country, is viewed as “SEVERE PERSECUTION”. ONLY North Korea (1) is categorized as being under severe persecution. It has been in that spot for a number of years now.
The second category is called “OPPRESSION”. This refers to countries like AFGHANISTAN (2), Saudi Arabia (3), and Somalia (4). Then the third category of the list is called “SEVERE LIMITATIONS”. That refers to countries like Mauritania (14), Egypt (15), and Sudan (16). The fourth category is called “SIGNIFICANT LIMITATIONS”. On the list for that are countries like Burma (Myanmar) (33), Tajikistan (34), and Tunisia (35).
A description about persecution in Sudan could be viewed on the website of Open Doors. Here is the link: http://www.opendoors.org.za/eng/persecuted_christians/wwl_2012/sudan/
The main persecution engine in Sudan is Islamic extremism. Sudan (North Sudan before the independence of South Sudan on July 9, 2011) jumped from position 35 to 16 in the World Watch List.
Please pray for the overthrow of Islamic extremism in Sudan and for protection over believers in Christ.
Join with John Bornschein (Vice President), Lisa Crump, Dion Elmore, and more on the first Thursday of every month for a National Prayer Call from 10 p.m. – 11:30 p.m. For more details, go to http://commit2pray.com/national-prayer-calls/
Liberia, as a nation and people, suffered a terrible past consequence of bad governance, neglect of rural communities, undermining of the rule of law, lack of respect for civil liberties and human rights, economic disparities, misuse of public funds, ethnic divisions, poverty, etc. Different parties ruled the country from Independence in 1847 until 1869 when attempts at consolidating multi-party democracy were undermined when a one-political-party system was forcibly introduced in 1870. That one-party ruled the country for 110 years until its bloody overthrow in April 1980.
Ten years later an incursion provoked a senseless civil war aimed at dislodging elements responsible for the overthrow of the 110-year oligarchy. The brute civil conflict lasted for 15 years and murdered more than a quarter-million of the 3.5 million Liberians, especially women and children, destroyed public and private properties, and increased unemployment to 85% amongst others. A ceasefire ensued and peace was obtained in August 2003 with the landing of a West African Peace Keeping Force in Monrovia, the Capital of Liberia. The peace obtained was a consequence of much prayer by the People of God in and out of Liberia.
With Presidential and Legislative elections conducted twice in 2005 and 2011 to consolidate peace, stability, and democracy in the country, the need exists to encourage ordinary Liberians not to be spectators in the historic remaking of their country but to rise up and take responsibility for the reconstruction and development of their country. The challenges facing the country are enormous. Almost every face of Liberian life was destroyed during the civil war. To rebuild the country, every facet of Liberia life must be re-engaged.
A lot of progress has been made, but a lot remains to be done. There are several concerns that cannot be overlooked. These concerns include but are not limited to:
1. Hidden political, tribal, and cultural tensions that may have the potential to spark renewed conflicts
2. The cries of judicial inadequacy and fraud, lengthy pretrial detention, denial of due process, and harsh prison conditions, etc.
3. Reports of unlawful dispossession of life, mob killings, ritualistic killings, police abuse, harassment, intimidation, etc.
4. Unabated reports of violence against women and children including rape and domestic violence, child labor allegations, etc.
5. The fear that civil war along ethnic lines could break out again once the United Nations Peace keepers leave
6. The fear that former warring factions were not completely disbanded and ex-combatants demobilized and reintegrated into normal life
7. Cross-border violence and participation of Liberian mercenaries in conflicts in neighboring countries, i.e. Ivory Coast, Guinea, etc.
8. Lack of Institutionalized political institutions, “hand-bag” or “only-election-time” political parties, “privatized” advocacy on behalf of the people
9. Increasing hard-time and entrenched poverty and its consequences on the peace and stability of the nation
10. Lingering disputes over land ownership, which the International Crisis Group in 2009 described as “the most explosive issue in Liberia today”, amongst others.
Please pray with the Liberian believers for the full healing of their nation.
For more information, contact Pastor Kortu Brown (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
The very fact that until the announcement on Sunday, June 24th, Egyptians had no idea who would be declared President, is proof of the remarkable change that has taken place in our country since the January 2011 Revolution! President Mohammad Morsi (who was the Muslim Brotherhood’s presidential candidate)is facing incredible challenges…
1. He needs to satisfy the aspirations of the right-wing Muslims who dream of applying Islamic Sharia law in both belief and practice in all areas of private and public life. On the other hand, he needs to demonstrate to moderate Muslims and Christians (up to 30% of the population) that he will champion freedom of expression and equal rights for all Egyptians regardless of creed or political affiliation.
2. He has already declared that the army should relinquish some of the Presidential powers it appropriated just days before his election. But he must avoid a showdown (the first of which he seems to have lost upon demanding the reinstatement of the dissolved Parliament)
3. He must quickly appease the masses by beginning to solve some of the endemic economic employment and supply crises which are escalating at an alarming rate.
While his election was a shock for most Christians, many are relieved that the tensions and violence, which could have resulted if he were not elected, have been averted. It’s now high time to “Rebuild Egypt”, but we still need to draft a constitution and re-elect a Parliament! Many fear that this process will distract us from tackling the complex immediate issues facing the nation.
As the new president tries to work with diametrically opposed aspirations of the different groups, Christians wonder what the future holds and where the priorities will be. In the next 2-3 decades, Egypt may be very different than we know it today. Decisions by the new leadership on questions related to a civil state, true democracy, freedom of religion, and rights of minorities are worrying to many.
How we want you to pray for us:
1. Pray that we in the Bible Society will continue to think of creative and appropriate ways to place God’s Word in the Egyptian marketplace and in the hearts of those who seek God.
2. Pray that Christians, instead of yearning to flee Egypt, will boldly choose to remain and be a vibrant witness and influence for good in their needy nation.
3. Pray for the Coptic Orthodox Church as they seek God’s will for a new Patriarch. (The majority of Egyptian Christians have felt bereft of leadership since the death of Pope Shenouda in March.)
4. Pray that moderate Muslims will be able to resist being forced to submit to the right-wing Islamist agenda. If they are able to resist, there is a much better chance that Christians also will continue to maintain many of the freedoms they now enjoy.
As the nation of Sierra Leone prepares for the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentarian elections on Nov. 17th, 2012, please pray for the peace, stability, and tranquility that this nation has enjoyed after ten years of brutal civil war will be maintained.
Please pray for a peaceful, fair, free, and transparent elections and that there will be no violence, vandalism, insurrection, or rigging.
Pray that pastors and church leaders will not get mixed up in politics and compromise their call. There are some pastors and religious leaders who claim to prophesy and give false hope to politicians, that they are the ones the Lord has chosen even when the Lord has not spoken. Please pray that the word will be preached with integrity and not diluted.
Please pray that during this period many will come to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 12:32 “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”
The wave is beginning to rise for the 3rd Annual Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12!
This year, the Global Day of Worship team will be leading 12.12.12 from Jerusalem, Israel. We invite the world’s believers and followers of Jesus Christ, the Messiah to give thanks and declare His goodness, faithfulness, salvation as well as deliverance over our lives, families and nations – with special emphasis on Israel.
In four months, the third annual Global Day of Worship will be held in 24 time zones around the world from 7:00 to 8:00 pm in every zone. Imagine a wave of worship beginning at 7 pm in New Zealand and spanning the globe uniting all believers. We will agree with and join the 24 elders, who are spoken of in Revelations 4, and are already worshiping Jesus around the throne. Global Day of Worship on 12.12.12 has a heart to unify many denominations while embracing and celebrating the differences in our expressions of love for Jesus, the Messiah. Join gatherings around the world via www.globaldayofworship.com or create a gathering of worshipers in your area. Let the Global Day of Worship team know and we can help to spread the word.