Global: 43 million refugees
04 Jul 2013Persecution, violence and war have displaced 43 million people globally. Consider how your world would change if you were forced to leave your home and possessions at little or no notice and relocate somewhere where you knew no-one. Plus, you have no idea where your next meal is coming from. A refugee is outside their habitual residence because they have suffered (or fear) persecution and/or oppression on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or because they are a persecuted 'social group' or they are fleeing natural disaster. They are an 'asylum seeker' until recognized by the state where they make a claim. In Isaiah God told His children to provide shelter to Moabites (a people group the Israelites often fought) This past Sunday we observed World Refugee Sunday! Let us not stop praying for these ‘forgotten’ people of the world. Pray that we will obey the words of Isaiah 16:4 and give shelter to those who have been our enemies.
Pray: and cry out to God to have mercy on the millions of refugees, asking him to give them a future and to foil the plans of the enemy for their lives. (Jer.29:11)
More: http://iafr.org/
Global: 2012 ongoing religious discrimination
05 Jan 2012Pakistan: Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. In practice it is only applied to Islam, calls for change in the blasphemy laws have been strongly resisted by Islamic parties. The former governor of Punjab and the Federal Minister for Minorities were assassinated in 2011 for their opposition to the blasphemy laws. Iran: Pastor Nadarkhani sits on death row for refusing to recant his Christian faith. The growing Iranian Church is continually harassed attacked and imprisoning believers. Nigeria: 1,000+ have been killed in religious and ethnic violence in Jos over the past two years between the mainly Muslim north and Christian south. Myanmar: Christians have to meet in secret , and recently persecution has been growing. South Sudan: The Sudanese army, with the support of a government-backed militia, is pursuing a genocidal campaign in South Kordofan, targeting the indigenous Christian Nuba peoples for being 'enemies of Islam'.
Pray: for God to comfort and protect Christians caught in the crossfire of religious discriminations, and for believers to be encouraged as they advance God’s Kingdom in 2012, even when it costs them everything. (2Thes.3:3)
More: http://members.opendoorsusa.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=55401.0&dlv_id=77421
Global Day of Prayer & Fasting for North Korea
26 Mar 2012‘Arise warriors of God! Open Doors invites you to take up your position and pray and fast for North Korea.’ Open Doors is calling on all Believers to come together in prayer and fasting for North Korea on April 15th. The late Kim Jong-Il had passed the baton of leadership to his son, Kim Jong-Un before he died, and many see this year as an opportunity to penetrate the darkness there, with the light of the Gospel of Jesus. Although it's not yet clear what kind of leader the still fairly young Jong-Un will be, it's possible he may be more accessible than his father. Kim Jong-Un inherited a country where between two and three million people have died of hunger and holds hundreds of thousands prisoner in labour camps, including many Christians. For more information follow the source link.
Pray: that our prayers will bring about a breakthrough and the light will penetrate the darkness. (2Sam.22:29)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9942
Ghana: Development without foreign aid
11 Aug 2011The chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Dr. Opoku Onyina has challenged Ghanaian leaders to take the nation’s destiny into their own hands rather than rely on foreign support and aid to accelerate development. The country is naturally endowed in many areas yet still depends heavily on foreign support for development 54 years after gaining independence. He was delivering a Lecture, ‘Embedding National Missionary Initiatives’ when he said Ghana will truly be independent and develop when leaders and citizens harness the resources currently available, liberate itself from the shackles of poverty and stop the blame game; while bringing about development without foreign aid. 'It is time for politicians, religious leaders and others working for the country’s advancement to take responsibility for the current challenges,' and added, ‘The Church of Pentecost is currently growing in leaps and bounds and does not rely on foreign support.’
Pray: for the Church as they encourage Ghanaians to believe in their capabilities, pray also for self-help programmes that will stand the test of time. (Ps.127:1)
Gaza: War 'only a question of time'
12 Jan 2011
A senior Israeli army officer has told the BBC that as long as Hamas remains in control of the Gaza Strip, another war is ‘only a question of time’. He said the Palestinian Islamist group had re-armed so much since the Israeli offensive two years ago that it was now in a stronger position militarily. There has been an increase in rocket fire coming from Gaza in the past week. Earlier, Israeli defence officials said tanks fitted with a new missile defence system would be deployed near Gaza. The UN has condemned the firing of ‘indiscriminate’ rocket and mortar attacks by militants in Gaza in recent weeks. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat also warned that tensions were escalating in the region, and that any Israeli attack on Gaza would only lead to further bloodshed. ‘Military solutions such as these won't achieve anything and will only complicate the situation,’ Mr Erekat said. Pray: for a speedy resolution to the Gaza situation and against any new conflict. (Pr.6:4)
Gaza: Egypt eases blockade
07 Jun 2010Over 100 Gazans crossed the border into Egypt when they temporarily eased its blockade following the Gaza-bound flotilla incident. On Wednesday at Rafah people crossed the border on foot along with four trucks carrying tents, blankets and 13 power generators donated by Russia and Oman, plus two buses with 150 Palestinians including patients seeking medical assistance abroad and those with foreign residency permits. Israel’s friends as well as foes are calling for Israel to lift the Gaza blockade. Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not lift the siege citing ‘ongoing weapons smuggling into Gaza and the ease of these transfers could be facilitated without a naval, air and land blockade.’ The Egyptian blockade was imposed after Hamas took power in Gaza. Palestinians regularly smuggle arms, fuel and goods from Egypt through underground tunnels while above the Egyptian government is constructing a 7 mile, bomb-proof, steel barrier along the border that goes 59ft underground. See:
Pray: that this incident would birth changes that enable Gaza’s communities and businesses to flourish while enabling Israel to protect herself from terrorism. (Ps.12:5&7)
More: http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2010/06/02/conroe_courier/news/0603_natwlrdbrfs.txt
Gaza: Convoy of humanitarian aid
01 Jun 2010Eight cargo ships with more than 10,000MT of building materials, medical equipment, medicines, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines, unavailable in Gaza, CT scanners, X-ray and kidney dialysis machines will set sail for the Gaza Strip on 27 May in a symbolic attempt by activists to break the three-year Israeli blockade. Scores of smaller vessels carrying passengers from 140 nations are part of the ‘flotilla’ which will attempt to dock in Gaza City on 28 May. Passengers include 50 parliamentary members from EU and Arab nations, and Israeli Knesset member Hanin Zoabi. Israeli foreign affairs ministry spokesperson described the fleet as a ‘publicity stunt’ adding ‘International aid organizations and the private sector of Gaza ensure that all the necessary food, medicine and clothing are provided to the Strip via Israel.’
Pray: for God to spread his protection over the needy and have mercy on those suffering injustice. (Ps.9:8-9)
More: http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=89255
Gaza: A generation of casualties
19 May 2010Israel's foreign minister warned Palestinians against plans to declare independence next year saying the move could prompt Israel to annex parts of the West Bank and annul past peace agreements. His remarks took aim at a Palestinian policy coming out of the stalled U.S. peace talks. see Last Friday Israeli warplanes, responding to Palestinian border assaults, bombed the Gaza Strip resulting in two children being hospitalised. The children of Gaza have much misery to contend with as they try to put memories of the war behind them. Much of Gaza is still piles of sand and rubble. The winter rains have brought leaks and floods for family homes and the blockades cause many shortages of necessities. Currently there is a shortage of cooking gas. Power cuts are also commonplace making it very difficult for children to study at night. The children are stuck in Gaza with little hope of the freedom we take for granted.
Pray: for the children of Gaza to have a future and a hope; pray also for the Palestinian Christians to have all their prayers powerfully answered. (Ps.69:32-33,36)
More: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/children-of-gaza-filmmakers-feature