In an audio message released on Wednesday, a Saudi leader of al-Qaida has urged sympathizers in the Saudi security forces to kill Christians living in the kingdom. The audiotape posted on a website used by Islamists also repeated an often-made call to overthrow the Saudi government. ‘Those of you who work in guarding the tyrants of princes or ministers, or the compounds inhabited by Christians, or can reach them, should seek God's help and kill them,’ said Said al-Shihri. Shihri a former inmate of Guantanamo Bay who claimed his organisation has received correspondence from members of Saudi armed forces asking for ‘guidance'. During Ramadan pray for the Saudi Muslims (mainly Sunni) living in Dharan, Ras Ta-nura, Jubail, Dammam, Al-Khobar, Hofuf, Abqaiq, Udhailiya and Shayba. (Please know that you are among only a small group worldwide who has ever prayed for these cities by name) Pray: for the thousands of Saudis involved in the oil industry to come to the knowledge of Christ (2Cor.4:6) More: http://www.canada.com/news/Saudi+Qaida+leader+urges+killing+Christians/3385069/story.html
Disabled must be included in development plans
05 Nov 2012Worldwide: Disabled people not to be ignored
Disabled people must be put ‘at the heart’ of international development, The Leprosy Mission has said. The estimated billion disabled people worldwide were ‘not effectively included’ within the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). International leaders were hosted by David Cameron in London last week for discussions on a global development strategy post 2015 - the target year for the fulfilment of the MDGs. The panel is to make recommendations to the United Nations about what should replace the MDGs. The Leprosy Mission said many disabled people around the world were ‘excluded’ from society and at a greater risk of being trapped in extreme poverty, with half of disabled people being out of work. Head of Programmes Co-ordination at The Leprosy Mission, Sian Arulanantham, said: ‘We are lobbying for disability to be specifically included in the new post 2015 framework.'
Pray: for the work of The Leprosy Mission and for a greater awareness of the issues faced by those with any form of disability across the world. (Gal.6:2)
2012 saw a dramatic increase in violations of religious freedoms in Cuba, says Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). The Cuban government has reportedly cracked down on religious organisations and believers in the last year. CSW documented 120 reported cases of religious freedom in 2012, up from a total of 30 in 2011. The number does not include those arrested and detained during Pope Benedict XVI's visit last March - estimated at 200. Church leaders across Cuba reported ongoing violations in the final weeks of December. An unregistered Protestant church affiliated with the Apostolic Movement in Camaguey was threatened with demolition on 29 December. The following day, nine women affiliated with the Ladies in White movement in Holguin were arrested in the early hours of the morning and held in prison until Sunday morning Mass had ended. The crackdown has affected mainly Roman Catholic churches, but other denominations have also been hit.
Pray: that the Lord will protect and bless His church and people. (Gal.5:1)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has learned that the Full Gospel Church was forcibly closed in Havana Province at the end of February, confiscating all of the church’s belongings, including chairs and musical instruments. This left more than 200 people without a place of worship. A week before the church closure, the pastor of the church, Jesus Hernandez, was attacked by an armed mob as he was sleeping in his home. According to Caridad Diego, the head of the Cuban Communist Party Office of Religious Affairs (ORA), which oversees all religious activity in Cuba, the church and everything inside were confiscated because of a dispute over ownership of the church. This account is contradicted however, by members of the church, who told CSW that the church has existed in its present location for more than 15 years, led by the same pastor and without problems.
Pray: that a resolution will be found to restart the Church. (Eph.2:21)
Cuba: Calls for greater ecumenical partnerships
08 Jun 2012The newly elected president of the Council of Churches in Cuba (CIC) says he believes Pentecostal and historic churches can work together ‘because God calls us to be God's people.’ The Rev Joel Ortega Dopico, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, called on the leaders of the churches to take advantage of the moment to think about social, ecclesiastical and ecumenical projects, ‘for what we lack to be able to come together as a Cuban family.’ In his sermon at the Council's assembly where the new leadership of CIC was installed, Ortega referred to the encounter of the rich man with Jesus and pointed out the need for a greater commitment to the cause of the Kingdom of God. 'It is a Biblical narrative of hope', he said, because it allows Pentecostal and historic churches to be united, past and present generations to meet together, as well as believers and non-believers.
Pray: for the churches of Cuba to draw closer together in unity building the Kingdom of God. (Jn.17:20-22)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5707
Cuba 'to free political prisoners'
09 Jul 2010
Cuba's Catholic Church has said that the Cuban government will free 52 political prisoners in a major concession to international pressure to improve its human rights. The church said in a statement on Wednesday that five of the prisoners would be released later during the day and allowed to go to Spain, while the remaining 47 would be freed over the next few months. The release will bring down the number of dissidents behind bars on the communist-led island to close to 100 and possibly have positive ramifications for Cuba's relations with countries that have long pressed the government to free political prisoners. Human rights advocates said earlier this week that Cuba had 167 political prisoners, including 10 who were out on parole. The announced release would be the largest since 1998, when 101 political prisoners were among about 300 prisoners freed following a visit by Pope John Paul II. Pray: that the Cuban Government will honour their promises to release all these prisoners. (2Ch.28:11) More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2010/07/201077184956643989.html
Protestant churches in the Democratic Republic of Congo have issued a ‘cry of distress’ following increased killing and displacement of civilians in the fighting between the army and rebels in the eastern parts of the country. Hundreds of people have been killed, according to various reports, but exact numbers are difficult to ascertain. More than 15,000 have sought refuge in Rwanda and Uganda, according to the churches. ‘We denounce these wars and the attempt by the rebels to balkanize our country,’ said the Rev Josue' Bulambo Lembelembe, a vice-president of the Church of Christ in Congo in North Kivu in a statement on 4 August. Since 1994, an estimated six million people have died in meaningless wars, the churches said. Currently, nearly two million people are displaced in DRC and millions are at the mercy of militias who kill, rape and loot, according to Oxfam, a UK charity.
Pray: for the people of DR Congo that God would intervene and stop the killing and answer the cry of distress. (Ps.5:1-4)
More: http://www.eni.ch/featured/article.php?id=5851
Congo: Women and children at risk
27 Jun 2013Tearfund says mothers and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo are in need of vital help. Fighting has worsened in the last year and 2.7 million people were forced to leave their homes. ‘Again and again we are seeing families uprooted in waves of tragic turmoil,’ said Tearfund's International Director. ‘People continue to leave their homes in fear of the sexual violence which is widespread in the eastern DRC where armed groups frequently use rape as a weapon. Women and children have suffered unimaginable horror and yet they also show amazing strength, resilience and dignity. The DRC has been plagued by conflict since 1998. More than 5.4 million people have been killed and communities have been devastated.' Tearfund said fighting was only prolonging poverty in the country and hindering its development.
Pray: for an end to the continuous outbreaks of violence. Pray also for NGO’s ministering to the displaced, fearful and hurting Congolese people. (Ps.9:13)