The big news in North Korea these days is the collapse of a large,new, 23 story apartment building housing many families of the elite and the leadership. It is feared that hundreds have died. Kim Jong Un was caught off guard and shown in the official press to be enjoying himself at a football match a couple days later but the coverage quickly changed to portray him as deeply distraught over the tragedy spending sleepless nights in grief. It is highly unusual that North Korea would acknowledge such a disaster but the high profile of those affected and strong protests that were made required some sort of official response. The North quickly sought out scape-goats to sacrifice and executed several officials blaming them for the catastrophe. However, this is exactly what many have feared as Kim Jong Un has been pushing for more construction at increased speed drafting students and soldiers to do the work. Personally, I was not surprised being aware of the strong emphasis on external appearance with little regard for what is under the facade. When I was working in the North there were buildings that I was afraid to enter knowing how they had been built.
North Korea continues to crack down on anything that exposes its citizens to outside influence recently adding a number of clauses to the criminal code requiring harsh punishment including execution for such things as viewing South Korean videos, calling people in the South by cell phone and other similar activities. This article lists the new laws and some of the punishments mandated. A man was recently executed as an example and some 100 Pyongyang citizens have been sent into internal exile. At the same time the State Security Department has shifted tactics from belligerence to sweet talk to get people to come back from China who have overstayed their permitted time but not many people are believing it.
On the international front, while Russia seems to be reassessing their relationship to NK in a positive light, NK's staunchest ally, China, is expressing anger and seems to be putting some distance between themselves and the North over the nuclear issue. In relation to South Korea, there has been an exchange of artillery fire at sea and scathing comments in the press--a not uncommon occurrence. Even so, the North has just announced that they plan to send a team to the Asian Games coming up in Inchon, South Korea in September. We hope that this will be an opportunity to tone down the rhetoric and re-open avenues of peaceful communication.
We have a bit of hopeful news concerning Ken Bae for whom we continue to pray. A group of Asian American leaders meeting in Washington in May were able to make an appeal to the White House for the US Government to get more fully involved in seeking the release of this US Citizen who has been held in prison in North Korea for 18 months now--by far the longest period of time for any American since the Korean War. His sister was with the group and reported that while they have grave concerns for his health, especially under the sentence of hard labor, he is allowed to have his Bible. He has read it 9 times so far during his incarceration.
Ben Torrey <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Please pray for China - I received a letter that needs our attention in prayer, please pray with us.
"We are in an unstable situation under our government. It seemed that we had more freedom to share the Gospel and plant churches from last year until March this year.
But there is a huge change from the end of March until this week. The attitude of our authority towards the Church is uncertain, they are very friendly to some, very harsh and strict to some others in some places. There are around 200 people were arrested. They have torn down many church buildings within few weeks. On 8th May, there were more than 10 church buildings torn down, and put a notice on the meeting places "Forbidden to have religious meetings." We felt that we went back to the 60s and 70s, which harshly suppressed religions. It seems telling us that there will be many people suffer and shedding blood for their faith.
Last week, we have had a 3 days meeting, all the leadership in our country attended this gathering. The believers from the government churches, house churches and city churches were willing to commit themselves to stand for their pure Faith, even if it means to die. They also committed t to live, to die and to stand for one another.
We urgently to ask you please pray for us in the followings:
1. Ask God, that our country will rise up, be a useful vessel in His hand, turn the heart of our king to obey God's will, not oppose Him.
2. Pray for the Churches, to shine the Light under the suppression, so that the world will recognize that we belong to Christ. Don't give up to disobey God's will because of hardships.
3. We have sent out message to all the churches in our country, ask all the leaders, not look at the present situation, but trust in God's power and His word. Fix our eyes on Him and ask Him to keep our faith in Him.
4. We will not look at the suppression, but continue to do what God has called us to do. Please pray for us to remain faithful to Him unto death.
5. Please also pray for the key church leaders, so that they may always make right decisions. Just like the Lord led His disciples in the early church, the church went forward instead of backward.
Please let us stand with our brothers and sisters in China, knowing that they are also praying for us.
Also, the China Government is undergoing lots of crucial reformation to remove bribery, corruption, idolatry and etc from the nation. At the same time, lots of political tension with e a lot of other nations, especially in the East Sea situation. It is always very strategic to pray for them too.
Dear Brothers and sisters,
Mozambique has been for over 470 years a Roman Catholic country and for the first two decades of independence (1975-1990), Mozambique was a Marxist (Communist) country. Under the Portuguese Roman Catholicism and Marxism, there was no religious liberty.
From 1990, the New Democratic Constitution has granted Religious Freedom, and we are so thankful to God for that. However, there is still lack of a specific law on Freedom of Religion and Worship in Mozambique, churches are registered under the law of association as "associations". In 2012, MMD Global has brought together Mozambican Pastors in "Pastoral Coffee" meetings and they have undertaken to draft a Proposal of Religious Liberty.
The proposal is ready and all the necessary supporting signatures are ready. We have contacted the National Parliament and we are waiting for the date of submission. Please pray so that we can find grace in the process and that the parliament can debate and have the law approved so that the church will have better legal framework to operate.
God bless you, Por favor, passe a mensagem.
André Inguane
President Mozambique House of Prayer, (CASOMO)
Sharia Law: Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah stunned the world by his announcement last October that Sharia law would be implemented May 13. It has been temporarily delayed. The tough Islamic law includes flogging, severing of limbs, and death by stoning. The Sultan stated Sharia law would act as a "firewall" for Brunei against outside influences. The United Nations warns that punishments like these classify as "torture or other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment."
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah delivering a speech in October 2013. Source: AP
Double Standards: Thirty percent of Brunei's 400,000 are not Muslim, and they express anxiety over whether the law will apply to them. The new code also violates freedom of religion, opinion and expression. The Sultan is well known for his opulent, self-indulgent lifestyle in this tiny but oil-rich country. Now 67, he has slowly been moving Brunei in this direction for decades, but this recent, drastic declaration has no clear motive. Brunei is not a target of Islamic extremists, so why now? No one knows. Religious scholar, Reza Aslan comments, "This is obviously not coming from a place of religious devotion, since the Sultan himself is in violation of every single rule of Sharia law you could possibly imagine."
The nation of Brunei is number 24 on the 2014 Open Doors World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians in the world. Window International Network Partners pray for Brunei on Day 20 in accordance with the Praying Through the Window 9: Global Terrorism and World Religions prayer calendar.
Lets Pray for:
The non-Muslim population that can unknowingly err with committing a minor infraction, such as uttering the word, "Allah," and suffer extreme consequences. Pray for their protection from antagonists (The Bible, Proverbs 26:27).
The Muslim population that is already deprived of many comforts due to the Sultan's extravagant life-style (The Bible, II Samuel 12:1-14).
The women who would bear the brunt of the harsh new laws (The Bible, I Timothy 2:2).
God to convict the Sultan of his harsh ultimatums so that he will repent and revoke them (The Bible, Daniel 2:28).
SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS LEGISLATIVE PRAYER usa for Feb. 2012
A divided Supreme Court ruled legislative bodies such as city councils can begin their meetings with prayer, even if it plainly favors a specific religion. The court counts 5 to 4 that Christian prayers said before meetings of an Upstate New York town council did not violate the constitutional prohibition against government establishment of religion; the justices cited history and tradition.
Pray that Christians will respond to the Court's 5-4 decision with divine wisdom. Yes, we give thanks for the Court's vote favorable to public prayer in council meetings, but with caution. This decision is no "mandate" in favor of Christian prayers. Our freedoms do not come from human government but from the Creator.
Pray also for widespread spiritual awakening that will bring many to repentance and faith in Christ.
Pray for a national focus on the true "Author of liberty." All nations that repudiate a proper recognition of Deity eventually become insignificant. Pray accordingly.
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."
(Proverbs 16:25, 33)
"To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." (Isaiah 8:20)
'UNDER GOD' IN PLEDGE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE
The Pledge of Allegiance does not discriminate against atheists and can be recited at the start of the day in public schools, Massachusetts' highest court ruled friday. The supreme judicial court said the words "under God" in the pledge reflect patriotic practice, not a religious one. The court acknowledged that the wording has a "religious tinge" but said it is fundamentally patriotic and voluntary.
How far will this go? Federal buildings in Washington, DC, including the Supreme Court, are adorned with biblical symbols, from "In God We Trust" to images of the Ten Commandments and a statue of Moses. Now, Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court has rightly ruled against an atheist family's attempt to remove "under God" from the pledge. As Christians, we do not judge the atheist family, but the Bible calls unbelief in God as Creator "foolish" and "evil." Pray for them as you are led.
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.'" (Proverbs 14:1)
"And the way of peace [unbelievers] have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Romans 3:17-18) "Beware ... lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." (Heb 3:12)
CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY CANCELED OVER PRAYER
A New Jersey town has canceled a naturalization ceremony at its borough hall because federal immigration officials refused to let the event begin with a prayer. Carteret Mayor Daniel Reiman said he had requested that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relocate the Saturday ceremony, which will now be held in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' Newark office.
These stories continue to pop up as the U.S. moves further away from its biblical roots and Christian heritage. The issue is not an individual bureaucrat but a trend. Pray that God stir up righteous anger in His people against the stealing of our national heritage. It is difficult for intercessors to face the harsh fact that we are no longer a Christian nation. Indeed, many national leaders show no regard for biblical truth. Let us call upon God, in Jesus' name, to revive His Church, bringing renewal and unity among believers to stem the tide of unbelief and reassert our country's biblical roots.
"Our father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt 6:9-10)
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.... For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." (Heb 12:28-29; 13:14)
Intercessors for America
Just 20 years ago, Islam was a little known religion to most people in Western nations. At that time there were about 1.1 billion Muslims, and efforts on the part of Christians to share their faith with them were scarce. Today, the number of Muslim people is estimated at 2.1 billion and endeavors to reach Muslims have increased ten-fold. The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World is one of the many resources that brings attention to the call to share the message of Jesus with them.
Christians often struggle to pray for the Muslim world-especially since 9/11. Theological arguments or political manipulation may not impact Muslims, but we know prayer will. The 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World encourages a greater understanding of how to participate in God's purposes for these people who are so precious to Him.
The 30 Days Muslim Prayer Guide offers new information, statistics, stories and photos from all over the world. This is a great time to follow and pray through the guide at the same time that Muslims are fasting, praying and seeking God. It is not too late to join with millions of Christians around the world during the upcoming month of Ramadan, June 28 to July 27, 2014.
Check out a few sample pages and order this 56-page guide at www.waymakers.org/#sample-pages. You can also check out a sample page of the special 32-page, fully illustrated "Just for Kids" edition, which includes fun activities and stories.
WayMakers has made it easy for your church and family to order from our website or by calling us. The cost begins at $3 for a single copy ($3.50 for kids) with discounts as great as 60% when ordered in quantity. Check out the details online at www.waymakers.org/30-days or call us at 512.419.7729.
For His glory,
Stephanie Tucker/Barb Hawthorne
P.S. Let us remain resolute to seek God on behalf of all people to encounter Jesus and experience God's unconditional love for them.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Here's a question asked often, yet is basically off the mark: "How can we get God to fix America" Instead we should be asking: "What is holding back the Presence of God which truly can transform America?" We need to recalibrate our thinking so that our focus is not so much on our comfort or us winning our cities for God as it is the honor of God and hosting His Presence which ultimately brings the change supernaturally. As Tony Evans once said: "Multitudes want God to bless America. Few truly want one nation under God."
To summarize Larry Tomczak's challenging call to prayer, God is seeking intercessors to pray for revival that will invite His transforming presence. Only then will God's power be released to change individuals and communities, turning our nation from idolatry and back to God. Pray for unity in the Church, the breaking down of walls, that God's people will be of one mind and one spirit.
"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." (Ezek 22:30)
"They ... their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets [say] ... to a tree, 'You are my father,' and to a stone, 'You gave birth to me.' For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they will say, 'Arise and save us.' But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, If they can save you in the time of your trouble...." (Jeremiah 2:26b-28a)
Intercessors for America www.ifapray.org
IPC would like to commend this prayer guide, 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World 2014 (published by WorldChristian.com)
30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World
June 28 to July 27, 2014
Join millions of Christians around the world who participate each year in this largest ongoing international prayer focus on the Muslim world.
Coinciding with Ramadan, Christians worldwide are called to make an intentional effort to learn about, pray for and reach out to Muslim neighbours.. across the street and around the world.
Media sound bites about Islamic extremism can too easily incite anger, fear and even hatred toward Muslims. Instead, pray with the mind and heart of Christ. This full-color prayer guide is a proven tool helping Christians to understand and to persistently pray for Muslim neighbours and nations.
The prayer is translated into many different languages. To find out which languages are available, please check the 30-Days Prayer Network site.
Each year a new illustrated prayer guide booklet is published in dozens of languages and locations around the world (the North American edition can be ordered here; it is in full-color, and consists of 50+ pages). The booklet contains daily reading pages with prayer points, informative background articles, and resources for further study AND involvement. While it is primarily produced for use during Ramadan, many individuals and churches use it also at other times throughout the year.
Alternatively, the daily prayers for 2014 are also being re-produced on the Pray4Nigeria Website.
More info on this recent article