The UK is not the only country preparing for an election. On 4 May, Algeria’s parliamentary poll will be the first since the legislature adopted landmark constitutional reforms last year. France’s second round of voting, on 7 May, could trigger colossal changes in European politics. South Korea, in the world's most volatile region, has a presidential election on 9 May following the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. Politics in the Bahamas is expected to become nastier, dirtier, and crazier ahead of the election on 10 May, after questions over lucrative brokerage, trucking, and limousine contracts. On 19 May Iranians go to the polls (see below), and on 24 May the Cayman Islands will be voting. Many of these nations desperately need change. When people pray, God answers; may He bring judgment and promotion where he deems it should be in the coming months.

Ethnic Persians are born Muslim. It is illegal to run Christian activities in Farsi, the national language. Despite this, Christians from a Muslim background make up the largest group of Christians in Iran. A few years ago International Freedom of Religion or Belief reported, ‘There was cautious optimism when Hassan Rouhani became president that his influence would soften harsh policies toward religious and ethnic minorities. Sadly, his moderate language has not translated into any meaningful improvement.’ Since he is aiming for another term in office, many believe that next month’s elections pose an ultimate vote of confidence. Pray for political changes in Iran that will allow for freedom of religion. A Persian who leaves Islam can be sentenced to death if male, and life imprisonment if female. For many Muslim families, it is a disgrace when a family member converts. Pray for protection and provision for Christians who have been cursed and disowned by their families. See also:

Last Saturday, over 600 protest marches in the name of science took place - in Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Japan, and even South Korea. Tens of thousands of scientists and their supporters rallied around the world, in a rebuke to Donald Trump’s dismissal of climate science and scientific research cuts. Organisers warned that science is ‘under attack’. Placards demanded ‘science not silence’, and ‘there is no Plan B’. The marches took place on Earth Day, one week before tomorrow’s People’s Climate March when a series of large-scale environmental events that will be more overtly political are due. See also:

The persecution of Christians is real, global, and brutal; it occurs every day, and is worsening. Pray for more people to learn about their plight, and raise their voices for those who are suffering. Pray for God to give successful strategies to those actively working towards advancing the cause of religious freedom throughout the world. Pray for the persecuted people who have had to leave their communities. Ask God to give them peace and rest and be with them in circumstances for which life had not prepared them. Some people have had to reach some level of compromise and accommodation with their oppressor to survive. Pray for governments to remove oppressive regimes peacefully in countries where communities are under siege and for God to surround displaced people with comfort. Pray for those risking martyrdom to be wise in all their actions, and for God to be with the families of martyrs. For an informative resume of a symposium on persecution in Paris this week, click the ‘More’ button.