Students and police clashed in Santiago during the latest protest over education reform. Student leaders are demanding wholesale reform of Chile's education system, which they say is unequal and under-funded. Police used tear gas and water cannon against protesters who set up barricades and threw petrol bombs. With more demonstrations planned for Wednesday 26th the government said it will invoke emergency security law to quell the violence. The protest movement started in May by students and are backed by teachers and trade unions after talks with the government broke down earlier this month. Chile's education system is heavily reliant on private funding with 40% of all education paid for by students. Representatives of the movement went to the heavily guarded presidential palace to present an unofficial plebiscite on their demand for educational reform.

Pray: for a peaceful resolution that implements adequate funding for the country’s education. (Is.54:13)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15358921

On Tuesday UNICEF warned that education was becoming another casualty of the conflict, with half the country’s schools shuttered and hundreds of thousands of students at risk of missing out the entire year. ‘The new Government must prioritise protection of and investment in the education system in order to respect and fulfill children’s basic right to education and provide this generation of children with hope for a healthy future.’ a representative said. Since the Séléka rebel coalition launched an offensive in December, 1.2 million people have been cut off from essential services and human rights violations have been widspread. Last weekend three artillery shells crashed into the Evangelical Federation of Brothers Church in Bangui killing seven members, also 20+ people died after gun battles last weekend where many children were wounded and transferred to the paediatric hospital for treatment. Many residents have fled the Boy-Rabe and Cité Jean 23 areas of the capital - the two worst affected by recent violence. See: http://www.worldwatchmonitor.org/2013/04/article_2415723.html/

Pray: for all the families caught up in this conflict. May NGOs and those now in authority successfully work together to provide a safe environment. (Ps.121:1-2)

More: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=44731&Cr=central+african+republic&Cr1=#.UXeITsqbXAI

The situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is ‘precarious’ according to national Baptist leaders. Singa-Gbazia Nicolas Aime Simplice, president of the Association of Baptist Churches of the CAR, requested ‘urgent prayer’ last week as rebels continued to challenge CAR President Francois Bozizé's leadership. The rebels now control ‘over 75 percent of the nation.’ According to the Baptist World Alliance, Simplice says many citizens have been displaced by the fighting and Baptist churches have been badly damaged or destroyed. Other church leaders have also called for negotiations between Islamist rebels and government forces, denouncing the violence against civilians.

Pray: for Christians across the nation to be protected and used by God to bring life and not death. (Jn.17:12a)

More: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/01/baptists-request-prayer-as-rebels-control-majority-of-central-african-republic.html

Churches and mission stations are being looted, destroyed and pillaged by militia soldiers from the Central African Republic's new government. Sources in the country reported a number of Christians being killed or wounded in attacks by the Islamist rebel group Seleka which seized control of the country in March. Attacks include the pillaging of the Holy Ghost Fathers' motherhouse by armed gunmen, the abduction of Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Bangui, and the Cathedral rector. Bishop Albert Vanbuel said the current situation is ‘a rebellion by religious extremists with evil intentions, characterised by a deliberate programme of desecration and destruction of religious buildings, especially Christian ones. They are targeting Catholic and Protestant churches. Throughout the country, the Catholic Church has paid dearly with many buildings damaged. The elements from Seleka continue to kill each day.’ Many Christians have fled their homes and taken refuge in the countryside, following militia attacks. There are many wounded and homeless needing essential blankets, food, and medicine.

Pray: against fear, hatred, violence and death, and for the Church powerfully to demonstrate peace and life throughout the region. (Is.3:10a &11a)

More: http://www.acnuk.org/news.php/428/central-african-republic-islamists-terrorising-christians

In a coup which began at the end of March, and which African heads of state refused to recognize as legitimate, nearly $300,000 of equipment was looted from a Christian radio station. The coup began when about 5,000 Seleka rebel fighters poured into the capital city of Bangui and ousted President Francois Bozizé to set up their own self-proclaimed president. Looting and vandalism at a Christian radio station were extensive with equipment destroyed or stolen by looters valued at nearly $300,000. The radio station is off the air indefinitely. The son of one station employee died from wounds during the disorder near the base camp of ICDI, the Global partner that operates the station. The ministry's total losses included well-drilling equipment, broadcast equipment, six vehicles and other property stolen from ransacked ICDI facilities. The homes of four staff families were also looted. A staff member's son abducted by rebels on Easter Sunday escaped and is now safely home.

Pray: God’s comfort for all who lost loved ones and for Christian initiatives to be quickly restored. (Jude1:17-21)

More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2013/s13040021.htm

CAR is 76% Christian. The Seleka rebels who seized power in an orgy of violence earlier this year are Arabic-speaking Muslims. Their victims are Christian. Despite their poverty the rebels wear brand new military uniforms, drive new pickups and brandish new weapons. Amongst their number are janjaweed from Darfur, Sudan, and jihadis from Mali and Northern Nigeria. The following are extracts from a recent letter Bangui Blog. ‘Since the ‘Seleka’ coalition took power our country has regressed by a century. Everything has been destroyed, devastated and plundered. Total insecurity rules. We don't sleep at night because of sporadic shooting. They are everywhere in the town and drive at great speed with heavy weapons in their vehicles. Their number is estimated to be 20,000 men. Can you imagine? It is total anarchy and hysteria.’ Christian organisations looted by rebels are attempting to provide help, See: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.society.office.ransacked.in.central.african.republic/33282.htm

Pray: for governments to step into this humanitarian emergency and for NGO’s to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Pray that the rights and needs of the poor will be met. (Prov.31:8-9 & Mat.25:45) More:

http://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/central-african-republic-car-churches.html

Over 100 churches, networks and prayer ministries across Canada are joining forces to pray on April 30th for a righteous outcome of the May 2nd elections. Many cities and communities are expected to meet together for inter-denominational prayer throughout the day, culminating in an evening of worship and celebration to exalt Jesus as Lord over Canada. We are invited to intercede with Canada in the run up to the elections and pray that the national media will report from an unbiased and non-partisan way and that any personal opinions of those reporting would be down-played. - Also that the coming public debates this Tuesday (English) and Thursday (French) will be presented in a fair and orderly way and not be used for personal attacks. - for repentance where Christians have walked in compromise with the world's values or have been too dependent on our Government to raise the moral standard in Canada.

Pray: for a strong and stable government to bring effective leadership and navigate a secure course for the future. (Heb.12:1,2)

More: www.redleafprayer.org

Quebec has experienced months of student protests over austerity cuts and increases in university tuition fees. In an effort to end the protests the government tabled Bill 78 setting draconian restrictions on freedom of assembly. Illegal demonstrators are fined between$1,000 and $35,000 for various breaches of this bill. See: The measures have brought people in Montreal neighbourhoods onto their balconies and front yards banging pots and pans every night at 8 p.m. Last week Montreal experienced the 'Biggest Act of Civil Disobedience in Canadian History' with red shirted non violent marchers of every age defying Bill 78 banging pots and pans and bringing the city to a standstill. Demonstration spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois said ‘We want to make the point that there are tens of thousands of citizens who are against this law who think that protesting without a permit is a fundamental right.’ See: On Monday night riot police violently arrested 84 people, including Philippe Lapointe, and since then violence on the streets has been escalating.

Pray: for tuition fees that enable those from poorer backgrounds to receive the education they need, and for both sides to end violence and negotiate a solution. (Pr.8:14,15)

More: http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Student+unrest+could+lead+drop+enrollment/6698204/story.html