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John, a secret believer travelling covertly by jeep to escape the country, had been dropped off at an oil field in the middle of the desert to await a driver to escort them to the next location. A close encounter with armed oil-field workers thinking they were bandits alerted John to existing dangers and he silently thanked God for His protection. When his next contact came out of the desert John was amazed to recognize Christian music playing inside the jeep. As his journey continued with Samy the driver they listened to ‘Jesus, only you’ and ‘Blessed are those who dwell in the house of the Lord.’ John asked Samy if he knew what the music is about and he replied. ‘Yes, we are free now!’ Author's note: the ancient Berbers of Libya were called Imazighan, meaning ‘free men’. John’s prayer, ‘May Libyans experience political, personal and religious freedom.' Praise: God for divine appointments, giving us hope and courage in difficult situations. (1Thes.1:3)
The northern African nation of Libya has released from detention two South Korean nationals – including one pastor – who were arrested this past summer for their alleged engagement in missionary activities, according to Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. One of the men, a Protestant pastor identified only by his family name, Koo, had been arrested in June for violating the predominantly Muslim country’s religious law, which prohibits the proselytizing of Muslims.The other man, identified by his family name, Jeon, was arrested the following month for aiding in Koo’s efforts, which included bringing Christian books and other materials for missionary work into the country. While South Korea – as the second largest missionary-sending country in the world – is no stranger to situations involving missionary activities, the case in Libya was complicated by the recent expulsion of a South Korean Embassy official who was suspected of collecting information on Libya's leader and other sensitive issues. Praise: God for the release of these prisoners and pray that others still imprisoned would be released soon. (Ps.146:7)
Joshua Blahyi, a brutal warlord who confessed to killing nearly 20,000 people during Liberia's 14-year civil war, is now an evangelist who is serving God and seeking forgiveness from those he harmed. As a young boy Blahyi was initiated as a tribal priest, participated in human sacrifices for years before later being appointed as ‘spiritual’ advisor to the Liberian president. Blahyi's life changed 180 degrees when Jesus appeared to him as a blinding light and told him that he would die unless he repented of his sins. Now a ‘chilling documentary’ about Blahyi's life has been produced. Said Blahyi in the documentary, ‘It's only Christianity that can help this nation, because Christianity, - is the only faith that tells you to love your enemies - that tells you to accept and forgive the one who hurts you; and that only God is able to turn lives around.’ He freely admitted to his crimes (not knowing what the consequences would be), now he ‘tirelessly preaches the Gospel to everyone he comes across’ and, he is constantly seeking forgiveness from those his crimes affected.
Praise: God for His amazing touch on people's lives bringing forgiveness and love. (Ac.2:17)
More: http://ausprayernet.org.au/newsletter/DisplayNewsletter.php?e_id=00000002334#st3
The head of a Sunni political movement in Lebanon has expressed concern over the decline of Christians in the region allegedly due to growing Shiite influence. Ahmad Hariri, secretary-general of the Lebanese Future Movement, urged Muslims in Lebanon to ‘nurture Christian presence’ in the region, saying it was an ‘Arab and Islamic responsibility as much as it is a Christian one’. According to The Jerusalem Post, Hariri is extremely worried about the repercussions of Christian emigration from some Middle East countries. While Christians used to be a majority in Lebanon, the country has recently witnessed decline due to emigration and the increase in Muslims. Greg Mussleman, of Christian advocacy group Voice of the Martyrs, said the announcement is good for Christians in the Middle East. ‘Whether we'll see that spreading to other countries like Iraq and Afghanistan? That may never happen,’ he said. Praise: God and pray that Christians in Lebanon will be stronger in their faith, have the desire to grow, and be more outspoken about their faith. (Ac.4:29
In small teams of three, Christian university students from Beirut are visiting residential communities to share practical life skills and their faith. They simply go from house to house, introducing themselves as students and explaining that they have prepared a seven-week mini-workshop on health and family values. Would the family like them to share this with them? It quickly becomes evident that they are Christians, but they have been welcomed to every home they have gone to so far! They are following the pattern Jesus suggested, when he taught how to enter new communities in Luke 10:5-9. In the communities in which they are sharing, these students are finding it takes about 7 weeks for families to be ready to read the Bible and learn about Jesus as their Saviour.
Praise: God for these Christian students and the message they bring. (Ez.33:30)
More: http://www.joelnews.org/frontpage.htm
Christians in Oxford are celebrating after their local authority rejected a licence application for a 'sexual entertainment venue' to operate yards from a church. Members of St Ebbe’s Church in Oxford as well as local residents have praised the Council for its decision. The Revd Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe’s, said: ‘As a church, we campaigned against this licence application as we did not believe this sort of establishment should continue to have a base in the city centre of Oxford. Last year the church was unsuccessful in its appeal against the grant of a licence to the club. (See Prayer Alert 2710) In April 2010 the law in relation to the licensing of sex venues changed, giving more powers to local authorities to monitor whether and where the venues could be established. Yesterday’s hearing was the first of its kind in Oxford since the law changed’. Praise: God for this example of His power in answering our prayers. (Ps.17:6) More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sex-trade/licensing-victory-in-oxford-as-lap-dance-club-loses-licence-application
An Archbishop in the Church of Nigeria who was kidnapped over a week ago is ‘safe and well’ after being released, the Anglican Communion Office has said. Archbishop Ignatius Kattey was kidnapped with his wife, Beatrice, on August 6 close to their home in Eleme, Port Harcourt. Mrs Kattey was released soon after but Archbishop Kattey was held until his release on Saturday. Archbishop Kattey oversees the Niger Delta Province, a region where idnappings for ransom have reportedly become common. Police said the Archbishop was released without a ransom on Saturday evening. His kidnapping was condemned by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby. A statement on the Archbishop of Canterbury's website said he ‘gives thanks’ for the release of Archbishop Kattey. Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese in Europe the Rt Reverend David Hamid said, ‘We give thanks for his freedom and return to his wife, family and Church community.’ (See last week’s Prayer Alert)
Praise: God for this answer to our prayers. (Ps.20:6)
More: http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2013/09/15/kidnapped-archbishop-kattey-freed/
Mfangano Island, on Lake Victoria, is home to a small tribe called the Suba. A few weeks ago, more than one thousand people gathered at a local orphanage to dedicate the newly translated Suba New Testament, a task that took nineteen years to complete. No one was happier than the lead translator, Naphtaly, who had worked so hard and grieved the death of some of the initial translators. The Bibles were brought in by canoe, a symbol of life for the island. Emotions ran high as people jumped and cheered, rushing to purchase copies of the book that talks about eternal life. The celebration continued for hours with singing, dancing, speeches, and food.
Praise: God for the blessings of His Word that brings life. (1Jn.1:1)
The rains kept coming. Will Graham kept preaching. And God kept moving in Kenya. By the time Sunday night's final invitation was over, giant puddles were about the only thing remaining at the Mama Scrape Grounds where the Will Graham ‘Celebration of Peace Nakuru’ had taken place for three straight nights. On that soggy field, hundreds upon hundreds had made life-changing decisions to accept Christ as their personal Saviour in the city of Nakuru, a two-hour drive from Nairobi, and a place that over a quarter million people call home. More than 14,000 braved the sketchy weather conditions to hear what the grandson of Billy Graham had to say. ‘What now are you going to do with Jesus?’ asked Will Graham. ‘What I'm going to ask you to do is the most important decision you'll ever make in life.’
Praise: God for the success of this Celebration and the many brought to Christ. (Ps.106:8)
More: http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/31498-14000-kenyans-brave-rain-to-hear-gospel
Millions of Super Bowl viewers got a dose of Scripture last Sunday night when a Christian group’s John 3:16 commercial was unexpectedly aired. Just before the fourth quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers game, the 30-second biblical spot popped up to the surprise of football fans in Washington, D.C. It was also shown at Birmingham, Ala. Within those hours, the LookUp316.com website that the commercial advertised drew so much traffic that it was difficult to load the web page. The commercial was rejected to run nationally by Fox Sports for containing too much “religious doctrine” and for being too offensive. Notably, the commercial features no preaching but simply encourages curious viewers to look up John 3:16.
Praise: God for the response to this and pray that many will believe. (Jn.3:16)
More: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20110207/john-316-ad-airs-unexpectedly-during-super-bowl/