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A newly built Anglican cathedral has been burned down and UN personnel are ‘unable to protect civilians’ in South Kordofan Sudan, which is overrun by the army using heavy force to subdue militias. The violence is causing thousands to become refugees and Christians who stay are being targeted. The Archbishop of Canterbury is asking for prayer for the safety of the people of South Kordofan warning of ‘another Darfur’ unless the international community helps to safeguard citizens and humanitarian access. Archbishop Rowan asked people to pray particularly for Bishop Andudu of Kadugli and all his clergy and congregations. This weeks INSIGHT article is a dispatch forwarded to Prayer Alert via the Diocese of Salisbury from Bishop Andudu of Kadugli giving atrocious accounts of the immediate situation and outlining the urgent prayer needs for Kadugli and those affected by the outbreak of violence that could unsettle South Sudan’s succession on July 9 and reverse the peace process. Pray: for all affected by brutal killings, destruction, burning and looting of churches and Christian properties in the diocese of Kadugli. (Ps.4:1-3)
The first meeting of the Eritrean Cabinet of Ministers got underway on the 14th December in Eritrea’s capital. In its agenda the meeting heard extensive briefings by President Isaias Afwerki assessing political, economic, social and diplomatic activities this year, as well as the envisaged national development programmes for 2011 and beyond. See: Analysts say the State of Eritrea is believed to be crumbling and it is doubtful that the Afewerki government will be able to sustain the unity and stability of the nation for much longer. Rumours within Eritrea say many are losing patience and may rise up against the authoritarian government. For insights into Eritrea’s Christian heritage, historical and political roots click the ‘Info’ button. Pray: for God to release Eritrea into her inheritance under His authority. (Ps.132:15)
Egypt's top court has ruled that the upper house, or Shura Council, and a panel that drafted a new constitution are invalid. But the court said the Shura would only be dissolved after new elections. Elections were supposed to take place in April, however a number of Islamists from the Muslim Brotherhood, the Freedom and Justice Party, and the Al Nour Party stated elections were to be postponed until 2014. Mr Morsi's Freedom and Justice party, the Muslim Brotherhood's political wing, holds 42% of the Shura Council's seats and can easily gain a majority with support from conservative allies. Opponents say the president has used the council to rush through an Islamist agenda and laws that have too many loopholes. There was high security at the court building in southern Cairo ahead of the latest ruling. The Spiritual face of Egypt is changing. For insights into this change click the more button.
Pray: for the Coptic Church (the largest body of Christians in Egypt) to be a witness not only to the people of Egypt, but also the Middle-Eastern region. (Ps.17:8,9, 15)
More: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=448&Itemid=93
An Egyptian who left Islam to become a Christian and consequently lost his wife, children and business is waiting to see if the government will now take away his freedom for ‘defaming’ Islam. Ashraf Thabet, 45, is charged with defaming a revealed religion. The charges stem from Thabet’s six-year search for spiritual meaning that eventually led him to become a Christian. During his search he shared his doubts about Islam and told others what he was learning about Jesus Christ. Local religious authorities, incensed at Thabet’s ideas, notified Egypt’s State Security Intelligence service, and he was arrested and charged with defamation. If found guilty he would face up to five years in jail. But because prosecutors have made no move to try the case, Thabet lives in limbo and is subject to a regular barrage of death threats from his community in northeast Egypt. Read the full story at For insights to aid prayer for Egyptian Christians click the 'info' button. Pray: for God’s purposes for Thabet to be fulfilled as He comforts, directs and protects him. (Ps.119:86)
A year ago a Burmese citizen could be arrested for mentioning the name of their beloved, ‘The Lady’. On Tuesday she was voted into parliament after winning one of 44 seats in the Burmese parliament. Although her party hardly has control of the government, these election results are a game-changing feat, and Christians across the world are praying that it is the first step in Gods provision for Burma's future governance. From Burmas elections on 1st April until the end of the year there will be sixty six international elections, and United Kingdom local elections are included in this figure. According to 1 Timothy petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving are to be made for all those in authority because God wants all people to come to a knowledge of the truth. (iTim.1-5) For a brief profile of spiritual and leadership needs of each of these countries, and the date of the election please click the info button.
Pray the leadership of Burma will be virtuous, making decisions that would benefit the nation and her neighbours. (Heb.13:16-18)
http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=377&Itemid=93
Abdul Sattar Khawasi Deputy Secretary of the Afghan Lower House in parliament called for the public execution of Christian converts from the parliament floor. Speaking with regard to a video broadcast by the Afghan television network (See this weeks Insight article) showing footage of Christian men being baptised and praying in Farsi. Khawasi said, ’Those Afghans that appeared in this video film should be executed in public. The house should order the attorney general and the intelligence agency to arrest these Afghans and execute them.’ The broadcast triggered a protest by hundreds of Kabul University students, who shouted death threats and demanded the expulsion of Christian foreigners accused of proselytising. As a result the operations of Norwegian Church Aid and US-based Church World Service have been suspended over allegations of proselytising. The Afghan government is currently undertaking an intensive investigation into the matter. Click the info button for a truthful report from an Afghanistan believer.
Pray: for Christians to stand firm in the face of persecution and for God to miraculously reveal himself to Muslims seeking the truth. (Mt 10:22) info http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/2410AfghanistanInsight1.pdf
North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s son, Kim Jong-un, has been appointed a general and leader of the defence commission amid rumours he is being anointed as successor this weekend at the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Workers Party. The Workers Party has not met for decades and observers believe Kim Jong-il may be cementing the family dynasty. The succession is being closely watched because of the North’s nuclear programme and hostility with the South. This announcement is Kim Jong-un’s first mention in state media and is reminiscent of his father’s rise to prominence in the 1970s. He is being elevated to a four-star general without military experience. His elder brother and half-brother appear to have been ruled out of the running for succession. Things are changing, an anonymous Open Doors traveller reported being allowed to pray publicly and sensing there may be a little more relaxation on the spiritual level. Click 'nfo' for North Korea INSIGHT ARTICLE. Pray: for a sustained spiritual, physical, and political turning from hidden darkness to open freedom. (Is.42:16) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/NorthKoreaPowerInsight1.pdf
* EU has announced an arms embargo on Syria and sanctions against 13 officials while turning a blind eye towards President Bashar al-Assad’s role in overseeing violence against his people. *The UN demanded humanitarian access to 30,000+ Palestinian refugees in Deraa desperate for medical supplies. Deraa was cut off two weeks ago by troops and tanks ‘restoring government control’. *Hundreds have been arrested in house raids with 400+ rounded up in Banias since Saturday. *Banias has a power station and oil refinery. It is predominantly Sunni Muslim but also home to many Alawites (the sect of the ruling Assad family and many senior officials).* 7,000+ are detained in overcrowded prisons, schools and public buildings *An agency caring for 120 Palestinian patients unable to get insulin supplies need help. * Exiled Syrian opposition members from across the political spectrum including activists affiliated with the banned Muslim Brotherhood are attending a Cairo conference later this month. Source: For Christian roots in Syria click 'Info'.
Pray: pray this will not be turned into a religious uprising between Christians and Muslims. (Jer.29:11)
Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Syria1.pdf
The New York Times reported: The withdrawal of the United States from Iraq leaves Mr. Abu Risha and the militia units he commands, known broadly as the Sunni Awakening, to navigate increasingly troublesome relations with the central Shiite-led government of Iraq. See: http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/category/iraq-war-2003-2011/ The Sunni Awakening, remain outside the new Iraqi police force and army and the ragtag groups of men wearing jeans and carrying rifles at dusty checkpoints throughout western Iraq are a loose end left by the United States. Some Awakening members are former insurgents and members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party who fought in a nationalist wing of the Sunni uprising early in the war, a matter of grave concern to the Shiite-dominated government. Without the buffer provided by the Americans relations between the Awakening and the central government, always touchy, are growing increasingly strained, and the government now wants the Awakening to disband by Dec. 31st. For INSIGHTS into Shiite and Sunni relationships across the Middle East click the Info button.
Pray: for a progressive atmosphere of peaceful relationships across various tribal groups in Iraq. (Ps.147:10-11)
Info: http://site.prayer-alert.net/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=355&Itemid=93
To inspire our prayers for the new nation of South Sudan, please find in this week's INSIGHT article a portion of the prayers used by Revd Ron Hart of Salisbury Diocese at a vigil for South Sudan in the Cathedral last Friday, held at the celebrations in Juba the capital. He said, ‘There is much to give thanks for: The evangelisation of the North by 6th Century missionaries; the founding of the catholic Mission station of the Holy Cross in 1858, and the work of the Catholic missionaries. However, terrible things are happening in the Nuba Mountains and in Kadugli, bombing and looting. 75,000 people are displaced. Cathedral windows broken, altar burnt, along with vestments and the Bishop's official residence attacked. Priests have been arrested and tortured. The fear is of ethnic cleansing.’ Pray: that in the midst of change in South Sudan God will bring about His purposes and provisions and evil that will depart. (Job.36:16) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/SouthSudanSOMA.pdf