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A protest drew thousands to Ground Zero last Sunday opposing the construction of a 15-story Islamic facility described as ‘A centre of learning, art and culture guided by Islamic values in their truest form.’ Opponents of the project say building an Islamic centres so close to Ground Zero would be offensive to victims of the 9/11 attack. A New York community board voted 29-1 in favour of plans to build the centre. The only way to stop the project would be giving the 152 year old building on the site Landmark Preservation Status, which the protestors are attempting to do. The Centre is a collaboration between the American Society for Muslim Advancement and the Cordoba Initiative – both founded by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who preaches in a mosque twelve blocks from Ground Zero. He was born in Kuwait and educated in England. Pray: for the Holy Spirit to guide the hearts and minds of those considering the Landmark Preservation Status for the building and to bathe the area in the truth of Jesus Christ. (Col.1:9b & 13)
Secretary of State John Kerry delivered a video message to Congress in an attempt to stop the body from collapsing last weekend's nuclear deal with Iran. He urged them not to introduce new economic measures against Iran as the US and fellow world powers withdraw some sanctions in exchange for Iran curtailing their nuclear programme. Kerry was reaching out to key senators but Democrats and Republicans appeared determined to increase the pressure on Tehran with senators already working on legislation to reinstate the full force of sanctions and impose new ones if Iran doesn't make good on its pledge to roll back its nuclear programme. ‘The American people need an insurance policy to prevent a rerun of North Korea,’ said one of the Republican Senators drafting the bill. Meanwhile Israel sees any let-up on the economic pressure as a dangerous concession, allowing Iran to move even closer to nuclear weapons capability.
Pray: for American lawmakers and policymakers to be graced with God's wisdom as they consider the impact of present agreements, information they already have and any fresh proposals.
Given the turbulent times we live in, both financially and in terms of international politics - with Iran and Israel rattling sabres, and North Africa increasingly unstable - the outcome is not only hugely important to America but also to the rest of the world. Despite the rise of China and the rapid growth of other nations, such as India and Brazil, the US remains the dominant player on the global stage. It is still a military colossus and the engine room of the global economy, with its capacity for innovation and wealth creation undimmed. America was created through rebellion against the authority of the British monarch, George III, and consequently hostility towards the concept of an all-powerful leader is still woven deep into the fabric of American life. This separation of powers can lead to deadlock and obstructionism in Washington, weakening the scope of the President to provide the leadership the world so badly needs. Theoretically Evangelical Christians vote Republican, while urban voters back the Democrats, and African-Americans vote Democrats, while white population supports Republicans.
Pray: against any roots of rebellion as America votes and may God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mt.18:18)
Condoleezza Rice recently told students at the University of Mobile that asking God for guidance has been the driving force of her career - and that yielding to a ‘higher power’ in difficult times is always beneficial. The former Secretary of State told 400-plus students that her Christian faith and the decisions she makes are inseparable, and urged them to follow the Holy Spirit, as she has, to remain optimistic and persevere. ‘It's not that you say, 'Well, is this the right thing to do?' It's that you ask for guidance and are always aware that you have a higher power to which to appeal.’ Rice was, answering a question about how her faith impacted her role as Secretary of State ‘The best part about being a person of faith is that I could be continually optimistic even in hard times, I don't know how people who can't appeal to the Holy Spirit get through those hard times,’ she continued.
Pray: that across the world God would raise up more Christian leaders and anoint them to talk publicly about their faith. (Ps.40:4-6)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2011/November/Condoleezza-Rice-Shares-Faith-with-Alabama-Students/
A war in which the general doesn't know his enemy is a war lost. The manner in which the Barack Obama administration is handling its negotiations with Afghan President Hamid Karzai suggests the Afghan president is the US president's enemy number one in the Hindu Kush, alongside the insurgents. The number of dogfights between US special representative Richard Holbrooke and the Afghan government is now legion. The tussles are watched in regional capitals as Mr Holbrooke tirelessly wages his war with President Karzai's leadership. Mr Holbrooke announced in Washington soon after his visit to Kabul that the Jirga, or Peace Council, President Karzai was planning to hold on May 2-4 now stands postponed until after the Afghan leader's visit to Washington on May 10-14. (See Prayer Alert 1710). Holbrooke then went on to announce that the Jirga would be held on May 20. By all indications, the Afghan government is seething with resentment over Washington's announcement.
Pray: that President Obama fulfils his 2008 pledge to bring the ‘war on terror’ to an end; for the Taliban to be broken and the leaders at the Peace Jirga to stand in unity against war lords. (Pr.14:8 & 22)
Naghmeh Abedini, wife of Paster Saeed Abedini who is currently being held prisoner in Iran addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 about her husband's plight. 'For nearly a year, the Iranian government has tried to silence my husband, Saeed Abedini, through illegal imprisonment, torture, and threats against our family. My husband is a U.S. citizen and loving father of our two young children. He has been held in Iran's brutal Evin Prison because of his faith and without a voice to fight for his freedom. I must, therefore, be his voice. In light of his failing health due to repeated beatings by his captors and their refusal to give him necessary medical care, I cannot sit idly by – time is running out. Saeed is not guilty of violating any Iranian law; instead, he is being held as a prisoner of conscience.'
Pray: that Naghmeh’s address to the United Nations Human Rights Council will result in the international community speaking out against Saeed's persecution.
More: http://www.foxnews.com/opini
An Algerian court fined a former Muslim who converted converted to Christianity for evangelism in a case that activists warned would further undermine religious freedom in Algeria. The ruling could negatively impact the case of Siagh Krimo who is appealing against a five-year prison term for giving a Christian CD to a neighbour, warned International Christian Concern, a major advocacy group. ‘Once again Algeria's courts have enforced a law that by its very nature is used to prosecute anyone who does not adhere to the religion of Islam.’ said ICC's regional manager. According to Wikipedia ‘Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Algeria, and while the practice and expression of other faiths is guaranteed by law, the same legal framework tends to restrict Christians insofar as overt proselytising is concerned. Christian converts may be investigated and searched by the authorities.’ There are an estimated 30,000 devoted Christians in the heavily Islamic nation.
Pray: God’s protection and encouragement for those practicing their faith and evangelising in Algeria and other Muslim countries. (Ps.121:7)
More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/26482-algeria-sentences-christian-for-evangelism
In 2010 two Algerian Christians were taken to court for publicly breaking the Ramadan fast although they were later acquitted. This week 200 people ate together at a public lunch in the town of Tizi Ouzou - protesting against the ‘persecution of non-fasters and creeping Islamisation’ in northern Algeria. One protester named Malik said that recently some Christians were sitting quietly in a cafeteria (which opens during the day throughout Ramadan) when police came and took down the names of all who were there.The police asked the café's owner to report to the police station and confiscated some of his legal documents. Another picnic was held simultaneously in the town of Aokas in the neighbouring Béjaïa Province, which attracted over 100 people. The picnic caused a number of local Islamic associations to express indignation and call on the state to punish those involved. In Algeria, where Islam is the state religion, breaking the Ramadan fast by Muslims in public is punishable by fine and imprisonment, but those being harassed are Christian.
Pray: for the values of tolerance and respect to be in Christian/Muslim relationships, particularly during the month of Ramadan. (IMat.7:12)
While many people residing in Middle Eastern and North African countries are undergoing turmoil, one group in particular are experiencing extreme change for the worse: Christians. This is particularly true for Algerian Christians. Algeria ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1989. Article 18 of this covenant guarantees freedom of religion
and belief for all human beings without discrimination. Further, the constitution of Algeria guarantees fundamental freedoms and human rights to all Algerian citizens. Despite these guarantees, Mustapha Krim, the president of the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), was informed by police that all non-Muslim places of worship in Béjaïa Province, would be shut down. Algerian authorities based their decision to shut down the churches on the discriminatory Ordinance 06-03, which regulates non-Muslim worship. In addition to this attack on the Christian community.
Pray: for the authorities that use the law against the church and pray that just laws would prevail. (2Ch.11:14b)
As in many Muslim democracies, hard-line Islamic fundamentalists in Algeria have secured the balance of power and are skilful politicians armed with Korans to achieve political gain and influence policies. Decades of Islamic terror have left many Algerians traumatised and disillusioned, and now Christianity is growing especially in the Kabylie region. This is attracting the attention of the Islamists. While persecution of Christians has escalated the Church is not alone for many Kabylie citizens and rights groups are equally concerned about advancing Islamisation, declining liberty, escalating intolerance and state repression. A new struggle for Algeria is heating up. In the Kabylie region four Protestant leaders will face court on the 10th October for 'practising non-Muslim worship without authorisation'. The fellowship is affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria a nationally accredited denomination with 30,000 believers, mainly in Kabylie. The Pastor who owns the property where the Church meets will also be tried for 'hosting a foreigner' (a French pastor). Pray: for the court's courage to uphold justice despite Government and Islamist pressure. (Mt.12:18)