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Samadar Singh was jailed for 11 years for murdering a nun but today he is a different man. While in prison his wife divorced him and his first son died and he plotted how to take revenge against the man who pushed him to kill the nun. But he also received a visit from another nun who was the murdered nun’s natural sister. She hugged him and called him brother. He was profoundly touched and from this embrace his journey of repentance began. He is now released and the murdered sister’s family has become his own. He realises that India’s right wing hate Christians and says, ‘I want everyone to know that missionaries give us hope through their service which is to make us a strong and independent people. I can say without a doubt that the missionaries do nothing but work and help the poor and the marginalised. They have no secret design other than serve God.’
Praise: God for all He is doing across India through His people. (Is.43:18-19)
London’s churchgoing population is increasing by leaps and bounds, according to an authoritative survey for the London City Mission. Results just released from the London Church Census, carried out by Brierley Consultancy, show that nearly 100,000 more people were attending church in the capital in October 2012 than the last time the count was made seven years ago, an increase of 16 per cent. At 720,000, the rate of churchgoing is more than three per cent higher in London than in the rest of England. Because of the capital’s size, this means that a quarter of all English churchgoers attend church in London. According to the survey, the growth is ‘largely driven by London’s ethnic diversity’. Of the two new churches opening every week between 2005 and 2012, two-thirds were Pentecostal Black Majority and a third catered for a particular language or ethnic group.
Praise: God for the growth of His Church. (Gen.17:2)
More: http://www.methodistrecorder.co.uk/mrhlines.htm
The Bible has outsold Fifty Shades of Grey and Justin Bieber's autobiography to top the Norwegian bestseller charts last month for a second year in a row. The new Norwegian translation of the Bible has held the top spot for 54 out of the 56 weeks. Major Norwegian authors, such as Karl Ove Knausgard, were involved in the translation project and its release in October last year was met by huge demand, with some people even queuing overnight to obtain their copy. Ingeborg Mongstad-Kvammen, Bible Society of Norway’s General Secretary, said: 'The stories of the Bible are some of the defining human stories. I hope it will re-engage both ministers and churchgoers in their interaction with the Bible’. It has also inspired a new play by Norway's national theatre company, Det Norske Teatret. The production is being put on to mark the company's centenary and starts on 1 February.
Praise: God for fact that the Bible is still the best-seller.
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bible.beats.fifty.shades.of.grey.in.norway/31268.htm
As we reflect on the Bible delivery ministry for the year 2012, in the midst of many obstacles, a total of 56,330 Bibles, which included 28,269 Korean Bibles, 11,951 Chinese Bibles, 11,828 Messiah Manga Bibles, 1,328 Mongol Bibles and another 2,934 Scripture-related Books delivered. Bible delivery to North Korea was momentarily closed but God opened new doors to deliver the Bibles as the year closed. They were able to deliver Chinese Commentary Bibles, Korean Bibles and Messiah Manga Bibles which were delivered safely into the hands souls hungry for the Word of God. We pray that all the North Koreans who are receiving the Bible will be transformed by the ‘living and active’ Word so that they will become people of God. We pray that God will have mercy upon those who are waiting for the Bible to be delivered to them, so that more and more safe passages can be opened to deliver the Bibles.
Praise: God for opening doors so that His Word of life can be delivered to the North Koreans. (Heb.4:12)
More: http://blog.godreports.com/2013/03/over-56000-bibles-delivered-to-north-korea-in-2012/
An American Christian imprisoned in North Korea has been released following a humanitarian effort by former US president Jimmy Carter. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) said in a news release it welcomes the release of Aijalon Mahli Gomes, but strongly urges the international community to intensify pressure on North Korea for the release of thousands of prisoners still languishing in the nation. CSW said Gomes was detained in North Korea since entering the country on Jan. 25 by crossing the border from China. He was arrested by the North Korean authorities and sentenced to eight years in a labour camp. And ordered to pay a fine of $700,000 for illegal entry and unspecified ‘hostile acts.’ He was the fourth US citizen to be detained by the North Korean government since Jan. 2009, following Robert Park (See Prayer Alert 0210) and the journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee, all of whom were released after several months in custody. Praise: God for the release of these international believers but pray for the many nationals still being held. (Ps.146:7)
The ‘Torch’ is a non stop prayer journey across Arizona that has impacted all levels of society, bringing unity and decimating crime rates. It was launched on Dec. 31st 2008 by15 people from 13 churches committed to fill 2009 with continual prayer by 52 prayer teams each covering one week of non stop prayer within their community of churches. As one team finished their week of prayer a person from the host church travelled to the next host location passing on a cheap camping lantern. The new hosts started their week with the lantern and a time of worship and sharing stories of what God has done and is doing. This non stop prayer continued through the following two years. The police report amazing crime rate decrease and the churches have seen incredible fruit including salvations, deliverances, new jobs and family reconciliations.The Torch will have been in almost 40 cities by the end of 2010 Praise: to God for the faith and perseverance of the team and may God continue to birth new prayer initiatives in the coming year. (Mk.9:23)
Suggestions to make prayers in the House of Lords more inclusive were given a lukewarm response this week. Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked peers to consider ‘widening the scope of House of Lords prayers into devotions encompassing faiths that are represented in the House’. He suggested a minute of silence and reflection in addition to the prayers out of consideration for the diversity of faiths and denominations in the House of Lords and wider society. The proposal was met with opposition from the Chairman of Committees, Lord Brabazon of Tara, who said there were no plans to change the prayers. He noted that the practice of prayer in the House of Lords went back to the 1500s and that change might be ‘premature’ (See Prayer Alert 07-2011) Praise: God for the recognition that prayer would remain at the heart of our Parliament. (Mk.12:17) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/no.plans.to.change.prayers.in.house.of.lords/27767.htm
An ecumenical organization, the Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, said it plans to establish small business and agricultural enterprises that will bring Christians and Muslims together in the troubled north-central part of Nigeria. ‘We believe that projects jointly owned by Christians and Muslims would bridge the relationship gap between them,’ said Helen Philemon Haggai, co-ordinator of the fellowship's peace desk. The projects, Haggai said, ‘will focus on establishment of farms that will provide employment opportunities for Christian and Muslim youths. These farms will enable them to produce crops like potatoes, tomatoes and vegetables like lotus and cabbages. This will provide food for their families and at the same time, provide them with incomes. In addition, water projects like boreholes can provide safe drinking water for Muslim and Christian communities’. Furthermore, Haggai said, ‘a skills acquisition centre will be established for the training of both Christian and Muslim youths and widows.’ Praise: God for this initiative and pray that working together will lead to peace. (Ez.37:26)
Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 10 Christians in three villages in Plateau State last week in what authorities called cattle-rustling. A visit to the home where eight were killed revealed the presence of no cows. A state official was quick to deny the attack was rooted in the ethno-religious violence that has convulsed the State. Military officials asserted that security forces recovered 20 cows and killed five of the rustlers in thwarting an attempted theft. However a news reporter found no evidence of cattle ownership there. Fulani Muslims also attacked the villages of Zatsitsa-Kudeson and Chehwyanang killing two Christians.
Pray: that the Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacking Christians will be brought to account for their crimes against the innocent. Pray also for accurate and unbiased reporting by the government, and all in position of authority. (Ps.90:15-17)
Violence between Christians and Muslims in Jos has scarred and segregated the two groups that Doctor Chris Isichei and his surgeon wife Mercy minister to at his Hospital and ‘Faith Alive Clinic; offering free medical services from 300 to 400 patients every day. 60% of the patients are Christians and 40% Muslims. Almost the entire medical staff are volunteers. 90% of the patients are HIV positive. Patients are offered training in sewing, knitting, computers, driving, and kitchen services. A Christian discipleship program is woven into the skills training and 100 graduate each quarter. Faith Alive also has a free school with a Christian curriculum. Those who can't afford school elsewhere go to their school.’ Every morning and evening Doctor Chris, his medical staff and patients take part in a devotional at the hospital. The Gospel message is presented at each gathering with an opportunity to respond. When patients are released but have no place to go, they stay in transitional housing.
Praise: God for the social and spiritual aspect to the hospital, may they continue to know His protection, provision and leading. (Ph.1:19)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=10507