The youth is the hope of a nation its backbone and future. When I consider the demands for change sweeping the entire region, I understand and appreciate the people’s longing for change for the better. In Yemen one can understand acceptable demands, slogans of ‘change’ and the youth longing for a better future. One also understands the pressing demands of the Yemeni people calling for political and economic reforms and holding the corrupt accountable. But I cannot understand the chants and slogans against humanity, religion and values. They are protesting in ‘Change Square’ and fail to look at themselves and consider that it is time for change and to elect the best successors and not their sons or any of their relatives. We have seen and heard their slogans and chants repeated by protesters. These words have invaded children’s minds in the streets and schools.

Pray: for the Lordship of Jesus Christ to enter into and underpin every religious and value change in Yemen (Ps.33:8-12)

More: http://www.yobserver.com/opinions/10021031.html

Of all the uprisings and protests that have swept the Middle East this year none is more likely than Yemen to have immediate damaging effects on U.S. (and the west’s) counterterrorism efforts. Yemen is considered a key ally by Washington because it is home to al-Qaida's most active franchise, and if the President of Yemen’s government crumbles so will Washington's influence in Yemen. For two years the Obama administration has had a relationship of convenience with Yemen. The U.S. kept the Yemeni government armed and flush with cash. In return Yemen's leaders helped fight al-Qaida or, as often, looked the other way while the U.S. wrestled with them. A bomb mailed to Britain last year travelled from Yemen and was discovered due to ‘information received,’ by the west.

Pray: for God inspired international relationships to be nurtured, and ungodly schemes to fail.(Is.9:2)

More: http://www.startribune.com/nation/118415409.html?elr=KArks:DCiUMEaPc:UiacyKUzyaP37D_MDua_eyD5PcOiUr

When one thinks of Yemen - the impoverished Arab country that begat Osama bin Laden, and is cushioned between Saudi Arabia and Somalia, (with the Bay of Aden between) two of the absolute most radical Muslim nations - one seldom thinks of Christians, primarily because they are practically nonexistent in such an inhospitable environment. Most tallies, in fact, suggest that Yemen's entire non-Muslim population is less than one percent. A new Arabic report , however, discusses the existence of Christians in Yemen, and their plight - one that should be familiar by now, given the situation wherever Christian minorities live under a Muslim majority. Unofficial statistics suggest that there are some 2,500 indigenous Christians in the nation, practicing their faith underground even as hostile tribes surround them. According to human rights activist, Abdul Razzaq al-Azazi, ‘Christians in Yemen cannot practice their religion nor can they go to church freely. Society would work on having them enter Islam.’

Pray: for our brothers and sisters in Christ that they would be protected from hostile beliefs. (Lk.2:14)

More: http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/3563/yemen-christians

‘Al-Qaeda successfully restructured its global network and has the capability to carry out a wide range of terror attacks against Western targets’ reports a detailed US intelligence assessment. See http://uk.news.yahoo.com/embassy-threat-came-bugged-al-qaeda-call-202202492.html#9cEfwGB This week the US State Department stepped up security measures against al-Qaeda threats in the Arabian Peninsula and most US embassy personnel were ordered out of Yemen. Intelligence from telephone conversations between the head of al-Qaeda and the head of its affiliate in Yemen revealed plans to carry out a plot thought to be one of the most serious against Western interests since September 11, 2001. All US citizens are urged to evacuate the country. Baptist Global Response says that while Westerners can pull out, the citizens and refugees in Yemen are vulnerable due to ‘the wars, conflicts and terrorism’. Also there’s collateral damage - people with families and children who don’t have any stake in the fight one way or the other but are the victims on the outside of the threat who need to flee their homes, flee their country.

Pray: for the people of Yemen and especially those needing aid. Pray for safety, peace and for the name of Christ to be proclaimed in the midst of turmoil. (Ps.10:17-18)

More: http://mnnonline.org/article/18840

Over the last few weeks a good deal of mis-information has been circulating on the Internet regarding the translation of the biblical term rendered in English as ‘the Son of God’ in certain biblical contexts. Eddie Arthur, the Executive Director of Wycliffe Bible Translators writes: ‘Bible translation decisions are often controversial and it is not uncommon for people who speak the same language to disagree strongly about the way a translation is carried out. Wycliffe Bible Translators UK members who are involved in these sorts of translations are seconded to a partner organisation, SIL International. In view of the on-going concern, SIL have recently announced a halt to the publication of any related Scriptures pending an exhaustive and wide-ranging period of consultation with Church leaders and others from across the globe. Our colleagues in SIL are taking a brave step in suspending the publication of Scripture in parts of the world where controversy has been stirred up and we look forward to the outcome of their period of global consultation.’

Pray: that this consultation would bring a speedy resolution under the guidance of God’s wisdom and clarity. (Pr.4:5)

More: http://sil.org/sil/news/2012/SIL-dialogue-translation-practice.htm

Whether it’s Vietnam, Kuwait, Senegal or the USA - children are being violated emotionally and physically while the perpetrators often enjoy anonymity and impunity. 5,000 men visit Thailand each year to have sex with children and between 60,000 and 200,000 Thai children are involved in prostitution. In Indonesia between 40,000 and 70,000 children are absorbed into the sex trade each year – two-thirds are trafficked abroad. Cambodia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Department admitted, ‘We don’t deny that Asian men like to have sex with children here.’ Japan is the world’s main producer of underage pornography. The Philippines has 1.5 million street children, with 30,000+ involved in prostitution. A Middle East journalist said, ’After living in the Middle East for more than 10 years I can now safely say that paedophilia not only exists in these windswept deserts but that it is rampant.’ On a positive note:- An FBI investigation into underage prostitution has freed 105 children and led to the arrest of 150 alleged ‘pimps’ across 76 American cities. see: http://news.sky.com/story/1121828/child-prostitution-fbi-sting-rescues-scores

Pray: for all governments to take immediate strong action against paedophilia. Pray for this action to have a preventative effect, bringing an end to both availability and demand. (Ps. 7:11)

More: http://www.win1040.com/page.php?spg=Pedophilia%20in%20the%20Window

A report issued by the United Nations-backed Global Commission on HIV and the Law recommends that nations around the world remove laws against prostitution and decriminalize the voluntary use of illegal injection drugs in order to combat the HIV epidemic. The Commission of 15 former heads of state, legal scholars and HIV/AIDS activists recommends ‘Decriminalise private and consensual adult sexual behaviours, including same-sex sexual acts and voluntary sex work.’ and ‘Reform approaches towards drug use, rather than punishing people who use drugs but do no harm to others.’ The UN backed commission interviewed prostitutes, activists and public health advocates in 140 countries across the world to come to its conclusions. They received funding from Canadian, Norwegian Australian and the US Government plus billionaire Geroge Soros through his Open Society Foundations.

Pray: for the UN would work with Christian organisations for righteous and moral ways to help and heal populations at the highest risk of HIV. (Ps.107:44)

More: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/un-commission-calls-legalizing-prostitution-worldwide?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+delicious%2Fgqlf+%28Christian+Headlines+Top+Headlines%29