Saudi Arabia: Christian persecution
26 Mar 2011
Saudi Arabia, a strict Islamic nation, has a long history of cracking down on Christians. On March 22nd two Indian Christian men working in Saudi Arabia were sentenced to 45 days imprisonment for allegedly trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. Vasantha Sekhar and Nese Yohan were detained ten days earlier in Riyadh on charges of proselytizing. Advocacy group International Christian Concern (ICC) said the workers were arrested to keep them from practicing Christianity privately in their home. ‘These two Christians have faced false charges and with false evidence, the Saudi government continues to engage in an array of severe violations of human rights as part of its repression of freedom of religion.’ ICC director told BosNewsLife in a statement. While in prison awaiting trial, their apartment was ransacked by Saudi security forces, and the men face uncertainty regarding their future. Pray: that in spite of discrimination the truth of the Gospel will spread and be understood; and Saudi negative references to Christians will end. (Is.56:7,8) More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/16173-saudi-arabia-detains-indian-christians-for-proselytizing
Next week millions of Muslims from all over the world will be on pilgrimage to Mecca performing a sacred act called the Hajj. For many the Hajj is the pinnacle event of their lives because they are commanded to make a Hajj at least once if they are able. This year Hajj starts Oct. 24th, lasting 3-4 days. See the Hajj 2012 prayer video on the link below. The Hajj is a demonstration of the solidarity of the Muslim people, and their submission to God. On the second day of Hajj pilgrims pray a prayer at noon called Muna - Arabic meaning ‘to wish or aspire’ - as they seek a closer relationship with God. We can pray that they discover and receive the free gift of communion through the Holy Spirit. On day three pilgrims stand on the ‘mountain of mercy’ and cry from noon to sunset, ’Allah I am here.’ Many then spend the night in prayer. Please pray for those seeking God to be found by the One who paid the price for the remission of sins.
Pray: for seekers to know God’s grace, and for Jesus to reveal himself through dreams and visions. (Eph.2:8,9)
In May this year the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia called for the destruction of all Churches on the Arabian Peninsula. Again this week the Grand Mufti (who is also the head of the Muslim community) repeated this statement after a presentation by a Kuwaiti parliamentarian of a bill banning construction of new non-Muslim religious buildings in Kuwait. Not long ago, owing to the consecration of a Catholic Church in United Arab Emirates, the local Christians expected the opening of negotiations concerning the construction of the first church in Saudi Arabia. At the present time 3 - 4 million immigrant Christians work in Saudi Arabia but there are no church buildings allowed to exist. So was the Grand Mufti trying to export his ideology of destroying all Churches in Saudi Arabia to the surrounding countries while making a stand against church building in United Arab Emirates? He stated that ‘there cannot be two religions on the Arabian peninsula.’
Pray: for God’s protection to be over churches in Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. May the UN Human Rights Council take a stand for freedom of religion in the area. (Ps.3:7-8)
Rwanda: Religion not a business - Archbishop
27 Sep 2012The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Onesphore Rwaje, has reminded religious leaders to treat their churches as holy places of worship and not self-enriching business ventures. While addressing over 50 religious leaders at the Democracy and Peace Week dialogue, Rwaje said some members of the public shun going to church due to disappointment of messages relayed. ‘Religious leadership is a calling from God and it is about teaching the Word of God, and not looking for money from the faithful. There are biblical principles urging churchgoers to give offerings and tithes, but it should not be used as a platform to squeeze money out of believers,’ Rwaje advised. He added: ‘Religious leaders are allowed to have their personal business ventures besides performing their church duties; therefore, they should act faithfully and please God by keeping the two positions independent of each other. They must separate God's work from their personal work’.
Pray: for the leaders of the Church that they will concentrate on building God’s kingdom and not on things of the world. (Eph.5:5)
Rwanda: News media closed prior to election
07 Aug 2010
A week before the Rwandan presidential election the authorities have violated press freedom by jailing journalists and closing news media. Also a newspaper editor was murdered last month. The repressive measures intensified prior to the election with the suspension of 30 news media outlets. By excluding them from an approved government list Rwanda’s leading newspapers and radio stations have been banned. ‘The Media High Council’s measures just before the election are highly suspect,’ Reporters Without Borders said. ‘They aim to prevent journalists from doing their job as independent and impartial observers of the election process.’ Meanwhile, in the first workshop for Rwandan Christian youth, 300 believers were told, ‘You are the future leaders of this country and what you do now determines how and where this country will be in the future. Help your families regarding peace building which will lead to the development of Rwanda.’ See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201008030002.html Pray: that God’s purposes for the country will overcome any adversity. (Ps.37:18-19) More: http://en.rsf.org/rwanda-around-30-news-media-closed-a-few-02-08-2010,38076.html
Russia: Terrorism won’t stop the Gospel
19 May 2010Vladimir Putin is pursuing Islamist insurgents in the North Caucasus and some fear government crackdowns on Islam may lead to tighter restrictions on Christians. However Slavic Gospel Association are training the next generation of church leaders working specifically in cross religious, cross cultural environments where Christianity meets Islam. This training is equipping churches to reach Russian youth and protecting young people from brainwashing radicalism. They are also sending young people to Summer Camps to become agents of peace and love. Many families, tired of war and terrorism, have come to Christ because of summer camps. They are seeing a true Christian message of love. Also in St.Petersburg Buckner International are linking their orphanages with local churches thus enabling Churches to proactively adopt an orphanage. The city churches are now also organising summer camps. The above reports come from Intercessor Networks. For an encouraging prayer insight from Russia’s Schools Without Walls training click the 'More' button.
Praise: God that Russia’s youth are coming to Christ and pray for more anointing on youth outreach in the Caucasus Mountains. (Ro.15:5)
More: http://www.sga.org.uk/news_headlines/power_through_prayer.html
Russia and the United States agreed on Tuesday to try to bring together Syria's warring parties at an international conference, possibly by the end of this month, in an attempt to negotiate an end to their civil war Russia - a staunch ally of Assad – has blocked sanctions against Syria at the United Nations and has supplied Syria with arms. Both Russia and the United States have made clear that peace efforts have been stepped up because of growing concern that the violence could spread beyond Syria. Israel carried out two air strikes against Syria recently. On April 25th the White House said US intelligence agencies believe Syria may well have used chemical weapons against its own people, a view which if confirmed would mark a further escalation in the conflict. Both the US and Russia are concerned that Syria may be dominated by Islamists - threatening Israel, Jordan and Lebanon.
Pray: for joint international peace talks. Pray against the region being further destabilised. (Ps.9:15-18)
More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/07/us-syria-crisis-conference-idUSBRE94612S20130507
Reality of austerity
10 Nov 2012As part of 'Living Wage Week' the Northern TUC will be holding a conference on 'Wages, Poverty and Pay Day Loans - the reality of austerity' on Friday Nov 9th showing how austerity measures have depressed wages and increased the squeeze on living standards and hardship for people in low wage jobs. Facts revealed include * The majority of children living in poverty are in households where at least one person is in work * £6 billion each year is spent in benefits and tax credits to top up the wages of low paid employees * Over 90% of new housing benefit claims are from people in work * If the national minimum wage had increased in line with top earners, it would be more than £19 per hour today.
Pray: for God to give the Government, unions and others in positions of authority His wisdom as they face social and economic problems. (Is.58:10-12)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17329